lighting

Project Spotlight – Villa Vedere

/ Heather Helms

After our clients residence was devastated by a fire on the main level and portions of the lower, Srote & Co was tasked with reimagining this St. Albans villa design. The goal was to create an “open concept” floorplan while applying universal design principles to make sure it would function for our clients as they aged in place. The universal approach is seen in the flush flooring transitions, curbless walk-in shower, low pile rugs and carpets, wide walkways, layers of lighting and in the seated height countertop and vanity allowing our clients to live comfortably today and in the future.

Srote & Co was proud to partner with Brinkmann Legacy Homes to provide the architectural and interior design services for Villa Vedere. Enjoy!

Custom villa kitchen design in St Albans MO
Custom kitchen design in St Albans Missouri
Kitchen area renovation before drywall
Before. A view of the kitchen area.
Kitchen area design after renovation
Villa kitchen area storage design
Villa dining room renovation before drywall
Before. A view of the dining room.
Bar area design for St Albans villa
Bar area renovation before drywall
Before. A view of the bar.
Villa great room design in St Albans MO
Great room renovation before drywall
Before. A view of the great room.
St Albans villa master bath design
Master bath design with flush curbless walk-in shower
Master bathroom renovation before drywall
Before. A view to the master bath from the bedroom.
Master bath renovation before image with original tub and shower location
Before. The original tub and shower location now house the main vanity.

Fall Prevention Tips for Interiors

/ Heather Helms / Leave a comment

Falls can happen at any age and for any number of reasons. Loss of balance can occur from trip hazards, unexpected changes in elevation and compromised depth perception. I happen to come from a long line of “fallers” that can (and will!) fall without warning or provocation. So in honor of Fall Prevention Month we are sharing designer tips to minimize the fall risks in your interiors.

ORGANIZATION

Keep yourself organized. We live an extremely fast-paced life. Many times we are running in the house only to turn around a few minutes later and head right back out. This does not leave a lot of time to make sure everything you just brought in the house with you finds its way to the appropriate place. Take the time to get yourself organized and make the commitment to stay organized.

family entry lockers home organization

TIP: Keep entryways and walkways clear of clutter. Create built-in storage opportunities to keep items off the floor and ensure everything has its place.

LIGHTING

A thoughtfully considered lighting plan is key to any well-designed interior.  With our constant connection to technology our eyes are working harder than ever! Layer the levels of lighting (ambient, task and accent) within your space to create the ideal ambiance throughout the day and night.  Check out our blog post A Well Lit Interior for more on layering your lighting and inspiring applications.

led lighting on stairs

TIP: Keep hallways and stairways well lit.  The use of indirect lighting provides an all over glow that helps reduce glare and shadows that can affect your depth perception.

FLOORING

Consistency in material and/or material thickness will be the most beneficial considerations for this selection. Every flooring type has its pros and cons. It really is about using the materials you prefer and working with your designer and installer to determine the best product and application for your situation.

wood to tile threshold types

A raised and a flush transition.

TIP: The use of a single flooring materials throughout an entire residence is not necessarily realistic making transitions necessary to bridge the gap between the different materials thicknesses. Flush transitions are definitely preferred to a raised transition and tend to be more easily achievable in new construction than in a remodel.

TIP: When selecting a carpet the pile should be under 1/2 inch and a firm pad should be specified. Area rugs should always be secured to the floor tightly around the entire perimeter.

TIP: No tile can be entirely slip-proof there are industry tests and standards that determine the slip resistance of tiles. Next time you are in the market for tile consider a slip-resistant tile.

FALL FACTS – FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

  • Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
  • Each year an estimated 646,000 individuals die from falls globally.
  • Adults older than 65 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls.
  • 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention occur each year.

The Nature of Design

/ Heather Helms / 2 Comments

With what seems to be a never ending January in St. Louis I find myself desperate for sunshine on my skin, blooms on the trees and the chirping sounds of birds and crickets. As humans we have an innate connection to nature. We also spend, on average, 90% of our lives indoors with little to no connection to it. World populations are increasingly moving from rural to urban centers. With that comes more steel and concrete and less green spaces. So how do we fill the void while making a positive impact on our surroundings? That is where Biophilic Design comes in. It is the practice of incorporating nature in to our built environments and will continue to gain popularity as sustainability practices and urbanization trends build.

EFFECTS OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN

Research has shown that biophilic design reduces stress, promotes well-being, improves the ability to concentrate, boosts our creativity and expedites healing. Exhaustive research has been completed on the effects and applications of biophilic design. With all of the positive impacts it makes you wonder why more people aren’t embracing the principles in their own spaces. When you think about it more thought goes in to the habitats at our zoos than goes into creating our built environments.  For the purpose of this blog we are going to focus on a few ways to introduce the benefits of biophilic design in your home and office setting.

INCORPORATING BIOPHILIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Visual Connection to Nature – a view of natural elements.group of potted indoor plants

Material Connection to Nature – incorporating the use of materials and elements found in nature.natural fiber placemat

Presence of Water – refers the ability to see, touch or hear the sound of water.indoor water feature

We would love to hear from you. Let us know how you are embracing nature in your space. Better yet, show us!

2018 Interior Trends

/ Heather Helms / 3 Comments

The trend forecast is always a bit tricky for me. I am not a designer that necessarily puts a lot of stock in the latest design trends. Actually, I don’t even have a specific design style I subscribe to. While trends are a great way to introduce consumers to products and materials they may not have had previous exposure to, at the end of the day your home should be an environment that reflects who you are and how you live. In years past I have turned to furniture and accessory markets, manufacturers websites, online publications and local showrooms to see what is on the design horizon. This year I am going to mix it up. My 2018 Interior Trend forecast is based on what I am experiencing with my clients in the St Louis Metro area.

LIGHTING

Lighting plays a major role in every project. In fact, one of the first considerations in the architectural design process is determining how the residence will be situated on the site, taking into consideration the orientation of the residence in relationship to the sun path. In addition to this natural lighting there are 3 main types of artificial lighting categories that should be incorporated. Check out our blog post A Well Lit Interior for more information on the different layers of lighting necessary for a properly illuminated space.

2 Trends In Lighting –

One is the embracing of LED technologies. I have to admit even I was intimidated by the ever-changing world of LED technology. We experienced such a rapid evolution in LED that just when you thought you knew what you were talking about the next greatest advancement had happened. I think we have finally begun to realize the potential and capabilities of LED and as a result have found the way to shape the conversation around the technology. Here are just a few of the ways LED is changing the lighting industry and our interiors.

LED tape lighting on stairs

Architecture by Srote & Co Architects

The other direction I see is maximizing the use of recessed lighting throughout a residence as the ambient source of light, and choosing your moments for a statement fixture. Areas that used to be a traditional location for a flush mount or pendant are now replaced with a recessed can light and sconces have become common place in bathrooms in lieu of the expected light bar.

MIXING FINISHES

One of the most often asked questions I get during the interior selection process is in regard to matching metal finishes. Do my door knobs need to match my plumbing fixtures? Should my plumbing and lighting fixtures be the same finish? It really depends on your aesthetic and the metals being considered. This bathroom is a perfect illustration of mixing gone right!vanity featuring mixed metal finishes

STATEMENT MIRRORS

Statement mirrors are a great way to add personality to any space and come in all sizes and price points. Besides the obvious function they provide, mirrors are a great way to expand spaces and break up the use of art in an area. The variety of frame styles and materials really allow you to make a statement without overpowering a space. Wayfair and Home Goods are two of my go-to resources when looking for readily available options. If you are not in a hurry Uttermost and Arteriors are great resources to explore.decorative accent mirror

2nd floor Laundry Room

I can’t believe it took us so long to realize that in a typical 1-1/2 story or 2 story home the majority of the laundry comes from the 2nd level. Why we spent years dragging all of it up and down the stairs is beyond me. In this scenario, the mudroom on the main level becomes dedicated to cubbies for storage and a planning zone with a stackable washer and dryer located in the owner’s suite. Laundry rooms are similar to formal powder rooms in that there are no rules when it comes to decorating them. It does not have to flow or communicate with the rest of the home so it is a fun place to take a risk. While laundry may not be the most exciting task doing it in one of these rooms sure would make it more enjoyable.

One’s To Watch

I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for us! I have a few developing trends on my radar and am looking forward to seeing how much momentum they gain over the next 12 months. Our homes and the products we use in them continue to adapt and change to accommodate our fast paced lifestyles. With a renewed focus on health and well-being we are already seeing steam technology for cooking gaining popularity in our kitchen designs and the amazing health benefits it provides undeniable. Yoga and Pilates rooms, massage rooms, home gyms and saunas are becoming common place in our custom residences. We will see if it makes the list next year. Stay tuned!

Are you all ready incorporating any of these in your interior? We would love to see your space. If not, which one are you likely to try in 2018?

2017 Winter Markets

/ St Louis Interior Design / Leave a comment

Every January, buyers flock to the 3 big home markets: Atlanta, Dallas, and Vegas. While I didn’t attend this year I find that it’s always fun to look through Instagram hashtags and following along with Instagram stories! It really helps me get a sense of what’s to come, interiors-wise, in the year! I found many common themes and lots of beautiful eye candy!

 

BOLD COLOR

I saw a lot of rich jewel tones from Worlds Away.

This dark green paint color was one of our predictions for 2017! Check out our favorite dark green paint colors and accessories here!

 

LAYERED WHITES/NEUTRALS

Layering neutrals is one of my favorite looks. These spaces below are full of interest and prove that neutral doesn’t have to mean boring!

I love the legs on this Tritter Feefer dining table!

 

TONS OF TEXTURE

This ties in with the layered neutrals above and is the key to achieving the look. I saw a lot of textured pottery and special furniture pieces.

 

BLUSH

It seems like this shade is popping up everywhere in accessories and accent furniture!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPk_DrplcGL/

How cool is the faux bois patterned pillow?!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPpq01pDNlS/

 

BOTANICAL AND FLORAL MOTIFS

I love the detail and texture of this Palecek magnolia-inspired mirror.

 

BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN for CRYSTORAMA

Brian Patrick Flynn’s lighting line with Crystorama is so beautiful! He was kind enough to send me some professional images to share with you!

The Hulton – This collection has an industrial vibe and features a “cage within a cage” design. Available in 3 different sizes in a matte black finish.

The Alston – This collection features a heavy metal drum shade with a thick, rectangular chain! Available in 3 different sizes with matte black or matte white finishes. (The white option has a beautiful brass interior!)

The Hurley – This collection is a modern take on a classic lantern design. The frame is super thick and looks so luxurious in the polished nickel finish.

The Truax – This collection is available in a modern style (simple globe) and more traditional style (metal band). It’s available in various sizes, including a huge 30″x 38″ version!

 

Did any trends or pieces catch your eye? If you want to see more check out these accounts and hashtags on instagram:

A Well Lit Interior

/ Heather Helms / 2 Comments

Lighting is one of the most important considerations in your home. It sets the scene for experiences and emotional responses. When done incorrectly it can lead to eye-strain, fatigue, headaches and stress. When done correctly it can facilitate daily tasks, highlight architectural features in your home, expand spaces or create an intimate environment. There are 3 main types of lighting that should be considered in every environment – Ambient, Task and Accent. Lets break down these layers and show you some of our favorite examples of how to accomplish them in your home.

GENERALLY SPEAKING

Ambient Lighting is commonly referred to as general lighting. As the base layer of lighting it provides a blanket of overall illumination in a space, and is essential to any lighting plan. Its main function is to provide adequate lighting for visibility and safety to navigate throughout an area. In some cases it serves as the only light source, such as a laundry room or closet. Examples include recessed and track lighting, wall sconces and chandeliers.living room and breakfast room inteirors

THE TASK AT HAND

Task Lighting is a smaller, more concentrated light used to illuminate specific areas where a more intensive and directed light source is required. Island pendants, undercabinet lighting and a well placed desk lamp are the most common applications of task lighting. LED lighting on stairs

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES

Accent Lighting is used to highlight a specific object. It evokes feelings of meaning, creates drama and conveys importance of the object it illuminates. Most commonly it washes light over artwork and sculptures, bookcase displays and highlights architectural features in a home.paneled library with accent lighting

Hopefully this will shed some light on one of the most commonly overlooked aspect of interiors. We would love to see how you have incorporated lighting in your own spaces. Feel free to share!