Interior designers don’t only think about the inside of a home. We consider the outside too! Bringing the outside in is an essential component of interior design. Mature trees and lush landscaping give that curb appeal everyone loves coming home to after a long day. We want to extend that warm welcome from sidewalk to entry.
A few years ago, Michael and I decided to purchase a charming 1930s home in the Southgate neighborhood, near Rice University. At the time, the home boasted two bedrooms and one (yes, one) bathroom. The configuration was not at all functional for me, Michael, and our young twins. But I had fallen in love with the ivy-covered facade. I made a commitment to restore the home, with practical updates perfect for my growing family of four.
If you’ve been following along on Instagram this summer, then you already know how much I love Aspen this time of year. I recently returned from a month in this Colorado hotspot, and I am feeling refreshed. Endlessly blue skies and 70s temps have a wonderful effect on both body and mind! While I was there, I was able to get in some good design time, as well as contribute to a commercial design space. Today, I want to take a deeper dive into the design details of my Mountain Modern window vignette at Isberian Rug Co.
Aspen is one of my favorite places on earth. Last month, the Umansky clan hopped into our car (yes, Archie too!) and made the trek from Houston to Snowmass for all of July. It was glorious. The hiking, the sunshine, the lovely weather…all were made that much brighter in the Aspen breeze. Summers there are second-to-none and many of our Houston friends agree. Escaping the oppressive humidity of Texas, there were several Houstonians making Aspen their go-to summer retreats.
While relaxation was on the top of our to-do lists, this was still a working vacation. Each morning Michael and I would carry our laptops to the patio, working against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and lush, green treetops. I even got out of my comfort zone a little bit with an Aspen commercial interior design project!
Rugs play a huge part in the design of our interiors. Ranging from bold to subtle, a fabulous rug can elevate any space. A neutral color rug can be a soft sophisticated complement to your furnishings. Or in a bold color, it becomes a statement piece. I love layering a large sisal rug with a smaller, colored rug to add texture. It’s a fun way to create a casual, relaxing vibe.
No matter what rug the team is sourcing, it must match our client’s lifestyle. Any rug we bring into their home should be luxurious, functional, and stand up to everyday use.