Lane took inspiration from the colorful blooming vines and the client’s new patio chairs with coral cushion fabric.

She selected the tomato hue to brighten up the home’s taupe stucco and bring new life to the home’s façade.

Lane provided her design expertise from a long distance. She corresponded with her client in Carmel, CA via e-mail.

Lane recommended the shutter paint color as well as the proper exterior finish to withstand the ocean air elements. She suggested the client paint a sample first to be sure the color coordinated with the red in the fabric.

In just days and for only the cost of a gallon of paint, the sea side house was transformed to a cheerful residence.       

Lane Oliver’s colorful Washington Park backyard is featured with inspirational ideas for the “Perfect Patio”.

In the article Lane provides design tips for your outdoor gathering place and lists local retailers for prime patio picks.

5280 Perfect Patio write up 

For a brief glimpse of what was before:

And after:

Working around pieces the owners already had in the home was essential to a makeover project that was as unobtrusive to the homeowners as possible.  Oliver noticed a recurring theme of Asian urns and ceramics in the home.  These pieces featured beautiful, deep shades of red, green, and blue that would become the basis for the new décor.  A cohesive look developed throughout the home as Oliver paired rich colors with interesting furniture and creative paint finishes.

Faux finishing and paint were imperative in reducing the need for any sort of structural changes to the living room.  Dark green tile surrounding the fireplace and woodwork in the living room were no longer going to work with the style of the room post-makeover.  Oliver brought in a faux finisher to create an exquisite medallion design covering the tile around the fireplace.   Now the fireplace not only mimics the patterns and colors seen throughout the entire home, but it has become a focal point of the living room.   The once white and gold leafed woodwork was painted a dark brown that pops against the green of the walls while echoing the color of the wood on the furniture.

The master bedroom uses bold red and chocolate brown to create a high drama design.  This sophisticated bedroom is stylish yet cozy and warm.  The crisp white linens atop the open bed keep the room feeling spacious, while the sitting area with upholstered chairs is perfect for curling up in the evening.

The monochromatic, muted guest bedroom is a stark contrast to the master bedroom.   Inspired by the small decorative writing desk, the guest bedroom is an example of how serene and lovely a one color palate can be.

The homeowners were ecstatic with the transformation that LEO Interiors was able to achieve while cooperating with their goal of avoiding any construction or major changes that would disrupt their home.  Repurposing existing pieces and adding fabrics, furniture, and paint created a look that completely changed the former feel of the home into one that is full of color, drama, and style.

We couldn’t have done the installation without the help we received from Jon Blades at Close Watch, the property manager.  His services were outstanding before, during, and after the installation. 

It is always an inspiration to work somewhere new and this was no exception.  Seeing the way other people live and the design that this necessitates can leave you with new ideas and thoughts on the design process.  On this particular project in Carmel, the most intriguing aspect was the importance of outdoor living.  This home had just as many outdoor living spaces as interior spaces.  From dining to relaxing, the entire day could be spent outside appreciating the natural beauty of the home’s surroundings. 

The spaces were designed with comfort and socializing in mind.  One can move from dinner at the table to lounging on the chair and ottoman and watching the evening pass.  The outdoor living areas encourage conversation and a slower pace that consequently bring us closer to nature.  After a couple hours enjoying these lovely spaces, one would be surprised at the balance that even just a little time spent in a beautiful outdoor setting can bring to our everyday lives. 

While we may not all live in a gorgeous locale such as Carmel, CA, we can make the most of the space we do have.  Imagine the difference that incorporating an outdoor space into your own home would bring to your daily routine.  You do not have to have a grand veranda or a balcony looking out on to the ocean to enjoy nature. A morning cup of coffee spent on a small outdoor patio could bring a renewed sense of energy to your whole day.  Even if it is only enough room for a small table and chair, use whatever outdoor space that you may have to create a place to appreciate your surroundings. 

Make your outdoor living area well-designed with elements of color and texture that pop against your environment.  There are so many bright and colorful outdoor fabrics available today from companies like Kravet, Schumacher, and Chella.  Use the same design principles that you use inside and layer interesting textural solids with fun, patterned accent pillows to make your outdoor seating just as inviting as your seating indoors.  The outdoor living market is expanding every day, and you can find stunning rugs, draperies, and furniture that will make your space comfortable and attractive.  Great design can be achieved in an outdoor space with a little research and effort. 

Don’t forget that the outdoor table is a wonderful place to experiment with festive color and bold patterns.  Working around a color scheme that complements your outdoor furniture and fabrics, you can find linens, glassware, dishware, and accessories that might not work in your kitchen or dining, but are the perfect mix of wild and tasteful for your outdoor space.  

For more information on our work, visit http://leointeriordesign.com/media/media2/ or call for an appointment to freshen up your exterior spaces.

The twist is that the house is actually new construction masterfully disguised as a home that appears to be at least 100 years old with the amenities of the 21st century.  The vision for this home began three years ago as Lane Elisabeth Oliver of LEO Interior Design began meeting with the client to develop and brainstorm ideas that would shape the architecture and construction.  It was determined that the client was envisioning an “eclectic Old English interior that reflected details of world travel and harmonious room additions,” says Oliver, while ensuring that the exterior would be somewhat in keeping with the existing mountain buildings on the 650 acre property.

Oliver’s weekly meetings with the client and close work with the architect, contractor, and kitchen designer kept the project moving perfectly towards the client’s vision.  From larger architectural details such as stone interior walls, hinting at room additions through the years, to the smallest decor detail, antique books selected for their aesthetic appeal, not a single aspect of the home was overlooked.

While Oliver wanted to match the client’s dream of an English manor home that had been residing in the mountains for ages, she also wanted to make sure it had the comforts of a modern space.  Drawing inspiration from her own travels throughout Europe and the beautiful homes she saw there.  She then intersperses antique furniture with comfortable 21st century furniture that features rich textures and gorgeous fabrics.  The result of Oliver’s hard work and design sense, as well as that of the entire team, is a home that appears to have been lived in and loved for generations with the perk of modern day comforts.

This home has been chosen as a feature in “Colorado Homes & Lifestyles” magazine.  The .PDF can be seen here, or pick up your own issue of “Colorado Homes & Lifestyles” to view the article.

To view more pictures of this project, visit the River House showcase.

At the Uptown, Downtown workshop, designers will be schooled in the the styles which have influenced New York through the generations, from Beaux Arts to Art Deco to Bauhaus.  While touring the Frick Collection, the New York School of Interior Design, the Museum of Art and Design, as well as Tribeca, Soho, and the MeatPacking District, the designers will find knowledge and inspiration at every turn.

Photo: New York School of Interior Design

Photo: Museum of Art and Design

For three days, the focus will be on artistic knowledge, creativity, and accumulating experiences to draw inspiration from.  As they are immersed in culture, art, antiques, fashion, and business, designers will get back what interior design really means to them.  Drawing upon each other and everything they see, designers will be inspired and excited.

The last day will focus on a business practices workshop. This economy can be tough for those in creative fields and luxury industries, but with the right tools and approach, designers can remain busy.

Hosted by Steve Nobel, the Design in New York workshop should be a fabulous experience which result in endless inspiration for future projects and friendships forged between talented designers.