Los Angeles Design Blog | Material Girls | LA Interior Design

Recently, I have been working on a couple of projects where we are focusing on the exteriors…with Spring here and Summer around the corner, time to fix up the outdoors! Here’s some inspiring outdoor spaces!

Love a graveled courtyard.

How charming is this guest house!

A lush garden.

Love these steps!

Such a cozy, intimate space.

How fun is this!

Amazingly elegant!

Dreamy!

All images from here and here on Pinterest.

Wallpaper in a powder room or bathroom adds flair and character…take a look at these wallpapered spaces!

Light and pretty, works great above the wainscoting!

Bright and cherry, with lots of pattern!

Simple fixtures…with bold pattern.

An elegant powder room.

A retreat of a bathroom, that is sunny and light filled with a graphic pattern.

A very narrow powder room with a bold trellis wallpaper.

Black and white stripes, so classic!

Stunning with navy blue grasslcoth above the patterned/textured wainscoting.

Another classic striped wallcovering, reminds me of men’s suiting material, for the masculine.

And a bit of whimsy!

{All images via here on Pinterest}

For many undertaking a kitchen remodel, the goal is typically to expand an already compact kitchen. However, the reality is often times some spaces cannot be enlarged or expanded by increasing the square footage. Instead maximizing a compact kitchen space and aesthetically improving it’s design and style is the most ideal way to turn a small space into a big improvement!

Modern and minimalist, this kitchen epitomizes the aesthetics of a compact kitchen.

Super space saver and super sophisticated – sometimes putting the best into a small space is great on the return.

This compact kitchen has a more expansive feel by it’s use of open shelving, mirrors, and pass-thru counter / bar height seating. Maximizing space to it’s fullest it includes a built-in banquette dining area.

This is a layout I have done for many small kitchens – incorpoating an island with seating and storage, prep sink optional, makes for a functional compact kitchen.

Classic and contemporary, sink side feels open with windows and cabinets are best placed to maximize storage.

A model (pun intended) example of a compact kitchen, this one in a Manhattan loft, where even the narrowest of islands provides functionality.

Light, bright, and airy – a tiny kitchen that feels very open and even includes a little counter seating area by incorporating a tiny ledge of surface area.

Another kitchen with an island and bar height seating, not to mention a full height cabinet help to make this compact kitchen feel more open.

Taking cabinets full height (to the ceiling) is a great idea to make any kitchen feel larger, whether or not it’s compact.

Images via Pinterest and Elle Decor.

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.

{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}

{image via Houzz}

I am currently working on a project where the client has decided to demo the linen cabinets of an upstairs hallway and create a built-in desk in it’s place.  The space is on the children’s wing of the house and opens up to a loft playroom. I think this is going to be a great use of space! Of course, I had to go searching for inspiration…

{image via Pinterest}

A compact work area (the inspiration picture my client likes).

{via Pinterest}

A small space maximizes a home office.

{image via Houzz}

A built-in nook blends seamlessly between this kitchen and dining space.

{via Simple Blueprint}

A converted attic space.

{via Pinterest}

A rustic chic wood work surface wall to wall.

{via Meet Butterflies}

A great use of space to accommodate a work area and window seat.

{via Elle Decor}

Dual work spaces and lots of room to display inspiration!

{image via Pinterest}

It seems as if bathroom remodels are on-going projects for me, having just completed a few with a few more in the works. In sourcing for inspiration, I often have to find bathrooms that are both functional and practical. Here are some that are fit the description!

{image via House of Turquoise}

Glass subway tile, offset and installed vertically for clean, wipe-able walls.

{image via Pinterest}

A simple, refined classic bathroom will always remain timeless.

{image via Houzz}

Clients often request plenty of storage, having a vanity with deep drawers & cabinets is practical.

{image via Houzz}

Roomy shower stalls with rainhead shower heads are a luxury…

{image via Pinterest}

If room allows, open shelving facing the tub offers great storage for accessories & towels.

{via Pinterest}

A well lit bathroom is a must, this one offers flexible lighting in the way of a pendant, recessed, & sconces.

{image via Houzz}

An interesting solution to maximize space and accommodate a tub & (double) shower combination!

I’m a fan of fashion designer Tory Burch – and equally a fan of her chic flagship stores! The photo above is from her new Madison Avenue store in NYC – so glam! Check out some of her other locations across the nation – and globe!

The facade of her Atlanta location.

The interiors of her Dallas store.

A Philadelphia location.

A glam location in Dubai!

For the high rollers in Vegas!

Interiors of the Nashville, TN store.

East coast chic in the Hamptons.

Nothing conservative in this Washington, DC flagship.

Fits right in with Scottsdale, Arizona.

Last but not least – and local to me – the beachy vibe Malibu, CA location.

Be sure to check out Tory’s blog too!

{All images via the Tory Burch website}