LET'S TALK: WALL COVERINGS

See what I did there…I didn’t even use that word (ahem, wallpaper).  I’ve learned better.  After years of raised eyebrows and hesitations, I’ve learned better.  Wallpaper has a bad rap, and truth be told, I get it.  I’ve been part of many remodels where we remove the 80’s fruit border from the kitchen or the burgundy with gold pin dot in the bathroom.  But let’s face facts…wallpaper has come a long way and it’s time to embrace it!

If you browse thru our gallery, it’s easy to see that we're big fans of wall coverings here at Peppeard Design.  I’m always talking about “adding layers” to rooms and this is one of the most dramatic ways to do just that.  Especially when it is used in unexpected places.  In my recent texture blog, I showcased a living room featuring a fireplace surround with butterfly wallpaper.  The rest of the room included painted trim (another favorite!) and cream walls.  The contrast of the wallpaper is a pleasant surprise and really takes the room to another level. 

In an Indiana beach house we installed wallpaper in the powder room, which is one of my favorite places to use this treatment and also the one I get the most resistance from.  Powder rooms are small and often don’t include windows, so the fear of claustrophobia is a concern.  So let’s stop for a Pep Talk: often the design choices that are the hardest to make are the ones we end up liking the most.  In the case of wallpapered powder rooms, they may just be on top of the list when it comes to compliments from houseguests. 

The last home I want to share with you is my very own bedroom.  I chose a design from Relativity Textiles, which along with Philip Jeffries, is one of my favorite vendors.  Both of these designers are trade-only, meaning they only sell their wallpaper to trade professionals like myself.  When you work with an interior designer you often get access to brands and pieces that you are not able purchase online or at brick and mortar stores.  Furthermore, trade professionals frequently get special pricing from specific sources, just one of the values of working with an interior designer.

Are you ready to embrace wall coverings?  

LET'S TALK: STYLES

Can we stop a minute and recognize how many interior design styles are “in” today? I don’t think that there has ever been a time where the variety of styles is as numerous and as varying as they are today.  From farmhouse to coastal, Scandinavian to industrial, almost anything goes.  And if you’re like me, you love it.  You can’t decide which style you like the best and on a daily basis your Pinterest boards are changing dramatically.

While it is an exciting time to have so many styles available, I can also see it being extremely overwhelming.  So let me give you a quick Pep Talk:  it’s okay to embrace all of them. Even in the same room.  Just like I am about mixing textures, it’s more than okay to mix styles. After all Pep Talk started to encourage you to bring out your inner designer and if you like all the styles then we support that.

One of our most pinned images is this blue living room from a client’s home in suburban Chicago.  At first blush it may be categorized as modern farmhouse with the shiplap fireplace surround, buffalo check chairs, and the distressed wood beam over the mantle.  But when we look at that accessories with the gold accents, and the shape of the white table lamp, we definitely see a nod to mid-century modern.  The Mongolian poufs in front of the fireplace have a bohemian feel, and there is no denying the rustic lodge ambiance of the antler chandelier. 

This is exactly why I think it’s one of my most pinned images. Because it applies to so many styles and because so many of us are drawn to diverse styles.

As a designer, the main reason I incorporate various design styles is because it keeps a space timeless.  Unfortunately, every trend has it’s time, so if I only designed a room in mid-century modern, the space would “age out” faster than when I mix styles.  Plus it’s easier to keep the space present by swapping out minor décor and fixtures as styles do change…and it saves money!  Rather than a complete redesign, smaller purchases keep rooms trendy.

What are your favorite design styles lately?  Hopefully I’ve encouraged you to take a risk and mix pieces you love from all aesthetics!   

LET’S TALK: TEXTURE

Or perhaps better said, my love affair with it!  If you’ve scrolled thru my gallery or follow me on Instagram, you’ve most likely noticed how much I use texture in my interiors.  Let’s break down my homepage image for starters.  What textures do you first see?  Is it that furry throw?  The velvet, tufted sofas?  The pompoms on the pillow, the ornately carved base of the coffee table, or that roughly distressed fireplace surround?  I think we can safely say we’ve confirmed my infatuation. 

Now let’s break down why I love texture so much with a Pep Talk: it adds layers to your room.  It keeps people engaged with the space, almost intrigued wondering what is it about this room they love so much that they just can’t put their finger on.  Texture!  Outside of the obvious fur and velvet, the subtle textures are where all the magic lies.  Those coffee table legs are not only unexpected, but keep the table standing on it’s own even in between two massive pink velvet sofas (no pun intended.)  The carved legs are a piece of art all in their own.

Looking for another subtle way to incorporate texture that makes a big statement?  Wallpaper!  Textured grass cloth is the perfect backdrop to a smooth wooden headboard.  Cork is another great textured wall covering and looks excellent behind eclectic gallery walls.

Now, take a look at your Pinterest boards or Instagram saved posts.  How many of them include plants?  I bet you can’t scroll too far without noticing a Fiddle Leaf Fig, Snake Plant, or succulent trio.  The natural textures a plant provides can have a dramatic effect on the space. Not to mention the container the plant resides in.  Often a basket is used, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but adds even more texture to the room.

Have I brought you into my texture love affair yet?  Hopefully I’ve encouraged you to look for pillows with fur, shaggy rugs, or even just to pick up a plant the next time you are at the hardware store.  Share your textured interiors in the comments below! 

WELCOME TO PEP TALK

For those of you who follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know this inaugural blog post has been a vision in the works for quite some time.  Who knew how much work putting together a website and ecommerce store was?  Certainly, not me until I went thru it the past few months!  Props to my amazing creative team for developing such a beautiful site, and for teaching me a thing or two, or twelve, along the way!

I couldn’t be any happier to officially welcome you to Pep Talk!  Long before I even contemplated a website, I always knew I wanted to find an outlet for people to develop and nurture their inner designer.  Too often I am asked, “How did you do that?  How did you know that that pillow would go with that sofa, which ties in with that paint color….?”  Right down to, “How did you arrange the flowers in that vase?”  I’m definitely not here to toot my own horn, because trust me, the list of things I don’t excel at is long (ahem, website development).  Yet, I’m here to encourage you, to build you up, and possibly, teach you a few tricks of the trade as we go.

I love designing interiors for people and I love it even more when my clients get involved; when the design process doesn’t feel so overwhelming to them anymore and they start to develop their own, unique style.  I’m hoping that via Pep Talk, in collaboration with the world wide web, I’m able to encourage even more people to find their inner designer.  I’m looking forward to building a community where taking risks is encouraged, failing is okay as long as you try again, and beautiful spaces will always persevere.

I can’t wait to hear what projects you’ve been working on.  Drop a comment below and let the Pep Talk begin!