Interior Design Blog | Tips, Trends & Home Ideas

Published on: March 25, 2020

Cabin Fever

With many of us spending more time in our homes in recent days, coming weeks, the novelty may soon wear off - if it hasn’t already! Our homes should be a place of respite, where we enjoy being in that is both comfortable and functional. Long periods at home might start getting to you (aka cabin fever) and to combat the urge to get out - I offer some ways to make staying at home for a length of time ....well, more habitable.

1. Consider rearranging your existing furniture. As they say, a change of scenery is always good. Considering your current scenery is your home, it might be a refreshing change to work with the pieces you already have. Mix it up. Move things from room to room. Be creative. Don’t be afraid of change. When I was little I was constantly rearranging the furniture in my tiny little bedroom. I enjoy the challenge of space planning. If you’d like some help, I offer 2 for 1 design layouts ($150 per room with two layout options). More info here.

2. Think about moving yourself round. Try working or spending time in different areas of your home throughout the day. Perhaps start your morning at the dining room table or kitchen counter. Step into your home office by mid-day. Venture outdoors for a bit for fresh air in the afternoon. Spend some time working from the sofa with a glass of wine later in the day. Retire to the bedroom by evening to wrap up those last few emails. Whatever it is, whatever you can do to mix things up - it might be fun to test out different places in your home to discover where you like being the best!

3. Take to your walls! Since many a day may pass that you are staring at those exact same walls perhaps now is a good time to create that gallery wall with art or family photos that you may have been wanting to do or move around some existing art pieces or even rearrange and bring in a few new art pieces or wall decor. Should you need any help, I offer hourly consultations and can help make recommendations for placement or create a gallery wall on a concept board like the one above. Design consulting for something like this is available as an online service too, more info here.

4. Bring in new accessories. A great to revive any room is by changing out or updating with new accessories. It could be seasonal, it could be bringing in a whole new color scheme, or if you want to include current trends - definitely consider doing that with accessories that don’t have to break the bank. For the concept board above, I helped a client layer in accessories for a great room playing off their existing console and other elements of the kitchen and family room areas.

5. Create an outdoor living space. Warmer days are coming and with so much time indoors, now is the perfect time to consider creating an outdoor area as an extension of your home to take advantage of that indoor outdoor living. Whether it’s your backyard, balcony, patio, front entry, or even a little landing - any place of respite will be welcoming when you need to get outside for some fresh air. Having a comfortable spot to sit, or work, with some added accessories adds another room to your home.

6. Paint color! One of the least expensive options and a DIY project if you’re up to it - is a fresh coat of paint. New paint colors can make a room - or rooms - look completely different too. If you want to be creative, try an accent walls, painting stripes, or half walls and experiment with different sheens too. Glossier walls add more reflection and can make a small room look larger too. If you need help with paint color selection or creative paint techniques, happy to help with online or onsite paint color consultations.

7. Finishes! While it may be a more involved project - sometimes it’s needed. Updated finishes makes an even bigger impact. That may mean changing out carpet to hardwood floors, small tiles to larger stone or tile, wall surfaces, and don’t forget about the grout! Minimal grout lines offer a cleaner more expansive look too.

Thankfully, when it comes to finishing up your home and furnishing, there are lots and lots of different companies that can do this job. Just look around at some of the floor refinishing companies available to see what kind of flooring you can end up with. When you’re dealing with the finishing touches, you’re going to want to be happy with what you see, of course.

8. Bedding and drapery. Probably the easiest most refreshing change of all - updated bedding or window treatments. Like with accessories, it could be a seasonal change but it may also just be time to replace worn bedding or tired looking drapery panels. There are also many other options for window treatments if you want to consider a whole new look.

9. The need for a home office. With working at home more now, there is definitely a need for a designated work area. You may need peace & quiet, less disruption, more organization and storage, and / or a presentable area for virtual meetings. I am currently offering a flat rate home office design package for $375 per room, details here.

10. A complete room redesign! Last but not least, there may just be that one room in your home that isn’t functioning right or is in need of a redesign. Along with that comes the all important and well thought out design planning. It’s important that the furniture pieces fit right for the space, often a need to take a creative look at how to make the room function well for all its purposes, along with coordinating art, accessories, colors, etc. For all of that, I offer a complete flat rate room design package for just $500 that includes all the design plans and resources that you can use to implement and purchase as your time and budget allow.

Published on: March 24, 2020

Work At Home Inspiration

Having an office at home can be a great advantage, whether you are self-employed or have a flexible work schedule, should your work allow that freedom. A home office offers convenience but at the same rate, many need an organized work area free of distractions. If you happen to be co-working with a partner, you might need additional space as well. In regard to our current stay at home situation, many are having to convert areas to adjust for working in their own homes. With that comes wanting a presentable space, especially for all those potential video conferences! It’s one thing that we have look presentable and yet another that the background looks good! Of course, as an interior designer I’m always here to help whether it’s a full home office redesign, a bit of styling recommendations, or helping you create a little nook of a space to be able to comfortably work at. Here’s a bit of inspiration for all of the above!

Image via Pinterest

For those working together or having to share office space, a wide desk in a spare room provides side by side seating.

Image via Pinterest

If you live in a small space but want to designate an area of a room as your work space, consider defining it by pairing an accent wall or something fun like stripes as a focal point.

Image via Pinterest

Even a little nook with a writing desk just large enough for a tablet or laptop is a great space saver of a work spot.

Image via Pinterest

If you anticipate interacting with others at your desk, a pair of colorful accent chairs allows for collaboration.

Image via Pinterest

Floating a desk out from the wall with a door or window backdrop streams in natural light and air.

Image via Pinterest

A long narrow desk allows for two pull up chairs. This one works great in a narrow room or wide hallway.

Image via Pinterest

A DIY option might be a long wood surface top to create a side by side work station, possibly even carved out of a nook area off the dining or kitchen areas.

For the smallest of spaces, even just a stool at counter height makes for work spot with open shelving above creating the smallest workable area ever but can be created out of a niche area.

Adding value to your home

Any type of home design is going to add value to your home, so when you’re thinking of adapting the office space, you must remember that you are adding to its price tag. Whether it’s upgrading your garage, attic or a spare room, a home office is an attractive quality for a home. When We Buy Houses, we look for all these types of things. We look at how this will sell our homes. Many more of us are working from home, so there has never been a better time to design something incredible. We have inspired you to make something magical out of the smallest spaces and have offered valuable tips about interior design including the importance of ergonomic design, for your chairs and desk space. It’s important to look at the floor and the maintenance behind each room - does it need a lot of frequent cleaning? The way in which you decorate your space will also add or take away from your inspiration so be sure to look as deeply as possible when making those decisions. Your choice of interior design for all rooms is going to ultimately sell your home and be your selling point. Perhaps your new inspired office space would indeed be your unique selling point for your home if and when the time comes. Inspire yourself, and others around you. Your friends and family will undoubtedly be inspired also by your new space; the shades and patterns you use as well as the impeccable textures! Are you ready to shine?

Image via Pinterest

Looking presentable, a well styled desk and concealed storage above. Adding a bit of greenery livens up the space too.

If you’re in need of design help for your own home office or work space, I offer a flat rate home office design package for $375 per room. More details here.

Published on: March 24, 2020

Flat Rate Home Office Design

Looking to improve your home office space and / or make it more presentable for virtual meetings? Offering a flat rate home office design for any areas of your home that need to be transitioned to a comfortable and conducive work space.

Email your room dimensions along with pictures of the room & any existing furniture you want to incorporate and receive a complete room design which will consist of:

a furniture floor plan layout (two options)
furnishing selections (artwork, accessories, area rugs, furniture, & lighting)
paint color swatches
& a list of resources - all within your budget, which you can implement and purchase as your time & budget allow

Flat rate home office design package special for just $375.

Please email for more info: JSInteriorDes@aol.com
Payable via Venmo @jillseidnerinteriordesign (link below).

Venmo Buy Now $375

Published on: March 8, 2020

Online Interior Design Consultations for anyone, anywhere!

Book a design consultation for any of your interior design needs online or on-site!

Can help with:

Paint color selections for interior or exterior.

Remodeling feedback on design direction, layout, colors, finishes, materials, etc.

Room design functionality, layout, ideas, concept, direction, sources.

Staging ideas for home resale or new home buyer feedback / moving in help.

For home, office, retail, and any other design advice you are looking for.

Available for on-site meetings in the LA/OC areas and online for anyone, anywhere (by forwarding photos of rooms or space needing help with. Design ideas and direction will be provided in written feedback with ideas, concepts, links, color selections, solutions, etc.)

Design consultations are $100/hr - no minimum, can be purchased in one hour increments.

Can also be purchased as a gift with no expiration.

Please email with any questions: JSInteriorDes@aol.com

Payable via Venmo @jillseidnerinteriordesign (link below).

BUY NOW - Venmo Link $100 / 1 Hour Interior Design Consultation

Design Services

Looking for interior design help? Offering design consultations and online design for anyone, anywhere. Happy to help with any of your design needs!