Denver Interior Design | Studio R Design » blog

Seeking Shelter

Renee Augustine — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:01:34 +0000

Over the past several years many of the “shelter” magazines have gone out of business. One of my favorites was Domino. It offered great ideas, creative solutions, and insight to upcoming trends. It was a great source of inspiration and had a fresh approach to affordable interior design. That was then and this is now. Check out the premier issue of the online publication Lonnymag.com. It was my first look at an online magazine from cover to cover and I loved it. I really think you will enjoy it too! It is not the same as turning actual magazine pages, but this is the future. If I can get my design fix, then I can succumb to turning pages virtually. Sit down with a glass of wine and your laptop, and enjoy the read.

Color Matters

Renee Augustine — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:57:23 +0000

One of the things that always inspire me is color. I love to see bold use of color in a space. Some people are afraid of color and shy away from using it, or they want to stay with a safe, nondescript palette in their room. I say NO. Color evokes emotion. It gives off energy and makes you react to the space you are in. It can make you feel, calm, relaxed, energized, hungry, angry, happy, silly or just plain in awe. By making your space more interesting and dramatic, it becomes conversation piece. I have had an orange dining room for many years and almost everyone comments on how much they love it. Warm colors also increase your appetite. That is why many fast food restaurants logos are comprised of warm colors.

Start with a small space, such as a powder room, and be bold. Select a color that you love and have been afraid to try or a trendy color. You can always change it. Benjamin Moore paints sell small vials for a few dollars, so you can test some of your favorites. There are so many colors to choose from, it can be intimidating. One of our projects, The Venue at Warner Center, we selected a lime green as our main color in the lobby.

You can always hire a designer for a paint consultation to aid in the selection. That is what we do. Remember, be bold!!!

City by the Bay

Renee Augustine — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:41:13 +0000

I grew up interested in all aspects of design, but when it came time to go to college I narrowed down to my favorite, interior design. Growing up in a small town in Montana, did not offer much in the design realm, but I was lucky to have traveled to many different cities in the United States. One of my favorite places is San Francisco. It has such a sense of classic style and is surrounded by such great design. I enjoy passing by eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture, dining in incredibly designed restaurants, and perusing the fabulous boutique stores. It was on my first trip to San Francisco that I decided interior design was my passion. It was off to Miami for my first dose of design school. Eventually I made my to Denver, and opened my own interior design firm, Studio R Design.