Beth Haley Design Blog

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Gray – it’s “gray”t!

Gray is one of our favorite neutrals. There are so many different variations – cool-grays, warm-grays, blue-grays, brown-grays, gray-grays, you get the idea!

We love the cool grays found in carrera marble.

And warm grays are calming in a bedroom…

Gray can be contemporary…

Or traditional.

Gray can be warm and rustic.

Gray looks great with gold accents!

As well as silver.

Cooler shades of gray are refined when used in monochromatic layers.

And warmer shades of gray are smooth and sophisticated.

There are so many options with this wonderful color! It is especially great when layered shades come together. Here is a fun room design we pulled together featuring various shades of gray.

1-2 Beth Haley Design

3 Chelsea Atelier Architects

4 Elle Decor

5 Windsor Smith

6-7 Decorpad

8 BHG

9 Kishani Perera

Category: BHD Projects, Gray, Paint Colors

Comments: 0

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Selecting hardware for a kitchen or bath is like selecting the perfect pair of earrings for a fabulous outfit. It can enhance the outfit and bring it over the top, or it can simply complement the outfit – a subtle detail that ties everything together but doesn’t steal the show. Different situations require different elements.

Kelly Wearstler seems to be the queen of campaign hardware. This very of-the-moment trend has been in her design files for years. I love how she works around the ‘sink in front of mirror’ issue by installing furniture inspired pivoting mirrors right on the countertop.

The photo below is from one of Beth’s recent clients. This is an example of taking a great piece over the top! The beautiful filigree hardware adds a fun, feminine detail to this bold kitchen. Check out more photos of this fun project here.

These antique brass knobs are a fun twist to the standard knob. Jenn at MadeByGirl installed these on her custom floating buffet. The matte hardware really pops against the glossy cabinets. Check out more of the awesome DIY here.

Simple hardware can still be sophisticated. Bar pulls add style without overpowering a space.

Here is another example of bar pulls from one of our clients who wanted a bold blue kitchen. The color is vibrant, and the walnut cabinets have a beautiful movement in the graining. The bar pulls keep the kitchen sleek without adding too much to the space. Check out more of this project here.

Exposed hinges and lucite hardware with brass accents marries a fun mix of classic and contemporary in this eclectic kitchen.

Classic bin pulls and pharmacy locks are always timeless.

These extra wide bin pulls lend a contemporary edge to this kitchen.

Inset, recessed hardware is a great touch for a clean, streamlined kitchen.

What types of hardware trends have you seen lately?

Category: BHD Projects, Hardware, Kitchen & Bath

Comments: 0

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Were you raised in a barn?

How many times did your mother ask you that very question? Close the door! Well, lucky for you, barn doors are decidedly hip, cool, and right on trend. Using reclaimed doors is a great green way to spruce up your space, and no one – not even your mother – can tell you otherwise!

Karrie’s clients used this door to divide the existing kitchen with a new living room addition on the home. They scoured local preservation stores for the perfect piece.

This adorable and rustic nursery is too cute for words. The sconces flanking the crib are such a nice touch.

Newer doors painted black with sleek, contemporary hardware look great juxtaposed with the antique Asian console. A great combination of old and new!

Rustic styling with windows for the dining room. The glass panes keep this door from being too heavy.

Use an old door as an entrance to your bedroom…

Or as an entrance to your powder bath. The graining of this door is gorgeous and complements the exposed beams so well. Doors on a track system can be a great alternative when you don’t want to use a pocket door and don’t have room for a standard door to swing open.

A set of double doors can be a creative way to showcase your pantry. Love the over sized hardware!

Or the doors can be used as a one-of-a-kind headboard. There are those flanking sconces again. Love!

Floor to ceiling doors make a big impact between rooms and can be very useful for entertaining if you want to close off your kitchen.

If you aren’t a fan of the rustic styling, try painting your door a bold color! It can be another way to make the doors even more interesting and transition smoothly into a more contemporary space.

Photo Credits:

1. c-designs.biz

2. Beth Haley Design

3. Sherry Hart

4. Urrutia Design

5-6. Houzz

7. Country Living

8-10. Pinterest

11. House Beautiful

Category: BHD Projects, Design Elements, Design Trends

Comments: 1

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Black and White Baths

There is no color palette more dependable than black and white. It is always in style, always classic, and always uber-chic. We see a lot of the classic black and white kitchens, but here are some bold takes on the black and white bathroom that we love.

Classic black and white subways updated with silhouettes and sketches.

This sexy bath is painted a high gloss black. Very glamorous! The white frames make the vintage photos really pop.

Vertical stripes from top to bottom create an interesting illusion over the detailed molding. Whoever painted this bath must have been very meticulous and patient!

The ornate outline of this gold mirror complements the pattern of this graphic damask wall covering very well. The vintage chest re-purposed as a lavatory is the perfect fit.

This graphic wallpaper is continued up the slope of the ceiling for dramatic effect. Remember: wallpaper is not just for the walls! The shape of the toilet is also a great complement to the graphic pattern. Use existing architecture and fixtures to help direct the design of a space.

Horizontal stripes look great as well, and the composition of the black and white prints add a great detail.

Black walls, white tub, and antique gold fixtures. Beautiful! And the floors – wow!

Category: Bathrooms, Black & White, Paint Colors

Comments: 0

Friday, January 13, 2012

Tangible Tangerine

You may have heard by now that Pantone’s 2012 color of the year is Tangerine Tango. How great that we have such a fun, vibrant color to look forward to seeing on the blog-o-sphere, magazines, and runways!

This Benjamin Moore shade, Tangerine Dream, provides a playful accent to this black and white bath.

via Effortless Style Blog

This bold shade can serve as a colorful accent or be boldly incorporated in a stronger, more obvious way.

Apartment Therapy

Combine bold with bold! These sexy, lacquered walls are a great complement for the sofa.

via redoit design

While tangerine is anything but a neutral, you may be interested in dipping a toe into this trend. If you are looking to incorporate a little tangerine in your own life, check out these fabulous finds!

1. Dahlia Print 2. Tangerine Bead Necklace 3. Bird Pillow 4. Hardware 5. Lotus Pillow from Caitlin Wilson Textiles 6. Colossal Dots Curtains from Anthropologie 7. Coral Earrings 8. Nesting Bowls 9. Pantone Official Color Mug 2012

Category: Design Trends, Paint Colors

Comments: 0

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Many thanks!

We want to say a quick thanks to all of our clients and fans who voted in the online readers’ poll for HGTV Magazine. Our teal dining room was ranked 3rd, and we are very excited about the feature in the January issue – available at your local newsstand now!

To participate in future polls on HGTV’s website, check out www.hgtv.com/ranktheserooms.

Category: BHD Projects, Dining Room, HGTV, Press

Comments: 0

Friday, January 6, 2012

Hello, yellow (and gray)!

Gray and yellow is still a popular color trend, from weddings to home interiors. It is a trend that doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon. Pops of yellow can really brighten up these cold winter days!

Here is a fun design we created for a yellow and gray bedroom. The bold marigold rug will anchor the room, and the masculine industrial mirror helps to counterpoint the feminine mirrored vanity. The gray lamps look like jewels, and the turquoise adds some fresh color. How fun are the graphic pillows?

Where have you seen the gray/yellow combo? Is it something you would want to incorporate in your own home?

All images via DecorPad

Category: Design Elements, Design Trends, Paint Colors, Room Designs

Comments: 1

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Clean slate, clean cabinets!

The new year always brings along new goals and a bounty of hope. There is something about a fresh start that helps motivate us to accomplish all the things we haven’t really had time for in our busy, hectic lives. Many of our clients come to us in search of more efficient and well thought-out kitchens and bathrooms, and it isn’t unusual for those clients to have pristine and organized homes – until you open a closet or cabinet! But, isn’t that the truth for most of us? We are certainly guilty as well!

Beautifully organized open shelving sure is nice, but where do you put your stuff? You know, the real stuff. The stuff you don’t see in magazine photos. The ominous mess lurking behind those closed doors can contribute to stress levels just as much as a messy countertop or floor. Here are some great organizational ideas for the new year to help you reinvent your cabinets and maximize space you didn’t even know existed!

#1 – Behind the door storage

Store extra cutting boards for quick access, and, as a bonus, they don’t take up bulky space in your cabinets.

Corral your beauty supplies together and everything is already together when you need it. You could even have a plug installed inside the cabinet.

Adhere a metal sheet to the back of your door, and add magnets to tins to store all of your spices. Also, what a great idea for storing sugar and flour – note the easy pour cereal containers. You can see more if this highly organized kitchen here.

#2 – Inside the drawer storage

Not everyone is a fan of plate storage in the upper cabinets. Let’s face it, some of us don’t have the same reaching capacity of others. In such the case, this idea is a clear winner! Peg inserts to hold your dishes and bowls in place. Please note – if you decide to use this idea, make sure your drawer glides provide enough support.

Another great idea is creating dividers in the bathroom. It seems obvious, but you might be surprised how many messy makeup drawers are out there. Take a cue from your silverware, and organize your beauty products by type.

Create extra drawers – use your toe kicks. It can be for kids toys as pictured, or even for dog bowls and stepping stools.

How are you planning to de-clutter and organize in the new year?

Category: Organization

Comments: 0

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Christmas Color Code

We all know red and green are the official colors of Christmas, but who said you MUST decorate for the holidays in those colors? Here are some fun NON-traditional decorations we have been eyeing lately.

Happy Holidays!

Are you using any non-traditional colors for your holiday decorations this year?

Category: Holidays

Comments: 0

Monday, December 19, 2011

I’ll take the subway!

When in doubt, go with the white subway. That is our motto, at least! Subway tiles are timeless, effortless, clean, modern, simple, and sophisticated. They are also very versatile. They can work in a myriad of design styles – clean and contemporary, rustic and worn, cottage chic, mid-century modern…you name it, you can probably find it.