A recently completed project posed the same problem many face - what do I do with my ‘formal’ living room space? We all realize that we don't want the “plastic” living room that we all remember, but it seems silly to have a room without a purpose. And, any designer you find will steer you against doing so.

In talking to this client, we determined we wanted a secondary entertaining space, sans TV, that would function as a game room.

I was perusing Pinterest today, and scrolled past an Elle Decor article headline posing the question whether taupe was the new grey. And, I think it is.

Years ago - in the ‘90s and early ‘00s - beige and tan were the neutral du jour. Things were very warm-toned. We swung through taupe on our way to grey in the 2010s when it seemed like everything was grey and white. Now, taupe is back. The neutrals we are seeing in interior design have definitely started to warm back up.

One recently completed project was all about color! My client sent me a ton of inspiration on Pinterest (which is awesome) and the look she was going for was neutral walls and large furniture pieces, with deeper jewel tones popped throughout the spaces. She also wanted the flexibility to add in colors seasonally, or change things up over time.

We’re 5 months into 2024 and I just completed a few continuing education classes on kitchen design. One of these classes touched on a few kitchen trends that are strong into 2024.

Before we jump into the list, a word on trends: we never want to decorate solely based on trends. My priorities are always finding my clients style and determining the functionality that works for their lifestyle and interior design needs. Some clients will want to integrate trends into their designs, while others will want to focus on timelessness.

Today we have a hot take - an opinion that may be unpopular: I’m not the biggest fan of accent walls.

Granted, I always say there’s a time and a place in design to break the rules, even if the ones you set for yourself, so I won’t say you’ll never see an accent wall in my designs, but it’s not a go-to for me.

The home renovation and design process is crazy! I know, I’ve helped countless clients through it over the course of my interior design career and I’ve lived through it myself.

My biggest recommend for interior design clients - whether you’re working with us, another designer, considering it in the future or currently in the process:

Our clients are often working on a budget or hiring us in conjunction with DIY-ing projects themselves - and this quick design tip is perfect for those scenarios.

Adding paneling - or the look of paneling - is an amazing way to add an architectural feature to your walls. It’s more interesting than paint and is a great option if you’re not sure that wallpaper is right for you.

Three ways that Abode Virtual Design is different from other virtual design firms:

1. We always start our projects with an initial design consultation. Always.

2. We don’t use any AI generated designs

3. We don't use an algorithm to determine your design style

Wait, we also have a bonus fourth way that we differ

Are you interested in virtual or remote interior design services, but have heard some things and maybe aren’t so sure about moving forward? We are busting three common myths about virtual interior design below!

MYTH: Hiring an interior design is expensive

TRUTH: Yes - a traditional interior designer is expensive, and I’ll be frank: no matter how you shake it, it is a luxury service. But, Abode Virtual Design has kept our services accessible by meeting virtually and keeping our design process streamlined to deliver the most important information with a quick turnaround.

Ready for 5 things that you’ll never see us do as your interior design team? Let’s dive right in

1.Create a space that won’t work for your lifestyle

A space that’s right for a family of five won’t always be right for a bachelor or an elderly couple. Space that works for those that like to entertain won’t necessarily work for those that always go out.

Is there a kitchen renovation in your future? If so, and you’re feeling lost - or perhaps it’s simply the beginning of the process and you know you would like some additional guidance, read on for 4 ways Abode Virtual Design can be there for you during your kitchen design project.

Planning on changing up your layout from your current floor plan, but unsure what should go where? This is why we love having an initial consultation via video call as the first step of our design process

What makes those throw pillows look so luxurious in professional interior design photographs? It’s the fills!

Throw pillow fills are either poly-filled or feather-, down- or some combination of feather & down-filled. Polyester filled pillows will not “karate chop” or be fluffed just so like a feather/down pillow will. Instead, they’ll just kind of… sit there.

When working on a bedroom transformation, its my goal as the interior designer to turn it into whatever dream the client has. Most often, my clients ask for a serene getaway, as if they’re in a hotel room - not their everyday bedroom. 5 Tips for a serene bedroom design? Right this way:

Ready for the run down? Here we go!

1.We’ll maximize your layout and make sure you’re using all available space to your advantage. This is essential in tight spaces or where storage is at a premium.

Have you been searching for tile for a kitchen or bathroom remodel and you keep falling in love with tile that puts you over your budget? We have a few tips to share that are ways to work in a tile that would be too expensive to use everywhere. The benefit to these tricks is that they also add in design elements and visual interest that make your space more interesting while saving you money.

One of the first thing a designer looks at, whether they realize it or not, is the scale of a space. Why? The scale dictates the scale of all the items that are selected to fill it, and its something you should be aware of when you’re sourcing for your project as well.

Gone are the days of the “plastic living rooms” - but what happens if we still have the formal living room that ends up being underutilized? Just because a space is specified on the home’s floor plan as a formal living room doesn’t mean that’s what it needs to be used for.

We wanted the primary design colors to tie the pale blue walls and black furniture, however, rather than repeat that formula exactly, I knew we’d be going for blue tile in the space and contrast that with white walls. The jumping off point was the accent tile - the varying shades of blue was where we’d select our color for the wall tile on the sink wall and in the tub.

Large spaces can be fabulous! The challenge that they can pose is feeling cold when you’d rather it feel cozy. It can depend on just how big your space is, but sometimes a large space can be better served by being broken up into smaller zones. This is especially helpful if you need the space to serve multiple functions: