How to Decorate Your Home in Urban Interior Design Style

As the vibrant heart of Southern California living, Orange County offers a unique canvas for homeowners looking to infuse their living spaces with the dynamic energy of urban interior design style. By blending sleek modernity with industrial accents, the urban style can transform your Orange County home into a captivating haven. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential elements and practical steps to achieve a stunning urban-inspired décor that harmonizes with the county's lively atmosphere.

1. Embrace the Essence of Openness:

Urban interior design thrives on open spaces that encourage seamless flow. In your Orange County home, consider removing non-structural walls to create an airy layout. Embrace the abundance of natural light by installing large windows or glass doors, blurring the boundaries between indoors and the picturesque outdoor landscape.

2. Neutral Foundations, Bold Expressions:

Begin with a neutral color palette as your canvas to ground and tie everything together. Whites, grays, and blacks form the backdrop against which vibrant accents will shine. Don't hesitate to introduce bold pops of color through art, textiles, and accessories, reflecting the vibrancy of Orange County's culture.

3. Industrial Elements with Elegance:

Industrial design elements pay homage to the urban environment. Wood and stone flooring create the perfect foundation for an urban-inspired interior design style. Exposed brick walls, metal piping, and concrete floors can lend an authentic urban edge. Balance these raw materials with refined textiles, plush rugs, and comfortable seating for a polished juxtaposition of styles.

4. Furnish with Minimalist Flair:

Opt for furniture that boasts clean lines and simplicity. Choose pieces with multifunctional purposes to optimize space in your Orange County home. Minimalist doesn't mean sacrificing comfort; look for sofas, chairs, and beds that offer both style and coziness.

5. Urban Art and Eclectic Decor:

A simple way to create an urban interior design in your home is to incorporate urban art. Graffiti-inspired murals or modern abstract pieces are the perfect elements to enliven your walls. Create an eclectic vibe by blending antique finds, vintage signage, and urban-themed sculptures. Each piece tells a story and adds depth to your home's character.

Artwork by Sarah Finucane

6. Ingenious Storage Solutions:

An organized space is at the core of urban living. Integrate open shelving units and creative storage solutions that display your belongings while maintaining a clutter-free atmosphere. Functional design is key to achieving the urban aesthetic.

7. Illuminate with Distinction:

Thoughtfully chosen lighting fixtures “can change the look and feel of a room with a flick of a switch” and define your urban-inspired space. Opt for statement pendants, Edison bulbs, and sleek track lighting. These choices not only illuminate but also contribute to the ambiance that urban design is renowned for.

8. Nature's Tranquil Presence:

Bring the outdoors inside with a touch of greenery. Potted plants, hanging gardens, and succulent arrangements soften the industrial feel of urban design while connecting your home to Orange County's natural surroundings.

9. Seamless Integration of Technology:

Modern urban living incorporates smart technology seamlessly. Invest in automated blinds, smart thermostats, and integrated sound systems to elevate your home's functionality without compromising the design's aesthetic.

Transforming your Orange County residence with urban interior design style is an artistic endeavor that marries the cosmopolitan charm of urban living with the laid-back allure of Southern California. By embracing open spaces, blending industrial elements with elegance, and curating a collection of urban-inspired decor, you can craft a living space that resonates with the essence of Orange County's vitality. Let your home stand as a testament to your creative vision and love for the urban aesthetic, all while enjoying the comfort and style that this design approach affords.

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How Do You Know When You're Ready to Hire an Interior Designer?

When it comes to your upcoming home remodel, are you short on time? Do you feel lost or overwhelmed turning your personal style into a beautifully designed room? It may be time to tap out—and hire an interior designer! Working with an interior designer helps save you time and money, all while removing the stress, and putting the fun back into redecorating and remodeling your home. 

Whether you’re looking to Transform Your Average Kitchen into Luxury with 12 Stunning Remodel Must-Haves or you are ready to incorporate some of the Hottest New Interior Design Trends for Homes in Newport Beach in 2023, an interior designer will simplify the process and provide you with a home that’s both functional and beautiful. But, how do you know that you’re ready to hire an interior designer? [Hint hint: most of our client’s would have benefited from hiring us earlier.] Here are a few sure signs that it is time. 

1. You’re moving into a new home.

Even if you opted for a brand new or recently renovated house, in order to really get your new home “turnkey” ready for you to move in and start living your best life, you are bound to require some different furniture, area rugs, and decor than you had in your old home. Chances are you have increased or decreased square footage, have additional rooms or rooms that take a different shape, are working with a new layout, or may have moved to a different state with a more predominant design style than your old home’s location—all of which require you to determine what furniture should stay, and what new items you will need to purchase. Or perhaps you would like to add a more modern interior design style, smart technology, or organizational upgrades to your home. An interior designer can help you accomplish all of your goals (without the headache). 

On the flipside, maybe you bought a fixer-upper and some major renovations are in order. Choosing an interior designer who has relationships with contractors throughout the area is a must. Whenever you buy a new home, hiring an interior designer to help you assess the situation should be first on your to-do list!

Designed by Genevieve Chambliss while working at Dwellings Design Group

2. You are planning mid-sized to major renovations. 

Interior designers are responsible for coordinating and managing your home renovation projects from start to finish. Therefore, if you are planning mid-sized or major renovations, you should definitely be ready to hire an interior designer. In fact, that should be your first step. When it comes to remodels, many homeowners underestimate the time and energy needed for their project and quickly become overwhelmed when they try to do it on their own. Your general contractor will want plan and elevation drawings, and expect you to have all the details figured out from plumbing fixtures and tile to selecting door knobs and baseboards. Interior designers will tackle everything from conceptual design and space planning to the installation and styling—and all the details in between. 

When it comes to getting started, you’ll need an expert with great spacial skills to rework and re-envision your space to meet your needs and ultimately enhance how you live. Your interior designer will: 

• Define the design direction and palette 

• Improve flow patterns

• Add desired features

• Furniture space plan

• Incorporate existing furniture

During the next phase of your renovation, your interior designer will develop the design by addressing all the little details to create a cohesive look that evokes your personal style.  

• Develop a detailed set of plans and elevations to communicate the design to your contractor and tradesmen

• Select cabinet style, custom inserts and design bespoke millwork details

• Specify flooring finishes, countertops, tile, and paint colors

• Specify the plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, etc.

• Provide 3D renderings to help you envision your future dream home

Your interior designer will also lead you through furniture and accessory selections. They will purchase and procure all your items, communicate with vendors to track and expedite shipments, coordinate deliveries, and then install all furniture and style your home with artwork and home decor for a finished cohesive look. 

If you are in need of major renovations, check out these resources: 

• How the Interior Design Process can Improve Your Property Value

• The Comprehensive Home Remodel Planning Guide: a FREE Step-by-Step Guide to Remodel Your Home like a Pro

3. You feel lost or overwhelmed at the thought of “redecorating.”

One major indicator that you are ready to hire an interior designer is that you are overwhelmed. It is OK to ask for help and to opt out of DIY options when it comes to redecorating your home. Not everyone has a knack for marrying personal style with what’s on trend and what is functional. Quality interior designers have gone to design school, have a natural instinct for attention to detail coupled with an unparalleled technical edge, and have plenty of experience designing luxury spaces that are cohesive, polished, and tailored to each client. There is no need to rely on yourself if you don’t want to!  

Designed by Genevieve Chambliss while working at Dwellings Design Group

4. You have some idea of the design style you like—or don’t like. 

Before you are officially ready to hire an interior designer, it is a good idea to know what items or styles you are drawn to and/or what styles you definitely want to avoid. Try making a list of furniture or art pieces in your home that you can’t part with and/or start a Pinterest board where you can save images of entire rooms, specific design styles, furniture, art, colors, finishes, etc. that you can show your interior designer. 

5. You have a general idea of your timeline and know your budget.

We will get into this in greater detail a few points down, but you might not be ready to hire an interior designer if you have zero sense of what you’d like to accomplish in your home or how much you are willing to spend. These are two questions that you need to ask yourself before you are ready to start your project. You can always meet with an interior designer (or a few) to gain a better understanding of what home renovations cost these days, and a realistic idea of how long remodels take. Once you have some idea of what you want and what you are ready to invest in your home, an interior designer can help you determine if your project and budget are realistic or if you may need to phase it out to accomplish your goals. That way you can plan for the future and determine if you truly are ready to hire an interior designer. 

6. You are open to suggestions. 

Being open to suggestions is a big (and often overlooked) aspect of being ready to hire an interior designer. When you are working with someone to transform your home into your luxury dream home, you will need to be open to new ideas and, unfortunately, sometimes hearing that one of your ideas won’t work or be ideal for your space. If you can be open to feedback and suggestions, a good interior designer will help you find better solutions than you could have dreamed up so that you’re overjoyed with the outcome of your newly designed home. 

Designed by Genevieve Chambliss while working at Dwellings Design Group

7. You have a pretty good understanding of the interior design process. 

It is your interior designer’s job to make sure that you have a solid understanding of the interior design process you are about to embark on, and that all your questions have been answered. We touched on this process a bit when we discussed mid-sized to major home renovations, but for a more comprehensive overview of the interior design process, you can view this page.  

8. You’ve found an interior designer who fits your style, timeline and budget. 

Hopefully by now you have ended your search for the top interior designers from Newport Beach, CA (shameless plug: we made this list) and you have found someone who matches your style, and can work within your timeline and budget. To find someone who matches your style, you can review the interior designer’s portfolio. However, keep in mind that an interior designer’s job is to decipher your personal style and bring it to life. That means you don’t necessarily need to love the same design style or decor, but rather that your interior designer will listen to your ideas, pain points, functional needs, and goals, and has the eye for aesthetics, technical background, and plenty of experience to get the job done correctly.

Regarding timeline and budget? At this point, you should have gained a realistic idea of how long your project will take and how much it will cost. This will depend on the scope of your project. If you’re planning a major renovation, your home remodel could take up to a year! Make sure your interior designer is honest with you—delivery times are still slower and prices are still up. Don’t choose an interior designer who will compromise their integrity to get you to choose them, or someone who will compromise quality. Alternatively, a good interior designer will show you where you can save money and where you should put the majority of your budget to achieve your goals and get the best return on your investment.  

Check out 5 Things to Look for When Hiring an Interior Designer in Orange County for more information. 

9. You and your interior designer have decided what interior design services are best for your needs. 

There are many different ways to work with interior designers based on your specific needs. Here are a few of the ways you can work with us:

1. Full-Service Design: top-to-bottom service for your luxury remodel or new construction. This service includes a full custom design tailored to your style and the way you live. With this done-for-you service we also execute all purchasing and procurement, project management, as well as final styling so your new, beautiful home is turnkey ready for you to kick up your feet, relax, and enjoy.

2. Virtual or Design-Only Services: perfect if you have time to devote to your remodel or furnishing project but lack the expertise. In this case, we will select finishes, fixtures, furniture, and more and provide detailed drawings. Then you take it from there to execute the design. With this service, you are responsible for all purchasing  and procurement as well as project management. This service can be done locally with an initial on-site consultation or virtually with customer-provided dimensions.

3. Designer-On-Call Service: if you're unsure how much or how little help you need, or just have some small design details you'd like help with, then a Designer-on-Call package might be right for you. Get our expert design advice, paint color selection, art selection, or a professional floor plan or elevation drawing for your contractor at our hourly rates.

Designed by Genevieve Chambliss while working at Dwellings Design Group

Ready to schedule your discovery call? Contact us today! 

For more information on hiring the right interior designer for your project, check out these additional resources: 

• When To Hire an Interior Designer: Questions to ask Yourself

• 5 Things to look for when Hiring an Interior Designer in Orange County

5 Ways to Use Onyx Marble in Your Home Interiors

Onyx is a unique marble mined from limestone caves created by flowing warm springs over thousands of years. When onyx is used in interior decoration, exquisite patterns and colours can create a unique and luxurious look. 

Fine-grained onyx marble stone is available in various colours like yellow, brown, green, black, white, and pink. It is a versatile material that works well with different themes and decors. Therefore, it is a popular choice among architects and interior designers. 

Let’s look at five different ways you can use onyx in your home décor to create a luxurious look.

1.Onyx Marble Flooring

Using onyx marble for flooring can be expensive. But the unique appearance of onyx can help you create a luxurious interior design. High-end hotels and offices also choose onyx for their floors to add sophistication to a minimalistic theme. Choose from a wide range of pastel, light, or dark colours for the right look.

2. Onyx Marble Accent Wall

Consider creating an accent wall in your dining or living space. Use onyx marble tiles to cover a section or an entire wall to create a grand backdrop to your lifestyle. Choose a warm tone like honey-yellow, or go bold with a deep red onyx. Remember to supplement your accent wall with the proper lighting for a beautiful look.

3. Onyx marble in Kitchen Backsplash

A unique kitchen backsplash can liven up the look and ambience of your entire kitchen. You can add a slab of colourful onyx marble in contrast to your kitchen theme or choose something that fits into the overall look. For example, if you have a clean white-themed décor in your kitchen, choose a green onyx to give your kitchen a warm glow.

4. Onyx marble Bathroom Features

Onyx is a richly patterned translucent stone. You can use it as a foundation for your wash basin, as the material for your bathroom counter, or to frame the bathroom mirror. Add a dash of opulence to your bathroom using onyx in small doses.

5. Onyx marble Staircase

A backlit onyx can create a beautiful look for your staircase and give it a warm glow. Turn your staircase into an artistic expression using richly veined, colourful onyx marble on the steps. It is a great way to make the staircase beautiful and add luxury without clutter.

Using onyx to decorate your home is recommended, but it is not as simple as it looks. Before shopping for onyx marble stone, read about the material. Find out more about the different types of onyx available in the market and the corresponding prices. Doing your research before interior decoration will help ensure you make the right choice.

It is always better to conceptualize the theme of your interiors before shopping. Now that you know a few ways of using onyx in interiors, you can decide where you want to use it and which variety to choose. 

Author Bio:

Aparna Rao has a great passion for interior design and decor. Her design mantra is that the interiors of any space should be designed keeping in mind functionality and aesthetics. She works as a content marketer for Stonex India, a leading marble manufacturer, and has gained valuable insights into the marble stone industry. Her extensive knowledge of different types of stones and their properties as well as interior design is what makes her content stand apart and is appreciated by her readers. Through her content, she also offers creative, innovative, and effective design and decor solutions.

How to Decorate Your Orange County Home in Organic Modern Interior Design Style

Kitchen by Vieve Interiors with white walls, clean lines, and natural wood and marble elements

In the tranquil beach-side communities of Orange County, a new design style termed “organic modern interior design style” is filling up the homes of more and more of style-lovers. Perfect for our coastal environment, organic modern interior design this style balances the simplicity of modern design with organic, or “of the earth” elements and a nature-inspired palette to create a warm casual look. In other words, this aesthetic combines natural materials and colors with modern elements for an elegant but comfortable look. If you’re looking to try out the organic modern interior design style, here are our top tips to get you started. 

Start with a Neutral Backdrop

The best way to start any renovation or decorating project is to create a blank canvas. When it comes to organic modern interior design style, it’s important to start with a neutral backdrop. A fresh white or creamy paint color is the perfect foundation for the rest of your organic modern design elements.

The fresh white walls of Lance Le Pere & Michael Kors’ living room sets the stage for layered organic elements that warm the space.

Opt for Clean Lines and Modern Simplicity 

When laying out your space and choosing furniture, stick with clean lines and keep things simple for a sleek, modern vibe. This will give you plenty of room to layer on other elements like texture and color later on.

Modern bathroom with clean lines by Viève Interiors

Use Natural Elements to Soften the Space 

Natural elements are key when incorporating organic modern interior design style into your home. Think wood flooring and furniture, natural stone countertops or tile, jute rugs, seagrass baskets—anything that can give your home an earthy feel while still maintaining its modern edge. Wood furniture pieces will help bring warmth into the space while rattan accessories can add texture without competing with existing accents. 

The live edge wood table brings an earthy element to this stunning dining room by Viève Interiors

Introduce Earthy Colors 

Organic modern interior designs utilize earthy colors like taupes, beiges, grays, whites and warm browns in order to create a calm vibe throughout the room. If you want a little more color, add in subtle ocean blues, bright gold, terracotta or deep forest greens. These should be used sparingly so as not to overpower the subdued, airy and light colour palette—a few pops here and there should do just fine!  

The beautiful copper drapes warm and soften this modern bathroom by Kate Walker Design

Style With Handmade or Vintage Decor

One of the best ways to add personality and charm is by incorporating handmade decor items into your space. The originality and irregularity of something made by the human hand is key to the charm of the organic modern interior design style. Whether it’s a vintage handmade vessel, a macrame wall hanging, or repurposed thrift-store finds, these pieces can add depth and interest for an extra special touch that sets your home apart from all others! 

Shelves styled with handmade bowls and vessels by Athena Calderon

Find beauty in function

A great way to keep your design clutter- free while still incorporating pretty aesthetic accents is to highlight utilitarian items as part of the design. Display cutting boards or a mortar and pestles in your kitchen, or keep a pretty woven basket in your entry to use to gather cut flowers or carry groceries.

Beautifully styled kitchen shelves with cutting boards, pepper grinders, a pitcher and mugs by Studio McGee

Lots of Greenery

Finally, make sure you incorporate lots of greenery into your space! A few potted plants can instantly brighten up any room. Add a ficus to liven up a living room or a ZZ plant to add a sculptural element in an empty corner. Not only does this help bring in some color but also helps keep air quality high which is always important for any home!  And if you don’t have a green thumb, you might look at faux or dried options to achieve the same organic feel. 

The large tree completes this living room with its white walls, warm browns and modern light fixture

If you're looking for an elegant yet comfortable look for your home then organic modern interior design style might just be what you need! By combining natural materials with modern elements such as clean lines and earthy colors, you'll be able to create a unique atmosphere that fits your lifestyle perfectly! 

Need help pulling together the organic modern home of your dreams? We’d love to help. Schedule a complimentary discovery call today!

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