And it won’t be hard to find all of those tangerine accessories to work this magic.  The big retailers will soon be offering you lots of choices.  They’ll be shown with earth tones, blues and even barely-there shades.

Be bold and free-spirited – spice up now with a new, happy color!

Contributor: CAPID Professional Member, Kathleen Sheppard Roth

Contributor: CAPID Allied Member Julie Gerns

Depending on the scale of the budget, most designers offer three levels of services:

1. Design Consultation: The designer provides guidance, ideas, and opinions for the client who wishes to purchase goods on their own. This can include color palette analysis, advice on window treatments, or even assistance with a ‘to do’ list to be accomplished over a longer period of time.
2. Design and Implementation: The designer works with you on a portion of your home or office, or on a custom design such as a fireplace, with the option to purchase the materials through the designer’s trade resources at below retail costs.
3. Project Management: For a full service project, from beginning to end, the designer is your representative and project manager coordinating with contractors, consultants and vendors. In short, your ‘go to’ rep to help iron out every detail.

Working with a designer takes the guesswork out of a project, minimizes stress and avoids costly mistakes. They can work on an hourly basis to hit the target problems, or establish a design fee based on the scope of the work to be done.

These days, people gather in the kitchen to socialize and cook together.

Change the cabinetry to update the look and function of your kitchen. It will add more efficient storage options. Kitchens now include islands and desks with a charging station for cell phones and electronic gear.

If a full kitchen remodel is not in the budget, give it a facelift! Try a new cabinet finish, new hardware, and new appliances. You’ll love the look and the energy cost savings too.

Updating the master bathroom is money well spent. Enlarge the shower, raise the counter height, increase the lighting, change the toilet and sinks and add a make-up mirror. Having a serene retreat for relaxation will boost your spirits. Designers are specifying materials that are easier to maintain, yet beautiful.

The best way is to schedule a consultation with a professional interior designer to work out a solution that fits your budget and needs. Working with a designer takes the guesswork out of a project, minimizes stress and avoids costly mistakes. They can work on an hourly basis, or establish a design fee based on the scope of the work to be done.

First – Be bold!!! Don’t be afraid to use bright, beautiful color in paints and materials. Color can define our world with an optimistic outlook of vitality. Paint is the quickest and least expensive way to incorporate this trend.

Second –Neutral is not boring!! We are seeing all white kitchens with less contrast in the palette. However, a great look combines the two: punches of color in a clean white space.

In the past, our Conejo Valley clients have preferred more traditional interiors, but these days, the style is moving toward lighter, brighter, less cluttered spaces that have a contemporary feel.