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Do you have a corner desk in your home office? Is it facing the corner? That may seem like a silly question, but really, who puts baby in the corner?!  A desk like the one above (available at Target) may work well in the corner, but what does it do for your esteem? Wouldn't you rather feel like you are at 'command central' facing the world head on rather than the corner walls? Do you want the first thing you see when you walk into the room to be the underside of your desk? Take a look at the layout and examples below for an alternative that just may increase your productivity and creativity, as well as your self esteem. These corner desks face toward the door. One Feng Shui principle for a home office is to place your desk in a position of power. You can view who is coming in and also take advantage of the natural light entering the room without adding glare to your computer monitor(s). One challenge with this layout might be the endless amount of cords you have to have for all your components. You don't want to see spaghetti when you walk into the room, so organizing your cables is key to a tidy and professional look. Here are some great ideas for getting control over those cables...click on the pics for links providing more information on the products. This is just one dilemma some of us face. Let me know what design dilemmas you have and I'll get straight to work on a solution for you.
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At the beginning of this year, this picture represented my prediction for interior design trends.  Thanks to my latest clients and my daughter's interest in unique corset tops, I started looking at the Steampunk genre and how it can apply to our interior décor. I modified my 2022 trend mood board to explore that very idea. It's a little darker, a little shinier, and a whole lot more dramatic. I like it. Do you? 
For lighting, I'm still seeing the mash up of fun and function. The gears and cages in industrial lighting emphasize both concepts. Colorful Tiffany style lighting brings in the Victorian scene where Steampunk is often based.     The colors and textures are from the Victorian era - deep jewel tones, velvety richness, and very tactile wall coverings be it grass cloth, murals, or any fabric application. Accessories can be used to corral small items or be purely decorative. Our iceberg filler (ball) is reminiscent of a hot air balloon. The theme of travelling all ways is another underlying Steampunk concept, so don't forget decorating with maps.  Believe it or not, this is on a shower curtain!
The wood flooring is more rustic, but the area rugs are decadent. Fading is acceptable and adds to the well travelled look. The overall style is quite liberal to the individuals' preferences. It represents a historical view, creativity, science, romance, and mystery. What more can one want! Steampunk style leans toward maximalism, but can be interspersed throughout other styles - Victorian (of course) and Mediterranean styles can take the layers of rich color and added trinkets. Industrial, Farmhouse, and Rustic Southwestern are good baselines for rustic wood expression. Mid-Century, Scandinavian, and Coastal are harder sells, so I won't go there! Oh why not! Add a bird cage pendant light and a rustic steamer trunk table to your Coastal vibe and I think you will have a one of a kind look that blends the ocean scene with a slight node to Steampunk.   I hope this trip down a different path from my usual stylings gives you a worldly perspective into the many faces of interior design. It's art with function. Or is it function as art?
Do you remember the commercial where 2 clients present an architect with a faucet and say "Design a house around this!"?
What a challenge! It can be done. Many times I take inspiration from things around me in order to design a space in someone's home. This next picture are favorite items from a home owner gathered together for the purpose of getting to know her before designing a kitchen and dining area. 
What’s important to the home owner?
History and stories from the past Sharing time together with friends Warmth Unique conversation pieces Functional, Elegant, Friendly Imagination Clean lines with pops of silly The view rules - Nature, trees This was the jumping off point for creating a color and texture scheme.
 When deciding on furnishings for a space, there is often an unused corner that begs for an inviting seating arrangement that will serve as a spot to relax or as additional seating. Have you ever wondered how to choose the right furniture and accessories to bring a corner to life? Continue reading for a step by step approach that is full proof in pulling together an inviting look that everyone will be fighting to call their own.  Here are the building blocks to get you started:
 Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels Every now and then as an interior designer I'm asked for advice on how, when, and/or whether to downsize. At any age, this can be a difficult decision. Often times it is the adult children helping their senior parents work through that decision. Lydia Chan has provided some advice in the following article written for my blog this month. For additional information and resources especially for caregivers of Alzheimer patients please visit her website at https://alzheimerscaregiver.net/. The article itself has several links to great information! Thanks, Lydia.
Let's start the new year out with two topics that when addressed can bring you a sense of calm and order - Creating a focal point and practical, beautiful storage ideas. I set out to write up all my ideas on these topics, but decided no one really wants to reinvent the wheel, including me! So here is a link to a brief article on finding a focal point which is the first step. I'd like to add to that list! Adding a great light fixture over a counter, a bed, a desk, a seating area, or in your hallway can provide that eye catching item that is both functional and fun. Here is my collection of lighting that I hope inspires you.  And now for your storage needs! I love a good IKEA hack, don't you? Take a look at these ideas from House Beautiful. I'll be keeping my eyes out for unique storage vessels. I love the variety of basketry shown in this pic.  Stay warm and, as usual, I'd love to hear your ideas on the topics presented.
When you have been using your space 'as is' for a long time, it can become outdated and messy. No matter what the reason you've left it that way, whether it be a lack of funds, priority, or time, it can become a surface to collect clutter rather than a destination. Let's change that by re-imagining the space using items you have in other areas of your home.  Start by searching your home for unused items or items that you think you may want to change out and gather them into one area to see if a theme evolves. You may decide to put them right back, donate them, or move them to the space you are trying to re-imagine. Do what works for you!  The biggest change to re-imagining a space starts with a clean up, of course. If you can start with a blank space, great! If not, look critically at each piece and imagine replacements that might be possible or pieces from other rooms that will compliment what you have. Changing out the slipcover on furniture is a quick fix. If you don't have a slipcover for an existing chair, perhaps a chair pulled in from another room will add brightness to the space. Add a cozy throw over the back of it to invite you to sit and relax. An under utilized woven storage box from another area of the home can help keep clothing, books, DVDs, etc. hidden away, but close at hand when needed. Add "bun" feet to the storage box to raise it to table level. They can be purchased online or from your local big box hardware store and stained to match other décor. Add a tray on top to corral books, a vase of flowers (or other plant), and to provide a level surface for your favorite beverage. Add a light over art (not shown) to eliminate the need for a floor or table lamp which both take up valuable surface space. Finally, add a softly textured area rug for comfort and a touch of luxury.  Room Re-Imagination! is a service I offer to help home owners and renters get a designer look without purchasing new furnishings and décor. Check out my In-home services web page for more info.
 Bring the warmth and timelessness of Cozy Vintage Cottage décor to your space. Add texture by layering in colors from nature (moss, mushroom, and wood tones) along with plants, brass accents, and soft furnishings. Crown molding in a dark stain frames the room just like you would frame a picture capturing a special moment in time. Repeat patterns for a sense of familiarity as shown in the curves in the chairs and side tables, basket, wall art, and floor lamp. Also repeated are the squares in the boxy check of the valance, the chair structure, and the art over the mantel. Finally, cottage décor would not be the same without adding whimsy as I did with our brass duck sculptures enjoying the warmth of the fire!
 Texture is key to creating a rustic look. Use natural textures of varying woods to make the room warm and inviting. Large scale art and bold colors add a modern touch. Soft fabrics on the upholstery and the faux fur throw bring a bit of luxe playing nicely with the underlying rustic mood of the space.. What a great place to read a book or have a conversation!
 PHOTOGRAPH BY RICH REID I've been exploring the meaning of color for interior design by giving you small snippets of decor in separate blog posts for each color of the rainbow since February 2021. I've gone through Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Today, let's explore the last two colors which often get confused - Indigo and Violet. Some of the confusion between the colors is explained with a quote from this article BY OBINNA APRIL 9, 2021: "The color indigo and violet are very close to each other and it is easy to mistake one for the other. This arises from the fact that in the ROYGBIV color arrangement, they follow each other after blue. In fact, the deep color indigo that a computer screen can produce, is also called blue violet. Both colors appear to be inseparable and there are hues of indigo that are closer to violet than they are to indigo. Additionally, the imperial blue color is regarded as indigo as well. Indigo really threads a thin line of existence that has led many in past to call for it to be erased and just be left with blue violet color." What do these colors mean for our interiors?Impressive Interior Design states "...indigo color speaks to inward examination and self-reflection. It is shading for calm consideration." InteriorDezine gives us a large list of adjectives for violet/purple: "Well Balanced, Restful, Promotes Peace And Calm, Serene, Regal, Dignified, Elegance, Day Dreaming, Spiritual, Royalty, Supremacy, Quietness, Reverence, Lowers Blood Pressure, Quietens Overactive Glands And Organs, Internal Dialogue, Philosophical, Lateral Thinking, Creativity." Here is my inspiration mood board showing a blend of indigo and violet with furnishings and art that can make your home beautiful, restful, serene...oh so many good things!  Deadline for offer sent to newsletter recipients is 9/30/2021.
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AuthorI, Brenda Szarek, am the founder of Autumn Light Interiors. I have immersed myself in home design and problem solving for years and have creative solutions for all kinds of interior design dilemmas. I hope you enjoy my tips, tricks, trends, and inspiration to help you find your way to a well-designed, comfortable, and functional home you can be excited to live in and welcome others within. Archives
April 2022
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Photo used under Creative Commons from SwankyDen.com
