3 Living Room Must-Haves

1. Great couch. A great couch anchors the seating arrangement in any living room. Opt for a piece that is streamlined and relatively neutral in color so that it can transition with the space over time. Add pops of color with accessories like pillows and lamp shades.

2. Eye-catching art. A statement art piece is a wonderful way to express your signature style. Hang an over sized work (or a collection of smaller "related" pieces) above the couch or fireplace as a focal piece. With art, always go with what you like - you're the one who has to live with it!

3. Functional tables. As for coffee/cocktail tables, I always recommend really thinking about how you use your space before you purchase. Do you want a comfortable foot rest? Perhaps go with a leather bench or ottoman. Do you need extra storage? Go with a table that has shelves or hidden interior storage. Need flexibility? A collection of small stools or cubes can be bunched together to work as a table or separated to use as extra seating.

Online Interior Design Consulting

Online Design Consulting - Step 1
Cailen Ascher Design now offers Online Design Consulting - the next best thing to having a professional designer in your home. Now you can get Cailen's design advice for whatever space you're ready to remake.

If you are interested in Cailen Ascher Design's Online Design Consulting, please send us an email about your project. Be sure to include which room(s) you're interested in reworking and your general expectations for the design. Cailen's design team will follow-up shortly with a design questionnaire and pricing via email.
CailenAscher@gmail.com

Step 2
If you decide to move forward with the service, fill out the questionnaire, take room photos and mail a check for the full amount due to the provided address.
Once Cailen Ascher Design receives it, you’ll receive an action plan for the room(s) in approximately two weeks. The action plan will include a detailed list of what can be done with the space, a floorplan to outline how Cailen's team thinks you should arrange the room and even some resources that we think might help you with your design project - all the tools necessary to inspire and motivate you to create a beautiful, functional environment!
It is truly the next best thing to having Cailen come to your home and create a space of well-designed living.

Preview of Questionnaire
1. Do you have a "style" for your home?
2. How do you use the room?
3. What is something you love about the space?
4. What is something you wish to change?
5. If you had to sum up your final design goal in one word, what would it be? Comfortable? Classic? Luxurious?

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Before & Afters

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Pictures of Finished Designer Room

A few weeks back, I had a photographer come in and take pictures of the final room. I've posted them below - I'm really pleased with how the room came together!

Hope you've enjoyed your look at "The High Society Bedchamber". To see the room in person, visit the Bucks County Designer House before May 31st. For details, ticket information and directions visit www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

Designer Show House Update

I've been working on my storyboard for the Bucks County Designer Show House bedroom. It's so much fun pulling together images that inspire me and will guide my ultimate design. Here are some rooms that evoke the glamorous 1940s feel that I want to achieve in my finished room.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.

My Ideas for the Designer Show House

Ever since this past Friday when I visited the May 2009 Designer Show House in which I'll be designing a bedroom, my head's been reeling with ideas. I've been going through endless magazines, catalogues, and websites looking for images and ideas that inspire me.

So far, I know that I want to go for (what I would call) a 1940s glamour look. In order to achieve this, I'll be sticking to a fairly monochromatic color scheme of ivory, cream, soft silvers, brushed golds, mellow metallics, and steely gray-blues...perhaps with touches of rich chocolate brown or even black for added drama. This color palette will infuse the room with an air of subtle sophistication. In the finishes, I'm leaning towards high-gloss, as well as many mirrored and metallic surfaces to reflect light and make the room sparkle like a piece of fine jewelry. Finally, I'll turn to silks, satins, taffeta, and even some velvets to enhance the luxuriousness of the room.

The sketch to the right shows some of my preliminary ideas for the layout of one corner of the bedroom. A small loveseat offers seating beside which a small side table stands with a lamp atop. Above the loveseat, a honeycomb mirror hangs and in front a tray-top table offers a spot to place a book or cup of tea. To the left, a small window seat is nestled between two built-in closets and offers additional seating. The whole idea behind modern glamour is sumptuous comfort paired with understated opulence - perfect for a relaxing bedroom haven.

For more information about Cailen Ascher Design or my upcoming book, Well-Designed Living, visit www.CailenAscher.bravehost.com or email CailenAscher@gmail.com.