ELVIS POWDER ROOM

Lockwood Interiors believes that every room should make you smile and here’s a great example. Originally having a plain builder’s choice pedestal sink in a small powder room, our clients wanted the WOW-FACTOR for this small space. While strolling through a consignment store, I came across this outdated white leather TV console, covered in nailhead trim.

It was modified into a vanity with the addition of a quartz countertop and a brass vessel sink. Two complimentary patterns of wallpaper were added to the room on all the walls and ceilings.

The clients – and their guests – loved it and began calling it “The Elvis Powder Room.” They named it this because their new vanity reminds them of the studded jumpsuits famously worn by Elvis Presley. I know my clients enjoy this makeover and I hope it makes you smile too!

 

written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful interior design business in Palm Desert, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value.

 

Want to learn more about Patricia?

Visit her Website, follow her on Houzz, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest

 

Going Modern with Spanish Architecture

 

During the first meeting with my clients in Rancho Mirage, they shared photos of projects from my fellow Desert Design Authority blogger and interior designer, Christopher Kennedy. They excitedly described they wanted COLOR and to go “super modern.”

Hummm…..  looking around the room I was initially perplexed about their vision of “Palm Springs Modern” in their newly purchased home with Spanish-inspired architecture in the Mission Hills Country Club.

Coincidentally, I had actually worked for clients down the street a few years back and delivered a stunning traditional, Tuscan-inspired dining room in the same floor plan. Luckily, I am a designer that can envision more than one design style, and I embrace a good challenge. Actually, I always strive to give my clients the best design interpretation of what they want.

Starting with the above photo from a magazine as our inspiration, the team at Lockwood Interiors set out to completely transform this large great room into a Contemporary Glam with a Twist.

The clients are thrilled with the results. They love their stylish new vacation home filled with their colorful personality. They were confident from the start that Going Modern with Spanish-inspired Architecture was the right choice for them. I hope you agree!

 

 

 

Photo Credits: Megan Keane Photography
http://www.houzz.com/professionals/s/megan-keane/c/palm-springs

 

written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful interior design business in Palm Desert, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value.

 

Want to learn more about Patricia?

Visit her Website, follow her on Houzz, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest

 

Look expensive without spending a fortune

 

 

Designers use the trick of carefully balancing a mix of “high & Low” items to make a room look expensive without breaking the bank. Most designers find themselves needing to stretch the budget to create a memorable room that also functions well. To pull this off, a designer must know when and where to spend the money and where to skimp. Designers never like to buy the “set” of furniture. We prefer to mix and match the pieces to create the “wow” of a unique one of a kind room.

I will use my living room as an example of how I have incorporated both fairly high end purchases with low end steals. The more expensive items in this room include the custom built-in cabinetry, the area rug, and the leather and mohair sofa and armchair. The big saves include a European daybed and the coconut shell round end table (recycled from a previous design project.) But the real steal was the coffee table….

With the space planning complete, this living room required a large coffee table to anchor the seating arrangement, which included a 9′ long sofa. Because I was at the end of the budget, the challenge was to find a large table with a price tag less than a used car. After an unsuccessful and exhaustive search, my idea (brilliant!) was to find an inexpensive dining table and cut down the legs to make it work as a coffee table. Ikea to the rescue! With a price tag of $179.00, this table measures 77” x 37” which was the perfect size for the sofa. After my handyman took a power saw to the base, I ordered a custom size piece of beveled, brown glass to top it off. So the total price tag for this oversized coffee table was only $380.00. A custom equivalent could have been priced in the thousands.

 

 

My partner proudly tells the story of the clever and inexpensive coffee table solution on every tour of our home. Six years later, it is still one of our favorite parts of the room proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune on every purchase to enjoy the benefits of great interior design.

 

 

written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful interior design business in Palm Desert, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value.

Want to learn more about Patricia Lockwood?

Visit her Website, follow her on Houzz, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest

When Design Hurts

 

You will never find me hosting a TV design show…
even though I’ve been told my smart-aleck personality and quick wit might be entertaining for audiences. On more than one occasion my lack of an “edit” button has led me to tell clients that a certain design element in their home actually “hurts me.” Call me dramatic, but it’s true!

And it doesn’t stop there. Am I really the only one who will admit to having a love/hate relationship with design shows? When the big reveal turns out to be really bad design, my blood pressure actually goes up. But secretly, I’m also a little delighted and revel in my discovery of mistakes whether it is the choice of colors, furnishings, or poor space planning.

I find myself compelled to talk at the TV and to anyone within earshot while watching HGTV. I frequently record certain shows and make family, friends or even the dog watch the highlights of the design bloopers. Think of it as my own personal version of the show Talk Soup and apply that to design.

In fact, I would love to produce a weekly show called “Design Soup” which would feature highlight reels of bad TV design with accompanying snarky comments about them. I just need a funny “front-man” host and a network to air my goldmine of an idea.

Design Soup would cover my biggest pet peeve; which is the impossible time-line for large renovation projects. Oddly enough it’s never mentioned that it took a team of 40 people up to 10 months of planning to remodel a kitchen or bathroom in three days. And sometimes the finishing details are still missing. The camera quickly pans over that particular section of the room only to be caught by obsessed designers with OCD – like me.

It seems like some TV designers tend to ignore function and the clients lifestyle while producing rooms that are not harmonious to the rest of the house. It could be said that like Art, good design is in the eye of the beholder. The job of an interior designer is simple. It is to collaborate with clients to make the best of their likes and dislikes while creating a home that also functions well. Design shows leave me wondering if anyone (other than maybe the production assistant) bothered to talk to the homeowners before the designer put their own stamp on the space.

My judgment is not towards the talents or experience of any given design host. I don’t believe these TV designers are necessarily better or worse than all the rest. My criticism is towards the process of production for this design genre and what fallacies these shows cause with real clients expectations.

Here are some examples of “after” photos from made-for-TV Design Shows that I feel miss the mark and would be featured on Design Soup.

 Grandma Chic with a crochet slipcover chair for a young Broadway star.

 

The homeowners needed sunglasses and 30 spf sunscreen for this reveal.

 

Disneyland Design 101. No words can describe this monastery mishap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honey, the designer shrunk the coffee table.

 

 

Seeing no stars here – this debacle led to a designer contest winner.

 

Liberace meets poor space planning… ouch! 

 

 

 

The real tip is to avoid all “how-to” design segments on this show.

 

 

No one is fooled with this mural mishap.

 

The dragons on the bed fabric are breathing fire for this rug choice.

 

I’m a big fan of Candice, Nate, and the best designer on TV; Sarah (with her hilarious sidekick Tommy.) But they too could land on my new TV show; proving nobody is safe when it comes to Design Soup.

 

Disclaimer: This blog post is for entertainment purposes only and was not meant to be hurtful (no pun intended) to my fellow design community. I applaud these designers bravery to go in front of the camera and to share their work in the public forum. These are only a few isolated examples. Their talents and body of work speak for themselves and better illustrate the reason why they were chosen as the host and as a leader in the design field.

 

 

 

 

written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful design business in Palm Desert, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along her trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value. 

 

Want to learn more about Patricia Lockwood? 

Visit her Website, follow her on Houzz, Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest

 

 

BONUS BLOG – Top 5 Tips for a Successful Interior Design Project

Kym Carilo celebrates 2 years with Lockwood Interiors

and lands an interview with

 

Top 5 Tips for a Successful Interior Design Project: 

Please tell us a little bit about your company and the services you offer.
Lockwood Interiors is owned by Patricia Lockwood who is an award-winning interior designer. I have been with Lockwood Interiors since 2012 and together Patricia and I bring over 40 years of combined design experience. We offer a concierge level of service for all design and remodeling needs in the Coachella Valley area (La Quinta, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, Indian Wells, etc.). One of the things we do that makes us unique is we pass along all of our trade discounts and special pricing to our clients. This makes our design services a true value.

What are some important things for people to consider before they start a home design or remodeling project?
Working with a design professional can save you time, money and anxiety during the decision-making process, while adding value to your home. Lockwood Interiors provides services that are custom tailored to fit the requirements and goals of each client. The best advice I can share is to develop a detailed plan before demo starts.

Can you briefly explain how you create a space that reflects people’s personalities and lifestyles?
Communication is key in the client-designer relationship. We believe in being intentional in design so our clients feel connected to their surroundings. We draw out the sometimes hidden aspects of their personality and innate preferences to create a “defining” environment they can truly call their own. We listen to our clients ideas, goals and concerns, and review any design challenges they may have. We explore their preferences, lifestyle and budget to determine how their space can be the best reflection of them.

What is one of the biggest challenges that homeowners face when it comes to interior design and how do you help them solve this?
Developing realistic budget and timeline expectations are what most design clients struggle with. Lockwood Interiors has a process that educates our clients and builds trust. We are upfront and transparent in all financial and project expectations with our clients. So in the end, the only surprise for the client is a good one – the big reveal!

Is there something that people don’t know about interior designers that they should know?
Hiring a designer doesn’t need to break the bank. For example, Lockwood Interiors offers project review and consulting services for a small retainer. We share our design ideas in detail and provide initial recommendations. We provide qualified opinions on common topics such as do-it-yourself versus hiring a contractor, or how their living space can best reflect their lifestyle and what can realistically be achieved with their desired budget.

Another valuable design service we offer is our Conceptual Design Plan. This is great for the DIY client who wants professional design guidance. We share our creativity, knowledge and design expertise that will serve as the foundation of the project. These personalized design plans include a complete vision for your project, which includes computerized vision boards with suggested furnishings, decor, lighting, color schemes, materials, swatches and floor plan diagrams. Then we step away from the project and the client has a plan to get them to their desired end result. So as you see, we can provide any level of assistance to a design or remodel project. We have found that even a small investment with Lockwood Interiors can make all the difference in the world.

Do you have any advice for hiring the right interior designer?
Not all designers are alike – so be sure to do plenty of research. Check references, read testimonials and be sure their portfolio has a variety of styles. At Lockwood Interiors we believe in being intentional in design so our clients feel connected to their surroundings. We listen to our clients ideas, goals and concerns, and also address any design challenges they may have. We explore their preferences, lifestyle and budget to determine how we can make the most of their project and ensure it’s the best reflection of them. It’s truly a collaborative effort.

What’s the best way for people to contact you and your company?
Lockwood Interiors can be found online at http://www.LockwoodInteriors.net, as well as on Houzz.com, Pinterest and Facebook.

75145 St. Charles Place, Suite #2, Palm Desert, CA 92211 | Phone: 760-346-4000

– See more at: http://www.southerncaliforniahomes.com/articles/interior-design-and-bringing-out-your-personal-style-an-interview-with-kym-carilo-of-lockwood-interiors#sthash.sdHK8WMz.dpuf

 

See our interview on Southern California Homes, a top site for California homes for sale, New Mexico real estate, N. California real estate & Palm Desert, CA homes for sale:
Top 5 Tips for a Successful Interior Design Project.

DESIGN TIP – using Complimentary Colors

                 
Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful design business in Palm Desert, California.

Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along her trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value. As a certified Design Psychology Coach, Patricia helps people create spaces where they feel connected to their surroundings. Lockwood Interiors, with over 40 years of combined design experience, offers a concierge level of service for all of your design and remodeling needs.

When a designer needs a designer…

The Trials & Tribulations
of an out-of-state remodel

Sleepless in Portland:
a designers experience of remodeling a floating home

I took my Dad for a whirlwind trip to my Portland houseboat for Fathers Day. We explored Sauvie Island, got rained on (despite weather reports declaring a dry time), and spent a wonderful afternoon at Powell’s Books.

After meeting with contractors and electricians, the project is inching along. My original plan was to spend several weeks living in this houseboat in July. As you can see by the photos, that was clearly an optimistic goal. If only I could clone myself to be on-site to handle the endless questions and decisions to get this project moving forward at a faster pace.

After adjusting the target project completion date to September, this month will be busy struggling to stay on top of the progress from my home in the desert. The electrical is done, the kitchen and flooring have been ordered, and a fresh coat of paint will be applied soon. So although the progress photos still look a bit scary, this houseboat might actually be habitable soon.

LESSONS LEARNED:
This experience is a good reminder of how clients feel during their out-of-state remodeling projects. I have a new and better appreciation for what they go through, because I too feel anxious. I find myself thinking – this designer needs a designer!

 

 

 

written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful design business in La Quinta, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along her trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value. As a certified Design Psychology Coach, Patricia helps people create spaces where they feel connected to their surroundings. Lockwood Interiors, with over 40 years of combined design experience, offers a concierge level of service for all of your design and remodeling needs

PINTEREST: where a picture is worth 1,000 words

 

Tools of the Trade: sharing photos
enhance Designer & Client Communication

 

 

In the old days, inspiration boards were created by pouring over magazines, cutting out photos and images and then “pinning” them to a cork board. Now we have the Internet, which gives us so much information it can be tough to narrow down your choices. Try a Google search under ‘Living Room Design’ for example and you’ll see what I mean. This is why we love Pinterest as a design resource.

 

 

Pinterest has simplified this process by creating a photo driven social network site that is easy to use. It really is an updated take on the old corkboard process I talked about above. Pinterest arrived on the scene in 2010, and now boosts over 70 million users. Interior Design & Home Decor are two of the most popular categories on Pinterest. Lockwood Interiors joined the pinning movement in 2014 and quickly discovered Pinterest to be a powerful online tool that, more importantly, is also an excellent way to communicate with clients.

 

 

Many people have trouble articulating the desired outcome of their remodeling and/or design project. We often hear “I’ll know it when I see it.” For this reason, we encourage our clients to use Pinterest as a way to visually communicate through photo “pins.” Our clients can easily access a variety of inspiration photos that show us what they couldn’t tell us through words. We have had great success when clients share their design likes and – equally as important – their dislikes by inviting us to see their public or private boards. Each board tells a unique visual story about the preferences of our clients.

 

 

Using Pinterest to hunt, gather and share, is extremely productive in the design process. It saves time (and billable hours!) by getting us to the finish line without unnecessary trips in the wrong direction. It ensures your design vision is understood and doesn’t get lost in translation. It helps communication when words can’t be found. It can serve as an inspiration for your project.

These are just some of the reasons we have found Pinterest to be a valuable tool in the world of interior design. If you are dreaming or thinking of tackling a design project, why don’t you give Pinterest a try? You don’t have to be a creative type or even computer savvy. You will just need to “know it when you see it.”

 

 

Disclaimer:
Once you start creating boards and building your dream life and surroundings, you may find yourself addicted to pinning. We’ll save the “I told you so” for later.

 

Written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful design business in La Quinta, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along her trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value. As a certified Design Psychology Coach, Patricia helps people create spaces where they feel connected to their surroundings. Lockwood Interiors, with over 40 years of combined design experience, offers a concierge level of service for all of your design and remodeling needs

PICK YOUR PAINT LAST

Celebrity designer Toby Fairley says to pick your paint color last.
I couldn’t agree more.

When I moved to the desert 7 years ago, I found the desert to be too bright.Since I find my comfort cocooning in small dark spaces, I chose a darker paint palette for my new home. Time has passed, and I have slowly become acclimated to our sunny surroundings. Over the years, I have increasingly lightened and brightened my home with lighter colors.

This new direction for my color scheme came naturally and happened gradually over time. My design clients are also following the trend to embrace a clean and fresh paint palette. With thousands of whites, beiges and grays, the possibilities are endless.

A variety of bolder colors are still incorporated into the design, but not necessarily with paint on the walls. We use a punch of color to energize the space with pillows, lamps, rugs and art. We also are seeing the trend of painting ceilings, cabinetry and furniture in unexpected and darker hues. The result creates a dramatic California Casual design aesthetic.

The trick is to select your hard surfaces (tile, cabinetry, countertops, etc), furniture finishes, and your fabrics first. When you pick your paint last, you will be able to select the perfect complimentary color for every room.

To explore your options, try using CHIP IT – a wonderful color design tool on the Sherwin Williams Website.

 

Written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful design business in La Quinta, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along her trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value. As a certified Design Psychology Coach, Patricia helps people create spaces where they feel connected to their surroundings. Lockwood Interiors, with over 40 years of combined design experience, offers a concierge level of service for all of your design and remodeling needs.

http://www.LOCKWOODINTERIORS.net

OUT OF SIGHT: invisible stars of the game room

One of the benefits of being an interior designer is the exposure to unique and upcoming trends. I am an out-of-the-box personality who craves new and innovative designs. My latest design discovery is the BD Collection of beautiful gaming tables.

Designers are not generally known for being fond of game room and table sports equipment. Billiards, ping-pong and foosball tables conjure up images of masculine spaces like man caves, frat houses, and sports bars. Although serving a function for entertainment, I never considered them a good fit with high style… until now.

My perceptions were instantly changed when I came across the BD Collection showroom at the Las Vegas Market in January. Boasting a selected range of unique Made-in-Italy brands, the BD Collection has taken gaming tables to the next level with sophistication, style, and function.

 

 

 

Their entire collection of game room essentials score an excellence in design. Made by Calma-e-Gesso and Teckell, each are a unique work of art combining glass, metal, and wood by Italian craftsmen. If you want a luxury lifestyle piece that makes a statement for your game room, these are certainly worth the investment.

 

Written by Patricia Lockwood

Patricia Lockwood is an award-winning designer who runs her successful design business in La Quinta, California. Self-described as an Interior Designer with a twist; she passes along her trade discounts and special pricing to her clients, making her services a true value. As a certified Design Psychology Coach, Patricia helps people create spaces where they feel connected to their surroundings. Lockwood Interiors, with over 40 years of combined design experience, offers a concierge level of service for all of your design and remodeling needs.

 

http://www.LOCKWOODINTERIORS.net