On this day, Studio 9 and my self would like to honor Americans who have died in service to their county. Although Memorial day is an excellent occasion for a backyard barbecue or a chance to travel, we must not forget the true spirit of this holiday. This day is not a somber one, we reflect on the servicemen and women who have perished protecting the many freedoms that Americans enjoy.
Malibu tile is a type of ceramic tile, whose inspiration came from the tiles that were produced at Malibu Potteries in Malibu, California, during the later half of the 1920s. These tiles reflect a style of design that is referred to as Hispano-Moresque or Arabesque showing bright contrasting glaze colors often in geometric patterns that are reminiscent of tiles produced many centuries ago in the Near and Middle East, North Africa and southern Spain.
Do you have a balcony/patio and wish you can actually take advantage of utilizing it? Well today’s blog is about small balconies with big ideas! I’m currently working on a small balcony that has the view of the Downtown Los Angeles skyline. The inspiration for this design came from a rustic resort in Palm Springs that my client used to have a photoshoot for her Shoe Boutique.
Hello Studio 9 followers. Wishing you all a happy and productive Monday! Today I will blog about museums and the positive effect they can have during a design project. By visiting museums you get vast inspirations no matter what type of artist you are. Museums promote creativity, inspiration, relaxation, and puts life into a different perspective through the artist’s eye. As an interior designer, I love to visit museums because I’m inspired by all the different arts.
Lighting can affect the mood of a room. I’ve heard people say how they feel happier and more energized during bright sunny days of spring and summer, and feel sad and lethargic during the dark nights of winter. Lighting design is broken down into three kinds of illumination: general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. You can mix all three types to achieve decorative lighting
Did you purchase a commercial office space building? Or are you looking to make some changes to your current office space? Today I’ll be sharing some information for you to consider when choosing paint colors to enhance your office space. The colors you choose for your office can have a tremendous effect on your employees, clients, and other visitors.
Although we are almost half way the year, I want to introduce to you the 2016 Color of the Year; Rose Quartz and Serenity, a pastel duo that’s transitioned from a soft sweet pink to a modern blue of Serenity. Each color can be used individually or you can be a dare devil and pair them together! This is the first time, the blending of two shades are chosen as the Color of the Year.
Happy Thursday! One of my recent project was for a client in her early 20’s who wanted her room to have a smooth transition into “adult hood.” She wanted to make sure that her bedroom was comfortable for sleeping, having a few friends over to hang out, for studying, and still have enough space to keep clutter away. The color palette selected for this bedroom was black, champagne, cool toned and warm toned grays for her room decor.
Have you ever wondered what is the difference between custom picture framing and purchasing a store bought frame? I’m sure many just think that a frame is just a frame and glass is just glass. Some may even see it as an unnecessary expense but there is a difference, specially if the art that you are wanting to frame has some sort of monetary value.
As an Interior Designer, I recommend that if it’s within budget, custom window treatments are a must! They will be everything you desire and more! Store bought drapery usually needs to be hemmed or the sizes are too small, a lot of the times making a room feel “unfinished.” Think about custom window treatments as a tailored fit gown for your windows, walls and overall room. Dress up those windows!
Raquel Contreras is a renowned American designer and taste-maker known for her enchanting take on interiors. As a California native who relocated to Boston and found her way back home to the City of Angels, Raquel has experienced two very different worlds bringing them together as one.