∞∞∞ ROCK your ROOST! ∞∞∞∞

Maybe you have an idea of elements you like and have no idea how to use other pieces or colors to pull it all together.

Starting with your inspiration piece, such as a sofa, we begin to build on the look with elements that work off each other and give it a big rockin' BA-BAM.

I began on this living room project that the client HAS to have...a gorgeous, velvet kelly green sofa. I was able to find some modern fabric for the drapes, that will be tailored on a decorative travers rod on the picture window looking out front. Then I located some paisley fabric that will be ideal for oversized pillows for the sofa. 

A contemporary twist to the old 80's "brass" is the updated antique brass finish on present-day spherical lighting, combined with a rich Koa wood side table, and a muted symmetrical patterned area rug.

Texture, texture, texture! Even if the majority of your furnishings or color palette is neutral, be sure to incorporate products that are soft, nubby, multi-surface or shiny to give it dimension.

We don't just look for "trendy" -- even if you crave a contemporary look, we will pair items that give a well-rounded timeless palette. 

Bring us your most difficult interior design dilemma and watch us bring solutions to the proverbial table!

LAYERING....it's not just for cold weather......

Sometimes....all your space needs is some good ol' LAYERING. 

It may have good 'bones' -- great furniture, fabric, color, texture...but something is missing.  It could be that some items may work even better if they are layered on top of each other.

MIRRORS are great to layer....they give dimension and architecture.

If you make it a point to arrange textures on top of each other, the room will feel polished.








We've hung a large, rustic framed mirror in front of a curtain panel of luxurious fabric, and then hung a large metal star in front. 

If you're having trouble giving your space that robust quality, we can help you to use what you already have to get that depth of luxury.

"Haute-Haute-Haute!"

haute adjective 

 ōt/

1. fashionably elegant or high-class.
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4. Are you craving that "ba-bam" look for your room? Feeling in a quandary as to how to make your room feel stylish?  
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6. Even if you live in a condo, you can have a chic space with some unique flooring, dramatic color on the wall, and adding architectural details.  
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8. For a client, I achieved a similar look as above - I spray painted the back of plexiglass panels and hung them on the wall, since she could not paint walls of her rented home. (I will be posting the final reveal of the entire space as soon as it is done!)
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    Using some objects that are meant for one 

    purpose in a new and eye-catching way adds interest. Once, I actually used some unique, opaque garbage pails and a light kit to create hanging pendant lights that turned out lovely!

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2. The other day, in an antiques/second hand items shop, I found an old, weathered drafting cabinet that had niches for blueprints...but imagine using that for wine bottles? That is something you just cannot buy at a Crate and Barrel or other retail store. 
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Do we ever have good things up our sleeves for your space!

Modernly Traditional....

Shelly here....

I joke a lot about being a walking dichotomy. Kind of "Hippy-Conservative," or "Bohemian-Professional," if you will. What does that have to do with designing interiors, you ask?

Well, sometimes, the very best design started out as a "style" or theme idea, yet the outcome is space that has the traits of a couple of very different styles.

Are you confused by your attraction to traditional furniture but sleek white surfaces at the same time?  

Ah, my friend, that just described Laurie +Shelly! Our personal style preferences and natural inclinations are completely opposite, but they perfectly meld together to bring our natural gifts of creating spaces that marry together the best of characteristics.

That is super important because...we have the extraordinary ability to bring multiple distinct perspectives to a project. 

Yep..Daring to merge the impossible, and succeed!  

"Seeing Red"......

Traditional colors are timeless. A beautiful crimson red on walls and molding create a a sophisticated backdrop to a room!

Don't be afraid to use colors you love just because it is not with the "trend." Go with and ask for colors that create a mood, atmosphere or that enhance your personality.

We want to design a room for you that will simply last beyond the latest fad. 

Can you achieve this look in a tract home??  YOU BET! 

It is all about the details and custom touches that will mean the difference between a "subdivision look" and a "custom home look."

Laurie and I were just saying that one of the biggest complaints many people have is that they cannot sell their standard home at this time, but want that robust look of a custom home. They simply aren't getting it with the DYI coat of Home Depot paint and the knock-down texture the tract home came with. 

A monochromatic look with crown molding, new windows, area rugs, and "built ins" can transform a standard home into something stunning -- and can be done on a modest budget. 

A consultation with us can open your world to what is possible!

Bachelor Pad Makeovers...

A division of inhabit CREATIVE. INTERIORS. is MANifest Bachelor Pad Makeovers.

The other night there was a cable TV show touting a "Man Cave" design and my boyfriend said, "Hey Shelly, you would like this!" 

And it got me thinking.

Our mission is not to make rooms for men to escape into...our mission is to make previous "man dwellings" into spaces that don't repel the opposite sex; it is to make them stylish so a gal WANTS to enter that space!

But let me reiterate 
that this is not about discrimination -- we can take a single woman's home that is BLAH...and make it smokin', too, so to speak.

Interior Design seems to be so geared toward the female population, and we know there are guys out there that would love to have some SWAG in their house. But what about those that are clueless as to how to go about obtaining a pulled-together look?

If you know some poor guy that just bought a loft, or his first home, and it is obvious he lacks so style, why not tell him about the team of Shelly & Laurie at MANifest? 

We're looking to transform some drab into fab.

"Sentimental Journey"

Your Gramps in a suit and bowtie -- with his dog licking his face. THAT is a photo to be displayed and cherished.


A spinning top from your childhood. What a great conversation piece on your custom, gorgeous built-in shelves.

A bust you sculpted in a college ART 1A class. Beautifully showcased with buckets of irises on stacked colorful books.

Even if your interior design taste is formal, the most lasting impression is one that is personal!  A well put together room doesn't mean a perfectly "staged" or "decorated" room. We are on a journey with you to master a well-collected space. What I mean by that is...

Your room can and should host a collection of sentimental gems, and Laurie and I strive to weave them into YOUR design. Imagine your gorgeous new room -- with all the features you desire, but only better because we have not only successfully given you that one of a kind living room you have dreamed of, but one that looks as if you really LIVE in that space...not just house pretty, perfect decor.

So, look to your past to update your present!

Our mission...our tagline.....!

“Bucking Trends….Creating Timeless Environments”  

So, Laurie and I were meeting today discussing our future design endeavors  and we agreed that our tagline really evokes what we are all about!

We are literally overflowing with enthusiasm...we have artistic vision. What this means for our clients is that no matter WHAT your style, whether you're drawn to Romantic cottages, an Asian-infused flat, or Urban Loft, we don't just regurgitate "trendy" decor fads.

We spend time with you in your home and get to the core of your personality to saturate your final space design with a mix of new and vintage furniture, colors, and materials that are lasting, tasteful, and uniquely YOU.

inhabit.  
 CREATIVE. INTERIORS ...

"Nothing personal...."

If you shop for home decor at everything from Home Goods to high-end New York furniture showrooms...you're bound to find perfect items for your room. But the whole essence of "home" is showcasing your own items of interest and meaningful collectibles or heirlooms...and not doing is so "not personal."

A simple thing...something that could be easily stashed away or given away, may be sitting idle in a storage box, that could become something noteworthy in the array of beautiful decor in your home.

For instance, in cleaning out the estate of a family member, I came across a canvas bag that had belonged to my fiancee's grandfather, stamped, "U.S Mint $.50" which was actually used by him, and could probably tell a story if it could talk. I decided to stuff it and make it a decorative throw pillow for the family room. What a tribute to a legacy...and it is not something I could have bought at Crate & Barrel or Ann Sacks, for crying out loud.

Homes can have style & sophistication, casual or formal; but each one needs a very PERSONAL touch...to contain something meaningful to the person or family who lives there. 



So we challenge you.

Don't just sit in a well-appointed room of perfect furniture from R.C Willey. Don't make your family room feel like a vignette in a showroom. Seek out something that no other could purchase in a mall and display in their home...because it only exists in your possession.

We strive to give this personal touch to our clients. We take inventory of your exclusive essence, and weave it into a perfectly designed atmosphere that is YOU.

Off to make some pretty....

....."Art is long and life is short."

The two things I know we can count on to cheer us up and give awe:  

ART and NATURE. 

Art is the the one thing any one of us can bring into our homes to inspire and admire; to add life and color; whether is is to showcase an heirloom painting, or a modern abstract, it shows the personality of who lives there. It can last a lifetime and bring joy to your visitors who encounter it.

Who has ever put their kids finger painting on a fridge?

Why not make a collage of these paintings into one collective framed pièces de résistance?  The "gallery" wall is ever-popular but the secret is in the arrangement. If you lack the know-how to pull this look together, be on the lookout for our videos on tips to make your wall say, "Bam!"

A single ultra large art piece can also set the tone for your room and bring a sophistication to a once "starter home" or apartment. It can make your theme or passion all the more obvious.

There is no limit to how art can improve your home. We can help you tap into the style of art you crave, and shopping and placement are just a few of our specialties when it comes to designing your space with art!

Hang with us again!

"It's Faux Real..."

Many faux wood flooring products are so good now...you may not realize it's not real wood.

The manufacturing processes have become so sophisticated that they will trick your eye, and impress all that set afoot on it. If you've been toying with the idea of updating and/or replacing your flooring with wood flooring, there is a plethora of colors, styles, grains, sheens, and "handscraped" options to meet your tastes and needs.

Say you have dogs...big dogs...with big paws and claws. Hardwood does not stand a chance over time, but a gorgeous porcelain "wood grained" plank floor would suit your home perfectly!  You may have spied this popular product at your local big box home improvement center. We encourage you to look at the different brands; Not all are made the same. Mannington has gorgeous products that are superior to some of the others that look like a bad, grainy "photo" of wood on their planks.

Porcelain can look incredibly realistic and it's very durable. All pluses in my book!







Another fantastic wood-look product is laminate. (Us old-schoolers grew up with "Linoleum" which was a popular brand of laminate.) This product comes in rolls, as you might be aware, but again Mannington offers myriad of styles that emulate wood unbelievably. The cool thing is...its warm underfoot, and it is easy-care. 

We recommend laminate when it is a smaller space so that seams will not be an issue.

If you would prefer to have us assist you with the selection and guide you in the right direction...we are available for consultations!  



Off to make some pretty...

"Rawhiiiide...!"

We're not talking the 1960's American Western 
TV series starring Clint Eastwood...
we're hollering about a trend of using hair-on hide in decor, such as throw pillows. 

Even if you you're not a cowboy, this is a beautiful way to bring a natural material into your home. Texture and organic fibers bring a about a desirable aesthetic, and warmth to the environment.

This gorgeous hair-on hide accent chair with nailhead detail could become the center of attention, and could mix with classic or modern style interiors. It's "Like"-worthy!

Happy trails!

Welcome Matters....

The invitation in to your home is the first impression of how you welcome family, friends and visitors. You are saying “mi casa es su casa” for the time guests are there within your sanctuary. 

When our home is staunch and un-inviting is says loud and clear how we feel about our guests, and although we are proud of where we live our lives, we certainly don’t want to send out an impolite, unintended message. 

It’s our hope to help you bring that “welcome in” feeling to all who visit; a sense that leaving is always with a “please come back” attitude. 

We're off to make some pretty,

Laurie & Shelly

"VACANCY"

GUEST ROOM ZEST....and how to give it.

We don't do this for a living to regurgitate ordinary...we bring your home to life with unique and creative elements to bring you "joie de verve" - joy of life.

But more than that, we want you to extend that inviting atmosphere to revered friends as guests in your home. We find solutions for bringing your inspiration to life, and have many talented tradespeople for CUSTOM projects. So, why not do something "extra" and let a cool novelty speak for itself: 

- Hang a faux vintage neon sign stating, "Vacancy" above a well-appointed, lush guest bed 
- Strike a chord with a musical theme with a 'collage' or assemblage of your Ukelele collection
- Bring that yacht feel to the space with a dropped rounded-ceiling, padded platform bed and thick round mirrors
- Showcase all of the roses from past anniversaries pressed under beveled glass atop a stunning desk 

A one-of-a-kind guest room makes your visitor feel privileged and blessed. Imagine a built-in drawer with pumps protruding and gorgeous monogrammed labels that say, "Plumeria Hand-Lotion" and "Coconut Sunscreen."  It's the small custom touches and your attention to small details that makes for a great reception for your company.

And not all elements are a trifle...deliberate non-slip flooring decisions or a subtly lit walkway with custom LED lighting strips makes it easier for the aging members who stay in your guest room to navigate in the night.

Say a warm "Welcome" to your guest, whether it is with a sophisticated sanctuary, a romantic nest or a culture-steeped refuge!



Off to make some pretty...

A "WELCOME" Trend!

Looking for something timeless to add to your room?

You don't have to live in a tropical climate to appreciate the beauty and perennial shape of the PINEAPPLE...and it is everywhere in design lately.


Even if you're not trying to emulate a South Seas interior, the pineapple symbolizes HOSPITALITY. I mean, can you imagine someone seeing a pineapple and thinking, "Oh, this place isn't inviting"?

It's unique appearance and history lends to its status of luxury, warmth and generosity.

The pineapple motif has had it's 'popularity' in the past, but I'm not talking kitschy, "matchy-matchy" curtains and towels. Purposely placed carved pineapple bookends can look stellar in a formal den, or a glass pineapple the center of a table dressed-to-the nines.

If you're lucky enough, you might find pineapple finials on turned wood bedposts -- (I'm still hunting for those!)

Integrating this beautiful shape is easy.  Vintage stores and collectors can be a likely place to locate a lamp, fixture or other adornment, but choose one thing that deliberately shows your personality and style.

We use many sources that supply all kinds of goodness, and I've seen some gorgeous pineapple pieces that would surely showcase your hospitable space!

Off to make some pretty...

"Let's talk about Sets..."

"Let's talk about Sets..."

Matching pairs are Sexy...

Two beautiful velvet chairs, two stunning lamps, even two matching area rugs. If you're someone that has to have symmetry or you feel out of balance, then this type of design is good for you visually.

It could be that you crave that formal room style, and your current room says chaotic. Spaces that have that have symmetrical decor or even architecture, give a sense of order.  Even if your room is not going to be a formal living room, we will still delve into your design desires to find out if this is the type of environment you need to suit your psyche.

When we sit down with you, we look for cues and ask lots of questions about your style, your design likes and dislikes, how you want the room to make you feel, how you will use the room and so forth. 

We use a mix of "art & science" to come up with an room aesthetic that makes you feel good!  There's no doubt about it, we will know you quite a bit before we present concepts so that you feel like,"Hey, they get me."

Off to make some pretty....