Ceilings the last frontier!

One of the often neglected but very important spaces is the ceiling. Ceilings are visually commanding, they are vast areas that get over-looked.
Now granted the photos I'm showing are over the top but you get the idea! I have used high gloss paint on low ceilings with magical results! If you don't want to use high gloss paint think a bout a subtle color. Just another design element that can make your rooms exciting!

Photos courtsey of Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home

Story boards are an important tool for creating a cohesive look.

To create an inspiration board, go to an art supply store and ask for foam core. It comes in black and white; I like black. Buy some spray glue, too. From the clippings of looks that you have gathered, cut out images that best illustrate the look and, more important, the feel or mood of the room you wish to create. Make a collage with the images you have pulled together. Once you have a pleasing arrangement, glue the images onto the foam core. With this inspiration board you can have a dialogue with the whole family about what the direction of your rooms will be. Now is the time to find out what the likes and dislikes are before money is spent on furniture that cannot be taken back.

Designer Secret: A helpful tool to use in this step is to take the time to create an inspiration board. As an interior designer I have skipped this step with clients in the past, thinking I knew exactly what they wanted, and found out later that I was wrong. The inspiration board will give you a clear view, through images, of exactly what you are striving for. Make it a family affair; give family members an opportunity to offer their input.

First Step in the Design Process-What is Your Budget?

Photo from Kimberlee Jaynes Interior Designs portfolio
How much money will I need to spend?
Budget
You will want to determine a budget for Your design project. You should spend only what you can afford to pay in a reasonable amount of time. Be mindful that a remodel and /or furnishings are solid investments. You are investing in your well being.
The quality of your life is heavily affected by the space in which you live. If you are not comfortable in your home, stress builds and eventually your good health is compromised.
If you are thinking of selling your home at some point, it may help to have a great color scheme with a well-designed décor. When you invest in the best quality foundational pieces that you can afford, such as artwork and area rugs, you will not be compelled to upgrade later and those are items that you can take with you if you do decide to sell.
It's helpful to know that a fully furnished living room from Crate & Barrel can cost $25k. If you want furniture that is of higher quality then the numbers go up from there.

Hiring a designer can help you guide those dollars towards wise purchases.

The words I hear most often from my clients who are in the middle of the design process are, “I had no idea how many decisions I would have to make…there are so many details, I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into!”

End of summer one last fling I hear the forest and river calling...

This is the view from my swinging deck chair...I live on a floating home. Most of the time I feel like I'm on vacation. I love the wildlife the small community feeling of 18 floating homes that create a Norman Rockwell existence. However I have an office in my home and try as I might to not work and just spend a week enjoying the water and sun, I have to leave in order to really find rest. So I'm leaving Monday for a resort built in the 1920's by Camp Sherman and the Metolious River which I LOVE so dearly. Below are pictures of my cabin, the river and deer...oh I can't wait to be unplugged for 4 glorious days! One of my favorite restaurants is in Camp Sherman the Kokanee Cafe inn. I'm bringing books and my dog Skip, he loves it there too!





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Escaping to another world...if you can dream it you can create it!

We visited a world that I did not know existed...a reproduction of a western town in the 1800's complete with railroad cars, buildings and water wheels! Gary Lee is the train enthusiast that painstakingly built everything you see including the track that the train runs on! This Lilliputian world is both mindbogglingly and magical. Gary's building skills goes way back to his days with the Meier & Frank display department. He now owns ConstructaVision a design and build firm that makes just about anything you can think up. I have used his company to build everything from sliding shohji doors in Pearl district penthouses to beautiful wood fireplace walls with remote control TV's that are hidden and rise out of the mantel!

I hope you can escape this world and for just a moment go back in time and place to this perfectly manicured life in a western town.

Lighting tips

Photo from Kimberlee Jaynes porfolio



Photo from Kimberlee Jaynes porfolio

Lighting

Lighting gives your home drama and accentuates the positives! You can have a fabulous floor plan and interesting paint colors, but poor lighting could mean none of your good work will be noticed.



If you are replacing a ceiling or building a new home low voltage lighting is the ultimate lighting source. The pure white light from these can lights are worth the added expense. Regular can lighting is very glaring and no matter how beautiful your home may be glaring lights will ruin the overall affect.



Table lamps are the equivalent of jewelry; they are the accessories to your room. Two tall identical floor lamps flanking a sofa act as sculptural elements more than mere lighting. Using a few high-style table lamps, along with floor lamps and sconce lighting, adds layers of light, and the differing light levels are what create interest.



If you have a tray ceiling (indentation, or coffered ceiling) an electrician can install cove lighting that will add another dimension to your room. Don’t forget to add a subtle color to your tray ceiling for added drama.

Designer Secret: To give yourself lots of flattering lighting options install dimmer switches on all of your lights, even in the bathroom!

First Annual Client Appreciation Party

Please view video to get a real feel for the fun we had!

















On Thursday evening Kimberlee Jaynes hosted her first annual client appreciation party.

I gave the party at my design studio Urban i.d. I have been saying for years that I have the BEST clients that an interior designer can have--they are nice people--the very best people! I am truly privileged to be part of their lives. Thank you for attending Tom, Ruth, Brenda, Lennie,Chan,Brandon, JD,D'Alene, David, Carol,

Becky, Dave, Liz, Karen, Mary and I hope those that could not make it can make it next year!



I had lots of help to make the party a fun time...a wine tasting from Dan's store in the pearl CorkScru. His wines are amazing! The delicious food was from Davis Street Tavern, thank you Katie! Aegir Olsen provided the melodic key board music, he was a real trooper he had smashed a finger that day...but didn't cancel! (I didn't know until after the event). Carolyn ,Norm and Kris Butters from Butters Gallery attended along with their artist Debra Vantuinen. Debra's work was featured this month in my studio and helped to create the beautiful atmosphere! Hart Keene provided the very entertaining close up magic that was so unbelievable! A big thank you to my intern Michelle, I could not have done it without your help!



Thank you all for attending and making the event so memorable!