26Aug

Trending Now: Abaca Rugs

If you haven’t gotten caught up with the increasing trend of abaca rugs, then today you will. Ideal for coastal design, we can see this natural-fiber rug in urban homes as well as in country homes nowadays. Abaca also called Musa, or Manila Hemp comes from an inedible banana plant that grows in the Philippines. The very versatile plant can be used for everything from plates to paper to roofing. The fibers of this plant are super durable and strong, making them thicker, but also softer than sisal, making them super cozy and elegant as well.

abaca rug, costal design, Amanda Lindroth

Many beautiful elements are in this coastal design room, but the Borobudur abaca rug makes the most substantial impact. Design by Amanda Lindroth.

16Aug

A Fashionable Life: Lauren Santo Domingo’s Southampton Home

A Fashionable Life will be another regular post of this blog, which I’ll try to post every Friday. For this initial post, we are all super lucky since we get a glimpse into Lauren Santo Domingo’s Southampton home currently featured in the September issue of Vogue. I love Lauren’s style in fashion and interiors, and her Southampton home is like a perfect new home that feels old, classic old indeed. Lauren worked with the distinguished classicist architect Gil Schafer. Unfortunately, Vogue article only shows the beautiful and magical garden designed by Miranda Brooks and the interiors of the barn decorated by Virginia Tupker.

Lauren Santo Domingo's Southampton home, facade

The facade of the colonial-style home.

07Aug

Kitchen Renovation Big Reveal: A Client’s Modern Country Kitchen

Modern country kitchen remodel, Julie Paulino Design

When I asked my client what atmosphere was she looking to feel after this kitchen renovation, her response was, “I want something that feels more like a cottage,” I instantly loved the idea. I loved the fact that she wasn’t looking for a pretentious looking kitchen which would’ve been in complete disharmony with the rest of her home. It all started with a hand sketch of my vision, which she immediately fell in love with. We stayed away from white kitchen cabinets and instead went with semi custom-made grey distressed finish ones. For more of a country feel we chose beaded cabinet doors — Interior Design by Julie Paulino Design.

My client has other homes around the country, and she hardly uses this kitchen, so we were able to ditch some of the upper cabinets. That last option made the kitchen feel grander and brighter. For contrast, we chose hand-made glazed white subway tiles, which also add great texture to the walls. Below, are three computer renderings that we provide our clients once the design is agreed. Further down, a before picture of the old kitchen.

05Aug

Why Don’t You Try One Of These Unusual Paint Color Combinations?

unusual color combination, pink and navy blue, Steven Grambrel

Nothing transforms a room more dramatically and for less money than fresh paint color. And no, white paint doesn’t count unless you are starting off with a black painted room. I love to see unusual paint color combinations that are unexpected and soothing at the same time. As I’ve mentioned before there are a few Interior Designers that are exceptional at combining unique paint colors in a room. On the top of the list is Muriel Brandolini, she knows how to come up with unexpected wall colors that are incredibly soothing and one of a kind. Another one on the list is Steven Gambrel who can also create never seen before paint color combinations. See for yourself, below are the most unique and beautiful rooms painted in one of a kind color combos.

Living room designed by Muriel Brandolini. The walls are covered in a fabric she designed for Holland & Sherry in a color that can miraculously be every color from taupe, pink or even brown depends on the hour of the day. She paired this beautiful color with touches of ecru, yellow, browns and honey and makes everything looks like a warm degradation of colors.

29Jul

Live Beautiful: Soften Up Your Space With A Skirted Table

Live beautiful is this blog’s most recent post category in which I’ll be posting about how to live beautifully in a more precise way and with details. Today, we start with how to soften up any space with a skirted table. Regardless of the shape of the table, round, square, or rectangular covering it with a tablecloth can dramatically transform any space. From your makeup vanity to the inexpensive table that can serve you as a T.V. stand, they can all be enhanced with a table skirt.

In the case of a T.V. table, for example, the skirt can also hide storage underneath-all that unpleasant but, necessary electric cord, cable boxes, and remotes, can be hidden behind a very tailored, ideally custom-made table skirt. The design detail can go with any home decor, from traditional to modern. As a matter of fact, many modern Interior Designers are fans of a skirted table.

Bring layers of fabric into a room, if you love layers as much as I do. Above, Janet de Botton’s home in France. The effect of the two cascading pink tablecloths on the table is noticeable- it softens up the floor, and it adds a level of elegance to the room.

24Jul

Take A Tour Of Southern Living Magazine Idea House

This year’s Southern Living Magazine Idea House was built from the ground up in the Crane Island, Florida, 14 miles from Fernandina Beach. The house is absolutely gorgeous, Interiors designed by Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Architecture by Historical Concepts’ Jim Strickland and Clay Rokicki, and construction by Riverside Custom Homes. The decoration inside is elegant and classic but entirely livable with an emphasis on All American beauty. I can move into this house and not change a thing.

It took me more than usual to upload all these images, but they are all so worthy that I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t leave one out. The house has a resemblance to the Something’s Gotta Give’s house, but with a bit more on the classic modern side, with lots of browns, dark blue, ceiling beams, classic or antique furniture throughout and printed fabrics and wallpaper. Read more about it at Southern Living Magazine.

soutern living idea home, blue and white living room

The living room with a blue and white palette.

Tag: Interior Design

Trending Now: Abaca Rugs

A Fashionable Life: Lauren Santo Domingo’s Southampton Home

Kitchen Renovation Big Reveal: A Client’s Modern Country Kitchen

Why Don’t You Try One Of These Unusual Paint Color Combinations?

Live Beautiful: Soften Up Your Space With A Skirted Table

Take A Tour Of Southern Living Magazine Idea House

juliepaulinodesign