Mood Board vs. Design Boards
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Mood Boards vs. Design Boards

Melanie Morris February 11, 2021 Uncategorized 0

You may have heard the buzz words mood board and design board before. Especially if you are familiar with the interior design industry. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are actually two different things. Designers use both throughout the design process, and they help our clients and us at different stages. 

Mood Board vs. Design Boards


The Mood Board

Mood Board: (Noun) an arrangement of images, materials, and pieces of text, intended to evoke or project a particular style or concept. 

Mood boards are the beginning of the project for us. As the definition suggests, this is a visual way to convey the overall feel or vibe you want for a space. We spend time with our clients to determine how they intend to use the space and what they need from it. Do they entertain a lot and wish for a living room that conveys a sense of energy that is fun, and lively? Are we focusing on their family room? In which case, they may describe the feeling to be relaxing, cozy, a place to unwind and connect. This is a totally different atmosphere compared to the first example, and their mood boards would convey different emotions and feelings. 

Translation

 As a designer, I often find that I’m picking up on cue words from conversations with clients. Translating those words into visuals such as color palettes that ultimately become real-world items in their home. You could say that designers are actually translators. Instead of languages, we translate words into visuals as design elements. These elements in the home will begin to define and support the lifestyle of the people living there, and that is the real magic of design. The way we progress through the design process from “It feels so, X and I wish it were more Y” to a finished space that supports our clients’ desires is definitely a road to discovery. So, trust the process, and believe in each step you take. The result will be a better-finished product in the end.  

I love to start with a mood board, and there are many ways to put one together. Above is a quick tutorial on how to create a mood board using Canva. We often ask clients to use Pinterest to gather images that they love and tell us why. We also love when they include things they enjoy doing and just overall visions for what they wish to live in the space with them. The mood board collage is not intended to define any actual items to purchase but simply groups images that show our client’s beauty, love, and vision for their interiors. There is no need to be grounded in reality at this point. Just because you’re remodeling a master bedroom doesn’t mean your mood board shouldn’t include garden scenery photos. This is a chance for your mind to run free and to truly be inspired.

Inspiration Floor Plan

The Design Board

Design Board: (Noun) Design boards are often referred to as a concept board. This presentation tool will help you visualize what real-life items to include in your design and how they would look together. This is a great way to virtually put a room together and see if there’s one item that sticks out, as just being not quite in harmony with the others!

Design boards become a little more concrete and begin paving the way to the finished design scheme. 

 

Design boards will contain actual items you’re interested in or at least styles you are searching for purchase. This is the stage where you are defining the pieces needed to create the desired overall feel for the room that was defined by the mood board. The mood board will be a great guide to work alongside in this stage, to help you stay focused on your goal for the space. While the design board will help you see how the actual items are fitting together visually.Mood Board

Are you starting to see the pieces come together? 

When you combine these tools, they are a compelling way to organize your thoughts for a cohesive space and pull together a polished look with an actionable plan for moving ahead with a project. The translation from client to the designer, back into a client’s space is an interchange wondrous to behold.

Do you have an upcoming project you’d like to see a mood board for? Look no further friends. We have done all the work for you already. Our Room Recipes are the perfect tool to help you pull those pieces together for a flawless design. The mood boards, the design board with all the pieces to create a beautiful space and even where to buy them.  It’s the shortcut to a finished room.  Share your projects and ideas with us, and we would love to work with you to bring that feeling home for you and your loved ones. Always be on the lookout for inspiration. You never know when an idea will hit you. 

 

 

 

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Furniture and How to Get the Right Fit

Melanie Morris July 28, 2020 DIY, Furnishings, Interior Design, Uncategorized 0

A New Meaning to the word “Fit”

When we talk to our clients about whether or not furniture is a good fit, most people think of the word “fit” in a couple of different ways. The first idea of “fit” is in terms of whether or not a piece of furniture is going to fit in a room and if it is scaled properly for the function of the space. The second idea of “fit” for our savvier clients, especially the apartment dwellers, think of “fit” in the way of whether or not a piece of furniture is going to fit through their front door. Today, I want to share a new way of interpreting fit or a piece that is fit for a king.

I confess, I mentally size clients up when I first meet them (I hope no one has noticed)!  Seriously though, this is an important point for me to admit, and here is why. Have you ever gone shopping and asked a sales associate in the store for a little help to then be amazed that they were actually able to pick things out that you never would have picked out for yourself? Sometimes if they are really good what they select looks great and fits perfectly on the first try! That is the result of many years of experience. Designers are the same way.

One Size Does Not Fit All

For example, most dining tables are 29-30” tall. We, as consumers are subconsciously trained to expect the way it feels to buy and sit at a 30” tall dining table. Most people would assume it all fits the same but if they were to first sit down to actually feel the “fit”, they would be able to tell the difference. Knowing what I know, and being an experienced interior designer, I know if I am working with a couple who are both over 6’ tall I would purposely order a 31” tall table especially for them. Because of their taller than average stature they would immediately notice a difference and finally feel that they have something that really fits them!

In the world of sofa’s, there is a wide array of styles, fabric options, sizes, and price points. There are even two or three seat cushions. It can be difficult to shop for these and close to impossible when shopping online. For those that do go to stores, most times will sit on sofas and see what they like without carefully noting the dimensions of each style or the fit.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are sizing up a sofa:

  1. How do you sit on your sofa, and how does your spouse?
    Do you lie down and watch movies? Are you a flopper or a percher? Spoiler alert, most men tend to flop at least a little.  Do you want a piece that’s a “front room” style that forces you to sit up properly for conversation, almost like an elongated chair, or do you want a squishy family room lounger?

    Personally, I always sit with my legs pulled up under me, so while I’m not particularly tall I appreciate a deeper sofa.

  2. How deep do you need your sofa to be?
    Standard sofa depths are usually 36-37” deep.  If you are petite, limited on space, and encumbered by a small front door, or just want to sit up most of the time then this is probably a great fit for you. If you are a little taller than average or you like to lounge, look for something in the 38-40” depth.  With a sofa depth of 42” most people will be able to sit with their legs pulled up and people who are taller than average will finally have a place to sit that really fits.  Those extra couple inches make a huge difference in the way something fits.

  3. How tall should your sofa seat height be?
    An 18-inch seat height is standard for most styles. Some of the more minimal modern sofas will be lower at 16”.  Sometimes you can find sofa seat heights up to 21” high. Again, if you are tall or have older relatives that visit and have mobility challenges, you would want to look for something 18” and above.  Conversely, if you are petite, or decorating a kid’s playroom, the lower seat height would be the best fit for your needs.  Seat backs should be considered for both comfort and aesthetics. If your sofa is also a room divider, maybe the lower back would work better to not obstruct a pretty view. 

  4. What arm style and seat cushion shape should you get?
    Arm styles and seat cushion shapes are another key point to consider. If you are a sofa napper, then you probably want a lower arm with a rolled shape.  If you sit up and lean, or you like to read then you might want a slightly taller arm. Seat cushions that are “T” shaped make a sofa more lounge-able as well.

Here are our 3 favorite lounge able sofas you can order online:

1. The Logan
84″W x 41.5″D x 37″H the 84” length makes this easy to incorporate in most spaces. The T-cushions and 41” depth are perfect for people who like to curl up and the 21”seat height really makes this a good fit if you’re tall. The square arm, lack of skirt and tailored look make this style easy to work with in a wide range of décor styles.
The Logan Sofa

2. The Gent
I love the tray base on this sofa. The slim arms, and one-piece seat cushion, give it a contemporary look. The dimensions are 94″W x 38″D x 33″H. I recommend this piece for medium to large apartments or homes. This style will suit people who are of about average height.The Gent

3. The Sunday sofa is aptly named.
This one is a great Sunday afternoon lounger.  Dimensions here overall are: 102 in W x 40 in D x 30 in H. This piece is also available in a smaller apartment size. I love the exaggerated thickness of the seat cushions with the thin arms.  At 17” seat height, this is a little bit of a low rider so a great choice for those who are petite or younger in age.
The Right Fit for You

Let us help you find the right fit for you and your family, and connect with us today. 

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Iconic Design: How Mid-Century Became Modern Again

lagnappe June 21, 2017 Uncategorized 0

Many people are looking back and becoming nostalgic in order to influence their home decor updates. With mid-century modern design getting so much attention lately, we thought now was a good time to revisit some elements of this iconic style.

From the early 1930s through the mid 1960s, mid-century modern developed from the architectural, interior, product and graphic design movement of the mid-20th century. With heavy Scandinavian influences, the design really took root in the western US, notably in Palm Springs, California. Melding nature and design along with a minimalistic feel, mid-century modern is becoming more and more popular today.

Architectural Design Elements

  • Post and Beam Construction
    • This heavy-timber construction technique allowed for large panes of glass, further infusing homes with natural light and less visual clutter
  • Flat Panes
    • Open spaces and geometric design are highly visible. Flat roofs and sharp angular lines define this modern style.
  • Elevation Changes
    • Split-level spaces are created with steps leading from one area to another, and cabinets or walls of varying height create depth in rooms that are often wide open.

Iconic Homes

Many people will know the name of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, but there are plenty of stunning homes that feature mid-century modern style.

Image via STUA
 Stahl House was designed by Pierre Koenig and is perched in the Hollywood Hills. The expansive windows (an iconic element of the design style) offer spectacular views of Los Angeles.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is considered an architectural masterpiece, and fulfills one of the tenets of mid-century modern design of blending homes with nature.

Image via Fallingwater.org

Image via Curbed
  In 1962, Craig Ellwood designed this pavilion-style home for the Daphne family and is an iconic example of flat planes and large open spaces.
 Designed in 1947 by Richard Neutra, this desert home near Palm Springs stands the test of time with lots of sharp, geometric lines.

Image via Hooked on Houses

“New” Mid-Century Modern

With tiny houses and a more simple, minimalistic way of living gaining momentum, mid-century modern is appealing to a new generation of home buyers. New architectural style leads to a need for furnishings that align with the new concept of modern minimalism. One the heels of the arts and crafts moment, these pieces are visually lighter.

We love these looks with heavy mid-century influences and plenty of modern style.

Erro Saarinen developed the tulip table and chairs to clean up the visual clutter of all the legs in a dining room.

Image via Decoist

Image via Coastal Living
 Love, love, love this look! A little beachy, a little mid-century modern.
This room is a great study in how to make classics fresh and relevant again.

Here at Lagnappe we want to help make your space fresh and vibrant. Whether you want to redo one room or the whole house, we can source great products for every style and budget. We love to mix mid-century and make it fresh and modern (with a Caribbean twist, of course)! Love one of these? Let us know and we can get it for you!

Ingrid Side Chair – Teak
Bodega Lounge Chair & Ottoman – Natural
  Soren Ventura Lounge Chair – Teak
Taylor dining table  

Want to infuse some mid-century modern style into your home? Contact Lagnappe to discuss your project today.

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Learn How to Arrange Your Living Room with 5 Expert Steps

Nicole Shields November 24, 2016 Furnishings, Uncategorized 0

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“Float” your furniture away from walls for an inviting look.

Last week I gave you a variety of tips for updating your living room. These tips included buying new furniture, updating throw pillows and rearranging furniture. If you have decided to switch around your chairs, tables or sofa, there are right and wrong ways to do so; keep reading for five common mistakes to avoid. 

5 Living Room Arrangement Mistakes

  1. Crowding Entry Ways

Be sure to leave plenty of room to enter and exit your living room. A wide open entrance will make the living room welcoming and inviting; the last thing you want to do is crawl over furniture to relax.

  1. Forgetting the Three Foot Rule

It’s a good rule of thumb to have three feet of walking space around the room. This helps the flow of the room and prevents your family and guests from bumping into furniture and walls. Additionally, any drawers or cabinet doors need special consideration to open properly.

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How to Renew Your Living Room with Four Expert Tips

Nicole Shields November 22, 2016 Furnishings, Uncategorized 0

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Experiment with pillow patterns and furniture arrangement for a renewed living room.

The living room could be one of the most used rooms in a home. This is where you spend family time watching movies, talking and enjoying quality time together. With all the time spent there, your furniture and décor may be getting a bit stale. If you are looking for simple, yet effective ways to liven up your living room, here are four tips to get you started.

Livening Up Your Living Room in Four Steps

  1. Curtains

Making this change alone can turn your living room around; a curtain change is quick and dramatic. Keep your current furniture outfit in mind, but go for a color, texture or pattern that you wouldn’t normally go with. This change will get you out of your rut and give you something new to look at. Remember that hanging curtains incorrectly can ruin how your room looks; consider contacting Lagnappe Custom Interiors for professional assistance.

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What to Expect in a Kitchen Remodel [Part 2]

Nicole Shields November 17, 2016 Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized 0

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Include a backsplash in your kitchen remodel for a vibrant and exciting visual.

Embarking on a kitchen remodel can be an expensive and timely process. If you are not prepared, you may see yourself spending more than expected and find that the remodel is taking much longer than you thought. Last week I gave you a look into a kitchen remodel; today I am going to provide even more insights on a timeline, appliances and installation.

A Look Inside a Kitchen Remodel 

When planning a kitchen remodel, there is a lot to consider when it comes to appliances, cabinets, backsplashes and more. Here are my thoughts on each of these factors:

Appliances: Always choose these at the beginning and design the cabinets around them. How do you cook? Do you love a double oven? Do you need multiple refrigerators or a dedicated ice maker? Only you know how your family lives and what will make them most comfortable at home. Let your designer know these things at the initial meeting and you will go through fewer revisions, which translates into less time spent during the process!

Countertops: Again there are a lot of choices here. Natural stone slabs are one of a kind items, so you may need some time to identify the perfect one if you choose that material. If you find a slab you love you, will need to purchase it when you see it! The sooner your design is sent to the fabricator, the shorter your wait will be!

Backsplashes: Backsplashes are jewelry for your kitchen. They need to work well with all the other elements so be sure to identify this along with the countertops. Choosing an in-stock tile is the quick option here, but many clients love the look of custom mosaics that are made to order and are willing to wait for that special finishing touch. Take a look at this custom backsplash I created and installed for inspiration.

Cabinets: Will they be all custom, built to order, or will you choose a product line that is semi-custom, where the cabinets are available in standard sizes and a range of colors? The difference between custom or standard can be as dramatic as three weeks versus three months! We regularly install cabinets, then use plywood as temporary countertops while templates are sent to the fabricator. The process of templating ensures that the counter is a perfect fit for the base cabinets, especially if adjustments were made to the cabinets during installation. Depending on your location and the workload at your fabricator’s shop, you may wait one week to three weeks for this.

Unlike remodels you see on TV, a full kitchen remodel will take longer than a single week. We have a dedicated staff ready to design and install the kitchen of your dreams, and to make the process as smooth and quick as possible. Contact us today to get your new room underway.

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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What to Expect During a Kitchen Remodel [Part 1]

Nicole Shields November 16, 2016 Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized 0

A kitchen remodel can be one of the most exciting renovations a homeowner can experience. It can also be a significant investment in your home financially. You have the opportunity to finally get the layout, extra counter and cabinet space, and appliance updates you’ve dreamt about. As exciting as a kitchen remodel can be, there may be delays and hiccups in the plan. Hiring a design professional to guide you through the process and assist in making choices can help you use your budgeted funds more wisely and keep your project moving forward smoothly. If you are about to embark upon this journey, take a look at these roadblocks you may experience during your kitchen remodel.

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Start a kitchen remodel project to get your dream layout!

Kitchen Remodel Timeline Expectations  

When it comes to establishing expectations for your kitchen remodel timeline, the most obvious factor is the size and scale of the project. Is your kitchen a small galley style in a cozy little cottage or is it an 800sq ft. room with dozens of cabinets, moldings and multiple finishes? How much detail are you looking for? Another question to ask is how long can you live without your kitchen? If there is a time you will be traveling and away from home for an extended period of time that may be the perfect opportunity!  These are all factors to consider before the project begins.

The other biggest factor in the timeline of a kitchen remodel is the homeowner. How do you and your family make decisions? When you see something you like are you ready to say yes or do you need to feel you’ve looked at every possible option before you can commit?

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How to Create a Comfortable Vacation Rental Home

Nicole Shields October 20, 2016 Furnishings, Uncategorized 0

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Don’t underestimate the power of a comfortable bed on vacation.

If you are in need of a vacation, make your way to the Caribbean! If you’re not ready for colder weather or don’t want to shovel feet of snow out of your driveway, warm sandy beaches are waiting.

As a 15-year Caribbean resident, I see it every year; the first major blizzard occurs in the North East and a week later our island is teaming with visitors who are delighted to be baking in the sun. In fact, many of them speak of never going back to a life of cold winters, which I can personally relate to!

Many visitors prefer to rent a property rather than stay in a hotel. If you are looking for a winter vacation and want to avoid hotels, here are some tips to creating a comfortable home away from home.

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3D Rendering: What is it and Why is it Important?

Nicole Shields October 13, 2016 Before & After, Uncategorized 0

Calypso House Before
Calypso House Before

What does interior design have to do with 3D rendering? If you’ve ever seen shows like Property Brothers on HGTV you have seen this feature they offer homeowners: a unique walk-through of what their house will look like after a remodel before any of the work is done.

Technology is changing our lives at a rapid pace and in most ways it’s for the better.

Calypso House After
Calypso House After

Computer technology has entered the design world as well as every other corner of our lives and is helping us communicate our vision as designers with our clients in new and better ways.  For those of you who don’t know, “3D rendering is a creative process that is similar to photography or cinematography, because you are lighting and staging scenes and producing images. Unlike regular photography, however, the scenes being photographed are imaginary. So many clients hire a designer because they express a concern about being able to “see” how the completed space will come together in the end.  In a long-term and extensive remodel or build project this service can be invaluable to them as a tool to facilitate decision making.

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Window Treatments: How to Customize Your Bedroom

Nicole Shields October 6, 2016 Furnishings, Uncategorized 0

Window treatments are one of my favorite aspects of interior design. I love how they can transform a room. However, if they’re hung incorrectly they can ruin the look of the space. At Lagnappe Customer Interiors, we can create a custom look that’s perfect for your home; keep reading to learn more.

Custom Window Treatments

Dressing windows is often the finishing touch to a room, but we consider them to be the cornerstone of a space’s look and feel. Coordinated fabrics, colors and textures bring a cohesive warmth and richness to any room. See how your new window treatments will look with the virtual drawings that we provide.

lagnappe-interior-design-3Our full-service workroom sews custom treatments locally to dress your windows while framing the beautiful views we’re so fortunate to have here in the islands.

Whether it is simplicity and light control or show-stopping elegance, Lagnappe will create something unique for your home with our award winning window treatment designs. We even help our clients with completely custom patterns that turn simple fabrics into one-of-a-kind works of art.

Why Custom Window Treatments Need Expert Insight

At Lagnappe, we believe coordinated fabrics, colors and textures bring a cohesive warmth and richness to any room. Here in the Virgin Islands, we love our big ocean views; a professional designer can help you address challenges from excessive sun/heat to oversized windows. We can also advise you on custom window treatments that are perfect for your home. We work with hundreds of vendors to source fabrics, shades, drapery hardware and trimmings to help create the perfect custom look for you. We even have a local workroom where we can sew custom window treatments for your space.lagnappe-interior-design-2

An expert eye can not only help you avoid many catastrophes that people come across when hanging drapes and curtains, but can also find opportunities to enhance your room through making specific color choices, recommending more durable fabrics and correctly sizing your treatments. Professionally designed and installed draperies simplify the process for the homeowner as when professionals measure, make and install the window treatments, the project is guaranteed to come together without hassle for the homeowner.

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.