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First Impressions

Melanie Morris June 30, 2020 Interior Design, Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized 0

Lately, I’ve been binge-watching the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it has me thinking about the architectural details in interiors that have all but become a thing of the past.

The scenes of the prewar era apartment buildings in New York are so intriguing.  New Yorkers have really perfected the art of gracious small-space living, long before that became a thing. There are a lot of little lessons that can be adapted from those vintage apartments.

How about those scenes where the apartment conserved a lovely phone nook – talk about things that we no longer have!

It’s really the entry foyers that I love. Those have been lost a bit in the modern times of open concept living.  What a gracious way to welcome guests to your home.  Much like a party invitation, the design should foreshadow the theme of the gathering with its color scheme and graphics. The same can be said for foyers, where a little taste of what is yet to come is tucked away further inside the home.

There are some places where you open the front door, step inside, and hello – you are now smack dab in the middle of the living room. When a package is delivered to your door or the girl scouts stop by with cookies, do they really need to be in the living area?  I feel that it is so much more civilized to have that little space between your primary living space and the front door.  This smaller area is easy to keep tidy, even if your kitchen and living room are being invaded by your kids and their friends eating popcorn. If other parts of your home look like a bomb went off… the pop-in guest doesn’t necessarily need to see that!

Here are some of our favorite first impressions in these elegant homes.

 

 

 

 

Foyer related resources.
Architectural Digest
Haute Residence
Coco Dsgn
Southern Living

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How To Mix Metals In Interior Design

Melanie Morris April 7, 2020 Tips & Tricks 0

Gold is one of the hottest interior design trends right now, and manufacturers are meeting this need by producing a range of new gold tones and finish choices. There are many ways to style gold accents, from embracing the color and using gold on everything, to mixing and matching different tones of gold for an eclectic look.

If going all-in on gold isn’t your style, I recommend blending different metal accents. The casual elegance of this look is perfect for island living; it looks accidental, but in reality, was carefully planned. Here are some tips on what to look for and how to mix metals.

Types of Metals in Interior Design

When choosing metal accents for your home decor, you must select between the metal tone, type and finish.  There are three tones: warm, cool and neutral. There are also three main categories of finishes: polished, satin and hammered. Each of these tones and finishes can be applied to any type of metal.

Mixing metals can be difficult, but I have a few tips to help you. Many types of metals are used in interior design, but these eight are the most popular:

Cool Tones

  • Chrome
  • Nickel
  • Stainless steel

Warm Tones

  • Gold
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Oil rubbed bronze

Neutral Tones

  • Cast iron
  • Black matte brass

How to Mix Metal Accents

Hiring an interior designer is the safest bet when it comes to mixing metals and making other design choices in your home. But if you’re looking to DIY the project, these are my three steps to successfully mix metals:

  1. Choose two or three metals you’d like to work with. Two is best if you’re not used to mixing. All of the metals should have the same finish (either polished, satin or hammered).
  2. Select one of your metals as the dominant color to be used on most of your accents in the space. The other metals will become the secondary colors.
  3. Begin decorating by item category. In bathrooms, the main categories are plumbing, lighting, accessories and mirrors. In kitchens, the main categories are plumbing, appliances and accessories.

Let’s use a bathroom for example. Regardless of whether it’s a full bath or a powder room, plumbing is the most dominant fixture in the room, so I would use the dominant metal there. Then apply the accent metal to lighting and accessories like drawer pulls or towel bars. Because there’s typically only one or two mirrors in a bathroom and they are large items, try using a third metal or another unique material like rope, rattan or shells.

Finding More Metal Inspiration

Following these tips should help get you started mixing metals in your kitchen or bathroom. Follow us on Pinterest for even more design inspiration and interior design tips.

If you’re still feeling lost after reading these three steps, it may be time to consider hiring an interior designer. Lagnappe Custom Interiors is the top authority on interior design in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we’d love to help you design and decorate your beach house so it’s just as beautiful as the islands we live on.

The dominant color in this bathroom is silver, which is used on the plumbing fixtures, lighting and accessories. Matte black is the first accent color, used on the drawer pulls. The final accent color is not a metal at all, but a third, totally unique material — shells. Design by Lagnappe Custom Interiors.
In this bathroom, the light fixture and cabinet pulls are in brass with a satin finish, while the plumbing is in stainless steel. Design by Lagnappe Custom Interiors.
This kitchen mixes stainless steel, seen on the appliances and plumbing, with brass, seen on the cabinet pulls and lighting. Design by Lagnappe Custom Interiors.
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How to Stay Involved with Long-Distance Decorating

Melanie Morris February 6, 2020 Tips & Tricks 0

The U.S. Virgin Islands are an amazing place to visit, and many visitors love it so much they decide to buy a second home or vacation home in the Virgin Islands. That’s often when we get a call. Lagnappe Custom Interiors specializes in interior design for island living, so we’re accustomed to working on a project while the client is hundreds of miles away.

While this experience is old hat for us, it’s often new to many clients. They want to be involved in their home design but aren’t sure how to do so long-distance. Here are our top three ways you can stay involved in your island home design from afar.

Set a Standing Meeting

If you’ve ever been in a long-distance relationship with a partner, you know that communication is the key to success. And though your relationship with your interior designer isn’t a romantic one, the same rule applies. To ensure you feel involved in the design process, consider setting up a standing meeting where you can check in and get progress updates. The frequency of these meetings may change depending on the phase of your project. During planning, for example, your meetings may be less frequent than during construction when you may want to have a call every other week.

Though phone calls are a reliable way to meet, there are many other types of communication platforms, like video chatting via FaceTime, Skype and Zoom. Talking with your designer face-to-face can help build a relationship with them, but also allows them to show you what’s happening at your beach home if they’re on site during the call.

Ask for Visuals

Interior design is a visual medium. Many of the decisions revolve around color, texture, size, shape and space planning. It can be hard to fully understand your designer’s vision without seeing their plans for your home. To resolve this problem, ask for as many visuals as possible. At minimum, this should include a floorplan of your home. Many designers use computer programs to model their designs. Lagnappe Custom Interiors uses a program called Sketchup Pro, for example, which shows our clients a 3D rendering of what the final space will look like. This is especially helpful when making a decision on a paint color or furniture piece because the software allows you to see what the finished room will look like.

Depending on the product in discussion, you may also want to ask your designer to send you samples for the tiles, wood flooring, fabrics, paints and other finishes they are considering. And while it may not be practical to mail you a countertop sample, your designer may be able to coordinate a showroom visit near you if you’re choosing engineered stone countertops.

It can be hard to envision a space when it looks like this — an empty shell full of possibilities. Your designer should provide you with sketches or renderings to help you understand what the final design will look like.
The sketches or renderings should look almost identical to the final design, as seen here. Design by Lagnappe Custom Interiors.

Plan a Visit

Although you may not be able to live in the Virgin Islands while your vacation home is being designed, you may want to schedule a couple of visits during the design process. This will allow you to meet your interior designer in person and see the progress on your beach home first-hand.

I recommend scheduling at least one visit after construction has begun, but before finishes are being installed. You’ll be able to get an idea for the flow of the home with wall framing in place, and will still have an opportunity to change things if you don’t like what you see. This is also a great time to view all the finish and fabric samples in person and see them in the space.  We always recommend seeing finishes in person when possible before confirming your orders.

We recommend scheduling at least one visit after construction has begun. The home will look like this — a “before” photo — with old finishes removed.
After the renovation is complete, your home should be as functional as it is beautiful. This master bath is full of island hues and loads of storage. Design by Lagnappe Custom Interiors.
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A Tropical Mood Board that will inspire your next Interior Design Project

PMMAdmin3 December 2, 2019 Color, DIY, Furnishings, Tips & Tricks 0

Creating a Tropical mood board while designing vacation homes remotely, helps to visualize the final design.

You love the purples and pinks of a Caribbean sunset. Seashells would look beautiful carved into a custom piece of furniture in your living room. Colors, textures, patterns, fabrics. What style furniture will suit, and how will it look inside a room? The options for expression and creativity in interior design are endless

Making Mood Board Decisions

With so many choices and decisions to make when designing and styling a home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, and there comes a need to channel your wishes in one direction. Starting with pictures and a theme for inspiration, and then having a visual layout of all the components of a room in one place is the best approach.

We create mood boards for all of our projects. It’s a great visual way to pull thoughts and inspiration together at the beginning of a project. To be honest, most of our mood boards aren’t actually boards but ‘baskets’.

Tropical fabric swatches to use when creating mood boards with polka dot patterns, leaves and blue rug

Digital mood boards are a tool we use for our clients all the time. It makes working together with people off island easy, efficient, and fun. A lot of mood boards intend to inspire and let the imagination run wild to get a clear visual of what you hope to achieve in the decor and design of their home. However, there comes a point in every project where we need to pull together some actual real world items, that will not only suit the clients’ space, but also their budget.

Often times there will be multiple options for each room so when you come in for our presentation, they have something to react to. This changes the conversation from what we like in broad, general strokes to specifically what we do or don’t like about this item.  A mood board helps the you get a sense of how all of the items will work together in a room. 

Filling in Details of a Tropical Mood Board

Once we have this design direction laid out in full color, it’s pretty easy for me to fill in the details in a way that will make sense with the design and I know my clients will love. After all, a few happy surprises make the reveal day even more fun.

One of the simplest online tools is Pinterest. It’s free, easy to set up, and very user-friendly. It’s become such a popular tool not only for designers, artists, and people selling, but it’s where many people get ideas for their own projects.

We often ask our clients to put together a Pinterest board with inspiration images of things they love, even if they don’t seem to go together. The visuals make it possible to see some connections and bring some of their loves to the project.

There are tons of Apps that aim to make the process easy, but I’m pretty old school and just use Power Point to create my tropical mood boards. The main focus here is to create a collage of the items you wish to mix in the room and get a sense of whether or not they will feel balanced. When they are all together on a page, you’ll know if one item feels out of place

How to create a Tropical Mood Board

  1. Start with your floor plan of your space

    It’s all pretty meaningless if it doesn’t fit in the room. Your floor plan is your guide for what you need and what size and shape it should be.Mood board bedroom floor-plan

  2. Choose an inspiration item for your tropical mood board

    Is there a rug or a piece of art you’ve fallen in love with? This is a great starting point for color scheme and the over all feel of the room. Mood board inspiration elements of sea shells, sunsets, and colorful macarons.

  3. Add tropical color chips to your mood board

    Use your inspiration piece, whether it’s a rug, a photo, or handbag, to generate a color palette.Mood Board color chips taken from a beach

  4. Collect images and specs of key pieces

    If you’re working on a bedroom mood board, then choose the bed next since this is usually the largest piece in the room. Look for an item with the right styling to compliment your inspiration and evaluate available finishes. Key Mood board pieces including large furniture pieces that will go in a room. Couches, colorful accent pillows, vintage lamp and dresser.

  5. Layer in accessories and signature items

    What will define this space feel ‘oh-so you’? What things make you and your family comfortable?Mood Board Accessories include Framed prints of tropical scenery and curtains with tropical prints

  6. Stick with what works

    Once you’ve added all these items into the collage pages, you’ll clearly be able to see which ones are harmonizing and which ones are just not working with the others.

Why we use Mood Boards

Mood boards are a visual way for us to communicate. By providing your favorite colors, styles, and designs, no matter how different they may be from each other, you can come up with a plan which works as a beautiful end result. I like challenges when someone has varied interests when it comes to design. It’s my intention to work in as much of your tastes as possible into a tasteful-looking and welcoming home!

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with property owners to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

Split image of Before and After a bedroom has been designed by Lagnappe
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Sunset View Condo Interior Before & After: A project that was passion

PMMAdmin3 November 14, 2019 Before & After, Furnishings, Tips & Tricks 0

Interior Design Before and After: We Transformed a 2-unit vacation rental into a beautiful permanent family home

The Interior Design Challenge

Take 2 separate condo units side by side, and turn them into 1 family’s residence.

What we do matters beyond just ‘being pretty’. Design is really about people. It’s about how we can create a space that supports the lifestyle of those who live in it. I love residential design because at its best, it is caring for others in a creative way.

Interior design is the art and science of enhancing a the inside of a building, home, or space. It aims to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing and healthier setting for the people who use the environment- a welcoming place for the family to love and grow.

Our team at Lagnappe Custom Interiors have been working in residential design for island homes since 2002. Designing homes for people is my passion, and an emotional journey I share with my clients.

We listen to the desires and wishes of each family member, and ask questions to learn how they envision their dream residence. In this recent project here in St. Thomas, USVI, we transformed an outdated vacation rental into a family’s permanent home, Sunset Villa Condo.

Why I Loved this Project…

Other than the obvious creative challenge, I love welcoming new people to the island. Growing up, my family moved around a lot. I was always the new kid in school. Now I’ve been in the same place for 18 years and I always want to be a person who reaches out to new people.

The family who now live in Sunset View Condo have two young children. Helping these kids get excited about a big move and bond with their new home ahead of time was really a heartwarming privilege. This is really design at it’s best. When I am able to help my clients be more comfortable in their own homes and create what will be the backdrop for all the family memories yet to come…well that is my best possible day at work.

In order to get the flow of the space right, we had to make some pretty big changes. The goal was to make the finished product feel like it was always intended to be a single home. As this was two separate condos joined as one, there were many doubles. Originally there were two front entry doors, two kitchens, and a hotel door joining the two units. They could be rented together or separate.

“Sunset View was originally a two-bedroom unit, and a studio condo which were side-by-side. The plan was to combine the units, and they really needed updating. We were introduced to Tiffany at Lagnappe Custom Interiors by our relator, Kirsten McConnell. Tiffany had an eye for seeing the potential for each place, and gave constructive advice about how each might work for a family of four,” said the Client, current owner of Sunset View Condo.

What the family needed was one big kitchen and a large living room area with an indoor-outdoor feel. They needed two kid’s bedrooms and one master suite for the parents. After considering this design plan, we then had to add in all the other key items. Everyone needs plenty of storage, a laundry room, and other essentials in a permanent home. There are always tradeoffs in remodeling but this time, we were able to hit most all the highlights.

To make planning at a distance fun and easy, I created a 3D model online. The program allowed the family to log into on an iPad and then virtually “walk” through the space. The kids took to it immediately and were even able to share it with friends before they moved. I wish that had been available when my family moved as a kid!

“Technology has made the world move so much faster. Most people would not do this, but we bought the two units without having physically toured them. We placed a lot of trust into both Kirsten and Tiffany. We had seen Tiffany’s work in another unit and felt completely secure with her abilities. During the process we were provided fantastic photo updates as the renovation progressed. We had to make a lot of decisions based on what was sent to us via the internet. At this point, we worried we had downsized too much. Tiffany measured us and remained optimistic, and felt is was perfect for us.

A Satisfied Client
Conceptual 3d model of the project interior design layout
Conceptual Model

Entering the Home Interior, Before and After

Every family needs a place near the front door to use as a ‘landing zone’. If you live in a small space and a full size mud room isn’t an option, then a mini size version might do.

Entryway Design After

Quite the transformation from this . . .

Entryway Design Before

Master Bedroom Design

A fabulous Master suite was on the wish list. When you live somewhere year-round, not just vacation there, you need space for all the “stuff” of life. We’ve all got stuff, but when we design a place for it all, we don’t feel the space has been overtaken. I believe when we live with less clutter, we can relax a little more

Master Bedroom Design After
The Master Bed before, was actually a kitchen!

Master Bathroom Design

A standard vacation rental bathroom was transformed into a gorgeous place to share a morning bathing ritual. The parents wished for a double sink, with quartz countertops, and selected fashionable marble tiles. An open-concept shower expresses the couples’ comfort and ability to relax while preparing for the day together.

Master bathroom After
Master bathroom Before

Porches

Opening up the porches was so worth the effort. That really banished the last bit of feeling as though it was two separate places. Porches are an integral part of an island home, as people relish their time outside. Not only did we enable a larger balcony area for the family to enjoy, but we added updated amenities. We replaced outdated tiles with new porcelain flooring. For furniture, we added a big comfy day beds in navy blue, accentuated with colorful cushions.

Porch Before
Porch After: Shot from the opposite side of the porch, but I think you get the idea!

Living Space

This is one of the most gratifying before and afters ever. It’s hard to even see how this is the same room… basically, we just opened it up to let the breeze and light flow. It’s now a great spot for family togetherness. With plenty of cabinets, the family has ample storage space for serving sets and appliances, plus snacks and cooking essentials. We took a simple vacation kitchenette and transformed it into a full-size kitchen.

Living Space After
Living Space Before

“Tiffany brought her own experience with island family life into helping her identify what would tie into our family’s needs. The use of the computer graphics (link to https://www.lagnappe.com/effective-collaboration-and-communication-when-designing-your-dream-vacation-home/) was such a help and was true to the final product when we finally saw it.”

Another Satisfied Client.

When I first showed the family their finished home, my heart felt warm when I saw the looks of joy in their eyes. Expressions of apprehension from the two young children became smiles of comfort. The place they became familiar with on their iPads had come to life.

“The girls were absolutely awed by their rooms. Everything they had said they wanted was there and had come to life in their rooms. Our 10-year old said she wants to work with Tiffany when she is older, and she will make sure all her projects have stainless steel appliances!” the Client smiled. “I was just so pleased with the final product, and knew I would never have been able to pull off such a well-thought out design by myself. My family and I are so proud to show off our new home, Sunset View Condo. It has become the benchmark for other owners who are considering a renovation of their units.”

This project was one of my favorites because it was designed custom for the family’s needs. The framework taken from a joined, 2-unit ,generic vacation rental became one gorgeous, big home. Being able to turn my clients’ visions and ideas into reality is the most beautiful part of what I do. Sunset View really demonstrates the values of Lagnappe Custom Interiors, and our initiative to create beautiful, custom, designs tailored to the dreams of each client.

Bathroom Before and After

Before: The things you find under an old bath vanity –YUCK!!!
After: Refreshed and ready for a new family’s story:

Turtle Bedroom Before and After

Before: This bedroom was a little scary even for me…
After: Now it’s perfect for its young occupant.

Mermaid Bedroom Design

Before: This bedroom too was dark and dingy.
After: A New Bedroom layout with colors that pop, give the space a new life.

Eclectic Bathroom

Before: A dark and narrow chasm.
After: It’s taken on a new sense of life, post makeover!

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

Ocean view out of a chic guest bedroom
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What NOT to do when Designing and Decorating an Island Home

PMMAdmin3 October 29, 2019 Color, Furnishings, Lighting, Tips & Tricks 0

Designing and decorating an Island home is much different from one in a city or suburb in the North. Once you select your property, there is a lot to consider in the planning stages. From incorporating views, to choosing materials suitable for the climate, it’s easy to slip up during the process.

Clients dream of enjoying their ideal vacation home. They long for a space complete with a beautiful outdoor area, tropical decor and of course, an enchanting view. When it comes to the tropics, there are specific things which clients need to consider when designing or decorating an island home.

With all you invest in a holiday home, you don’t want to miss a moment relishing the beautiful surroundings. The primary focus when designing a vacation property should be incorporating the view. For ease and simplicity, our clients choose to have professional guidance when building their custom vacation home.

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors.

The following is a list of common issues which occur when designing an island home:

  1. You’re not maximizing the view.

    Clients typically reside in locations which lack beautiful, natural surroundings, especially tropical ones. When they purchase a vacation property in the islands, they choose a place with an incredible view. Not maximizing the opportunities to see it is the number one fall when investing in a vacation home. Of course, you can step outside and relish the sea and vegetation, but you want to enjoy the vistas while indoors too. A builder can help achieve this, but you need to consider how you’re using your windows.

    The Fix: Don’t block your view with curtains.

    “To be honest, I love curtains more than most people, but not when they cover up the glass on a window with an amazing view,” says Tiffany. “You paid extra for that view, do the drapery right and you can accentuate your view, rather than cover it!”

    Modern designs are all about clean, geometric lines, which allow a lot of light. Invest in custom window coverings, such as motorized blinds or roller shades. They can transform a dark room into a beautifully well-lit room looking out to the ocean. Rather than clutter the window, they can be hidden away when not in use with the touch of a button. They allow you to maximize your view by day and sleep in with blackout blinds on your vacation. Motorized blinds integrate with Smart Home technology, such as Control4 and Nest. These high-tech designs also allow you to control settings with timers and amount of light you wish to let in. Ocean view out of a chic guest bedroom

  2. You haven’t clearly defined a focal point for the room.

    Again, when on vacation, you want to take advantage of time embracing the tropical surroundings. In most island homes, it should be the view which is the focal point. Of course, clients wish to personalize their home with art, decor, and unique features, but it’s what’s outside which should be the focus.  

    The Fix: Arrange your furniture around the window.

    “You’d be surprised how many homes I go into where the sofa is turned with its back to the view, and the focal point is the TV,” Tiffany jokes. “Pretend the window is the TV with the best view, and arrange seating accordingly.”

    From the initial planning stages, make a clear choice to determine which window has the best vista. Arrange your couches, coffee table, and furniture so you’re looking out to the sea, and find a place for the TV last. Consider clever ways to hide your TV, such as a cabinet, or behind frames or a screen. You don’t want to distract from the view when not it’s in use.

  3. Too much Caribbean Color

    Colorful pastels of different shades on the Caribbean color palette add to the overall island vibe. While these eclectic colors add to the joy of being on vacation, they can become too much when over used in a home. Too much color can distract from your furniture, decor, and even the view.

    “I know, the vibrant colors of the islands are inspiring, we love them too! However, if you paint each room a different ‘Caribbean color’, you will soon find it overwhelming,” says Tiffany.

    The Fix: Use nature to inspire color choice

    “Inspiration from nature is the best way to go. Use the neutral tones to inform color choice for the ‘big stuff’,” says Tiffany.

    The Caribbean color palette doesn’t necessarily need to be bright and bold. It can be playing on coastal colors of light blue, brown, or beige. Think about the shades of the drift wood on the beach, or the color of the sand and stones. Soft shades can inspire as well, like the creamy color of a conch shell. Use these tones for the paint on the walls, tiles, and cabinets. Vibrant shades, like the bright color of the inside of a conch shell, can then be used to accentuate. 

    “When you keep flooring, walls, and cabinets in understated tones, you can add the bright colors in the accents and accessories, like pillows and bedding. This makes it easy to change your look in the future as well,” exclaims Tiffany.
    A living and dining room that uses conservative colors indoors allows the accentuates the colors from the view outside.

  4. Not enough lighting

    “We love our large expansive views and indoor-outdoor feel here.  Large windows and sky lights provide a room with natural light from the sun during the day. At night, however, if a room is not equipped with the right lighting, it can appear very dim,” says Tiffany. 

    The Fix: Look to light the room in layers

    By layering light, you create atmosphere within a room. Interior designers put together different textures, fabrics, colors and materials together to create the feel of a room. Similarly, layering light is by adding different types of lighting to create a particular mood or feel.

    “The first is ambient lighting. It’s the general, overall glow which makes nighttime into daytime.  Ambient lighting is often achieved with track, recessed, or overhead cove lighting. You may need professional help to add this to an existing space, but it will be worth it.  Second is task lighting. It helps you see to actually do something, like a reading lamp next to your bed, or under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen. Last, there is accent lighting. Is there a pretty painting that needs to be highlighted with a sconce, or a textured wall to be featured? Look for opportunities to decorate with light,” says Tiffany. A modern kitchen and dining room with great lighting

  5. You bought furniture without a ‘space plan’

    You fell in love with a gorgeous, comfy sectional you saw in a stateside showroom, but now there’s little room for anything else.Often clients will choose things they see in the showroom, because they like the look. However, they take a guess, and haven’t correctly determined if it will fit. 

    “It’s very hard to interpret scale in a showroom.  Even as a seasoned professional, I am often surprised to measure a sofa in a showroom and find it’s a 108” when I thought I was looking at an 84”. Showrooms are huge, and even large pieces do not look big in that setting,” says Tiffany. 

    The fix: Measure the room and determine a ‘space’ plan before you shop.

    Measure and record the scale of the rooms, including the lengths, widths, and heights of floors, walls, and windows. Bring these dimensions when you shop, and share them with the sales people. They can advise you which items will be scaled correctly for the space. Scale is important, as even if they fit, a space will quickly feel cluttered if the furniture is too big. 

    “If you are decorating a vacation home, you need to leave space for people and their STUFF!” Tiffany laughs.

    Space planning can be challenging. It is worth investing in a designer’s time to get it done correctly.

  6. Your furniture isn’t old, but it’s looking kind of shabby

    In a small space, every piece of furniture is used every day. Especially in an island vacation home, your furniture will have a hard life. Island elements like the sun and salt water, and also vacation renters, will wear out fabrics faster. Your space will start to look noticeably less fresh.

    The fix: Invest in higher quality furniture

    It’s no secret that cheaper furniture will wear out faster. With high quality furniture, the foam in the cushions and frames are made to last longer. There really is a difference in furniture quality, specifically, with the durability of the fabrics. Choose reputable brands, and especially ones recommended by professionals who work in the tropics.

    “We love to add machine-washable slip covers to upholstered items. It makes it easy to keep them looking and smelling fresh,” says Tiffany.

    Designing and decorating Caribbean vacation homes can be challenging and time consuming. By investing in the help of professionals, such as Lagnappe Custom Interiors, the process can be easy and enjoyable. With experience working with clients in the islands, they provide unrivaled knowledge when planning your tropical getaway home.

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

Outdoor pool area with ample shade will keep tile flooring cool
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Planning a Beautiful Outdoor Living Space

PMMAdmin3 September 27, 2019 Furnishings, Niceties, Outdoor Living, Tips & Tricks

Are you designing a vacation home, or dream of planning a beautiful outdoor living space to enjoy tropical weather year-round?

Not everyone shares the same needs and desires when designing their vacation home. Design teams need to begin with a discussion with their clients to learn how they envision using the space.

“We always start with asking lots of questions, and listening carefully so we can personalize every space for the homeowners. It’s the first step in bringing the daydream into life. Is the intention a private space for a family with a lot of commitments? Or will the plan be to maximize the ROI from vacation rentals, and hosting special events and weddings. Every space has different needs,” says Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors.

Outdoor pool area with ample shade will keep tile flooring cool
An outdoor living area with ample shade will keep tile flooring cool

The process can be easy and enjoyable when the proper steps are taken to asses your wishes.

“Our team chats with clients to help them make selections that are appropriate for the space, the use, the climate and budget,” says Tiffany.

Before you can begin selecting the furniture and other accessories to design your dream outdoor living area, review the following considerations.

Here are some conversation starters from Lagnappe Custom Interiors’ typical client meetings:

1. How many people will your home sleep? This is the first question asked in the initial planning stages. Larger families need more outdoor space. Lounging areas and dining tables are selected based on how many seats you need at the table, or how many loungers around the pool.

2. Do you plan to host parties or entertain? Some clients like to host parties when down on vacation. Others wish to rent their homes on VRBO (link to https://www.vrbo.com/) as a party destination for weddings, reunions or gatherings.

“We like to design a good bit of flexibility into these spaces to accommodate groups of varying sizes. Adding bar ledges with stools is a clever way to provide additional multi-functional seating at parties. Modular furniture is a great choice, as it can be moved around the create little lounging vignettes here and there when it’s just the family at home. For large functions, they can be combined to form one, big seating area,” says Tiffany.

3. What is your optimal balance for sun verses shade? For visitors who are not from the islands and used to the strong sun, ample shade is crucial to the layout of the outdoor area. Of course, clients want to include areas for sun bathing, so your design team can determine the best spots for sun.

Covered Patio with dining area
A covered patio keeps loved ones and furnishings protected from harsh UV rays.

“The intense sun in the Caribbean is not only hard on your skin, but also hard on outdoor furniture. Fabrics and materials which are left outdoors need to be selected based on what lasts in the this climate. We default to a few select lines of outdoor furniture which will withstand the UV rays, salt, and chlorine,” says Tiffany.

For shade structures and umbrellas, Tuuci has products which can transform a sunny spot into a shady oasis. Umbrellas can be added into swimming pools to provide shade for kids who play in the water all day.

You can also consider a permanent structure to provide coverage from both the sun and showers. A covered bar area is perfect for additional seating in the shade, plus a convince to serve cold drinks.

4. Will you be cooking or catering outdoors? Outdoor bars and kitchenettes are popular in the islands, as clients like to maximize their time outside. Dining ‘al fresco’ with a traditional patio table and chairs is simply not enough. Asking the question, “how much does our family like to cook, and do we plan to serve outside” is essential.

Options are available to build custom full-service bars and kitchens, to prepare and serve drinks and meals. These spaces can include features such as grills, stone pizza ovens, refrigerators, cabinets and lots of counter space.

“We like to add beverage coolers and ice makers to outdoor spaces every chance we get. In our view, there can never be too many cold drinks in the Caribbean,” says Tiffany.

5. How much maintenance are you prepared to do? Will you love teak and oil it? Will you wash cushion covers? You need to consider the color and material choice of tiles. Non-slip flooring, especially around the pools, prevents liability issues with vacation rentals. Light colors are necessary in Caribbean homes, as they heat up quickly in the hot sun. However, you need to be prepared to clean them.

Glass table tops are easy to clean with Windex, but many clients like the look of classic teak. Choosing teak is great, if you’re prepared to power-wash, oil, and retouch the paint…or love the weathered grey color teak becomes as it ages.

Consider the fabrics you choose for your outdoor furniture and cushions. Lagnappe loves the Brown Jordan Elements Collection. It contains functional and stylish options, designed to withstand Caribbean climates, and are easier to keep clean.

Poolside wicker lounge with fabric hood awning at sunset
Outdoor furnishings covered with fabric need protection, we love all-in-one solutions for this.

“You’ll need to be mindful of seating options available when people come in from the beach. We have lots of choices for colorful fabrics which are resistant to salt-water- a spot to sit in your wet bathing suit!” says Tiffany.

Caribbean vacation homes need to be designed for both functionality and enjoyment, custom to the clients’ needs. Lagnappe Custom Interiors begins with a conversation with their clients, followed by an efficient process to make the design process simple and fun.

 

 

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

Outdoor bathing
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5 Tips for Planning Your Outdoor Bathing Space

PMMAdmin3 August 9, 2019 Bathrooms, Furnishings, Tips & Tricks 0
Outdoor bathing area stone

Properly Planning an outdoor bathing space will allow you to enjoy it even more!

Modern luxury vacation homes, especially in the islands, now have both indoor and outdoor bathing space. Features such as a rainfall showers, incorporating landscaping, and decor mimic a spa experience. Outdoor bathing areas provides the ultimate relaxation, and connect people with nature.

The concept is appealing when you live where the air is warm, with sunshine and tradewinds year long. Something about the experience adds to living that tropical lifestyle, where indoor and outdoor living areas are combined with an open-aired concept. 

Outdoor showers are not only an enjoyable luxury, but they’re functional for vacation homes. Keeping sandy feet and swimsuits outside after a day at the beach, or boating can simplify housekeeping later on.

“We love working with our clients on outdoor showers. Our clients love designing these spaces because it is a concept most do not get to enjoy at home. When on vacation, whether it be a whole season, or a week, people want to maximize their time outside. With these features, they can take time to relax while they bathe.”

Tiffany, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

 

1. Outdoor Showers & Water Fixtures are Easy and Simple

Many love the concept of a rainfall shower in an outdoor bathing area, to mimic the feeling of a waterfall. Large rain can shower heads achieves this, as the water falls softly from above, for a wonderful, relaxing feeling. 

“It is key to include a hand-held shower head, or a hose with a spray attachment in the area, as they are often used to rinse off things like dive-gear, surfboards, sand toys, and pets. It also makes showering easier for small kids, and simplifies cleaning,” says Tiffany.

2. Outdoor Bathtubs Maximize Relaxation

Enjoy the relaxing experience of a bathtub, under the sun or while gazing at the stars. You can incorporate a tub in your outdoor bathroom as a statement feature, such as an oval stone bathtub. Corner tubs allow more space, and can be built in-ground within your deck like a pool.

“A tub adds extra luxury. There’s nothing quite like soaking in a big tub during the day. We can even add features such as effervescent bubble jets, heaters, or glowing, decretive lights.”

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

3. Location & Landscaping Choices for an Outdoor Bathing Area

Designing your ideal outdoor bathing area includes finding the perfect location to incorporate the views of surroundings and sea. 

“Isn’t it true? Location, location, location! Will you position your outdoor tub on a private deck with an incredible view? Consider a courtyard setting with a beautiful garden, for truly tropical experience,” says Tiffany.

Combine the indoor bathing experience with the outdoor surroundings by adding greenery and vegetation. Plants like shrubs and ivy require little work, yet create a refreshing feel for your morning cleanse. If your property includes natural stones or palm trees, your design team can include these within your bathroom.

4. Storage Space in and Outdoor Bathing Space

In an outdoor bathing area, storage space is crucial. You need to be able to tuck away your bathing essentials to prevent them from collecting dirt. Design teams offer suggestions to incorporate storage areas into your bathroom without taking up extra space. Be sure to include lots of hooks or bars to hang-dry wet towels and clothes. 

“Whether it’s a niche in a stone wall to hold your shampoos, or a teak cabinet with fresh towels, we have unique ideas to keep the essentials handy,” says Tiffany.

5. Seating & Decor for your Ultimate Outdoor Bathing Space

Depending on the size of your bathing area, consider outdoor furniture, to re-create the spa experience. A simple teak bench, or an elaborate stone seat offer additional space to rest dry items.

“Clients love comfy, outdoor steamer chairs. We offer seating made from recycled plastic, which is eco-friendly and durable,” says Tiffany.

Of course, typical indoor decorations such as artwork and ornaments will not withstand the weather conditions outside in the Caribbean. Your selections need to be made from specific materials and weather-proof when decorating your outdoor bathing space. Choose colorful titles and patterns as basics, then adorn with sculptures and even paintings designed for outdoor use.

Remember, even outdoors in the tropics, you need to enjoy hot water all year round. Your design team needs to work with expert contractors for the plumbing, electricity, and air systems, specific to the climate.

Luxurious outdoor bathing spaces are a compliment to any Caribbean vacation home. Teams like Lagnappe Custom Interiors are experienced in sourcing materials, and know the best options for the climate and location. They ensure their clients have a simple, efficient, and exciting time when planning their future outdoor bathroom. 

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Effective Collaboration and Communication When Designing Your Dream Vacation Home

PMMAdmin3 July 18, 2019 Furnishings, Tips & Tricks 0

Team collaboration software is on the rise. For employees, there is the appeal of being a ‘digital nomad’ and enjoying the perks of working from anywhere in the world. For designers who work in a location where most of their clients are residents part-time, or frequently travel, they love using virtual tools to facilitate design collaboration. 

Homeowners designing their dream vacation getaway benefit by using virtual software provided by their design team to save time by making the process easy and efficient. They can work from anywhere, and on their own time, eliminating the need to be present on the island, from the initial planning stages, to the final touches.

There are so many online collaboration tools which help clients and their design team connect, plan projects, assign tasks, and work on virtual drawing boards to incorporate feedback without face-to-face meets, or even picking up the phone. It’s not all emails either. 

Virtual Meetings

It’s basically Skype, but for the professional world. When clients work with their design team, often communication is not possible in person, and emails or even phone calls are not enough to clearly understand each other. Virtual meetings are a popular tool in all industries, and video-conferencing softwares allow the attendees to access the virtual meetings without a fee or signing up for accounts.

GoToMeeting

One of the most popular video-conferencing tools, GoToMeeting allows you to schedule meetings and share-screens. It’s quick and easy for clients to access the program, in order to connect with their design team.

Zoom

Very similar to GoToMeeting, Zoom offers the same scheduling tools, and top-notch video communication.

“We love to use Zoom for our ‘Strategy Sessions’, which is an online service where we meet virtually with the client for two hours and they get to pick our brain on anything design related.  They then get a recording of the session so they can review it later if needed. We can get TON of info covered in two hours.”

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Zoom is convenient, as the recording is available instantly, and through the same link they used to log in for the meeting originally.

Space planning and Visualizing in 3D

Commonly known as CAD, Computer-Aided Design is a technology for design and technical documentation, used by designers, architects, and engineers. It allows users to replace manual drafting with an automated, and sharable process.

 Sketchup Pro

In the design industry, Sketchup Pro is a popular choice as it offers a simple and customizable interface, and tools to create 2D and 3D designs. While this software isn’t usually used by clients, it is the program which allows interior designers to connect with the architects who work on the home. The benefit of this program for clients is that they receive a 3D model of the space that shows the details and layout of their home.

Sketchup pro allows these future homeowners to view features such as the tiles on the walls, color choice, where fixtures will be located, and walk through the newly remodeled space before it even breaks ground. 

“It allows them to give us their feedback and say things like ‘I’d like that doorway to be larger’, or ‘The TV isn’t big enough.’ In the virtual world it’s super easy to change and costs nothing! When I get on a video call with a client and give them a tour of the space as I imagine it,  we can drag, drop, resize, add, and subtract various elements in live time.  This creates a level of understanding that is very important to being happy with the finished product,” says Tiffany.

Lagnappe Custom Interiors offers their clients online access to play around with these models themselves on their laptops or iPads. This service is enjoyed by all clients, but has worked especially well for families with kids who can play around and visualize their new home so that they are comfortable and familiar with the space before they move. For couples debating a color choice or furniture selection, they can see a mock-up the room in multiple ways to see what works best. 

“I love proving this for my clients. It’s a service where design and tech meet, and people really light up for that visual experience.”

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Sharing Content and Organizing Design Documents

Dropbox

“We utilize Dropbox for all our design plan documentation and specifications so the client, contractor, architects, and any subcontractors will all have access to the latest revisions of the plan.”

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

If they don’t already have one, clients can easily create a Basic Dropbox account for free. It is very user-friendly, has automatic organization and backup, and can be used on all devices. 

“Using Dropbox helps us to be sure everyone on the team has access to all the info that may be needed anytime day or night.  If I’m not in the office, you can still review your kitchen specs,” Tiffany explains.

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Project Management Software

Studio Designer

Lagnappe uses a unique software specifically for interior designers called Studio Designer. The program’s most notable feature is the Client Portal. Clients receive a web link to their own personal project page. This tools allow the homeowners to log in at any time from anywhere and view updated information on estimated ship dates, payments that have been received, and items that are proposed for their project. 

Interior Design Software | Studio Designer

This software allows the designers to quickly generate quotes, complete with item specs and pictures for increased clarity.

The design team will put together a proposal with pricing that includes all the items needed to complete the clients’ interior design plan. This proposal includes images, costs, quantities and specs for everything all in one place.

“Our project management software is quite robust and enables us to coordinate thousands of moving pieces with relatively few hiccups.  We love Studio webware.”

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Technology has drastically improved so that those designing their dream vacation rental can rest assured the process will be smooth and enjoyable. The stresses of coordinating times to meet and miscommunication have been replaced with easy, user-friendly softwares, such as the one’s used when you work with design teams like Lagnappe Custom Interiors.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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How to Design an Instagrammable Vacation Rental

PMMAdmin3 July 1, 2019 Furnishings, Tips & Tricks 0

Stunning vacation rentals with striking interiors capture the eyes of the those who enter them, and now, the hearts and imaginations of those who see images posted on social media.

What makes a space ‘social media worthy’, and especially on the number one picture sharing app, Instagram, is the unique features, breathtaking surroundings, and remarkable decor. 

“An Instagram-worthy space is definitely one aspect of how great design can add value to a vacation rental property. When people rent your condo, love it, and post a photo to social media, it becomes an outlet for exposure to their friends, who could be potential clients for repeat business,” Tiffany Cassidy of Lagnappe.

How can you you make your rental home selfie-worthy? We’ve outlined a few of our top tips below.

1. Focal Point

The focal point of the room should provide some “Wow Factor”. It may be the incredible view that has been framed by the interior surroundings, or a furnishing piece with iconic style  that starts a conversation every time.  Regardless of what the item is, it’s the one thing in the room that when your guests enter, they notice it right away, and always make a comment.  When deciding what the focal point of your room should be to get more social media attention, think like a photographer and ask yourself, “How would I want to be photographed in this space?” Your entranceway is a perfect spot for a focal point, as it is likely the first area a guest sees, and their first impression when welcomed to your home.

Small kitchens in homes are no different. Keep functionality at the forefront, but add touches of your personality in with things like unique backsplash tile or easy-to-clean flooring that has more personality with a funky pattern.

2. Views, Lighting and Furniture Placement

Most vacation homes in the Virgin Islands are situated in a location which boasts incredible vistas. When designing the interior of a room, consider the layout so that the furnishings and backdrop can all be incorporated in one, Insta-worthy shot. It is also important to acknowledge lighting when planning a space, so that both the decor and people in the photos look their best. Nothing misses the point more than a home with a fabulous view where all the seating has been arranged to face a TV, and not the scenery your guest have traveled so far to see.

3. Unique Decor

Lighting is a really important way that interior designers work to change the way a room looks and feels. Good lighting can make all the difference, and bad lighting can really make a space feel smaller.

It’s good to think outside the box when it comes to Caribbean vacation rentals. Vacationers want to escape the plain and typical surroundings of home, so when they stay in a place which is anything but ordinary, they will want to share the experience. 

This is a great opportunity for the homeowner to “try on” a style they would not usually go for in their 12-months-a-year home. Is there a look you’ve always admired, or a color you want to use but fear it’s a little too bold? Now’s your chance, go for it and use that to create something unique with a sense of fun.  A turquoise chandelier in an entrance way welcomes the guests, and give them the sensation that the home owners want to offer a memorable vacation. Furnishings such as funky daybeds or hanging swings are places for guests to share a picture of them relaxing in style.  One of a kind items with a story to tell are always a good choice.

4. Colour Choice

When decorating a Caribbean rental property, often clients want to make every wall a different “Caribbean color”. Instead, consider choosing light or natural tones for the walls and flooring, to keep the space feeling open and fresh; use the bright colors in smaller doses. Instead of including an overwhelming amount of colour in the painting stage, consider decorating with vibrant artwork, such as a large photo of a bay and sunset, which will act like an accent wall.  Brightly colored rugs, throw pillows, and other accessories are easy items to change over time, so you can provide something new to look at every year.  If repeat guests are the goal, you’ll want to surprise them and let them know you are working to keep the place fresh and different.

5. Outdoor Lounging and Poolside Patios

Those who vacation to the sunny Caribbean enjoy the year round warm climate and the opportunity for outdoor living, therefore you’ll want to create an amazing outdoor living space for your guests, and yourself. Think of this as the place to enjoy the sunshine, entertain, or simply relax with a good book. Luxury rental properties usually include a pool, which is not just for swimming, but the centre of a‘room’ where you can add a bar, lounging area, and even an outdoor kitchen. Guests loving eating ‘al fresco’.

Purchase Hanging Rattan Chair

The design team at Lagnappe have experience sourcing materials, furnishings, and services for the luxury Caribbean market. Design your dream home for your tropical escapes, and share it with vacationers seeking the ultimate rental property

Want to incorporate some of these ideas into your own home? Let us help! Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more info.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm, specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.