Los Angeles Design Blog | Material Girls | LA Interior Design

Occasionally it’s refreshing to see interiors that are airy, light, and bright. While dark colors can be exciting and dramatic, lighter colors tend to be more soothing. Often times, clients request warm colors for the sake of having some richness to their rooms. Yet, this past week I did a paint color consultation for a client’s new home where we went with “barely there colors” – paint colors almost devoid of anything but a hint of color.  Sometimes it’s nice to “lighten up!”

{image via Hometown Girl}

Tone on tone, whites and creams.

Benjamin Moore Elmira White HC-84

{image via Pinterest}

A crisp white, bright entry!

Benjamin Moore Decorator White 1-04

{image via Home-Styling}

Light with a subtle hint of pink.

Benjamin Moore Mirage White 2116-70

{image via House & Home}

Cool blues and grays.

Benjamin Moore Wales Gray 1585

{image via Pinterest}

Off-whites and grays.

Benjamin Moore Owl Gray 2137-60

{image via Pinterest}

Cabinets painted in greige with a soft white contrast.

Benjamin Moore Ozark Shadow AC-26

{image via Pinterest}

A tone on tone affect with a hint of warmth.

Benjamin Moore Lancaster Whitewash HC-174

{*for E., for giving me the great quote}

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

{image via Tumblr}

An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

{image via Pinterest}

Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

{image via Elle Decor}

Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

{image via Pinterest}

A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

{image via Conspicuous Style}

A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

The Hotel Bel Air (located here in Los Angeles) recently reopened after undergoing an extensive two year renovation. Interior Designer Alexandra Champalimaud was hired to recreate  a new reception and boutique, new lobby lounge, all the guestrooms, suites, & twelve hillside villas along with the spa and guest lofts. Rockwell Group was commissioned to design the dining venues, for which chef Wolfgang Puck oversees all the food and beverage operations for the hotel.  Throughout the process, insightful feedback from past guests was taken into consideration when implementing many of the hotel’s design changes. It was important to bring the hotel up to date, while retaining much of the character of the original hotel and the glamour of the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s.

The exterior facade and signage, which retains the hotel’s original buildings.

The famous round pool of the legendary Hotel Bel Air.

Outdoor dining at the newly designed Hotel Bel Air restaurant.

A hotel room suite living room (Bel-Air Suite Living Room).

A hotel room suite bedroom (Bel-Air Suite Bedroom).

A deluxe room with private patio.

For more info, visit Hotel Bel Air.

{image via Elle Decor}

There is something about a white kitchen that screams “classic, clean, and timeless.” While it may not be an appropriate look for every home it is often a request for many of my clients. With the right mix of finishes, there are a lot of variations on the classic white kitchen.

{image via La Dolce Vita}

The bright accents of yellow make this otherwise all white kitchen fun!

{Hicks Pendant by Thomas O’Brien, available through Circa Lighting}

Globe pendants are stunning above a kitchen island!

{image via Birch & Lily}

Black countertops are a great contrast to white Shaker style cabinets.

Absolute Noir from CaesarStone.

{image via My Paradissi}

Can’t quite give this kitchen credit for being all white, but it still remains classic as being black and white – and I love it!

{Carrara Keystone, available through Waterworks}

A Carrra backsplash is undeniably classic.

{image via Pinterest}

Varying from traditional Carrara marble countertops is this more unique stone, Biano Macabus Quartize – stunning! (Read about it here)

{image via Pinterest}

A more modern classic white kitchen, always looks sharp when paired with stainless steel appliances.

Subzero-Wolf stainless integrated wine cooler.

{image via Flickr}

A warm wood flooring, contrasting countertops, and bronze hardware give this all white kitchen characteristic (& the beadboard wall of the pantry too!)

Pulls from Restoration Hardware.

{image via Decor Pad}

Mixing countertop materials, such as in this kitchen with a butcher block island creates visual interest.

Butcher block countertops, available at Lumber Liquidators.

{image via Apartment Therapy}

Last but not least, if you are going to play it safe with classic white cabinets – why not go a bit dramatic with the floors!

(Which can be achieved through staining, read here for the how to.)

{image via Etsy}

It’s always fun to see creative and imaginative playrooms. Here are some fun rooms for both kid’s rooms & playrooms!

{image via Design Sponge}

Modern and minimal…but that teepee sure says “let’s play.”

{image via Pinterest}

Lots of room for books and storage, and a cozy built-in window seat.

{image via Pinterest}

The most ethereal playroom I’ve yet to see…

{via Kids Room Decor}

Side by side beds leave plenty of floor space for play.

{image via Project Nursery}

Love this bold and graphic playroom with the chalkboard walls! (I actually blogged about this room awhile back in my post, “These Walls Are Made for Chalkin‘”)

{image via Bonesteel Trout Hall}

A colorful playroom with just the right balance a white backdrop.

{image via Samantha Pynn}

Fun striped walls and a multi-purpose window seat.

{image via HGTV}

A very spacious attic space turned playroom.

{via Steve Gambrel}

For the sophisticated boy…

{image via Etsy}

Congrats to Katie & Jane for starting off the new year with their January 2012 issue of Matchbook Magazine – which went live online today and marks their one year anniversary! Keep on the good work and look forward to future issues of Matchbook! Check it out here!