Ask the Santa Fe Interior Designer

ROSEWOOD POP-UP TV CONSOLE UNIT

Ralph — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:41 +0000

These units are great for hiding the television. They rise and drop via remote control. We do them in all different styles and finishes. Order one today! www.rahliinteriors.com 505-983-4469.

ROSEWOOD POP-UP TV CONSOLE - WWW.RAHLIINTERIORS.COM

PUEBLO SINGLE DOOR

Ralph — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:14 +0000

At Rahli, we do custom doors. Order a single door replacement or an entire door package. Feel free to design your own door and we can make it for you. www.rahliinteriors.com Call 505-983-4469

PUEBLO SINGLE DOOR - WWW.RAHLIINTERIORS.COM

TEAKLE “X” BENCH

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:00:05 +0000

You can order this for your home or client. Call 505-983-4469. Product is TEAKLE “X” BENCH

SCROLLED LEG OTTOMAN

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:52 +0000

SCROLLED LEG OTTOMAN - WWW.RAHLIINTERIORS.COM

This scroll legged ottoman was designed for a client here in Santa Fe. Althought the piece we designed and manufactured is a bit “old world” in appearance, the blend of the modern/contemporary home is great. There is nothing wrong with mixing genres and styles of furniture in a room or home to give it some interest and character.

BEDROOM FIT FOR HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:00:30 +0000

This room is all about understated glamour! Sitting in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA, this bedroom offers the best of luxury from custom linens to custom carpeting. Nothing was spared in this bedroom. Rahli Interiors does projects around the world and we manufacture and sell furniture to clients worldwide.

BEVERLY HILLS BEDROOM - WWW.RAHLIINTERIORS.COM

OLD WORLD INSPIRED DINING ROOM

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:00:52 +0000

Old World Dining Room www.rahliinteriors.com

Beautiful old world feeling dining room. Rich beeswaxed plasterd walls, in red. Antique chandelier. Italian style fabric on dining chairs. This room is warm and inviting.

Pool to Bedroom

admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:41:07 +0000

www.rahliinteriors.com

When working on a home, take into consideration the exterior landscaping of the property. Always make a complete and easy transition from the outdoors in. The spaces should flow and there should be some continuity. Don’t be afraid to use all types of elements together, stone, water, wood, bronze, etc.

Question from: razoumnaya

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:54:59 +0000

Hello, I have a contemporary bedroom: just a rug and a bed. How should I match my bedding color: with walls color? with rug colors? with windows curtains? or….it could be of any color to add more color to my bedroom? Are there any rulls on the subject? Thank you!

ANSWER:
For a contemporary bedroom, I would suggest that you use a neutral color, beige, cream, light sage green, etc. The colors in the room should all tie together so that there is nothing that grabs the eye too quickly. If you want a bit of a pop, I would suggest using pillows on the bed for that. Best of luck…keep us posted! Ralph

Fabric Textures - Bedroom

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:35:59 +0000

Don’t be affraid to play with colors and textures of fabrics and different elements in a room. This bedroom has a little touch of everything to satisfy everyone’s senses. From the red crusched silk duvet to the stainless steel lamps with metal shades. We also have a bit of the whimsy with the quilted pillows and the beautiful iris’. The masculine is brought in by dark woods, ebony nightstand and chocolate headboard along with a hair on hide pillow. Headboard and nightstands available at www.rahliinteriors.com. Custom sizes and finishes available.

MASTER BEDROOM

Dining Room

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:28:45 +0000

Intimate Dining Room in Contemporary Home

Rahli Interiors

Question from Darren - Granite Selection

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:02:55 +0000

Hello.

I hope you can help me to select a granite counter for my kitchen.

I found a great tile for the backsplash but am having trouble finding a granite counter that matches.

The tile is Sarana Elite Collection glass mosaic tile, colour GMB 8006.
http://www.saranatile.com/Glasspopup33.html

I would a dark granite counter but after visiting a few granite showrooms, I cannot find a matching granite.

Can you help find a match to the Sarana tile or suggest other backsplash/counter combinations. I have a 12\’x12\’ kitchen with natural maple cabinets, a dark maple island and Ipe wood floor. We are going for a fairly modern look.

Thanks,

Darren
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Darren,

I based on the information provided and the image of the tile selection, which by the way is great! I would recommend a solid black granite. I have used in contemporary kitchens and it is beautiful. It has little to no visual movement.

I would love to see images when you are done!

Good luck…Ralph

Question from Vicki - “I am stumped as to what size and color of rug to put in my living room. We have darker wood flooring, with an “Old California” look going on - leather sofa and cow hide on one chair. My inspiration for entire home is in this room - a huge antique poster painting of Ca hills and vineyard done in golds, greens, pumpkins and some violet - muted but bright nonetheless. There is a brick fireplace which goes from ceiling to floor and double french doors that are now painted dark brown. The walls are now a faux barn wood look, but I want to change that because it is too busy. Any suggestions? Rug? Walls? Help! I’m usually pretty good at this but not in this room!”

admin — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:50:35 +0000

Vicki, I usually like to do the rug size the entire space of the sitting are. making sure that all the furniture sits on top of the rug. As far as color for the rug goes, look around the room at accessories, i.e. pillows, art, etc. pick colors that are in them for the rug, that will help tie the room together. How about a nice cream color or the pumpkin color in the art for the walls, not white, something soft that will allow the room to feel as one with the furnishings and accessories. Send us pictures, we would love to see…good luck. Ralph

Question from Cameron, kitchen:

admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:31:18 +0000

Questions:
Will a copper farmhouse sink look good in my kitchen with stainless steel appliances, or should I stick with a stainless steel sink. Thanks

Response: Copper sinks are great and there is nothing wrong with mixing metal finishes in your kitchen. I would however make sure there is a nice balance of both metal finishes. It could be as easy as displaying some copper cookware.

Question regarding Color

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:19:59 +0000

I have a home with old fashioned saltillo tile, a kiva fireplace, and
mexican tile countertops. If I just want to add some great color to my
walls what do you suggest?

Answer:
First off, you are fortunate because Mexican tile, which is where Saltillo tile come from are usually colorful to begin with. I would start by selecting a soft version of one of the colors on your countertop tiles and then work my way up from there. Good luck, send us pictures!

Furniture Finish Color Selection

admin — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:49:27 +0000

There are several types of finishes that can be applied to furniture. In this segment, I would like to talk about the color selection. As we all know color plays a very important role in our day to day life, as such it does the same in our homes, office and surroundings therefore the color of our furniture is important. Don’t be afraid to ask your finisher to mix custom colors for you. Pull three, four….ten colors and work up some specifics. Use the wood grain to highlight a red under a gold maple finish. Do a four color rub through. By taking the time to make sure your finish is just right will make the furniture piece standout and really be one of a kind. Also, don’t be afraid to use different colors and types of finishes in the same house even the same room!

Custom Furniture vs. Premade Furniture

admin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:55:41 +0000

We all have worked on a project where when shopping for furniture we couldn’t find the perfect size or piece. If we found the piece the manufacturer wouldn’t or couldn’t customize the piece for our specifications, so we were back to square one.

Having been in this position myself, I know how difficult it can be. Custom furniture has a place in all of our projects, whether it is a new design or a reproduction, keep an open mind to using custom furniture manufacturers. Many times the cost and lead time is quite reasonable and the client will appreciate the attention you have paid to them by giving them a piece that was made just for them.

Meeting with an interior design client for the first time

admin — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:21:28 +0000

When meeting with a client for the first time, I like to have a list of questions prepared. It is always best to find out how they live, do they have children, do they entertain, do they have pets? Is this their primary residence or a vacation home? What colors do they like? How do they respond to textures? What room or areas of the house do they prefer to use when alone? These are just some of the questions we would ask during our initial meeting.

It is always important to understand that the clients are allowing you into one of their most private areas of their lives. Their home! Always treat them, their family, their home and their belongings with the utmost respect. You as a designer never know what trinket their 3 year old found during their summer vacation that now is the most valuable accessory in their house, valuable doesn’t always have a hefty price tag to it. Remember that we as designers work for the client and they depend on our professionalism and expert knowledge and are entrusting us to convey their personality and vision within their homes.