Building the Home for “Hummingway”
Inspired by earthy neutrals and fabulous textures, Actress and Entrepreneur, Ashley Greene’s “Hummingway” office space was an exciting and innovative collaboration from initial concept to installation.
When we first met with Ashley, we could instantly feel her relaxed positive energy and undeniable passion for her new company, “Hummingway.” As she spoke about her business ventures, we knew that her company was destined for a bright future and she needed an office space that reciprocated that energy.
We wanted this to be a space that Ashley could spearhead her business into success without feeling overwhelmed by overpowering color or eclectic finishes.
We designed her space to feel grounded, inspiring, and imaginative. We began by creating a few mood boards and renderings to get a feel of Ashley’s style. We quickly noticed her gravitating to femine neutrals, earthy textures, and a few understated-glam pieces.
We also chose to personify Ashley’s laid back feminine style by creating a space for her to showcase her high end handbags in a simple, yet effective way.
We created a sense of visual interest and depth, by painting the fireplace a soft taupe color and adding an oversized, circular shell mirror above the mantle to make the space feel larger.
Opposite the fireplace we added a stunning textured vinyl Crocodile print Phillip Jeffries wallpaper. The wallpaper acts as a floor to ceiling art piece, subtle enough to leave you wanting more, and nods at the custom snakeskin upholstery of the Bernhardt hammered steel lounge chair.
We wanted to create a sense of softness by grounding the space with a plush, cozy Shop MP James Rug featuring organic curves.
Hints of glam we’re added by using brass details in the desk chair, handbag shelving, and linear chandelier. We contrasted those metals by dressing them down with a burnt brass side table and hammered steel side chair. We didn’t want the metals to look too matchy-matchy with respect to it looking too juvenile; we wanted it to look like a perfectly curated outfit- mixed and matched just enough to look fantastic without looking like you tried too hard.
The final phase was dressing the space. We sourced from a variety of local shops including our own to find pieces of varying scale and texture. We wanted to make sure we would have enough items to fill the space properly while continuing to tell the same story that we did with designing the space. This phase involves a lot of mixing and matching, layering, delayering, rearranging, and rearranging again.
It’s important to get it just right in terms of color story, size, placement, etc. We chose to dress the shelves with books, crystals, Ashley’s beautiful handbag collection, unique art pieces and of course–the inspiration, the “Hummingway” packaging.
We dressed down the showstopping snakeskin leather chair with a cozy throw blanket and upholstered pillow. The desk was topped with a warm camel leather desk organizer, marble bookends that mirror the top of the accent table, and leather bound notebooks.
We had such a blast designing this space from start to finish and CAN NOT wait to see what amazing business ventures Ashley dreams up in her new space!
To shop this look click on the links below!
Tile Trends For 2022
As 2022 begins we wanted to share with you the biggest trends we are seeing with our own projects when it comes to Tile Trends!
As 2022 begins we wanted to share with you the biggest trends we are seeing with our own projects when it comes to Tile Trends!
The FIRST major trend for this New Year will be shapes!
Photo credit: Charlotte Lea Photography Tile by: Fireclay
This shape in particular is HIGHLY loved by our clients! We have been using it for shower floors, entryways and backsplashes! What's so fun about it is that you can mix and match colors! For a bathroom remodel we just finished we mixed and matched two colors by Fire Clay Star and Cross. We then created a unique pattern for our client which really gave them
that custom look we were going for! What's also great about this brand and shape is that it truly makes every space one of a kind because it is custom!
Now the second major trend we foresee this year is tile that looks like brick!
Photo credit: FireClay Tile
We ABSOLUTELY love this new trend we’re using/seeing! It brings in warmth but is also very durable and safe to be used inside your home! We also are starting to use it as backsplashes! It brings that farmhouse/modern feel and elevates it up another level!
The last trend we are using a lot for our clients who want that polished/modern look but at an affordable price is Porcelain that looks like Marble
Photo Credit: Charlotte Lea Photography Tile by Fireclay and Tile Bar
We’re using this quite often in bathrooms. Whether it be because of a client's budget or the fact it’s in a guest bath vs primary bathroom. It looks beautiful and still gives that classic feel without costing an arm and a leg!
Achieving the Look - Modern Farmhouse
Modern-Farmhouse is definitely a trend we’re seeing a lot of right now, but something we always emphasize to our clients is how to achieve a “modern farmhouse” that is timeless. Achieving a timeless look starts by walking the line between rustic and modern farmhouse while not dipping too far on the rustic side of things.
Please be advised that none of these rules are concrete. As with all design, there’s always an exception to a rule. We advise that in order to achieve the look is to break a rule intentionally, in a way where that choice becomes a focal point.
Here’s our guide below for designing your perfect modern farmhouse that doesn’t read TOO farmhouse.
INCLUDE:
● Focal Points of Shiplap
○ Be Intentional about where the shiplap goes. Your home doesn’t need to be drenched in shiplap. Great options for shiplap accent walls are: stairwells, fireplace walls, powder baths (in a fun accent color), and ONE wall in a bedroom (in a fun neutral color...We love charcoal grey!)
● Focal Points of Board and Batten
○ It is important to do this sparingly as it can read TOO formal in some settings. If you have a nice large accent wall, or a fireplace wall, this is the place to do it. Be sure to map this out ahead of time to get the proper proportions for your room.
● Industrial Lighting
○ We LOVE matte black! Black lighting with a 2700K-3000K bulb color is our jam!
Make sure to not go with too white of a bulb color or your room will feel washed out.
● Light colored wood or wood look flooring
○ We chose to go with an engineered hardwood light oak flooring. If your home is large, go with a wider plank!
● A neutral color palette
○ Whites, greys, and muted colors will create a soft, relaxed vibe!
● Tall simple mitered-edge baseboards
● Hand-made Subway Tile
○ Look for a handmade tile where each piece has a little special variation. This element makes the design look more high end and keeps the design from “falling flat”
AVOID:
● Rich colors
○ Extremely saturated colors pull more “farmhouse” than “modern farmhouse”. When in doubt, go with a muted version of a color for a more subtle way to bring in color.
● Too thin of shiplap planks
○ Make sure to make sure they are wider than your baseboards and proportionate to your wood flooring.
● Low baseboards
○ Nothing below 3 3⁄4” H
● Ultra-rustic lighting
○ Lighting is the key to creating a vibe! Create a lighting plan for your entire home so each room feels cohesive.
● Warm colored wood flooring
○ Avoid wood floors that feel too red. The key to a modern farmhouse is creating a subtle warmth without it feeling disconnected from the rest of the tones in the house.
● Dated prints and patterns
Flooring 101
The time has come to replace your flooring but the endless options of products on the market can be overwhelming! Here at MP James we’ve created a guide for you on how to make this process as easy as possible!
First, you'll want to ask yourself the following questions:
Where are you installing the material?
What is your budget?
What “look” or design aesthetic are you trying to achieve?
The most budget-friendly option out there in our opinion is the Luxury Vinyl Plank. The benefit to this option is that it’s lower in cost for both material and installation. What's great about this product is that it's water resistant! You’ll want to get a thicker wear layer when picking out your flooring. LVP comes in two options; 12mm and 20mm face layer. You will want to get the 20mm if it falls within your budget! Why? Because it's commercial grade which means your kids and animals will have a verrrrrry hard time scratching it! Remember that with increased quality comes increased price so these LVP planks may not be as cost efficient as the “over the counter” options.
Another option is tile. Tile is appropriate for many home styles including modern, transitional, and beyond! It is extremely durable, easy to clean, difficult to stain, and an aesthetic dream! From sleek neutral large format tiles to wood look planks- the options are endless! We could go on and on about the durability and abundance of great tile options, but the main takeaway should be that it is great for an active household! If you’re worried about the ground feeling cold or the space feeling less cozy, we recommend accessorizing with cozy area rugs to create literal and figurative warmth! The only “negative” is that the cost of install is significantly more expensive, but if you’re looking for a long term investment you certainly can’t go wrong!
Another option is going with either an engineered or a solid wood floor. Engineered wood is a more cost effective option than solid wood, but both provide the same aesthetic. The benefit to solid wood is that it can be refinished more frequently than engineered wood; however, the price tag does reflect that. In damp areas, such as kitchens, be sure to always clean up water drops and spills to make sure that your flooring lasts as long as possible. Another benefit of real wood is that the texture more easily hides knicks, dings, and scratches. For modern and transitional homes, choose woods with less color variation and knots; for traditional homes, more knots in the wood create a more “rustic” look.
Still not sure which material to use? Message us in the comments below and we’ll be sure to offer you some input!
Choosing the Perfect Backsplash
Choosing the perfect backsplash is a careful balance of weighing proportions, color, all while trying to create the perfect “Wow” Factor! We’ve compiled a few tips and tricks for how to select a winning backsplash for your kitchen refresh!
There are a few factors you first need to consider before choosing your backsplash:
How large of a surface area do you have for your backsplash?
You have many options in regards to the height of your backsplash. You can either run it to the base of your upper cabinets or to ceiling height. Both are fantastic options, but the latter definitely creates a statement. Make sure NOT to use a 4-6” prefabricated backsplash under any circumstances, especially if you’re planning to tile above it. Save these for bathrooms!
If you only have a small section of backsplash, we recommend matching the backsplash to the countertop and running to the height of the base height of the cabinets to make your kitchen feel larger.
What is your budget?
If you are looking for a more cost effective option, you can choose a simple pattern for your main backsplash tile and choose an accent tile for behind the stove. This way, you purchase less square footage for the more expensive tile. If you choose to mix and match tiles, be sure the main backsplash is more simple than the accent tile. The main tile should serve as a background to the more flashy accent tile!
What “look” are you going for?
If you want simple and minimalist, we recommend using a basic geometric tile or using the countertop material as your backsplash. If you are looking for a statement, this is a great place to run the tile full height or to go for a pop of color!
Do you have any restrictions that you need to be aware of?
Be aware of any small sections of backsplash that may infringe on your tile pattern. This is especially true for herringbone patterns. Plan ahead for how you would like the tile cut so that you won’t draw attention to this area. Take into consideration the color of your countertops and cabinets, so that the backsplash integrates well and compliments these choices.
Consider grout color.
Do you want the grout to accent the lines of the mosaic and provide contrast, or fall into the background? This is case by case for a mosaic tile but in the event of subways, an accent color grout will make the subway more defined, while a more neutral grout will make the pattern more subdued.
Let us know which backsplash option you choose to go with for your kitchen!
Biggest Design Trends of 2019
I wanted to write my blog this week on the biggest trends I saw in 2019 for interior design. I foresee all the trends below going into design for 2020 which I am very excited about!
Two toned kitchens:
The first biggest trend I saw this year with my own clients, as well as on the market were two toned kitchens. I would say in 2017 and 2018 almost every remodeled kitchen had all white shaker style cabinets including the island. This year I started putting in more two toned kitchens which I am very excited about! By having the island or lower cabinets come in a different color than the top cabinets or back wall can really make a difference when it comes to style and design for your entire home! This technique also helps your home stand out from the rest which truly impresses guests as well as is great for buyers if you decide to sell!
Quartzite Countertops:
This was a MAJOR trend for 2019! Quartz is the NEW marble! This year in about 90% of my projects I installed Quartz countertops vs marble! Quartz is a much more durable product that is half the price of a marble slab! Now a days there are so many options when it comes to variations of quartz which can be mistaken for marble! This was a huuuge trend in 2019 and I see it staying around for a while! It's also great for resale value.
Vinyl Wood Flooring vs Real Hardwood:
Last but not least when it comes to flooring options this year Vinyl Flooring kicked all others butts! The great thing about using this product is that it is waterproof, so it works great in kitchens and bathrooms! Hardwood you always end up dealing with refinishing issues, scratches from animals or if there is a water issue forget it! The other nice thing about Vinyl is its half the price of hardwood but lasts so much longer than the real thing! On average you can find a nice Vinly flooring for 2.50 per sq. ft vs real hard wood which starts around $6.
ROI
Return on Investment When It Comes To Your Property!
I decided to write this piece because it is one of the most frequently asked questions I get asked by clients on how they should spend their money to see the best return on investment. First let's start with the true definition of ROI, “Return on investment (ROI) measures the gain or loss generated on an investment relative to the amount of money invested.” In layman's terms it means what one may receive back from money invested into something such as property, a product or a business. When it comes to remodeling your home or buying new property the best way to see a return on investment in my opinion are as follows:
Number One: Purchase the worst looking house in the best neighborhood!
Now if you are a billionaire and do not care about seeing a return on your investment then yes please buy the turn key ready home that does not need any work done to it. But if you are like 99% of the country, let alone world ,then please buy the home that's located in the best neighborhood with the worst looking curb appeal! Interiors and landscaping can always be upgraded over time but location CAN NEVER BE CHANGED! Say it with me, “ LOCATION CAN NEVER BE CHANGED! I see so many people every day buying the turn key ready home because they are trying to keep up with the Jones. Financially this is not smart for your bank account or retirement plan! Especially in today’s times with everyone posting on social media I understand why people see the need to buy the “pretty home”, but if you think financially and not emotionally about your next home purchase I promise in time it will be the home you always wanted!
Number Two: Know what areas of your home to spend your money on!!
They’re certain areas and items of a home that bring the most value when it comes time to sell. Kitchen, master bedroom/ master bath and updated flooring. These three areas/items will bring you in more offers than any other part of your home! Whyy you may ask? Because these are the three areas that no one wants to live through when remodeling their home. Always think about it from a buyer's perspective. When you are walking a home what do you look out for? Most people that walk through my homes always say they are looking for an updated kitchen with updated appliances, walk-in closet and a large master bathroom. A major eye sore for anyone when entering a home is also outdated flooring! No one wants to move into a home to then have to redo it all, as well as live through the reno! Updating paint colors, interior doors and light fixtures are always items a buyer is willing to live through, but not having a kitchen for 4-8 weeks on top of re-doing all the flooring is a major hassle for buyers! By focusing your money on these three areas you will see the most return on your investment and be able to move onto the next project as quickly as possible!
Number Three: COMPS COMPS COMPS!
One of the biggest mistakes I see on the market are homeowners spending waaaay too much money on a property that does not support it! For example: if you purchase a home for $600,000 and then spend $50,000 on only the kitchen you are NEVER going to reap those rewards in a short amount of time! Now you may be thinking, how does someone spend 50K on only the kitchen? Believe me when I say that I have seen it all! They end up purchasing the most high end appliances with marble counter tops and custom cabinets made of real wood and the next thing they know they are in it for 50k! This is NOT, I repeat NOT a smart investment! You never want to spend close to 10% on a room where comps in the neighborhood don’t support it. If the best home on the block in your neighborhood is worth $700,000 then please do not spend 100K on your remodel! Always pay attention to the market you are living in even if you are not planning on selling your home for a while. This will help you in the long run if you ever need to move or rent your property be able to cash flow a profit.
So just to recap; Always look for the worst house in the best neighborhood, know which areas of the house to spend your money on and A LWAYS know the comps!Usethesethree items as your road map when remodeling your home next or flipping your first! I will leave you with this. The stock market on average has a 6% ROI. If you EVER find a property that can bring you 7% or higher on your next investment, please buy it immediately, as well as remember this percentage when putting money into your existing property!
Nursery Decor Project
This month I had the pleasure of decorating my first nursery project for a baby girl in only two weeks! See below tips and photos of how I did it in a time crunch and without my client breaking the bank!!
In with the old while using the new!!
Always try and mix in what you already have. To accessorize this space I went out and shopped for new stuffed animals, pillows throw blankets etc. My client already had a crib, changing table and bookcase from her boys so we used the grey tones and threw in a ton of pink!
Decals, Decals, Decals!!!
Shout out to simple decals for the amazing decal stickers we used on the wall behind the crib!! They were super easy to work with and did not have or cause any bubblying on the walls.
By using what you may have from a previous baby or hand-me downs from friends you can still make your nursery your own by adding new drapes, rugs and blankets! Not including the previous furniture the entire room cost under $900!
Malibu Office Remodel
PROJECT IN PROGRESS
This project took about 4 weeks. I took the original space down to the studs and had the contractor reframe all interior walls, put in new lighting, new drywall, carpet, paint, doors and hardware!
BEFORE
PROJECT IN PROGRESS
Family Highlight for your living space!
For this project I accessorized and designed my clients entire downstairs. I chose to highlight this area because it turned out to be so amazing! My client is mom to five amazing little ones and wanted to find a space to hang their family photos. After my initial walk through I saw that we could easily utilize one of the only walls in the downstairs and right off of the entryway. We created 6 custom frames and reprinted them in black in white with frames to match!
In order to create this yourself you can take it to any local framing store with the measurements you are desiring and have them resized and framed. Always look at previous work before giving away any prints and never give away the originals if you have digital copies!