The Millennials: Designing for the Next Generation

"The technology keeps moving forward, 

which makes it easier for the artists to tell their stories 

and paint the pictures they want. "

- George Lucas -

Harmonizing Classic and Contemporary Design with Technology

Ashley and Dan in their livingroom.

When Ashley and Dan (aka my daughter and son-in-law) moved into their new condo in May 2013 I was delighted to help them with their interior design.  It was as much fun for me as it was for them. Characteristic of Millennials, they weren't committed to a single style. Instead they wanted to blend together an eclectic collection of objects, art and furniture from different periods and styles to create an elegant yet comfortable home for entertaining friends which reflects this couples diverse interests and tastes. Because Millennials are essentially always interacting with technology, integrating it into their home was an equally important factor. Working with some existing items, I added furniture and accessories from a variety of sources; familiar retailers, on-line sources and even antiques like the two mid-century modern chairs featured above. Having had them reupholstered, they are among Ashley and Dan's top favorite pieces. Needless to say, they were both very pleased with the results. 

 

 In April, Ashley and Dan were interviewed for a blog on living in their Ravenswood neighborhood. As part of the article, their home was photographed extensively. You may recognize the unusually long hall from a previous newsletter...To see more photos of their unique home, please click here...Read More....     

                                                                                      

                                                 Celeste Jackson Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home

Making a Great First Impression!

Making a Great First Impression!

Curb appeal is a term often used by realtors when selling a home but in reality it applies to all homes. This term, curb appeal, simply describes how visually attractive a home is when viewed from the street. There are a number of details that contribute to creating great curb appeal. A well maintained home with attractive landscaping, containers of flowers on the porch and a pretty wreath on the door all add color and say "Welcome" but since it can be seen from a distance, it's your home's paint color that gets noticed first. Have you ever driven past a home and wondered if the color it was painted was truly the home owner's desired end result? Maybe they wanted a warm sunny yellow but got safety vest reflective yellow instead. Choosing paint colors can be challenging.  Trying to visualize a one inch square paint chip spread over the expanse of an entire house can make it seem virtually impossible.  Celeste Jackson Interiors, Ltd. has a unique computer program to illustrate how the interiors of your home will look before any work begins; but did you also know, this same program can be applied to the outside of your home! Look below at what Celeste Jackson Interiors, Ltd. has done for others just like you, then, give us a call to see a fresh face on your home!  Before Rendering After Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home! Celeste Jackson

Add a Splash of Color, Splash Away!

"Sunset is still my favorite color, and rainbow is second."Mattie Stepanek - American Poet, 1990 - 2004 Add a Splash of Color, Splash Away!

 With the first colorful buds of spring, I find myself longing for something fresh and new! We would never consider going out in a shirt with frayed cuffs and permanent stains down the front, yet how closely do we look at the walls and trim in our homes. Is your trim scuffed and chipped? Are the walls soiled with little tiny hand or paw prints? Perhaps it's time for an infusion of color.  Like the clean feeling of a freshly scrubbed face, a freshly painted room can make your entire home feel fresh and bright, clean and new again! 

It can be overwhelming when you open a fan deck with it's 1500 or more paint colors. In our experience, Celeste Jackson Interiors, Ltd. attributes this to why many people simply default to white when selecting paint for their homes. Yet color is the element that can take a room from ordinary to extraordinary and enrich your daily life.  The first step is to understand how important color is and how it affects us.  In general, the warm yellow, orange and red colors stimulate our energy levels, while the cool blue, green and violet colors calm and sooth us. Considering the function of a room and the type of activity in a space can help direct color selections. The kitchen, family room, play room or office may crave the warmth and stimulation provided a warmer color palette while bedrooms and bathrooms require the soothing tranquility of the cooler colors. The second step in the selection process is to identify an inspiration piece that contains colors you are drawn to personally. Artwork, area rugs, furniture or fabrics are an excellent place to start. Whatever it is, it should be something that makes you feel good. Utilize your inspiration piece to start selecting colors. The more colors an item contains, the more colors you will have to work with. The third step is to tape two or three large paint samples of each color on different walls. Watch how the color changes as the light changes throughout the day. Compare how the color looks at night under lamp light with how it looks during the day in natural light. This step will help you to confidently narrow down your selections. Everyone who walks into the room will have an opinion but remember, color affects everyone differently and this is your inspiration! Several years ago, I was working with a couple who wanted to redecorate the main level of their home. In the living room was a beautiful piece of art they had purchased prior to my being hired. Working from this inspiration piece, I selected a rich eggplant color for the living room walls. On the day the room was being painted, I telephoned to find out how things were progressing. The husband, who worked from home, answered and asked me if I could come over. When I asked him if he was unhappy with the color I had chosen, he informed me the painter thought the color was too dark and had suggested a brighter shade of purple. Since his wife was at work, the husband had approved the suggested brighter purple. I asked him what he thought of the color, to which he replied, "It looks like it belongs in a teenage girl's room. What should I do?" My advice was that he call the painter to come back the next morning and repaint the room in the color I had originally selected then, start cooking his wife a very nice dinner. When the room was finished, it was stunning! When your room is being painted do not start second guessing your selection. Once everything is back in place, your focus will be on the room as a whole and not just on the walls. If you have taken all the proper steps, you will be pleased with the results.

Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home

Celeste Jackson 

From Traditional to Contemporary "Transitional" Bridges the Gap

Transitional - relating to or characteristic of a process or period of transition: "a transitional government was appointed"

Synonyms: changeover · interim · changing · fluid

Just as spring is the seasonal transition from the chill of winter to the sizzle of summer, the transitional style of interior design is the perfect blending of the soft traditional lines with minimal adornment and a clean contemporary look. Below is a recently completed project by Celeste Jackson Interiors which exemplifies this poplar trend in home design.

Master Bedroom and Bath,  Before The originally traditional style of this master bedroom and bath was derived from the shapes of the furniture, the fabric patterns and the window treatment design.  The homeowner wanted to freshen and update the space yet keep much of the furniture she loved. As with the bedroom, the master bath had a number of traditional elements. The challenge was to create a fresh new look without a complete renovation. The combination of  new neutral colors, elegant fabrics for bedding and window treatments, fresh light fixtures and accessories create the "WOW" in this luxurious new space!

Master Bedroom and Bath,  After The combination of  new neutral colors, elegant fabrics on bedding and window treatments and shiny new light fixtures and accessories create the "WOW" in this luxurious new space! Sheen and texture with a geometric accent pattern add a contemporary twist to the traditional bed and nightstands. In the sitting area, by replacing the sofa, chair and large ottoman with a two chaise sectional and one smaller round ottoman all in one fabric creates a spacious, uncluttered feeling while providing the same amount of seating. There are two great features of the master bath; the vaulted ceiling and the enticing soaking bathtub. Installing a glamorous chandelier draws the eye up and highlights the high ceiling. Longer mirrors installed behind the light fixtures above the sinks and mounting the stylish window treatment at the ceiling create a window and vanities proportionate to the scale of the bathtub. Notice how the chandelier is simultaneously traditional and contemporary; the traditional shape and shades are matched with polished metal. The mirrors are framed with a stone tile to coordinate with and update the existing stone on the vanities, tub surround and floor.  The transitional style is the most flexible and versatile design solution. It can be formal or casual, combine the old with the new and continue to transition as your own personal style and tastes change.    Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home Celeste Jackson

Looking Up!

Looking Up!

What makes a room is the combination of both vertical and horizontal surfaces. And while the floor is covered with beautiful flooring, rugs and furniture and the walls are painted of wallpapered and a windows are adorned with rich draperies, all too often the ceiling is left unadorned and white. Below are just a few creative ways to add color, interest and character to the largest surface in any room. Look here, then call Celeste Jackson Interiors. We'd love to get you LOOKING UP!

Framed with trim, adding a decorative painting to the ceiling creates an artistic focal point for your room and art for your ceiling.

Something as simple as a contrasting color will add drama to heights, add grandeur to small spaces and highlight architectural features as it does with the cove ceiling in this foyer.

Upon entering the dining room, the custom designed faux iron piece above the dining table draws the eye up and makes a stunning statement. To view more rich design ideas, click the button below to be directed to our website! Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home! Celeste Jackson

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Kitchen Design Lite

"I have a kitchen . . . it came with the house"  - unknown -

When I read the quote above on a gift shop tea towel, I laughed out loud. Whether you love to cook or not, the kitchen is still "the heart of the home" and therefore should be a cheerful, comfortable place where you and your family spend time together.  Below, I've shared some easy suggestions to make your kitchen a happy place.

Kitchen Design Lite Remove Clutter - Lack of clutter brings a sense of serenity to every room. Keep only appliance which are used daily on the counters. All others, put away.      Kitchens often double as home office or homework center and accumulate lots of papers. Contain papers by keeping them in one in box, file folder or basket. Free the frig by using a cork boards inside cupboard or pantry doors for notes and take out menus. Color Your World - Kitchens take a beating and a fresh coat of paint to walls or cabinets is an easy remedy for a bright, clean look.   Lighten Up - Update the style of your kitchen with new light fixtures.  Changing out dated fixtures or adding light to existing fixtures will make day to day tasks easier and more enjoyable. Window Dressings - Because kitchens can be so "functional", many people skip window treatments. But in a room without upholstered furniture, window treatments are doubly important. They add color to brighten, add privacy and light control, as well as, finish the look and style of the kitchen.   Feeling Ambitious - If you want to do a bit more than paint, replace your countertops. New counters can be installed over existing cabinets. It's a cost effective way to update your kitchen without a complete re-do. The same thing can be said about adding a new tile backsplash. It will add interest, texture and color!   Details, Details - Add strategically placed pops of color with a beautiful bowl for fruit, a favorite tea pot, a vase of flowers or art work. Don't forget to get new linens. Dish towels and cloths lose their luster after years of repeated washing and drying. Splurge! If it's been awhile, indulge yourself with some fresh linens. Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home Celeste Jackson

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CELESTE JACKSON INTERIORS, LTD when polished to a mirrored finish. "  -  Tod Williams, Architect

Cultivating Individuality in Your Unique Home Celeste Jackson The new year is a great time to plan for your next home project. From refreshing a room to new construction, the better you plan at the onset, the smoother and less stressful your project will be. Here are a some things to consider before you get started. Planning Ahead Space - Have a clear idea of how you'd like your space to feel and function when complete. Ask yourself, who and how many will be using this space and for what purpose. Budget - Start with a budget. Allow a little extra for hidden expenses which may present after your project is under way. This is especially true in older homes which may require updating or repairs. Time and Timing - Important celebrations and life events are frequently the motivation for beginning new projects. The size and complexity of your project will determine how much time it will take to complete. Allowing ample time will make your project less stressful and make sure it's complete in plenty of time for your celebration.  Plan your project around the seasons. A small project, such as refreshing a guest room, can begin and end anytime of the year. A large project where walls are opened or windows replaced as with room additions or kitchen remodels, are better worked on during milder months. Furniture, window treatments and cabinets can take 8-12 weeks from order to arrival. Keep this in mind so these items will be here when your room is ready for them. Consult a Professional - Celeste Jackson Interiors knows what it takes to complete projects. We know if your budget and time frame realistically match your plans for your space and can offer suggestions to help you avoid mistakes and successfully complete your project.  For new construction, we recommend a preliminary furniture plan prior starting. You will see how furniture will be placed, how you'll move around it and if anything needs to be modified. It's easier and less costly to add electrical outlets, shorten or lengthen walls or reverse door swings on paper than once your project is in full swing.  Small to large, we've done it.  So don't wait, call us today to get your project started.