Driving up Highway 101 along the coast of California, you will see a lot of signs for “El Camino Real” and often a curved post with a bell attached. These bells indicate the old Mission Trail, which connects a series of 21 Franciscan missions built in Alta California in the 18th century. For those of us who didn’t grow up in California, the “Mission Revival” style of architecture which dominated late 19th and early 20th century development may not be familiar but it’s one we at Talie Jane Interiors have come to love. What is California Mission Style? The Mission Revival style is one of California’s most famous architectural styles. For instance, red clay tile roofing with a low pitch, plain stucco exteriors, and arches characterize this style, which evolved from old missions. Mission Revival homes are trendy because of the thick wall systems that assist keep the pleasant breeze in and the searing heat out.These dwellings are usually modest but have much historical significance. A second story is prevalent in today’s Mission Revival, with the classification of single-story Mission residences as bungalows. With these properties having such qualities, they will never get old and remain iconic as long as […]
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Color is a universal language and a powerful communication tool. Of all the elements that make up a visual design, color is perhaps the most vital influential. It plays a vital role in fine arts such as painting and photography, advertising and branding, fashion, beauty, industrial design and of course interior design. But what is it about color that goes beyond the simple hues we see in the rainbow? Color psychology is the study between color and human behavior. In other words, color psychology perceived color as a trigger of perceptions, feeling and emotions. It’s a fascinating field that explores how different hues can influence mood, decision-making and even physiological reactions, often in ways that operate beneath our conscious awareness. And why is color so important in the psychology of interior design? The answer lies in its ability to define a room’s purpose and influence its occupants’ behavior. This interplay between colors and our minds significantly impacts how we experience different environments. The strategic use of color in interior spaces can guide how we feel and act, making color psychology a vital tool for designers aiming to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally and psychologically supportive. Often when we […]
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Modernism Week is a world-class, eleven-day celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion, and culture in Greater Palm Springs. Each year, more than 120,000 attendees participate in over 350 events. And, this year, I was one of them!I was honored to have been invited by our partner, Ferguson, an acclaimed wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, waterworks and supplies. Such a treat! The inspiration, networking and awe-inspiring architecture were fabulous.The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living.Highlights of the festival include the Modernism Show, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties, live music events, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion shows, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more. Midcentury Modern Architecture Palm Springs has one of the largest concentrations of preserved mid-century modern architecture in the world. Talented young visionary architects came to Palm Springs and interpreted Modern architecture in a way that best suited the desert environment and leisure living. In fact, Palm Springs had long been a hideaway for L.A. glitterati […]
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Trends may come and go, but certain design elements will never go out of style. With our immediate access to technology, it’s easy to see the current trends. However, a timeless design will outlast the ever-revolving cycle of design trends. A home with a timeless design has a strong sense of place which is reflected in its color palette, materials, design elements, and connection to its surrounding landscape. It’s thoughtful and intentional, and functionally works now and into the future. In this month’s blog, we review those timeless elements and provide ways to embrace them in your own home. What is Timeless Design? Timeless design is the intentional choice to incorporate classic, functional, and aesthetically pleasing design elements over trendy, fleeting, or socially loud ideas. How to Select a Timeless Color Palette (1) Timeless colors are those that will transcend all design trends. While we can still appreciate current trends, timeless colors never grow old, can be used in different ways and will still be in style. However, timeless colors can be so overdone that they too become trendy (think of an all-gray home). Your safest bet in choosing a timeless color is make your selection based on context. Where will […]
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Grout is often neglected in the tile selection process, or just treated as an afterthought. But it shouldn’t be! It’s as much a part of the overall finished look as the tile itself. The selection of grout can truly define the character of a space based on the amount of contrast and rhythm that is introduced. The job of grout is to bring out the best in the tile or stone that it surrounds.Grout seems so simple but there are myriad types of grout that are recommended for various applications, design choices for creating patterns and interest and an overwhelming number of colors to choose from. So, how do you select the perfect grout? The team at Talie Jane Interiors offers some great tips. Grout Types Surprisingly, there are many different types of grout. Who knew? However, all usually fall into one of three types: Sanded, un-sanded and epoxy. Sanded Grout• This type of grout includes a small amount of sand, which increases the strength of the grout joints, improving the overall durability of the product.• Best for large tile seams, interior flooring projects, ceramic and stone tiles, and high-traffic areas.• However, it is gritty and may scratch or scuff […]
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Wallpaper is back and better than ever! As one of our favorite materials, we are thrilled about its exuberant return to the forefront of the interior design world. Wallpaper is one of the manifestations of design creativity; it has come a long way over the decades, with fresh new designs and uses. We’re not only finding a shift from minimalist to more layered spaces on social media, but we are also seeing more beautiful wallcoverings in hit TV shows and movies, like Emma, Bridgerton, The Goldfinch, and The Queen’s Gambit, that leave a lasting impression. (1) But before wallpapering every room, lets learn more about this single most transformative element in our design arsenal – its history, materials, applications and creative uses. History (2) Wallpaper has been around for centuries, with roots tracing back to the ancient Chinese, who are said to have pasted rice paper onto walls as far back as the Qin dynasty. It was used as a form of decoration in palaces and homes, and eventually made its way to Europe in the 16th century. By the 19th century, wallpaper was becoming increasingly popular due to advancements in printing technology, which allowed wallpaper to be mass-produced and accessible to a larger audience. Types […]
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Everyone wants a beautiful, organized home. So, when it comes to design, storage and functionality need to be a top priority. Afterall, homes are meant to be lived in. That means accounting for clothes, shoes, winter coats, books, paperwork and files, countertop appliances, toys and the “stuff” we surround ourselves with every day. (1) Without an organization strategy, the best design vision can fall victim to clutter and disorder. Keeping an organized home allows the interior design to look and function at its best! (1) The Talie Jane Interiors team has put together some creative storage solutions for key areas that tend to gather clutter. Which ideas work best for you? Entry One of the most clutter-prone areas in the house is the entry. Shoes, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, dog leashes, it all finds a home here. But it doesn’t have to be messy or disorganized. In fact, it should be a pristine space to welcome guests and showcase the beauty of your home. Try some of these ideas: Living Room There are so many ways to add storage to a living room or family room. One of my favorite and easiest solutions? Incorporate multi-functional furniture that doubles as storage […]
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Area rugs in our homes are like shoes to a well-put-together outfit. You wouldn’t go to the trouble of selecting your best outfit for a night out and then go barefoot. It’s the same principle with rugs. Shoes complete an outfit and, in some instances, will actually outshine what you’re wearing, if you want them to that is. It’s the same with rugs. They can be a game changer on how a room looks and feels. Rugs can either sit in harmony with your room, or they can make a statement by adding an element of surprise, and I for one, love surprises! (1) Rugs create a visual pathway, add warmth and character, enable texture, color and dimension, enable room flow, provide sound absorption, define a space, connect a space, tie a design together and even act as wall art. Ultimately, they provide comfort. Since area rugs play such an important role in design, it’s critical to select the right rug for your space. With the need to consider size, material, and functionality, it’s hard to know where to start. We’ve tackled some of the hard questions for you below. Rug Materials, Care & Maintenance (2) One of the most […]
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“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” Le Corbusier – Architect Think about the difference between getting your photo taken in at your local DMV under harsh fluorescent lighting, versus your picture at a sexy, low-lit restaurant. Good lighting is truly everything, but it is oftentimes an afterthought when designing a room. Whether it’s a bright task lamp on your desk to help you stay productive or a sconce by your bedside for cozy late-night reading, lighting is one of the most powerful tools for creating a specific mood. Bringing lighting decisions to the forefront of the design can make all the difference, and we’ll show you how. Layer the Light Lighting, like any great interior design element, should be layered to create contrast. A mix of accent, ambient, natural, and task lighting in the home provides a nice balance of light and dark that grants each room richness and depth: Accent lighting – supplementary light that illuminates dark corners or small spaces. A can light placed above a shower enclosure is one example. Ambient lighting – the general overall light that illuminates the entire space, such as a chandelier in the center of a […]
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If you ask someone, “what is art?” they will usually refer to a painting or a photograph. In reality, art comes in many forms – performance art like dance, music and song, nature, poetry and architecture. Now, just for a moment, imagine a world without any art. Our world would be a very dim and boring place, devoid of imagination. Without art, the banality of reality would be intolerable. To paraphrase Nietzsche, “We have art in order not to parish from the truth.” Why Art? While it feels like a simple question, with an even simpler answer, the truth is that it goes way beyond bringing a little color into a living room. (1) Art breathes life into a space. It allows us to express ourselves, encouraging dialogue and welcoming emotion. It reminds us of what is possible—all to help turn an ordinary house into a home. Art connects us to the past and future. It feeds our curiosity and inspires our imagination. I love this quote from fellow-designer, Tara Bernard, “For me, art is like punctuation to a sentence; it is that all-important ingredient and without it, a space lacks the layers and attitude that a significant piece can […]
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