pomegranate vintage modern

New Office - New Life!

2010-03-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like changing your office surroundings to give you a fresh take on life. I took a plain white box and added an accent wall of warm tan, a cloud-shaped IKEA Galant desk, a white IKEA Expedit bookcase, and several organizational and decorative elements to warm up my work zone. Next step -- art on the walls and two guest chairs in a Kelly green to liven up the space.

New Pomegranate Interiors Offer

2010-01-06T14:31:00.000-08:00

Give us just one hour in any room of your home and we will show you the power of staging. Using just what you already have in your home, we will stage any room in one hour for one hundred bucks. Contact us today to make an appointment.

New Staging Project - Master Suite

2009-12-31T10:58:00.000-08:00

Pomegranate Interiors is in the process of planning for a possible home staging project, and here's the first Mood Board. It's a ranch-style home with traditional touches, such as walls of French windows in both the living and family rooms. The master suite in this staging project is very large and the homeowner has some lovely English antique oak furniture that we will be designing around. A large ornate king-sized bed is softened with black and white damask. Taupe curtains and a geometric pattern rug split the color difference between the wood tones and the dramatic black and white. An antique writing desk is modernized by the addition of a white lacquered Asian motif chair, while bright green pillows add a pop of color.

New Staging Project - Living Room

2009-12-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

In the living room we plan to work with the homeowner's existing dark blue sofa and traditional medium-toned wood furniture (which we have to keep in the room), to create a warm, beachy ambiance with pops of red, cream, black, blue and white. A blue-striped slipper chair coordinates with the sofa and makes it all come together. A cozy cable-knit throw in cream, a double gourd lamp, blue ticking-striped pillow, a bold Asian mirror and a bamboo ladder add touches of modern/Regency/natural to the mix.

Our New Logo

2009-11-28T12:29:00.000-08:00

My daughter and design partner Rachel designed our logo. Now for the website...

Port Hueneme Condo Staging

2009-10-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Pomegranate Interiors just finished a home staging over the weekend. The condo is in Port Hueneme, CA, across the street from the beach, so we wanted to bring in a coastal feeling, with some "green" touches. In the living room, we improvised by creating twig curtain rods to hang leaf-pattern curtains, brought in a coordinating rug, and furnished with strong dark pieces to ground the room. We topped it off with a bright yellow lamp. In the master bedroom, warm neutrals and a pillow that pops top the bed. We brought in woven seagrass rugs and accented a dining table with a cool green tablecloth. On the patio we created a yoga area, complete with ottoman seating.

Master Bedroom Before and After

2009-10-12T19:07:00.001-07:00

Living Room Before and After

2009-10-12T19:04:00.001-07:00

Port Hueneme Staging Details

2009-10-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

Playa Del Rey Apartment Redesign

2009-10-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Before and After - Living Room I

2009-10-03T22:42:00.001-07:00

Before and After - Living Room II

2009-10-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Before and After - Living Room III

2009-10-03T22:37:00.001-07:00

Before and After - Dining Room I

2009-10-03T22:33:00.001-07:00

Before and After - Dining Room II

2009-10-03T22:31:00.001-07:00

Before and After - Deck

2009-10-03T22:28:00.001-07:00

Before and After - Entry Way

2009-10-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

Pomegranate Interiors just completed an interior design job for a client who lives in an apartment in Playa Del Rey. We painted three rooms and decorated a deck, brought in new furniture, installed new window treatments and lighting and added a gallery wall of art - all warming up and enlivening this space for our client. He wanted to add color to his rooms, and we accomplished that by bringing in a bright rug, painting walls with warm, flaxen colors and adding accessories with red, butterscotch and citron tones. Our client's style was traditional with an Asian touch, so we brought in bolder elements that turned traditional on end.

Adding Color Zing to a Bedroom

2009-09-27T10:31:00.000-07:00

I just found these amazing pillows, a gorgeous red fabric box and a red Buddha for our bedroom. The classic dark brown Oxford stripe curtains are just the right understated backdrop to the drama of these new pieces. I can't seem to stop changing things in here, but it's way too fun!

Hamptons Meets Asia in the Bedroom

2009-08-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

OK, maybe it sounds like a stretch, but, hey, it works in this Asian-Prep Bedroom. Love the juxtaposition of the oh-so-preppy tan Hamptons awning stripe with a serene Buddha next door. Asia, I'd like to introduce you to New England. Be nice, now.

Transitional Living Room

2009-08-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

We are going for an updated traditional look in the Living Room, bringing in much-needed color and some "wow" pieces that pop. Final execution of this design will be seen on these pages soon!

Urban Farmhouse Dining Room

2009-08-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

This is a re-imagining of a Dining Room that we hope to wow our client with. Budget is an issue, so we will maximize his existing furniture to achieve this look at a do-able price point. Watch for the final results right here on Pomegranate Vintage Modern.

Entryway and Deck

2009-08-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

These are the Mood Boards for the Entryway and Deck. I'm excited to have found those exact galvanized metal planter boxes for a bargain price! Surprises also await in the final execution of this "deck-oration."

New Acquisitions and Details

2009-08-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

A few items I've recently purchased, which may or may not stay in the house. Given the opportunity, I would love to use these in staging or interior design projects. The lime green Buddha started out life gold-encrusted. A can of glossy green spray paint later and it's a whole new avatar. The orange horse head was an $8 find at a thrift shop in Silver Lake. Formerly streaked with horrid brown and purplish glossy paint, I think it can hold its head up high now.

Long Distance Interior Design Consult

2009-07-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

I'm trying something new - long distance interior design consultation. Do you have a room you hate and just don't know what to do with? Pomegranate Interiors to the rescue! I consulted with friends on the east coast. Massachusetts, to be exact. Here's a transcript of the result.

"I put together a couple of mood boards with ideas for your family room and dining room. First off, I wanted to stay true to the age and character of your home, so I chose materials, finishes and shapes that honor that tradition. I also wanted to meld with your existing furniture and wall colors, as well as the rich finish of your hardwood floors. Thirdly, this needs to be a family friendly home that feels warm and radiates your personalities. My goal was to infuse your rooms with color, and with bolder and bigger designs to add drama (the good kind).

"That Kilim rug in your dining room is gorgeous and I think it should get front and center attention by moving to your family room, angled to the fireplace. I would get a small off-white slip covered sofa to face the hearth, keep your coffee table but de-clutter it and display large coffee table books and a low vase of botanicals.

"Keep the bright red chair (if Daniel will let you), as well as the blue chambray upholstered rattan chair. Put them on either side of the sofa. Keep one of the side tables and place it next to the red chair with a piece of white pottery or some books. Accent all upholstered pieces with red or blue striped and solid pillows. Add a bright red floor lamp next to the couch. Black-framed, white-matted B&W family photos and botanical prints on the walls and a set of rich neutral butterscotch floor-to-ceiling drapes will add scale, and the frames add a crisp black outline to echo the new rug I'm suggesting for your dining room.

"Finish the whole look off by bringing in that great circular folk-art mirror you have at the foot of the stairs down to the mudroom - set it off-center on the mantelpiece, and add a couple of pieces of simple vintage white pottery for a fresh look. Green apples in a low bowl add a spot of bright color. Large candle lanterns can rest on the hearth.

"I would move the slip covered wingback chair to rest to the left of the armoire in the dining room and pull up a vintage side table next to it. Finish it off with a solid color pillow (chambray blue) and stack some books on the table. If you want a little more drama in that space, add an oversized recycled glass bottle (Home Goods has them) tucked in behind the table.

"I love your dining table and chairs, but I feel that the rush seat chairs seem too small in relation to the table. I would recommend taller back chairs to match the table's scale. The new chairs add an informal touch that freshens up the traditional feel.

"I would add a large, boldly scaled B&W awning stripe rug under the dining table and chairs to add a crisp tone and to pick up the color of the black frames and lanterns in the family room. You would be surprised what a difference this can make.

"In this room, also, I would recommend the same curtains and framed pictures to tie the rooms together. Pull in some of the same red pillows used in the family room for color. Since you don't have a hanging light fixture over the table, you can go large on a tabletop display. I would bring in your existing iron candlesticks of different
heights and a large low bowl with green apples. Add in a rustic wooden stand. This is your opportunity to create some drama in this room.

"With the addition of the wingback chair, table and recycled glass bottle to the dining room, all that's left is to put some of your vintage china on top of the armoire so that it can be enjoyed even with the doors closed (how's that for compromise, Charlie?)

"The items pictured in the mood boards are sourced from Pottery Barn and Ikea, and you can find similar pieces at Home Goods, Pier One and Marshalls. It shouldn't cost much for this design freshening. Let me know if need any further electronic or phone guidance. I'd be happy to walk you guys through the process!"

Restyling a Bookcase

2009-07-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

Just took everything out of the bookcase in our home office and restyled it with more colorful, modern accessories. I brought in some natural elements - a manzanita branch, a rough-hewn wooden bowl, some river rocks in a glass hurricane - and sorted the books by color. I added in a few colorful photo frames, some cool-toned ceramics and, voila!

Master Bath Remodel "After"

2009-07-03T11:46:00.001-07:00

Master Bath Remodel "Before" and "During"

2009-07-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

We finally finished our master bath DIY "recession remodel." Several weeks (months? Who knows?) have passed and we just put the finishing touches on our project. New drywall and plaster on most of two walls, sage colored paint, a shower surround, new flooring, painted cabinet, new mirror, lighting fixture, faucets, shelves, new towel rack, shower rod and curtain, window blinds and several accessories later, we have a completely transformed room.

Be Your Own Client

2009-06-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

I had a revelation this weekend while watching HGTV's Clean House: We needed an intervention! Yes, even someone who makes other people's homes beautiful and functional has dysfunctional spaces of her own. We have been remodeling our master bathroom and, as a result, our bedroom became the repository of leftover paint cans, various tools and strips of unused flooring, etc. We knew it would be chaos for awhile until we finished, so instead of putting our clothes away, we just tossed them on top of the pile with an "oh well, what the hell" attitude. Several weeks later and "what the hell" had turned into "what a mess!" So I hauled everything out of the room, cleaned it to within an inch of its life, and brought in new curtains and curtain rods, fresh pillows and some Mid Century Modern-Regency"esque" pieces to create a serene and peaceful bedroom. Still not completely finished, but aaaaahhhh, what a relief. So the take-home message is: Be your own client. Whether you cut hair or fix cars, whether you paint signs or write ads, take as good care of yourself as you do your clients/customers. Give yourself the gift of your own talents. You will not regret it.

Natalie's Room Redux

2009-06-28T11:27:00.001-07:00

We neutralized the color scheme a little in Natalie's/the guest bedroom, still keeping the Hollywood Regency look, but this time employing a shot of yellow in the lamp bases to add that all-important drama. We accessorized with fresh white and black accents to make the yellow "pop."

Want Change? Just Add Color...

2009-06-26T15:31:00.001-07:00

Color...

2009-06-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

Color...

2009-06-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Color...

2009-06-26T15:27:00.001-07:00

And more color!

2009-06-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

A Small Price to Pay

2009-06-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Just finished redesigning three rooms in my friend Debbie's apartment. She already had a lot of great Asian-influenced pieces, and we did a little shopping together. She told me she wanted more space for entertaining, so we gave her more seating options and opened up the space to take advantage of the square footage. We angled the couch and pushed it further toward the window, adding a Japanese screen to hide the bicycle stored behind it. Then we took the rug from under the dining table and gave it center stage in the living room. We added two more chairs and an ottoman where there had been no seating against a wall, and added in a couple of low stools that can be pulled up for even more seating to make this apartment totally party-ready. Then I asked my friend to let me take over her apartment for four hours and above you will see the "Befores" and "Afters." True to Pomegranate's philosophy of high style on a low budget, I owe it to my readers to let you know the price tag of our recent apartment makeover. Each "After" photo above shows the total cost of the new items added. Several items were already in the apartment or not purchased by Pomegranate. Proof that it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to freshen your space!

My Latest Luvs and Obsessions

2009-06-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have been given the opportunity to design a friend's apartment. More about that later. But first, a few luvly things that Pomegranate has been recently obsessing about... A pendant lamp from Ballard Designs, six different fabrics I would love to buy and use somewhere (anywhere!), along with a bedroom that looks absolutely dreamy.

Small Changes, Big Impact

2009-05-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

I've been adding small modernizations to our house - little changes like new pillows, vases, trays, mirrors, books and other decorative items that add to the overall look. Haven't spent much money on anything, either. The single biggest expense were the two mirrors which now hang in our dining room (yeah, but they were only $25 each!)The pillows are all under $11 each and bowls,vases, etc., have all come in under $9 each.

What is AKAPIAC?

2009-05-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

A (Apricot), K (Kiwi), A (Amethyst), P (Persimmon), I (Indigo), A (Aqua) and C (Cream). Simply, the colors with which I am currently obsessed. I will photograph and post items that I've been coveting in these colors. Hopefully, we'll tackle a project soon in which we can use them!

Seasonal Decorating - One Room Three Ways

2009-05-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Just to see how this room could transition into the Fall season, I used a warm red and neutral color scheme. The addition of reds, browns and yellows in the decor and lo and behold, Fall is just around the corner.

Say Hello to Summer with Brights

2009-05-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Same room as previous post - but this time ready for Summer. We achieved this seasonal change with new, brighter, beachy pillows and punched-up framed art, along with a chunky hand-knit throw, a polished nickel Nantucket-style lantern that says nautical without going overboard, and a lighter woven seagrass coffee table.

Welcome Spring with Pastels

2009-05-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

This Spring I went around my house freshening corners of it with softer colors than I normally would choose. In this case, the small sofa in our study was treated to a fresh Spring makeover with some light aqua ikat pillows and new framed art. A woven seagrass end table topped with a black faux bamboo tray with a crystal paperweight and a robin's egg blue plate add some warmth, as do the chocolate brown pillows. Voila ... Spring!

Country Chair Goes Glam

2009-05-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

I painted one of my faux bamboo chairs black and now it has way more style. I used up an entire can of spray paint on this one, so tomorrow I'll get some more paint and do the second chair. Before, it was two tones - green and brown. Now the black unifies the chair's lines and gives it a real glam factor.

New Chairs - Should I Paint Black or White?

2009-05-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

I just bought two faux bamboo chairs and I want to glam them up by painting over the country-ish green and brown with either glossy white or glossy black. Which color should I choose?

Staging Tips for Selling on eBay

2009-05-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

If you're selling anything on eBay, you'll want to take the best photos possible to show off your item. And remember to stage your item in a beautiful setting to show off its best features. Even if it's something you no longer want, you can stage it in such a way that people will want to buy it. I'm selling a few pieces for a friend and have staged them in both traditional and modern settings to entice buyers' interest and show their versatility. Be sure to shoot plenty of closeups, so that buyers can see the quality and detail. Try staging your item outdoors as well; the light is usually better. I don't recommend using a flash for anything. If you must add light, use a high-wattage shop lamp and bounce your fill light off the ceiling.

From Shabby Chic to Not Too Shabby

2009-05-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

The other little bird got treated to the same white glossy paint, and voila ... instant glamification (is that a word?)

A Lantern Sheds New Light

2009-05-16T17:29:00.000-07:00

I found a couple of metal lanterns at the same budget store I shop at all the time (I'll reveal my source soon, I promise) and painted one of them with white glossy paint. I wanted to keep going, but I ran out of paint... Before, the lantern was a little country-esque. Now this lantern speaks fluent modern.

Little Bird All Grown Up

2009-05-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

I found the two bird figurines at a bargain shop for less than $6 each, and spray painted one of them glossy white to create a more upscale bird who fits with modern and traditional decor ... This little guy went from country bumpkin to way uptown. Next I'll paint his little friend...

Previous Staging Projects

2009-05-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

I came across some older photos and realized that I've been staging in my home for many years. My tastes have changed - to a more modern asthetic. But, I guess I was born to do what I do!

Our First Reupholstery Project

2009-05-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I will be tackling a reupholstery and paint makeover on this vintage chair I found at a thrift shop. We picked out some gray and cream fabric in a woodsy pattern and a crisp black rope braid piping. We'll prime the chair and paint it glossy black, then with the help of the new staple gun I just bought, we'll reupholster it with our fabric and hot glue the piping into place (to hide all our mistakes, hopefully!) We'll post "After" photos as soon as it's done.

Deck Staging Ideas

2009-05-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

Planning ahead in case we get to go back and stage the deck in the condo we've been working on. Ikea has some great deck furniture (prices can't be beat) and the colors are fresh and modern. Can't wait to stage an outdoor space!

Dining Room Staging Ideas

2009-05-04T14:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a few "studies" for the condo dining room staging, if we get a chance to do it.

Condo Staging Project Complete

2009-05-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

We completed a quickie condo staging using a minimal amount of furniture and accessories. We're hoping our client will have us back in to stage the dining area and deck, and to fully stage the second bedroom with an air bed (love those things!). This one was fun, fast and furious, as we had only a few days to plan it. Would love to fully stage this condo, but the client wanted a "minimal" amount done. Still the house will show beautifully - much better than totally empty. Gotta love the power of staging!

New Home Staging Project - Condo

2009-04-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

Pomegranate Interiors is doing a minimal staging job for a 1,700 sf condo. It was kind of last minute so I'm scrambling for ideas today. We'll be in the condo tomorrow doing our staging. The Entry photo shows some unpainted finishes. But it will be done by tomorrow. The green vases are very big (Ikea). The birch tree photo is Ikea also, and I'd like to put it at the landing to the stairs. This is the first thing people will see when they walk into the condo and I want it to be a show-stopper. I'd like to light the green vases with the branches in them with uplights down on the floor.

The living room will feature the Barce-clone-a chair (courtesy of Rachel!) and the larger version of Ikea's sheepskin rug. The flower photo over the mantel is from Ikea (or something like it). I found a big manzanita branch on our hike last weekend and that can go on the hearth or the mantelpiece.

Can't Decide on Bath Rug/Shower Curtain Combo

2009-04-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

Should the bath rug and shower curtain be black and white, or shades of green to go with the sage green walls? How about something that splits the difference - taupe and brown?

Master Bath Mood Board II

2009-04-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

I made a few modifications in the master bath mini remodel plan. Striped rug instead of floral, lime green, brown and cream shower curtain, dark wood shelves instead of white, different faucet and a sage green cabinet. Thoughts? We will be painting our existing vanity black and the mirror frame is black, so I wonder if the shelves should be black as well? The cabinet is just for extra storage next to the sink vanity. Ideas for towel colors?

Our Master Bathroom Mini-Remodel

2009-04-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

We're redecorating our master bathroom with a fresh coat of paint, new shower surround, shower curtain, flooring, rug, faucet, mirror and lighting fixture. We're also adding some much-needed storage with a cabinet and some shelving. Here's a before pic and a mood board showing what I'd like to do. I'll keep you all posted on the progress, and ask for advice along the way. Wish us luck.

Brightening a Corner

2009-04-20T13:43:00.001-07:00

My daughter's apartment in San Francisco needed just a bit of furniture rearranging to bring the focus to the beautiful marble fireplace on one end of the living room. When I was up in SF for a visit recently, she and I styled this room and her dining room. Once a stager, always a stager, I guess - even when I'm on vacation!

In Home Staging, It's All About the Details

2009-04-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Remember to artfully arrange objects on tabletops, inside cabinets, on bathroom counters, and on a kitchen island when you're staging a home. A stack of books with a small statue on top, a few hand towels or a bunch of flowers in a vase can go a long way to warming up a home staging project. Think about color, texture, form and style when creating a tablescape. And don't forget to pay attention to even the smallest details - like choosing bottles of wine for a table that have colorful labels!

Vintage Items I'll Post on etsy

2009-04-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

These are some of the vintage items I'll soon have on my Etsy site. I'll post the link as soon as my Etsy shop is up and running!

How to Style a Bookcase #1

2009-04-01T14:54:00.001-07:00

Display Your Books By Color – You won’t believe what a transformation this makes. And it costs absolutely nothing to do. Start by removing everything from your bookcase and sort through your books by color, adding them back in sparingly. You don’t have to display every book you own, either. Discard those with torn book covers and force yourself to part with worn college textbooks. Keep the colorful, well-cared-for ones. You’ll love how this makes your bookcase look professionally designed.

How to Style a Bookcase #2

2009-04-01T14:53:00.001-07:00

Stack Books Vertically and Horizontally – Another no-cost idea. Stacking books on their sides as well as standing up brings variety to your book display. Keeping the eye moving around the bookcase is a common design trick.

How to Style a Bookcase #3

2009-04-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Mix it Up with Art – Add small- to mid-sized framed art or photos to add variety and scale. Adding art can be as easy as leaning a frame against a stack of books, or placing a framed piece on a small easel.

How to Style a Bookcase #4

2009-04-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

Bring in Vases, Baskets and Collectibles – A bookcase is a great place to show off your eclectic taste and display collections, odd items, bowls, vases and other pieces that don’t have a permanent “home” in your house.

How to Style a Bookcase #5

2009-04-01T14:48:00.001-07:00

Don’t Forget to Add a Touch of Nature – The freshness of a leafy sprig in a small vase or the rough texture of a manzanita branch can bring a modern feel to even the most traditional of bookcases. Explore your own backyard for materials, or pick up an interestingly shaped branch the next time you’re on a hike.

How to Style a Bookcase #6

2009-04-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Box it Up – Nothing says “organization” like a few shoebox-sized containers for storing photos and memorabilia. And they’re so inexpensive. A few artfully placed boxes of different colors, sizes, textures, shapes and materials will add a whole new dimension to your bookcase. Your organizational skills will be legendary!

We're on IKEA Hacker and Design*Sponge!

2009-03-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

Pomegranate Interiors' design work is currently being featured on IKEA Hacker and Design*Sponge (Before & After section). We're very excited about getting this exposure in the design community. And these are two of our FAVORITE websites, too!

Home Staging Project is Complete!

2009-03-30T16:58:00.001-07:00

More Staging Photos

2009-03-30T16:46:00.000-07:00

Style Boards

2009-03-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Bookcase Makeover - After

2009-03-23T12:37:00.001-07:00

Bookcase Makeover - Before

2009-03-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Home Staging Project - Oak Park

2009-03-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Introducing Pomegranate Interiors

2009-03-13T09:10:00.001-07:00

Pomegranate Interiors is Born!

2009-03-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our latest business venture, Pomegranate Interiors – Interior design, home staging and consultation.

Our Own "Before" and "After"

2009-03-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

We found a sad and sorry looking rattan bench for $10 at an estate sale. Its droopy, faded cushion needed a lot of help, but it had good lines and we knew we could make it presentable again. A coat of flat primer and several coats of glossy black spray paint later, we had a sleeker, more upscale bench. A friend made a new foam cushion and custom cover from a specialty fabric we ordered. The crisp black brings out the bamboo-like elements of the bench, while the new, firm cushion sports an abstract coral pattern (called Key Largo). The sunny yellow fabric combined with the clean lines of the black rattan make this a versatile, classy bench for any room in the house.

More Home Staging – Rooms in Progress...

2009-03-06T10:22:00.000-08:00

Here are current photos of two of the four bathrooms we're staging. Still some work to be done – It's a work in progress!

Home Staging In Progress ...

2009-03-04T16:45:00.000-08:00

We're getting closer to a finished home staging. Here are a few Mood Boards that chronicle where we are in the process.

Staging the Atrium I

2009-02-09T13:16:00.001-08:00

A soft gray patterned rug, two Regency-type chairs also in gray, the warmth of red tones in the large art piece – as well as in the yellow floral and twig display – add the drama and welcoming quality we're looking for.

Staging the Atrium II

2009-02-09T13:12:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple of photos of the existing Atrium space. It measures out 10.5' x 11'. We pulled all this furniture out and are starting from scratch. This room is the first thing you see when you walk into the house and we wanted it to look like a hotel lobby, but still be warm, friendly and inviting.

Mood Board - Living Room

2009-01-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

Our client has some great existing furniture in the Living Room, so we already had a charcoal sectional sofa and a Le Corbusier lounge chair to work with. We're adding modern touches to create a sophisticated space for adult entertaining in this family home.

Mood Board - Master Bathroom

2009-01-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

The existing tile in the Master Bath is a pale pink, so we're adding drama with a black and white color scheme.

Mood Board - Kitchen

2009-01-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

We're working with an all-white kitchen with dark red tile countertops. The idea here is to add some brightness and color, freshening the red with touches of lime green and orange. But we've also added soft red to tie in with the existing color scheme.

Mood Board - Master Bedroom

2009-01-28T17:46:00.000-08:00

In the Master Bedroom, we're working with a large suite, including a fireplace. Our client already has some large, dark pieces of furniture, so we wanted to freshen the room with lighter, more colorful pieces, while keeping true to the room's traditional bones. We also needed to transition to some pink tile in the Master Bathroom, so we added touches of soft red.

Mood Board - Family Room

2009-01-28T16:14:00.001-08:00

For the Family Room in Pomegranate's home staging project, we're working with our client's existing beige sectional sofa. But most everything else will be purchased (or rented, if we can find similar products).

Mood Board - Girl's Bedroom

2009-01-28T16:13:00.001-08:00

For this Bedroom, our client has an existing West Elm Overlapping Squares headboard (yum!), so this room almost designed itself around that great feature.

Home Staging Project - Inspiration Room

2009-01-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

Here's the Inspiration Room provided by our client to help guide us through the home staging project.

Downtown Los Angeles Weekend I

2009-01-19T16:37:00.000-08:00

We stayed at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel on Saturday night and spent the weekend exploring downtown. I'm so inspired by the architecture (it's one of the few places in L.A. where you can see old buildings). Went to Clifton's Cafeteria for breakfast and saw so many Art Deco structures with gorgeous tile detail like The Eastern Columbia Building. The Biltmore herself is a grand old lady of a hotel and served as our gracious hostess for the getaway.

Downtown Los Angeles Weekend II

2009-01-19T09:42:00.001-08:00

Home Office Makeover - Mood Board #2

2009-01-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

This is the second Mood Board for our Home Office Redesign project. Soon we'll show how, with a few simple ideas, you can take an office space from drab to fab.

Home Office Makeover - Mood Board #1

2009-01-09T15:38:00.000-08:00

We're making over a home office to bring it from chaos and clutter to blissfully organized. We'll show you how in a few easy steps. Here is the first of two Mood Boards created for the office to help us plan the redesign.

Fabulous Budget Wedding for 100 Guests for $10,000 - Tip #1 - Feature a No-Host Bar

2009-01-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

Don't subsidize the entire alcohol and beverage bill. This one tip will save you loads of money. Opt for complimentary champagne and selections of both red and white wine (and soda, iced tea and water) with dinner, but ask your guests to pay for their own bar bills if they want additional beverages. Our guests had refills of champagne and wine poured at the table, and if anyone wanted to, they could purchase additional beverages at the bar. Click on earlier posts and keep reading for all 10 Budget Wedding Tips.

Tip #2 - Negotiate Everything

2009-01-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

Negotiate everything! – Wedding vendors of all types will try to get every last dollar out of you. Don't be afraid to tell them it doesn't fit your budget and they'll have to bring the price down. You can negotiate every detail of your wedding, from cake to linens to DJs to flowers. All you have to do is ask. We got $500 knocked off the top of one vendor's price within seconds simply by asking for it!

Tip #3 - Get an Off-the-Rack Dress

2009-01-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

Go off the rack for your dress – No big poufy dress for me. I'd rather not look like a stuffed cabbage or the top of a S'More. My dress cost less than $200 at a boutique and it was slim, elegant, silhouette conscious and perfect for a summer wedding in L.A. Think "red carpet glamour" instead of "old lace."

Tip #4 - Book Your Photographer Last Minute

2009-01-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

Book your photographer at the last minute (and book for only three hours) – Just as there can be travel deals for those who wait to book a trip until just before they go, so, too, can there be wedding photographer discounts. We're talking deep discounts here. We got absolutely first-rate, creative photography (two photographers for three hours for – are you sitting down? -– $450! Yes, that's right. We got that deal because we booked late and because we only booked her for three hours to cover the greatest amount of wedding activity.

Tip #5 - Have Your Wedding on a Sunday

2009-01-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

Have your wedding on a Sunday, not Saturday – This is now common knowledge among those planning weddings, and it's so true. Our location offered a significantly better deal for Sunday.

Tip #6 - Order a "Retro" Wedding Cake

2009-01-07T11:24:00.001-08:00

Think "retro" for your wedding cake – By having our cake made at a local Italian bakery, we got to have the three-tiered "vintage-style" wedding cake of our dreams deliciously hand-crafted for only $200! By choosing this option, you have to "break the mold" and not have a fondant-draped cake (as is the current vogue), but since my husband is Italian-American, we went for the classic, rum custard Italian wedding cake and it tasted – and looked – great!

Tip #7 - Make Your Own Invitations and Programs

2009-01-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

Design your own invitations and ceremony programs -– OK, I'm a graphic designer, so this was a no brainer. Saved a ton of money, though. For those creatively challenged, you can buy invitation kits for do-it-yourself invites for about $35 at art supply stores.

Tip #8 - Make Your Own Favors

2009-01-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Make your own favors – As a wedding gift, my friend made the custom-designed chocolate filled hand-stamped favors herself. I came over and helped her assemble them so we got some great female bonding time, too!

Tip #9 - Find a Package Deal

2009-01-07T11:17:00.001-08:00

Go with a package deal – We saved a lot of money by shopping the “wedding packages.” Just like in travel, where you always get a bargain when you bundle your air and hotel, you can have a “one-stop” wedding by booking your ceremony and reception at the same place. Your guests will love you for making their lives easier (only one place they have to park!), and you’ll find the price is right. Packages also usually include the services of an on-site wedding coordinator.

Tip #10 - Order Flowers from an Upscale Supermarket

2009-01-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

Shop at an upscale supermarket in-store florist for your flowers – (Yes, the supermarket) for your wedding flowers. Many people don't know that some of the more upscale markets like Pavilions offer the same flowers (all florists get them from the same flower market, except the expensive exotics), the same service and attention to detail of any florist we've seen -- but at a fraction of the cost! They did everything for us, and all we had to do was have someone pick them up from the store. (Total cost for flowers, bouquets, centerpieces, boutonierres, etc: $350!)