A happy medium. You know, like chocolate-covered pretzels striking the perfect balance between sweet and salty. Or that great pair of shoes that’s both attractive AND extremely comfortable.

Think of transitional interior design as the ultimate happy medium – it combines the best aspects of two worlds: the luxury of traditional design, and the clean lines of contemporary design. Though less ornate than a traditional interior, a transitional interior will feel more warm an inviting than a contemporary space, because of its simple curves, plush materials, and inviting textures. Since this style is essentially the union of two opposing design styles, it’s ok to have a little fun and mix in the occasional vintage rug or sleek, lucite table. No two transitional spaces are alike!

Check out the photos below for some transitional design ideas:

Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16

Read this post to learn about some more design styles!

Xoxo,

If you read our post on traditional interior design and thought, “Well, that’s pretty, but it’s exactly the opposite of my taste,” this one’s for you.

Contemporary interior design is sleek, clean, and largely free of embellishment, making it a favorite for anyone who strives for simplicity and minimalism. While many contemporary interiors tend toward neutral palettes, especially gray and taupe, color blocking (see photo with blue wall & sofa) can be a stunning addition to this style. Contemporary furniture features straight lines and sharp angles, steering clear of the curves and delicate scrolls of more traditional styles.

What this style lacks in ornamentation, it makes up for in inviting textures and mixed metallics. Minimalism is anything but boring! Take a look below for some inspiration:

Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17

Want to see some other styles? Visit this post for a more comprehensive Design Dictionary.

Xoxo,

There’s a reason why some things never go out of style – they’re classic. Take Debussy’s Claire De Lune, or Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, for example. The former was composed over a hundred years ago, and the latter was painted half a millennium ago, but both are still praised for their beauty in 2017.

The same is true of traditional style interior design. It takes a page straight out of the old world book of 18th and 19th century Europe. Elaborately carved wood furniture, roll-top sofa arms, tassles, gilded finishes, chinoiserie, lace, and tufted details come together to create graceful and stately interiors. Lovers of this style tend to be attracted to consistency, comfort, elegance, and – you guessed it – tradition.

Think this might be the style for you? Take a look below to get some style inspiration!
Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15

If these photos don’t speak to you, check out this post to learn about some other interior design styles!

Xoxo,

So you have 37 Pinterest boards. You’ve saved enough interior design ideas to fill a 200 page book. But what does it look like to turn those daydreams into a reality during a real-life home improvement project?

In an Internet world ruled by Pinterest and Houzz, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you’ll save yourself money by taking on your design project on your own. The countless DIY blogs and TV shows make it look simple and straightforward. Sure, they have the occasional hiccup, but the solution was a piece of cake, right? However, unless you’ve taken the time to research every step of the process and become a space planning and color theory expert, you will likely end up with more than just a few little bumps and bruises a long the way.

That’s where we come in. We’ve dedicated our education and careers to the field of interior design, becoming experts on all of the nitty gritty details, so you don’t have to. You wouldn’t think twice about hiring a lawyer to support you in court. Why not hire a design expert to support you throughout your home improvement project?

Still need some convincing? Here are the four biggest reasons hire an interior designer:

Having a designer on your team can prevent mistakes on the job site – big and small – before they happen. For instance, our trained eye would see right away that the cool grey you’ve selected for your interior walls looks purplish-blue when it’s placed next to your warm wood floors. If you’d hired a painter without consulting a design and color professional first, you’d have ended up with a several-thousand-dollar mistake, and a periwinkle house on your hands. In that regard, a $200 consultation seems like a drop in a bucket.

In addition, we can help you manage your overall budget. Since we put a cohesive design plan together before purchasing and construction even begin, we are able to look at the project as a whole, and make sure that you aren’t going to spend an unnecessary amount of money on any one area. Taking the project piece by piece can add up quickly! Many of our clients come to us saying that they ran out of money halfway through their last attempted renovation.

And don’t forget about resale value! Since we are connected to the housing industry, we know what sells. We’re also trained to think outside the box, which can give your interior an added edge, or “wow” factor, that will draw in potential buyers.

Perhaps even more valuable than the money, hiring an interior designer will save you time. Renovations and furnishing projects alike can take hours of research time. We went to school for this stuff, so we already know much of the information you’d have to spend time researching. Google searches like “how high above the dining table should my chandelier hang” or “what direction should my hardwood floors run” won’t have to cross your mind at all, and you’ll be freed up to take care of more important things – like enjoying life.

Moreover, since we’re an all-in-one service (kind of like a wedding planner), we are your middleman. We coordinate communications between the architect, contractor, and furniture salespeople, so you don’t have to. Translation: fewer technical emails in your inbox. Of course, we still come to you for the big stuff, but you won’t have to spend time worrying about the annoying details, like ordering the correct size of rug for your living room.

One of the biggest perks of being an interior designer is our network. We have connections to countless other home improvement professionals, who can take care of the things we can’t. Need a contractor? We’ve got 5 of them in our “recent calls” list. How about a place to pick out bathroom tile? We use 3 on a regular basis, and have another 3 in the arsenal as back-up. Don’t be afraid to use us for our connections!

We also have access to designer-only resources, such as wholesale furniture vendors and fabric manufacturers. That means you’ll have a broader range of options available to you as you work on your home, allowing you to create a space that’s more “you” than the average Crate & Barrel showroom floor. You’ll also benefit from deeper discounts on items from our wholesale vendors. RWD splits our wholesale discounts with our clients – if we get 50% off, we’ll sell it to you at 25% off of the suggested retail price!

The most important move you can make when working on a new home improvement project is to set up a “big picture” long before you begin demolition and purchasing. Hiring a designer is a huge step in that direction. We’ll help you come up with a cohesive plan, making sure you love your new space even before you get started! Having an end goal will give you the confidence you need to move forward.

Moreover, you’ll have a professional’s opinion to back you up. Sometimes all you need is to hear someone reminding you that you’re moving in the right direction. That’s what we’re here for! We’re more than just design experts – we’re also your cheerleaders. Renovations are hard, and we’ll do all we can to make the process less stressful for you. We’ll stand up for you when other professionals want to dismiss your opinion, and we know the right questions to ask to get the job done the way YOU want it done.

Overall, hiring a designer will reduce stress and doubt during your home improvement project. Whether you’re picking a few paint colors, purchasing all new furniture, or building a brand new home from the ground up, having an interior designer on your team will boost your confidence and general happiness throughout the process.

Happy renovating!

Xoxo,

P.S. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation, click here.