myrna everett

Blending Biophilic Design & Gratitude

5:25 pm by myrna everett Leave a Comment

As November rolls in, we find ourselves in a season of reflection and gratitude. With Thanksgiving approaching, it’s the perfect time to consider how our environments influence our well-being and our ability to appreciate the world around us. One powerful way to enhance this experience is through biophilic design—a concept that connects us to nature in our built environments.

Succulent arrangement — An arrangement of succulents provides so much visual interest.

What is Biophilic Design

Biophilic design is rooted in our innate connection to nature. It emphasizes incorporating natural elements into our living and working spaces, creating environments that promote health, happiness, and productivity. From incorporating natural light and ventilation to using organic materials and plant life, biophilic design invites the outdoors in, enhancing our daily experiences.

The Connection Between Nature and Gratitude

Research shows that spending time in nature can boost our mood and foster feelings of gratitude. When we immerse ourselves in natural settings, we often find a sense of peace and clarity that encourages us to reflect on what we are thankful for. This November, let’s explore how we can bring the essence of nature into our spaces and, in turn, cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude.

1. Start with Plants

Start by introducing plants into your home or workspace. Whether it’s a small succulent on your desk or a larger indoor tree, greenery can enhance air quality and create a calming atmosphere. As you care for these plants, take a moment to appreciate their growth and the life they bring into your space.

The simplest way to incorporate biophilic design in your home is with plants. Everything designed by Mother Nature fits into our homes naturally.

2. Maximize Natural Light

As the days get shorter, it’s important to make the most of natural light. Position your furniture to take advantage of sunlight streaming through your windows. If possible, consider using sheer curtains that allow light to filter in while maintaining privacy. Each ray of sunshine can serve as a reminder to be grateful for the warmth and energy it provides.

Light shining through a window onto a desk — The simplest adjustment to furniture arrangements can go a long way to creating a sunlit space for reading, working or just thinking.

3. Incorporate Natural Elements

Incorporate materials like wood, stone, and natural fibers into your decor. These elements not only add texture and warmth but also evoke a sense of connection to the earth. As you engage with these materials, take a moment to reflect on the natural processes that created them, fostering a sense of gratitude for the resources that surround us. Surprisingly, even visual representations of nature can be just as effective for your senses. Consider the wallpaper we used in this La Jolla dining room. Other ways we have intentional created nature in doors are with draperies portraying natural elements like flowers or vines as we did in this modern farmhouse project in Carmel Valley.

4. Create Outdoor Spaces

If you have access to an outdoor area, use it! Whether it’s a balcony, garden, or small patio, spending time outside can enhance your mood and gratitude. Create a cozy nook with comfortable seating and plants. Use this space for morning coffee, evening relaxation, or simply to enjoy the changing colors of fall.

Living room windows looking out unto a lush back yard patio — Create outdoor spaces that invite you out into nature.

5. Mindful Moments in Nature

Even if you can’t bring nature inside, you can take mindful moments outside. Go for a walk in a local park, breathe in the crisp autumn air, and appreciate the beauty of the season. Use these moments to reflect on what you’re grateful for in your life, allowing nature to inspire your thoughts.

Fall scene with woman walking in the middle of the road — Walking in nature is an easy reminder of all we have to be grateful for.

Conclusion

As we navigate this season of gratitude, let’s remember the profound impact our environments have on our well-being. By incorporating biophilic design into our spaces, we can create an atmosphere that not only enhances our mood but also encourages a deeper appreciation for the world around us. This November, let’s cultivate gratitude through our connection to nature, embracing the beauty and tranquility it offers.

Plate arranged with folded napkin and a dried sprig of berries with a tag that says "thankful" — Simple additions to a holiday table can blend biophilic design and gratefulness beautifully

What are you grateful for this season? How can you incorporate more of nature into your life? Need help? Reach out, I have some great ideas I’d love to share!

How Do you Wallpaper a Ceiling?

9:24 pm by myrna everett Leave a Comment

A large dining room with draperies at the arched window and gold leaf wallpaper on the ceiling — The combination of gold leaf wallpaper on the ceiling and the pale gold draperies create a stunning backdrop for this beautiful dining room.

It turns out “How do you wallpaper a ceiling” is a highly googled phrase and the answers are varied. When we advise a client to wallpaper a ceiling as part of our design concept, we give it a lot more thought than just which wallpaper would look good.

A Case Study for Wallpapering a Ceiling

For our Rancho Santa Fe client, we knew the ceiling was the only place to install wallpaper. Fortunately, it was also the place that would offer the most impact. In this case, we recommended a beautiful Phillip Jeffries wallpaper called Gold Leaf Overall – Rio De Janeiro. Aside from just installing wallpaper to the ceiling we had other considerations. The 5-foot-tall chandelier needed to be removed and stored while scaffolding was positioned allowing the installer to reach the ceiling.

Planning a wallpapered ceiling takes more forethought than a regular wall

The Steps We Took

The first step was to schedule the electrician to construct a place to store the chandelier and then carefully remove it and hang it in the crate for safe keeping. Next step was to schedule the installation of scaffolding. It’s important to use a crew that is familiar with interior scaffold installation to ensure you don’t end up with a system that was recently used outdoors and covered in construction dirt that could potentially mess up floors and walls.

The crate we built is a temporary storage place for this 5 foot tall chandelier, keeping it safe and out of the way while we install the wallpaper on the ceiling. — The crate we had built is a temporary storage place for this 5 foot tall chandelier, keeping it safe and out of the way while we install the wallpaper on the ceiling.

Gold wallpaper being installed on a dining room ceiling. — This gorgeous gold leaf wallpaper gets the finishing touches before the scaffolding comes down and the chandelier reinstalled.

Then for the fun part! The installer is scheduled to complete the installation. He or she will carefully measure and cut the wallpaper to fit the ceiling. In this case, the reflective surface of the wallpaper needed special attention to avoid smearing adhesive on the face that could leave smudges. I love installation days, and got up close to inspect the finished project before the scaffolding came down.

In Conclusion

It takes a fair amount of planning and coordination. Not all projects require the removal of light fixtures or scaffolding, but it’s important to figure it out before hand to ensure everything goes smoothly. The end results are definitely worth it!

More Inspiration

You can find the whole project in our portfolio. You’ll also find photos of the primary bedroom where we wallpapered the ceiling but with a very different effect. It’s fascinating how the right wallpaper in the right location can transform a room.

Are you consider a wallpaper for your home? We would love to explore that project with you. We have exquisite wallpapers and endless ideas. Let us show you how to use it to infuse personality into any room in your home.

Myrna Everett is the founder of Home Vogue Interiors where we specialize in custom window fashions and other soft home goods. If you have enjoyed this blog post, please share it with others. If you are ready to start a conversation about your next project click on the “Your Project” button above and tell us what you’re working on and we’ll reach out to you and help you get started.

Window Coverings for Tall Windows

1:57 pm by myrna everett Leave a Comment

What the heck do I do with my tall windows?! As a window covering specialist, I get asked this question all the time. Tall windows need window coverings, or at least decoration, but they also need more thought than your average window.

Creating a plan for window coverings on tall windows starts with a series of questions. What are you trying to accomplish? Heat control? Privacy? Just decoration? The questions lead to other questions until all the facts are known, then the fun begins and a beautiful design plan emerges!

White bedroom with white draperies and roman shades with a woman smoothing the drapes into place. — Tall white draperies designed by Linda Woodard of Linda’s Decors in Marlborough. MA. A good friend and brilliant window fashion designer.

Why Do Tall Windows Need Decoration?

Even if your windows have no need for privacy or sun control, they almost always need some sort of decoration. Simple side panel draperies go a long way towards “framing” a window. It’s the same concept as framing a painting, it’s about enhancing the focal point and drawing your eye towards it. Drapery panels can also help connect the windows to the rest of the room. Most furniture in a room will be no more than 36-48″ tall and soaring windows can often appear disconnected. Adding some sort of treatment around them will create a connection between the other elements in the room.

What about Privacy?

Tall windows can be challenging when they need to be covered at night for privacy but open during the day for light. Most window treatments need some sort of mechanism to operate the window covering and this gets more challenging the taller the window. Options can include motorization for both drapes and shades. We can usually accomplish this without involving an electrician.

What if I Need Sun Control but My View?

This is a common problem, but there are great solutions for getting sun control without losing the view. Sometimes it’s as simple as a quality window film (available without the weird green or blue tint!) Sometimes it’s a layer of sheer for day since it will block the UV but allow view through. There are many solutions and it’s part of the planning and design.

Aren’t Draperies too Traditional for a Contemporary Home?

No matter your style there is a window covering for you. As a window fashion designer for more than two decades I have dreamed up tons of very contemporary drapery treatments. The hardware options, the fabric, the style of the peat and the way we install them makes sure you love them no matter your style.

Arched window in dining room with ripplefold draperies on a contemporary drapery rod — This tall dining room window needed privacy and sun control. The contemporary style of the room required sleek pleat styling and hardware.

Case Study

I worked on a tall window solution for a family in Escondido not long ago. The client had a bay window with 18 foot tall arched windows. They had a beautiful view and didn’t want an inch of it covered when they were using the room. However, it was a very sunny window and UV and heat control in the afternoons were important. Because it was a bay window without much space to stack the draperies back on the far left or right, I decided I would need four separate panels, but figure out a design that would allow them all to operate at the same time and stack into the very small spaces between the windows.

Bay windows with arched tops 18 feet high with a drapery installer and tall ladder, just about to begin an installation. — Tall windows with a beautiful view at the beginning of installation day.

The challenge was how to operate them easily. When windows are that tall they need a pulley system or motorization. In this case we didn’t have enough room to install pulley systems for each window and motors would have taken up space we needed to stack back the draperies off each window.

I work with a very talented installer as well as a brilliant drapery hardware company. Both of them are always up for a challenge. I knew what I wanted and with a little creative thinking was sure we could find a way to make my design vision happen. We finally settled on a single rod mitered to fit the corners of the bay. The pulley cord ran through all three pieces of the hardware, so with a little (actually A LOT!) of customization at the corners, we were able to get all four panels to open and close at the same time from a single pulley cord on the left.

The Final Result

The installation day was long and a little scary, since I had to climb up one of the ladders a couple of times to hold the corners together while my installer anchored the support brackets on either side. It’s an interesting feeling to be perched that high up with just a piece of glass between me and the concrete 18 feet below! It truly makes me appreciate my installer, as that is what he faces on a regular basis.

An installer standing on a tall ladder installing the hardware for long drapery panels to cover the high, arched windows. — Careful planning is required to safely anchor each bracket and make sure everything is perfectly straight.

In the end everything came together perfectly. Our client was very happy and that is my only goal at the end of the day! Several other companies had been called out before the family met me. The other window covering companies said it could be done but I always say, “I’ve never met a window I couldn’t treat well” 🙂

A tall bay window with an installer putting the finishing touches on the new draperies he's just installed. — Adding the finishing touches and adjustments for this set of tall arched windows, before we start steaming the panels and dressing-in the pleats.

Your Project

Here’s the deal, no matter what your window size, shape or height, if it needs a window treatment, it needs good design and planning. That’s where we come in, we do all the heavy lifting, and you get the joy of functional, beautiful window treatments. A discovery call is free. Send an email or schedule a phone call from our contact page, so we can talk about your project!

Why Not Wallpaper?

11:04 pm by myrna everett Leave a Comment

For 15 years I’ve been saying “why not wallpaper?” when clients ask for something that will give their room more interest or a color pop. With persistence, my clients finally started listening, and I’m so glad, (and so are they!) because it makes such an impact in their home.

La Jolla, San Diego dining with custom draperies and wallpaper — **This Phillip Jeffries mural makes a bold statement in this dining room and compliments our custom draperies perfectly.**

In a way I understood the reason for the resistance. Back in the day, the paste they used would take the drywall down with it if you ever changed your mind. Also, so much of it was roses and ivy or, it was so overused with wallpaper borders overtop of wallpaper. And in every room! So I get it, but that has all changed.

Yes, we can still get flowery wallpaper, but it’s more sophisticated now, and there are so many interesting textures if you don’t want a pattern. We also use it with more restraint. One wall in a room is often just the right amount. Behind a headboard, the TV wall or in an entryway, sometimes even just the ceiling for an unexpected look. Removing it is also much easier now. If you change your mind, the installer uses steam to peel it off, then preps the walls ready for wallpaper or a coat of paint.

Let’s explore all the ways wallpaper can be used to reflect a homeowner’s personality, add interest, and pull things together.

Why not Wallpaper a Feature Wall?

Like the mural above, a feature wall is a great place to make a bold statement and add personality to a room. Textured wallpapers are a personal favorite of mine as there is so much variety, everything from the look of stone to sparkles to grasscloth. Repeating patterns can also be fun, especially if you are not afraid to mix patterns.

A living room with yellow wallpaper, a white sofa and hot pink and orange pillows mix it up with draperies of the same colors. — Yellow striped wallpaper called Creeping Fern from Schumacher adds a touch of whimsy to this cheerful living room. Bold patterns and colors on the pillows and draperies create a vibrant mood.

Why not Wallpaper the Ceiling?

This happens less often, but sometimes you find the perfect ceiling and the perfect wallpaper. That’s what happened for my Rancho Santa Fe client. Their dining room was beautiful but needed a little “something”. They wanted wallpaper behind the credenza but I knew it wouldn’t work because of the beautiful coved ceiling. The curve just didn’t leave us a good stopping point. However, that gorgeous ceiling would be an even better spot, so I turned to one of my favorite suppliers. Phillip Jeffries always has the perfect solution for every situation. For this ceiling it was their beautiful gold leaf Renoir pattern.

We also added the draperies for privacy at night and to add softness to the wall color. It all came together with their beautiful furnishings and light fixtures. You can see more photos of this project in our portfolio including a clever trick we used to get the chandelier out of the way so we could get close enough to the ceiling to do our installation.

Gold leaf wallpaper applied to the ceiling of a large dining room. — **This Rancho Santa Fe dining room ceiling was treated to a most luxurious wallpaper leaving simple white walls to show off the elegant furnishings.**

A tray ceiling with a pale blue wallpaper and a delicate crystal chandelier. — **A tray ceiling creates a beautiful frame for one of my favorite wallpapers. The pale blue beaded material sets off the chandelier and and creates an ethereal feeling above the bed.**

Why not Wallpaper every wall?

Powder rooms are one area where you don’t want to be shy with wallpaper! They are tiny rooms that could use a bit of pizzaz. You don’t go in often and don’t stay long when you do, so you won’t get tired of seeing so much wallpaper. On this project, my client was a little nervous about wallpapering every wall, worried it would be too busy or make it feel too small. She decided to take a leap of faith and was thrilled with the results. In fact, so thrilled, we decided to create a happy place to work in her tiny office using a cheerful wallpaper from Hygge & West aptly named“Day Dream” Feeling bold, she decided to paper every wall! You can see the whole project in our portfolio.

A powder room with orange wallpaper in a free flowing pattern — **This tiny powder room makes a big impact with vibrant wallpaper on every wall.**

A small home office with built in desk and storage and cheerful wallpaper from with clouds and birds — **This small home office is a cheerful place to pay bills wrapped up in this sweet wallpaper from Hygge & West.**

As you can see, a little goes along way, but what a way to transform a space and make it truly your own. If you’re on Instagram you know how popular wallpaper has become. Drop a comment below to tell us what you’ve been dreaming about. Or better yet, let’s collaborate on your project.

Myrna Everett is the founder of Home Vogue Interiors where we specialize in custom window fashions and other soft home goods. If you have enjoyed this blog post, please share it with others. If you are ready to start a conversation about your next project click on the “Your Project” link above and tell us what you’re working on and we’ll reach out to you and help you get started.

Renovation or New Build? You Need to Read This!

12:10 am by myrna everett Leave a Comment

There are so many decisions to be made when starting a renovation or new build. I’m going to throw in one more that is often overlooked until the move-in date is looming: window coverings! It’s something that interior designers, contractors and architects often neglect to consider until much later in the planning process. As a window coverings specialist, I can tell you that later is often too late for perfect window covering solutions. Let’s look at three areas that could potentially benefit from a review of your floor plans before construction begins.

Image of floor plans — Before you finalize your floor plans, it’s wise to consult your window covering expert.

Automated Window Coverings

It’s better to plan for automation and not use it, than want it later without having planned for it. I’ve seen this time and time again. It’s not that you’re out of luck completely, you can always go with battery operated shades. If your windows aren’t too big and if you don’t mind charging or changing batteries!

On the other hand, if you have the opportunity to plan ahead, the wires can be run before the walls are closed up. But there is more to it that that. It needs to be the right kind of wire which depends on the shade you need. Your contractor will also need to know exactly where to bring the wire so it is hidden from view after installation. Or, even more importantly, doesn’t interfere with where the brackets need to go. That’s where we come in, we can advise to ensure you get just the right thing in just the right spot.

A bank of windows and doors for a home under construction in Solana Beach, CA — We love getting to see a home at this stage! This is how we can make suggestions and create a wiring plan if you are planning to automate your window coverings.

Drapery Considerations

Custom draperies are so important to making a room look finished. Even if your style is contemporary, they can be created in a way that is sophisticated and up to date. Draperies help pull a room together and frame beautiful views. They can also provide levels of room darkening or light filtering as well as sound deadening when constructed correctly.

Aside from esthetic and practical purposes, there are other considerations. We love big windows here in California, and why not? We have great views and sunny days we want to invite in. However, with a little bit of planning you will be certain your windows can be properly dressed and operate optimally.

For example, if you don’t want to lose any of your view, you’ll need enough wall space to stack the drapes. There is a formula we use to make sure that will happen. The other area where I often see problems is built in bookcases and cabinets that sit at a 90-degree angle to windows. Is there room to open doors or drawers without the draperies being in the way? We have clever solutions that allow for draperies and cabinets to co-exist beautifully.

Recessed Areas for Better Window Covering Solutions

This is such a simple idea that often gets overlooked during renovations and new home builds. Consider creating recessed areas in ceilings, walls and beside bookcases. This can create a very custom look that also adds to a beautiful room design.

La Jolla home with screen shades recessed into pockets in the ceiling. — This La Jolla home has amazing views, so screen shades that allow protection from the sun without blocking the view are perfect. Even better, the contractor constructed a pocket in the ceiling allowing us to recess the shades when not in use for a clean contemporary look.

Drapery track recessed into a ceiling in a bedroom with white linen drapes. — This Solana Beach home has a clean contemporary design. The ripplefold draperies are installed on a simple white track that has been flush mounted into the ceiling.

Because draperies and shades are often used for very functional purposes sometimes it’s nice to disguise the working parts. For instance, ceiling mounted drapery hardware is rarely pretty. Why not flush mount the track so it can be hidden to just show off the beautiful drapes. The same can be said for shades, if you want to hide the chunky headrail, create a recessed pocket so it can completely disappear into the ceiling.

Remember the built-in bookcase problem I mentioned earlier? Why not create stacking space so the drapes can tuck in beside it leaving drawers and doors unobstructed?

Talk to an expert

All of this can be figured out by talking to a window covering expert about your plans and future needs. My only caution is not to forward this article to your contractor! Every home is different, and every window treatment solution has different requirements for space and/or automation. Your contractor can do his job better if he works with your window treatment specialist from the beginning saving you time and money.

If you are starting a renovation or new build, schedule your free Discovery Call to find out how we can help make sure you love your window coverings. We love working with contractors, architects and interior designers too and would love to help you help your client with their renovation or new build. Call us at 619-957-3884 x1 or send us a request for information here.

Luxury Interior Design: Elevate Your Space with Custom Bedding and Pillows

9:32 pm by myrna everett Leave a Comment

Elevate Your Space

Bedroom with Blue wallpaper and blue and sand colored bedding. — Custom bedding and pillows was key to this primary bedroom makeover.

When it comes to luxury interior design, every detail matters when you are creating a room that reflects your unique style. While furniture, color, and artwork play significant roles, it can sometimes be the elements like bedding and pillows that add the perfect finishing touch. In this blog post, we explore the transformative power of custom bedding and how it can elevate your space to new levels of luxury and style.

Personalize with Custom Bedding and Pillows

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in custom bedding and pillows is the unparalleled level of personalization they offer. Off-the-shelf bedding and pillows are mass-produced and limit your ability to truly express yourself. By opting for custom, you have the freedom to choose fabrics, patterns, textures, and colors that align with your vision. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a designer allowing for unlimited access to luxury designer brand fabrics like Kravet, Stroheim and Schumacher. Whether you prefer a minimalist aesthetic, vibrant patterns, or a cozy, traditional feel, customized bedding and pillows will make your space feel truly one-of-a-kind.

A close up of the banding used to create a unique detail for this custom bedding — Decorative Banding added to custom bedding makes al the difference in create a unique look

Quality Craftsmanship

Custom bedding and pillows are crafted with meticulous attention to detail and superior craftsmanship. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, quality custom pieces are made to last. Skilled artisans work closely with your designer to create products that not only look stunning but withstand the test of time. From the stitching to the materials used, every aspect of custom bedding and pillows is crafted to perfection, ensuring durability and long-lasting comfort.

Primary bedroom with custom bedding and window coverings in white with grasscloth wallpaper behind the headboard — This San Diego home was treated to a vibrant color palette in the Primary bedroom

Custom Bedding Ensures a Perfect Fit

Finding ready-made bedding and pillows that fit can be a challenge. Custom-made eliminates this problem, as they are tailored precisely to the specifications of your bed and seating areas. Whether you have an unconventional bed size, a cozy reading nook, or an intimate seating arrangement, custom bedding and pillows can be designed to fit perfectly. Allowing you to pull the room together in a very unique and personal way.

A close up the tailored corner of a bed cap made to fit the bed exactly — Creating tailored corners on a bed cap allows the detail of the bed to shine.

Attention to Detail

Interior design is all about the little details that tie a room together, and custom bedding and pillows provide an excellent opportunity to showcase those details. By coordinating fabrics, patterns, and colors with the existing elements of your room, custom pieces are the perfect accent, adding depth and visual interest. Whether it’s an intricate piping, or a carefully curated mix of textures and patterns, custom options allow you to infuse your home with unique touches that reflect your personality and style.

A close up of pillows in contrasting fabric and beaded trim — Combining complimentary fabrics and details creates a unique, one of a kind look

Luxury Interior Design Should Always Include Comfort and Relaxation

Your home should be a haven of comfort and relaxation, and custom bedding and pillows are part of that experience. By selecting the perfect combination of materials and fills you can create an environment that caters to your specific needs. From luxurious silk and satin to cozy flannels and down-filled pillows, custom options provide a level of comfort tailored to you.

A contemporary bedroom with silver and lilac bedding and lilac silk pillows

The Devil is in the Details

It’s all about the details. Custom bedding and pillows hold the key to elevating your space with luxury and style. By investing in personalized options, you can create a home that is uniquely yours, reflecting your personality, taste, and preferences. From enhancing comfort to showcasing craftsmanship and attention to detail, custom bedding and pillows will transform your rooms. So, why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary?

What does your Dream Bedroom Look Like?

We specialize in creating custom bedding, headboards and pillows. We love to take it a step further by combining them with wallpapers and custom window coverings to make rooms truly special. Whether you are working on your primary bedroom, guest room or second home, let us help you design something special.