Volume 32: January/February
Thank you to our wonderful clients for a fantastic 2023!
As we move in to 2024 we are excited to share what we've seen and learned at this year's design shows. Last month we attended Las Vegas Market where we saw the latest and greatest in furnishings and color. Let us know what you think of these new furnishings and decor direct from Market.
Winter just got a lot more fun
It’s design show season!
Thank you to our wonderful clients for a fantastic 2023!
As we move in to 2024 we are excited to share what we've seen and learned at this year's design shows. Last month we attended Las Vegas Market where we saw the latest and greatest in furnishings and color. Let us know what you think of these new furnishings and decor direct from Market.
Stayed tuned for next month's newsletter where we will share fresh to the market fixtures and appliances from KBIS (follow our Instagram for our real-time finds).
Design Trends
If you've followed me since Milan it's still about mixing textures, interesting materials, and natural elements. It’s still curvy, baby! Fluted details, rounded corners and everything wavy continues to be seen in new homes furnishings for a couple of seasons. Think wall details, round tables, and woven materials; keep your eye out for round pillows. If you are looking for reference, Michael Taylor did it best for his California cool look in the 1970’s + 80’s. His design work continues to influence trends and inspire designers decades later.
Color Trends
Jewel tones, muted or bright, they’re here again. If you think things are looking like the 80’s, you’re right. There’s a strong Art Deco influence from the 1930's flowing through the design world. We are seeing styles and trends update every couple years now when it used to take a decade for styles to run the course. We didn’t get our roaring 20’s!
Safety in Numbers
With the new year and holiday decorations put away (hopefully but no judgment), it is the perfect time to address how we all can make sure our bathrooms and kitchens are as safe as they are beautiful.
Here are 5 design elements you can add to your home that not only check off the safety box, but can be visually appealing and, dare I say, elegant.
Grab bars
Installing these in the shower can provide stability and support for those who may have difficulty standing for long periods of time or getting in and out of the shower. I know, you’re thinking of a hospital grab but that’s not what these look like. There are a variety of styles and finishes to complement your bathroom design that are “hidden” in most of our remodels.
Curbless showers
These are inherently a safety feature designed for aesthetics. By eliminating the raised edge of a traditional shower, there is less risk of someone tripping and falling when entering or exiting. Curbless shower pans can be beautifully achieved with the proper floor tile and grout. Material selections matter!
Nightlights
Another simple yet effective safety feature for households with children or elderly individuals who may need to use the bathroom during the night. Think bigger than your typical plug-in nightlight (which can be useful). Hidden lights under a vanity bring a sleek look to nighttime lighting without taking up space in your outlets. Outlets are also available with built-in sensor lights for an easy hallway update. Leviton and Snap Power both have great, easy-to-install options.
Induction ranges
These convenient additions to the kitchen are becoming increasingly popular due to their safety features. Unlike traditional stovetops, induction ranges have no open flame, reducing the risk of burns or fires. They also have built-in sensors depending on the model that turns off the heat when a pot or pan is removed, providing an added layer of safety.
Pot fillers
Adding these can be a game-changer for those with mobility issues, or really anyone that loves pasta! These faucets extend over the stove to easily pots and pans can be filled without having to carry across from the sink. This feature does need some planning as it requires a water line in the wall, so be sure to plan and consider if anyone in your household for those with arthritis or difficulty lifting heavy objects.
Safety in the home is crucial and is easy to plan for and incorporate. We hope these five precautionary principles will help you make your rooms a safer and more convenient place for everyone in your household. Let's make this year a time for prioritizing our well-being and health.
Volume 31: December
As 2023 comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude for the amazing clients and tradespeople we have had the pleasure of working with over the last 12 months. This year's projects featured a wide range of design styles - all in a different vintage era - that were both challenging and rewarding. From Everett to Bellevue to West Seattle, we are proud of the designs updating our client's homes.
Winding down
It's been a great year!
As 2023 comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude for the amazing clients and tradespeople we have had the pleasure of working with over the last 12 months. This year's projects featured a wide range of design styles - all in a different vintage era - that were both challenging and rewarding. From Everett to Bellevue to West Seattle, we are proud of the designs updating our client's homes.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of our job is seeing a project go from just a dream and a moodboard to a fully realized and stunning space. This year, we embarked on some exciting new remodels.
We are constantly pushing ourselves to incorporate new styles and ideas into our designs as often as we can. This year we were motivated by attending KBIS, Milan Design Week, and Cosentino’s newest product launch to soak up all the inspiration.
Our wonderful business manager, Roxann, has continued to excel at keeping all our ducks in a row and making things go smoothly behind the scenes. This year also brought us our newest team member, Jenny, she is the Junior Interior Designer here at Kirk Riley Design. It has been fun to have another California transplant who speaks the same design language (we both went to FIDM!) and loves all things color. Here is a photo of us at the NKBA Holiday party, 76 floors above the city of Seattle at Columbia Tower.
As we look towards the future, we are excited to continue our journey and take on new design challenges. Above all, we are grateful for the opportunities and experiences of the past year, and we look forward to building on these foundations and creating more in the years to come.
From all of us at Kirk Riley Design, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your continued support and being a part of our journey. Here's to making 2024 even better!
Volume 27: August
Vacation season may be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean sunshine and fun have to.
Let's taco 'bout it
One Week Left
Vacation season may be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean sunshine and fun have to.
What do you do to keep those summer vibes going? Please stand by with your PSL, it's not sweater weather yet.
A little trick I've been playing to make it feel like I'm on vacation is to try something new. Sounds simple enough, but think about it. When you're on vacation everything is new. Where to eat, what to see, how to dress.
Plan a day where you take a little drive, eat at a new restaurant, wear an outfit that you'd pack while on vacation. Try it and let me know how it works for you!
No matter where I am one of my favorite ways to enjoy a summer afternoon is eating tacos in the sunshine! Nothing fancy, I'm talking tacos served in a basket sitting outside under an umbrella. Total chill vibes only while eating a meal off of a tray or in a basket.
Two local favorites in Seattle are El Chupacabra on Alki and Pecado Bueno in Fremont.
Year round palm leaves are another way to keep summer alive. They definitely brought a smile to our clients near Alki Beach.
The nature inspiration continued in the powder room with the handmade kale green concrete sink.
You can see more of this project on Houzz and our website!
Give us a call if you're considering adding wallpaper to your world, or some tacos. Either way, we'd love to hear from you.
Happy blue moon week!
Volume 25: June
Add some personality
Happy summertime!
It's finally here! Summertime and warm weather here in Seattle. Time for adventures and road trips. What are you up to this summer?
Infusing some personality
While we were working on the mid-century kitchen we shared with you last month, we also had the opportunity to bring the clients' adventurous personalities into their powder room.
The original powder room featured plain white walls and a combination of different wood elements seen in the parquet floor, vanity, medicine cabinet, and vent cover. None of which reflected our clients' tastes or the updates being made in the rest of their home.
The first item we sourced for this project was the green cast-cement sink. Brass elements were continued in the powder room through the various fixtures and vanity. White walls have been replaced with wallpaper and textured tile.
We'd love to chat with you about bringing your personality into your home. We are currently booking for Fall, Winter, and into 2024. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.
Volume 15: April
Who's ready for more sunshine?
Yes, I'm ready for more sunshine
Cold weather aside, it's been a fantastic spring! We've had the pleasure of meeting new clients and connecting with previous clients.
We also just returned from a long overdue family trip to Hawaii over Spring Break. Hopefully, you were able to get away, too! Being able to spend that precious time together was just what we needed after the last couple of years.
Did I mention all the pink? This trip affirmed that I definitely need more pink in my life. The Hawaiian resort architecture and design were so inspiring.
If you've worked with us, you know we love a swath of color even with the most neutral palettes which was the case with a bathroom remodel we completed last year. The spa-like feel dominates the main part of the bathroom with a bright burst of color in the water closet. MyDomaine recently featured this bathroom reconfiguration as their Makeover of the Week.
We hope you are enjoying this spring (we're sure the cold is going away soon!). You can catch me with my hands in the dirt pulling weeds and putting down fresh mulch.
See you next month!
Volume 13: January
We continue to have absolutely amazing clients and projects that we get to design. Some of these projects are taking longer than planned due to supply chain issues and delays. Through it all, though, we are grateful to our clients and especially grateful to the clients that complete one remodel project and jump into another one.
Bring on the new year!
Phew 2022!
How is everyone doing?
We continue to have absolutely amazing clients and projects that we get to design. Some of these projects are taking longer than planned due to supply chain issues and delays. Through it all, though, we are grateful to our clients and especially grateful to the clients that complete one remodel project and jump into another one. That is the case with two bathroom projects we recently completed with repeat clients. That means they lived through the dust the first time remodeling their kitchens and chose to do it again with a bathroom! Both of these bathrooms function as a powder room for guests as well as serving guest bedrooms. We designed a luxe experience for the guests staying for dinner as well as the weekend.
Navy + Gold Bathroom
This bathroom started with a finish from every decade that wasn’t easy to maintain. I think I’ve blocked out just how many shades of harvest gold or green and laminate there were in this small space. We started with a classic color palette to carry this update into this decade. The real key in the design was to gain the feeling of space. A custom shallow vanity and a wall-hung toilet are game changers. Easier to maintain and clean for the win!
Mid-Mod Bathroom
Here we had a 1990’s bathroom trapped in a 1960’s home. Ouch, please no more green marble. So it was out with the old and in with a unique color-blocked vanity. Clean lines, mosaic tile and modern fixtures allow for guests to pamper themselves in style.
It’s a new year and we still hope you and yours are safe and healthy as it has been a struggle for many. Our creative process continues to move forward with our amazing local showrooms, vendors and tradespeople. Patience is the name of the game with remodeling and a glass of wine might help.
Cheers!
Check out our latest projects.
We look forward to working with you!
Volume 10: October
A bathroom remodel is full of permanent change. Great planning is important in selecting tile and plumbing fixtures as they are not easy to just “switch out”. On the other hand, accessories, artwork, and even hardware can be switched up for a fresh look even after a remodel.
Change is a good thing, I promise
We all love options
Everyone likes change, right? Just kidding. Change can be scary which is why many times it is easier for things to stay the same. If you’ve taken on the big task of doing a remodel then this isn’t you. You were ready for a change. Change can be wonderful, especially when we have a chance to plan for it.
A bathroom remodel is full of permanent change. Great planning is important in selecting tile and plumbing fixtures as they are not easy to just “switch out”. On the other hand, accessories, artwork, and even hardware can be switched up for a fresh look even after a remodel.
We recently finished a hall bathroom project with a client and wanted to show them different ways to personalize their space. Whether you want to change the look due to a life event, change of season, or simply to freshen up your space there are easy ways to do this.
Where we started
This bathroom was completely gutted with all the fixtures staying in their existing locations. We said goodbye to tile counters and Hollywood vanity lighting. In came a new bathtub, vanity, toilet, fixtures…..EVERYTHING.
After some big changes
The clients prefer a clean mid-century inspired style so I had to incorporate that look into a traditional 1990’s house. We achieved this design with a mixture of tiles, a floating vanity, high-contract black and white.
Here’s the happy result using neutral accessories and a pop of color in the flowers.
We also had a little fun and played pretend for when a college aged daughter returns home from college. How can we personalize for her use? By switching up the accessories and adding in a few personal items, we've easily created a space that is her style. These simple updates bring a new feeling to a finished space.
These are photographs that I took while working with our fabulous photographer Julie Mannell. Please be sure to check out our Houzz profile for the finished project pictures.
See you next month!