Cocoon Home-For the love of Interior Design

The essentials

2012-01-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

One of the essentials of a life well-loved is a comforting and comfortable environment. Whether in a dorm room, apartment, condo, home or palace, most of us long for a welcome place to be. That is why it is never a waste of time or energy to dream about what you can do to make your habitat as wonderful as possible. Dreams do come true. Thoughts do become actions. We are powerful and creative. So, we recommend that you dream big. Don't feel limited by economics or talent or circumstance, because dreams are free. Just start the dreams. Write them down. Live with your vision for your spaces. Refine them, change them, love them! We're here if you need us.

Tips and Inspiration

2011-02-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

Designer Tips and Inspiration

Start out with a furniture plan. Sketching out where you want everything in terms of the room’s layout is vastly important

Filling a large room with large furniture can be unattractive. Create small spaces and zones. This makes a room more conversational and cozy. When entertaining, adapt a seating arrangement of a room. Having side chairs scattered throughout makes this much easier.

Lighting is key. You’ll need lamps and reading lights near sofas and chairs. By determining where outlets are before placing the furniture, you can avoid making mistakes. Overhead lights cast unflattering shadows, so the more lamp light the better.

Add contrast to a room by leaving at least six to twelve inches between a rug and the walls.

Create vignettes in underused spaces by adding a painting, a console table, or a side chair decorated with a stack of books.

Looking back......2010 Top Ten Trends

2010-12-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

2010 Top 10 Trends:

1. Colors: Purple,Gray, Brown,Turquoise,Green

2. Metals: Metallic Finishes, Wall & Ceiling Paints

3. Texture in Furnishings: Wovens(furniture/window treatment), Recycled glass(vases/tile), knitted ( pillows/ottomans)

4.Natural Wood Finishes: Flooring (recycled barn planks), Furniture, Fixtures

5.Wallpaper: Organic , texture, Geometric, Text

6.French Decor: Text (wallpaper/curtains/furniture), Burlap, Natural Linen, Aged/Worn Furniture Accessories,Flea Market Finds

7.Aviary (Wallpaper, Table Top accessories, Window Treatment

8.Animal Print (Zebra Rugs/Leopard Print Pillows)

9.Glass (Crystal block lamps, Glass top desks, Acrylic Seating

10.Retro (Sunburst Mirrors,70's inspired chairs, Platform Beds, Fur (Pillows, Rugs)

These are the top ten trends for 2010 that we used, were inspired by or anxiously waiting to be done with! Here's to 2011 Trends!

2010-11-19T12:00:00.001-08:00

Here is the link to the Carolina Home and Garden article on our room in the Flat Rock Designer Showhouse. Pictures by David Dietrich.

http://www.carolinahg.com/Carolina-Home-Garden/Fall-2010/Gallery-Flat-Rock-Designer-Showhouse/?view=slmslideshow&cp=16&play=false

Showhouse, Showhouse, Showhouse!

2010-08-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Cocoon Interior Design has teamed up with the Historic Flat Rock 2010 Designer Showhouse. Our selection was the Grand Salon or the "Salon des Oiseaux" (Gallery of birds"). Our goal was to "wrap elegance with comfort, celebrating the timelessness of this magnificent home." The showhouse hours are Aug. 14th through August 29th @ the Saluda Cottages in Flat Rock, NC. For more information visit www.historicflatrockinc.org . (We will be posting pictures in the following post, soon to come)

Summertime Memories

2010-06-17T11:29:00.000-07:00

Summertime.....need I say more? People coming and going. Family reunions. Afternoon Thunderstorms. Lemonade on the front porch. Kids catching Lightning Bugs. Wet Towels. The smell of Cut Grass. Stopping and appreciating a cool breeze on a sweltering hot day. Swimming holes. What better way to celebrate family than to create a space just for these kinds of summer memories.

On a recent project we were able to renovate and rejuvenate an old family cabin that had seen better days. The walls filled with old, cherished memories; we wanted to continue the tradition by modernizing and making the old cabin more functional for kids and grandkids alike (and perhaps future generations to come). The cabin had to be comfortable, fun and functional while still retaining it's old charm and character. The following are before and after pictures.

Winter Blues

2010-02-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

So it's February and cold...............let's not let that be the end of the statement. How about....So it's February and cold but we're having fun with color! It may be freezing outside; There may be a sea of white on your front lawn or just plain mud. You may be yearning for something that pops in your life.

An easy solution, go to your local florist, supermarket and grab some fresh,cut flowers. Arranged in a vase on your hallway table; this a great way to give a quick jolt of color and happy hello everytime you pass it. You could also pick up some green foliage/plant ( Something green and alive...emphasis on alive!).

You could go on a little outing and pick up some fun, patterned pillows....with color(be bold and adventurous with yellow or hot pink). This would be a great facelift for

your living space...and should tide you over until Spring rolls around.

If you're "itchin" to do some work.....pick up some paint and tackle that hallway or bathroom you've been meaning to makeover.

No matter what you decide, a little pop of color can go a long way to make your spirit awaken and come alive...at least until the Spring comes around and works its' magic.

Have fun!

Christmas Memories

2009-12-10T11:04:00.000-08:00

Driving down the road I see Christmas trees strapped to the tops of cars. I see decorations of all kinds. I see the reindeer in the yards grazing, lit up with strands of lights, the Santa in his helicopter (propeller spinning in the cool air), Christmas lights dangling from rooftops and every display of holiday cheer imaginable. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another holiday this is one of the best times of year to have fun decorating and making memories.

Family tradition usually dictates how you will decorate. Usually passed down from generation to generation. My mom loved all Holidays but especially Christmas. We grew up in an old Victorian Village on the North Shore of Long Island, NY. We lived in a large Victorian home perched on a cliff overlooking the Long Island Sound. My mom had a wonderful canvas to work with! I always remember how much warmer and cozier the house felt at Christmas. The Christmas tree took center stage in our main entry "The Hall". There the tree sat surrounded by windows with views of the Long Island Sound. No other furniture to clutter the view. One fireplace with a mantel adorned with green garland, candles and 6 stockings...sometimes 7 or 8 when my Nana or Aunt/and Uncle would stay with us. "The Hall" although large and empty normally became one of the coziest and most wonderful rooms in the house to sit or lay and dream (on the floor as there was no furniture). You could dream about what kind of presents were wrapped in those pretty boxes or wonder how Santa was going to make it into the house without catching on fire down the chimney. You could dream about how your parents were going to react when they opened the gift you picked out with your 5 dollars and how your brother better not have copied you in choosing his gift! That room with the Christmas tree was the only room in the house that felt like time stood still.

Although, I do remember other wonderful decorations scattered throughout the house and the wonderful aroma of cookies baking, it's "The Hall" with the Christmas tree that stays fresh in my memory. So although we had a large house to adorn, it was one room and one main decoration that set the most important memory for me. The lesson? It doesn't matter how much money you have to decorate with. It doesn't matter how much or how little you do decorate your house. It doesn't matter if you have the reindeer in the yard or the Santa in the helicopter atop your roof. It just matters that you have a consistent theme to your holiday. A Christmas tree for me...but maybe it's the Menorah or the Kinara for you that will set lasting memories for years to come...maybe even generations to come.

In my family the Christmas tree takes center stage in my decorating also. Once the tree is set, the ornaments placed and the lights are a glow...time stands still. I hope it does for my children as it did for me, giving them time for dreaming.

FALL IS UPON US

2009-09-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

With summer behind us it seems the days are flying by. I myself find my schedule has ratcheted back up. Between getting the kids out the door to school on time, getting in an early morning run, going to work, picking the kids up from school, shuttling them to all their after school activities, getting home to cook dinner, making sure they complete "all" their homework and finally getting them settled down and into bed makes me wonder......." where did the day go?". For this crazy itinerary we all seem to share this time of year, I think it's necessary to make our home feel as warm and cozy as possible. This is not only for our own sanity but for our family's well being also.

Start by taking down all summery linens and drapes. Wash them and put them away for the spring. Replace them with heavier weight fabrics with texture and richer colors ( i.e. waffle knit, heavy cotton, velvet, suede). Go out and find throw pillows in those same great rich, heavy textured fabrics. Add a yummy, warm knit throw blanket to your sofa or comfy reading chair (i.e. faux fur, cable knit, soft wool, fuzzy cotton). Buy some wonderful scented candles in fragrances that warm your soul (i.e. vanilla, spice, baked cookies). If you don't have throw rugs try putting down a rug to add warmth to a hallway or room. Throw some pinecones in a clear bowl, red apples in a tall vase or find some great fall foliage/botanicals to add to a fun container (vase,basket,bucket,wooden toolbox).

Now when you return from your harrowing, hectic day you can come home and feel like you're wrapping yourself in a favorite cozy sweater.

Making the most of your outside living space

2009-06-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! Living in the mountains is especially beautiful during this time. All of the mountain foliage is at its' best, blooming and showing off spectacular colors. The lush greens of trees, ferns and other native plants invite you to take a stroll outside. Now is the best time to create a wonderful outdoor living space. It will not only give you more entertaining and living space it will give you a special appreciation for mother nature and her splendor.

Take the time to stroll around your property and see what needs to be freshened up. (ie. deck or patio needing to be pressure washed, outdoor furniture being washed and hosed down.) If you don't have furniture or it's seen it's best days; go in search for some amazing and let's not forget, comfortable seating. Decide what look you want to evoke (serene, playful, elegant, rustic, vibrant). Use seat cushions and pillows to add splashes of color. Get some beautiful planters with a variety of plants in different sizes, colors and textures to add interest and dimension to your space. Add some fun lighting to create ambiance and set the mood for kicking back on a lazy evening or entertaining with friends. Pull the space together with conversation starting accessories (ie. wall decor, lanterns, statues). Give this space some personal flair...sky's the limit! Kick off your new found living space by throwing a small get together with friends and family!

As a result of your efforts you may find you are outside admiring your beautiful landscape a lot more and it might just inspire you to move off of your deck and into your yard. Next year's projects might just start to take shape!

2009-04-08T09:31:00.001-07:00

This room by Interior Designer Sheila Bridges inspires me to have some fun on my walls. What a great way to add dimension and interest to an otherwise plain wall.

2009-04-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

After visiting Interior Designer Patricia Grays' Blog I came across this beautiful room that I wanted to share.......it makes me want to flop onto the sofa and daydream...No kids allowed....just me and my British Homes and Garden magazine.

R U Twittering!

2009-04-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

Last night I participated in a Webinar about the power of Twittering. I am amazed how much I don't know about Social Media! In this tech crazy world we live in, everyone is bombarded with Facebook, UTube, Myspace and now Twittering. Twittering is basically an instant messaging network. You can talk about anything with anyone in a blink of an eye.....or tap of your fingers. It's a new way to connect with people and network. I'm not convinced I need to do this or have the time to do this but it did open my eyes to the way people are using it for their business. Gone are the days of "After Hours" Chamber events...now it seems you must tweet in order to keep up with the fast pace of networking. No more...what do you sell and why should I buy.....now it's.....random thoughts (A long drawn out way of getting you to "follow" me and "like" me so I can then sell to you). It seems kind of like dating.....Yuck! R U Twittering?

A State Of Mind

2009-03-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Our home is our sanctuary. It's our "Cocoon". Our home is where we live, breathe, dream and love. It is where we begin and end each day. It should be a place to retreat on a very difficult day, to re-energize when we think we can do no more, to inspire when we need a fresh start and to be happy when we're surrounded by our loved ones.

So in these difficult financial times making over a room is an important investment to your well being, productivity and future!

On A Budget

2009-03-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

It's not always easy to justify a room makeover when the economy is in such downturn. However, it doesn't mean you have to keep looking at a less than motivating space.

Moving furniture from different areas of the house is a good way to "shop" for a new look.
Going through an attic or basement could result in some wonderful treasures.
Removing items and De-cluttering a space can freshen up a tired space.
Shopping at local thrift stores can not only save money but you can find some unique, one of a kind pieces.
Paint is another great way to freshen up a room or change the "mood" of a room.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to transform an old, tired space.

Giving Back....

2009-02-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

Last year we started a project dedicated to the men and women whose job it is to educate our young children. In these times of cutbacks and downsizing, our teachers and ultimately our children are getting the short end of the stick. So to pay homage to those teachers and to let them know how much we appreciate their dedication, we've decided to energize them with design. Each year we pick two schools' Teachers' Lounges to re-decorate . The idea is to give the teachers a place to re-energize and breathe. By giving them a place to regroup we feel they will be better equipped to teach our children with the excitement and passion that brought them to teaching in the first place.

Texture

2009-02-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

Texture is a great way to create interest and depth to a space. Here we've used a stone back splash in a very simple wet bar area that could easily have been lost as "dead" space. The stone really made this small space "pop".

Color

2009-02-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

Using color can transform a room into a destination. This picture is from a recent "home spa" project. It definitely takes you away from the day to day stresses of life.

Design Tip Of The Week

2009-02-10T12:02:00.000-08:00

Select your rooms' color palette and carry swatches in a zip lock bag in your purse. If your room is already done select paint chips that mimic your existing colors.

2009-02-09T12:12:00.001-08:00

The Purpose of this blog site is to promote and cultivate beautiful spaces. It's a site to encourage and assist others in creating their own personal space. It's a place not only to share ideas but to also get excited about new design projects and ultimately living design dreams.

Living, Breathing Design

2009-02-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

Cocoon.......a structure you build around yourself, creating a space to allow for growth and change; a space in which to develop wings.