SUMMER NIGHTS:COZY UP

My Target and H&M haul.... I LOVE H&M pillows and Target has the  most awesome decor on a great budget. I was feeling inspired to do a board for summer nights. Being cozied up next to a fire pit, with a cool drink, and funny friends. 

1. CHANDELIER
2. WALL ART
3. CANDLE LANTERN
4. BLANKET
5. PLANT POT
6. LEAF PATTERNED PILLOW
7. WHITE/GOLD PILLOW
8. ACCENT CHAIR

SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME DESIGNS

I AM BACK.! I took a slight hiatus from blogging due to my school schedule and finishing up my last huge projects my senior year. All projects are completed and I had a great success at my portfolio show.

I meet a few professionals that gave wonderful advice and congratulated me on my next steps...since this milestone is completed now I can hit the blogging world again and share my favorite trends, colors, and designs by awesome designers.

San Jose, Costa Rica

The latest trend that I am fascinated by is shipping container homes. Once I saw one design and did my research I realized this new idea is not going anywhere no time soon.

Shipping container homes are modified or re-purposed used shipping containers used to stick them together to build a house. Why are these 20-40 ft. containers so popular? With proper planning, you can design and build a fabulous home for half the price of a "everyday" house.
I can give four reasons why this new home design is a sure head turner.

1. Easy to Construct
It is easy to design and construct a home design. All you need is a shipping container(DUH HUH.!), buying or renting it from a company, and the container being dropped in your backyard or empty lot. Containers can easily be incorporated into another container. You will definitely want to add those windows, doors, and maybe some stairs.

2. Go Wild.!
Let your imagination and creativity go free. With container homes, you can design any flair to your new home. Ceiling to floor windows, have a garden on the roof, or paint it an awesome Sherwin-Williams color(Rave Red perhaps? Ha.!). Have fun with it.

Curacavi, Chile

3. Environmentally Friendly
Most companies sell used or new containers. If you choose to reuse a ship container, you are saving the environment by reusing steel. Use solar panels. Build a home that supplies its own energy. Build a patio out front or up top next to the garden. Eating outside can help save energy and makes friends and family coming together worth wild.

Jim Poteet

4. Bringing Personal Style
Living in a shipping container will sure get attention anyways, so why not design a home with its own personal style. Let this architectural design speak on its own. Go modern or contemporary, select colors that are not the norm. This is an awesome design that will let anyone be creative.

Coromandel, New Zealand

WOOD INTERIORS

Have you seen the latest designs of "Wood Interiors"? This is where wood materials are present and makes a striking focal point. Wood can be used in all kinds of ways in a residential space and/or commercial.

Designers and homeowners are finding more ways to use the texture and beauty of wood. Wood is just not only for traditional style, designers can use wood to add texture to modern, eclectic, transitional, glam, and contemporary design. 

What's hot this year? I have two trends with wood design that's my favorite. 

• Statement Walls- These walls are making more than a statement. Paneling are big trendsetters. With the wood material as a paneled wall or ceiling, it will add beauty, character, and appeal to any room. Different type of wood finishes reflect different styles. As a designer, you can mix different woods and finishes on accent wall to add visual depth to a room. Be sure to mix wood with other materials and colors to make the room a winner. 

• Woods Natural Color and Texture- I believe every tree has a story. As you know every species of wood has a grain pattern and natural color. The different natural color of woods set the tone for a room. Be careful when selecting the wood. Woods with a darker color can give the look of formality or even masculinity. Lighter woods are more feminine, airy, and easy on the eyes. Let the grain pattern tell the story of the item. Grain patterns can give away the style of the space. Woods with more heavy grain pattern heads towards traditional or rustic and light patterns are contemporary. 

ROOMSTYLER CONTEST

Right now, Roomstyler has a contest "Wood Interior". Design a space where the use of wood as a material is clearly present. Enter to win credits on Roomstyler and practice those rendering skills.!!

Wood Interior Perspective done by me.

"A WELL-DESIGNED BUSINESS"-DESIGN STUDENT&BLOGGER

I am so EXCITED to post my interview with LuAnn Nigara of "A Well-Designed Business"
Check it out.!!

CAREER SPECIALIZATION AND YOU.!

Are you a freshman in college? Are you a senior? If you are like me, you are in your last semester in school and now you are going through what I call "The Phase of Uncertainty." Are you trying to figure out where you want to go in Interior Design? From the Materials class to all the Design Studios, we have had our experiences of what we like and don't like. I have classmates/friends that say flat out NO to commercial design (LOL they'll see).

I am here to help you filter through the decision box and give you a few options of specializations in interior design. If you are a freshman, this list can get your mind flowing of what ID has to offer.

Residential Design: Residential deals with the private living spaces of others, single-family homes, also other types of private residences.

Commercial Design: Commercial deals with the design of public spaces, such as offices, hotels, hospital, restaurants, and so much more.
Commercial Design Specialties: 

• Facility Planning
• LEED Specialist 
• Professional Offices: Law, Advertising, Real Estate, Banks, Trading Centers
• Healthcare: Hospital, Nursing Homes, Veterinary Clinics, Dental Suites
• Hospitality and Recreation: Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Casinos, Amusement Park Facilities, Set Design(Movies/TV)
• Retail: Malls, Showrooms, Gift Shops in Hotels/Airports
• Education: College/Universities, Day Care Centers, Church and Other Religious Facilities 
• Transportation: Airports, Boats/Ships, Train Stations

Facility Planners are part of the facility management department, which is responsible for the physical plant, the building and systems. 

Lighting Designers continually learn about new products, science of lighting, and design application. 

Sustainable Designers focus on sustainable design, they help clients and developers of commercial buildings and home owners to focus on the environment through design. 

Journalism designers who love to write can find a position in journalism. They can write for a newspaper, magazine, or do a documentary. Why not serve as a design critic?

Professional Renderers clients and many designers continue to use renderings to relate the design concept. Are you skilled in perspectives, CAD, or even Roomstyler? You may be hired by a large firm or even become a freelance renderer.

Its so many roads that Interior Design offers. Research, experience, and you'll find what you love.

#WOMANSMARCH

I Stand

I Support

I stand for my sisters of all races and culture

"A girl can do,what she wants to do."

FINDING INSPIRATION

It's that time of the year again.! The holidays have passed and the new year is gearing up for school to start back. I went to school to buy my textbooks Tuesday ☹️(sad face) SIKE, I'm happy for school to start. Not only will I be graduating this semester but I actually love doing school projects and learning. I don't know about your school but at my college we have pretty major interior design projects. To help you out and to give you a head start, here are some tips on finding inspirations.

1. Check the latest fashion trends:
The latest fashion trends always make their way into our homes across the world. If it is the newest color trends, the hottest fur, or popular embellishments, we know that if it makes a hot outfit then it makes an even hotter room.

Vogue: Fashion Trends 2017

Style by D.Nicole

2. Stay updated on color trends and upcoming markets:
Major color institutions and paint companies announced their annual color of the year. Which can       help inspire you to design with the hottest color of the year. Check you calendar.! Interior Design       markets are coming up and it would be smart of you to take a look at the hottest trends and decor in     design. The icing on the cake would be if you can take part and go see the inspirations for yourself.

Pantone COTY

Sherwin-Williams COTY

Benjamin Moore COTY

PPG COTY

3. Go sight seeing in your city/town:
Have you ever walked around your city/town and seen the history in the buildings? What about the different faces you see? There is culture in every city and town. Atlanta has so many museums, tourist attractions, events, and parks that taking a weekend to go out is always inspiration for me. The High Museum has awesome exhibits that is kid friendly and you can go with friends, your significant other, or even your classmates. Take A LOT of photos and see how far your creativity goes.

Little Five Points in Atlanta, GA

4. Books/Art:
Inspiration sometimes can often run slow because you can not visualize a design. Pick up a photography book, magazine, or art book to get your juices flowing. Find an art piece that you love, let the color palette start you off and bounce off from there.

Art inspired mood board made by me

5. Nature:
I love the Fall Season.! The changing of the leaves, sunsets, and of course fall fashion. Get inspired by nature and all it has to offer. Go on a hike or during Spring Break go to a beach. Will the clear blue water inspire you to a coastal design? Will crisp white snow take you away to a hidden cabin in The Mountains?