2012 Holiday Home Tour

This Residence is reminiscent of Spanish Colonial design with its soft aqua and antiqued red hues. Many of the homeowner’s pieces portray authentic style from carved throne chairs to elaborate iron works and vintage fabrics. With such collectables as the restored sconces and the classical interests in music, the cultural beauty inspires a plethora of long conversations and entertainment. Many of these treasured items bring peace and comfort to a hectic life of a professional. The walls are plastered in a pristine glow of off white accented in pale clay tones and intricate colorful tiles, setting off the rich hues and tapestry features; inviting one to come, relax in comfort and style. Iron and dark tone woods douse the home in Spanish Flavor.

The Grand Salon features many fine furnishings and art acquired by the homeowner’s diligent choosing. This enormous room was meant to be the heart of the home. The color palette speaks in warm tones, and draws attention to the fireplace and spectacular art hung throughout the home. Its ornament beams and pendant lights with rich culture are key to bringing an authentic character to this grandeur and size. The room is perfect for a large gathering or an intimate dinner for two. The large exhilarating rugs adorn the hand-scraped hardwood floors, and the classically inspired rooms set the mood for a special gathering of friends and family.

The gentleman’s quarters evokes memories of past musical adventures. Fun eclectic drums accented with red create a happy retreat from the world. The décor based on Spanish design, is the focal point of the room with a variety of musical lore. Any style done well is appreciated: traditional, whimsical, classical or ethnic, whichever fulfills the client’s desires. This room can reflect a personality in design, which gives the homeowner and Patrick an urban quality among Santa Clarita’s historical surroundings and culture.

The master suite is like entering a retreat that transports the homeowner away to a soothing his creative senses. Rich wood tones and an elegant ivory décor dress this room in luxurious delight, whereasthe quirky tiles and eclectic accent furniture grounds the room to comfortable surroundings. The textural play of materials gives a relaxing and tactile touch for the homeowner all day long. The master suite has a dual purpose as the office is just off the room where a large monitor can function as a computer or as a big screen television. This utility functional space adds a clean and unencumbered look.

Entering the home is like stepping into another time. On the left is the private quarters accented in simple elegance and recreational comfort. To the right, a magnificent hall that leads to a beautiful sunning area adorned with graces of hand-carved furnishings and tapestries in art. The bench is decorated with colorful pillows, and surrounded by plants and poinsettias. Further in the Grand Salon the luxurious space is lit by pendant chandeliers accented with a crown of laurel leaves and berries welcoming those entering the space. The room is fresh and styled to entice, as the visitor can drink in the room as a welcoming beacon to draw, charm, and graciously unfold the rest of the home.

Design in Today's Market

RL Cabin Master Bedroom

In design, mixing styles can be fun and cost effective. No longer just Eclectic, it applies to the design in blending various styles from origin to era.

A mixed style should present pieces with shared aims to generate unity within the design. Eclecticism is definitely not a jumble or mish mashed collection of arbitrary pieces but an intended and considered design. When a shared component or idea ties the home together, the home can take on a character of personal preference and unique style.

When furnishings communicate to each other in scale, shape, pattern, texture, color, or finish, a mixed style of interior design can enhance the room and bring it together. Contrast is an important element for a mixed style. As a general rule, a color scheme can be universal by using neutral colors as a backdrop or for large furnishings. Furniture no longer has to match perfectly but a mixture of related furnishings can embellish a design nicely.

In various design schemes such as rustic living, Asian traditional or Country French, mixing furnishings will complement the appeal to the homeowner. The homeowner looks for appealing design styles. One of the most beneficial resources is consignment or vintage shops. The consignment shop holds treasures of quality or name brand merchandise at a discounted price. These furnishings are unique in design as it gives new life to many styles and themes many people look for in decorating. Obtaining quality at a lower price is a valued perk for the do-it-yourselfer or the professional designer.

Rustic living is a relaxed, lived-in style and there is no reason to fear sitting in a rustic living room or stopping by for a chat in a rustic style environment. A rustic design style is informal with a complement of well made, sensible furniture, colorful material, and functional rather than trendy accents. With rustic styles, adding multiple textiles and countrified furnishings can be obtained by visiting these treasure troves of recycled design and style.

If the homeowner is looking for something more traditional, he or she could find Asian inspired furnishings that display bold colors along with ornate furniture and accessories. Asian furnishings are ornately carved designs with craftsman painted details or lacquered finishes. When looking through consignments ask the salesperson for assistance. The shop may have everything the homeowner is looking for; they just need to look around as everything is transitional in the store. Another nice benefit is the shop owner displays mixed styles within the shop to aid in complementing the various pieces on display.

Some various pieces can enhance this dramatic style by featuring animal prints and astrological signs, such as tigers and fire-breathing dragons. Creative ginger jars, large vessels, and beverage pots painted with exaggerated design in varied colors or in the traditional blue and white glazes are also fashionable in Asian interiors. The most prominent color in Asian style is red because it represents good luck. The most traditional items are wall murals and shoji tri-fold screens depicting characters of historical and legendary folklore. These are often painted in striking or vibrant colors. The majority of these items are sporadically on display throughout the shop.

Country French is an epitome by a palette of bright colors. This south of France design is reminiscent of colors that include deep aubergine (dark purple) and vibrant lavenders. Other provocative colors used for porcelain are bright cadmium yellow, and cerulean blue. Furnishings usually with a small floral or animal pattern are typical fabric motifs for Country French design.

Not unlike rustic styles, basic Country French furniture is pine or maple in structure with a sturdy functionality. An ample plank-style dining table is traditional Country French furniture. Caned chairs, not to be confused with wicker, usually accompany this elegant piece.

Other telling furniture pieces are armoires or four-poster beds with massive carvings and embellishments. Lavender wreaths with wheat shafts and wrought-iron gates surrounded by roosters, lamps, and sprigs are perfect accents and accessories for this style.

With today's market, budgets are reduced by half. Knowing that the homeowner has the option to find high-end or brand materials at a discounted price is a plus when he or she looks for that perfect piece or style furnishings. By frequenting a consignment or vintage shop the homeowner or designer will always find that special treasure that will complete a design. When finding just the right piece one can usually expect to find just that—one item—so it is important to understand the art of mixing styles. Mixing styles can aid in making sure the means of the budget are met while bringing fun and excitement to the adventurous homeowner.