Lighting is Imperative! Yes…really!

Sooooo my goodness, this chandelier makes EYES TURN! Not roll, but turn twice..maybe three times! Designfull is a great design boutique that has amazing lighting! Lighting can dramatically transform a space and IS imperative to great design! 

The Brubeck Spiral chandelier is all that! Stylish and grand...perfect for a foyer or two story family room. 

Sconces are underrated....especially this one by Noir! Gold is the new black, I tell ya! 

Look how special this sconce is....elegance by Circa Lighting! This is the Moreau sconce...

This Walker Swing Arm task lighting is beautifully designed, not just saying it because my last name is Walker...lol Simple and Elegant by Circa Lighting.  

Picture lighting is essential for studies and places that hang art. I think that this installation is rarely used but highly effective! Look at how layered this space is with all the lighting. And you don’t necessarily need pictures or art to display for picture lighting. Create your own special moment... 

Until next time, 

Live...Love...Design!  

xo Renae  

(Images from Circa Lighting, Designfull, & Noir Furniture)  

Gold is the new Black!

Happy Monday! You know as I look through all the design outlets to gain ideas, I’ve noticed a “trend” that seems to be becoming a staple of design: GOLD! I’m amazed how much inspiration this accent portrays. It’s fabulous & glamorous, but also can be subtle and classic.

This bed from Bernhardt is golden with a capital G! Sensational and trendy yet timeless, my clients would definitely enjoy! 

Global Views has a knack for interpretation when it comes to accessories galore! Yesssss!  This vignette is glamorous and yet simple. I love that it incorporates a mixture of the metals. Just gorg! 

I took this bedroom inspiration from Pinterest. I often visit that site for ideas and love the subtleties of this space. This is simply stunning with fun accents.I likey likey!

Just like the pillow reads: LOVE! This by far is the most youthful, playful, but fabulously designed vignette I’ve seen with gold. That cocktail table is everything!! I could see one of my daughters loving this space, even I would hang out in this room. Perfection!

This classic from thehouseofsmiths.com is a gem, with great accents that accentuate fabulous design.I adore this space. It speaks to me in a persuading voice: like me, love me, live me. And I’m responding Yes, Yes, Yes!

That table tho!!! Noir is all that and then SOME!

All in all, gold is here to STAY! I like to mix up the metals to create depth and dimension. Also it’s very stylish and awe-inspiring. You should first try with small vignettes or a small space, and just have fun! See where your creativity takes you…

Until next time, 

Live...Love...Design!  

xo Renae  

(Images are from Pinterest, Bernhardt, Noir, & Global Views!)

Selecting just right….

Many designers have different points of views when it comes to designing for their clients. Picking an interior designer for your specific project is similar to selecting any other professional consultant, i.e. physician, attorney, CPA, etc. Interior Designers are no exception!

Sometimes, you have to go through a few designers prior to finding the perfect one that’s just right for your needs and aesthetics. I always say, finding an interior designer is a challenge to most because just like any other professional, the right one will make every project that much easier, that much more exciting, and most importantly with beautiful awe-inspiring results!

A variety of different designs to tantalize the senses is what Sola Design can do for you!

Let us design and style something for you! Hire Sola Design for all your architectural design projects and see how our creativeness can effectively compose a sensational work of art. 

We help to compliment your vision with designng a space or spaces that fit your needs and aesthetics. We have designed many types of projects, big and small, with form, function, and balance. Let us work with you collectively to conceptualize a dream space for you! 

Until next time, 

Live...Love...Design! 

xo Renae  

(All photos compliment of Renae Walker (studio5) and iPhone)

T.G.I.Design!

I concur! Some things are worth being contagious and this is definitely one of them! Do you ever wonder what’d we do without creativity? Completely lose our analytical minds! Lol. I know, I know don’t quit my day job! Lol. 

Yep! Because it just becomes passion, which is a GREAT thing! 

I need this cocktail in my life. Mix together and you have happiness! 

Love...Love! I like to throw in design any way I can...but seriously, this room creates creativity. A beautiful muse. 

A project I’m currently working on...I pulled a few things together to create for one of my clients! I love mixing patterns and textures.

Just a lil sumthin sumthin! You can find sooooo many good treats in Romo's showroom. SO good!

Lol. Happy Friday! 

Until next time, 

Live...Love...Design!  

xo Renae  

(All photos courtesy of my Pinterest boards and my iPhone)  

Drinks anyone? Ummmm yessss!

Hello February! Can you believe it’s already February?? Neither can I! And it’s on a Thursday (Friday Eve) lol....Thursdays are always a great countdown day because it’s one day until the weekend! Yessss. I have a few entertaining recipes to share a bit later, but let’s set the mood first...

Modern table settings set the mood for tapas and cocktails with your girlfriends....

Something cute to wear to din din! 

Goodness gracious on a plate: Blackened Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Bites! A great tapa for dining with friends...

Ingredients:

1 Avocado, mashed 

2 tbsp cilantro and/or parsley  

1 Cucumber  

1 Green Onion, thinly sliced or chopped

1 tbsp Lemon juice

1/4 cup Remoulade sauce

1 tbsp Creole seasoning  

Salt and Cayenne  

1 tbsp oil

1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp  

Directions:

Toss the shrimp in the oil and the seasoning and cook in a preheated (medium-high heat) heavy bottomed pan/skillet until slightly blackened, about 2-3 minutes per side. Assemble the bites with cucumber slices, topped with avocado sauce, shrimp, and remoulade sauce. For the avocado sauce mix the avocado, green onion, cilantro, lemon juice, and salt and cayenne together and enjoy!

Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco....YUMMERS! A perfect pairing for fun times.

Ingredients:

6 sprigs fresh mint

1 cup frozen raspberries  

1 cup Limoncello liqueur  

3 cups Prosecco  

Directions:

Mix together Prosecco and Limoncello. Top with raspberries and mint. Serve chilled or over ice!  

Yessss! I totally agree!  Have fun with girls!

Until next time,  

Live...Love...Design!  

xo Renae 

(All pictures courtesy of my Pinterest boards)  

What design means to me….

Let’s face it, design isn’t like brain surgery. It’s needed yes, but not life threatening. Although I’ve seen some situations where I feel otherwise... 

Ha! I love this! My primary goal as an interior designer is to make sure that everything around me has function and beauty!

That’s what I feel I was destined to do. My previous career was in ophthalmology for 14 years. I learned many times it’s your passion that drives you to do what is felt in your heart. Although being an ophthalmic technician was fulfilling, helping others and meeting new people, I felt it was the prerequisite of my design career. It enlightened me on how to listen to the problems and concerns of the client and to come up with solutions to help rectify the situation. That’s exactly why we visit the doctor, we have a problem and we consult a professional for a solution or cure.

As I’ve said plenty of times, I find beauty in everything around me, but I also look for purpose and meaning. There’s beauty in everything because you either love it or learn from it.

Soooo here is my inspiration for today....just pure beauty from my perspective.  

I love fashion! It directly relates to interior design for inspiration in the new color palettes to what fabrics and materials are exciting this season, in my opinion. I tend to design timelessly, because I don’t personally like using trends to design, but I find trends that can stand the test of time. I find beauty in trends because they predict what the industry is pushing towards. 

I’m in love...this piece in LeftBank Art’s showroom presents itself as a trend of silhouettes that are completely abstract but is timeless based on the color palette and the women's attire. Just stunning...but if you want a different palette, LeftBank Art can customize your color choices. One of my favorite art showrooms...

Until next time,  

Live...Love...Design!  

xo Renae  

Design for whom? You and I of course….

Mondays are for dreamers....and the doers!

I’m forever on my grind...always getting inspired by things around me. Always thinking of my next move and goal to check off my list. The one thing about entrepreneurship is consistency and never giving up. So Mondays are exciting for me, I live my dream out one design at a time!

You know how much I love glam and the mixture of material finishes...like for instance gold and opal with glass...my kinda of arrangement, simple and chic. This accessory by Global Views is awesomeness! A lot of my clients like when I simplify design elements. I love creating simplicity in a sophisticated way. It’s a dynamic that actually goes with the saying we all know; a little goes a long way.  

Complexity is sometimes the answer too. I like to play devil’s advocate with design. I can show you all types of perspectives from designers and clients alike. We like what we like...the job of a Designer is not to design for ourselves but to meet the needs and aesthetics of our clients. I mean they are the ones that have to use the space in the way they choose and the ones that pay us to interpret their desires. So please give them what they want; rather that’s simplicity or complexity. I can translate BOTH successfully! 

I tend to use fashion as a muse for what type of design I’m conquering for each client. This ensemble is sexy and chic. Me likey likey....

This is a direct translation to my muse....such a beauty! I always emphasize with my clients and potential clients to magnify design in half bathrooms because it can take it! It also makes a statement! What does this statement say to you?? Those floors though! 😍  

Exactly what that says...I do. I love creating different concepts to implement for design. It’s therapeutic to me. In fact, that’s what Interior Design is to me: therapeutic... I’ve heard this time and time before, if you do what you love, it’ll never feel like work!  

Yep!! (Adding it up)  

Until next time,

Live...Love...Design! 

xo Renae