by Furnishly | May 11, 2022 | Design Inspiration
Designing a basement comes with unique challenges…
notoriously dark and dreary, basements are hardly known for being light, bright and open spaces. When we started designing our own at The McGee Home, we knew that we wanted it to feel different; the question was how we would pull it off.
We had big plans — from the moody skate ramp area to the cozy guest room to the open-concept lounge space, and we were lucky to work with the team at Killowen Construction to bring all of those dreams to life. In this post, we’re diving deeper into a few things we did to make our basement feel well…less like a basement.
We’d like to thank our friends at Killowen Construction, Killowen Cabinet Co., Kohler, Bedrosians, Lemco Design, and McGee & Co. for helping us bring this space to life!
Getting creative with the ceilings
Low ceilings are often one of the biggest challenges in making a space feel elevated and open, and basement ceilings are typically lower than the ceilings throughout the rest of the home. Even in areas where you don’t need a grandeur vaulted ceiling, you still don’t want the rooms in your home to feel stuffy and prohibitive. Because we built our home from the ground up, we had more free reign on the height of the ceilings, but regardless of your starting point or budget, there are still factors that need to be accounted for.
We started with a 10-foot ceiling in our basement, but we still had to find a creative workaround for the ducts that dropped down. Often when we start with an 11-foot ceiling, we fur the entire ceiling down to cover the ducts and create a true 10-foot ceiling, but we decided to keep the 10-foot height and conceal the ducts with beams to make it feel intentional. For more visual interest, we added T&G trim that spans the length of the entire ceiling, tying in with the details throughout the rest of our home.
Adding layers of coziness in an elevated way
We wanted our basement to feel cozy and give you the feeling that you could come in and put your feet up from the moment you walked through the door but still elevated and put together. The largest piece of furniture in this room is our big custom sectional, and we love how much space there is to watch movies as a family. A vintage console table behind the sofa, a marble coffee table, and two fringe ottomans pull the look together and give it a feeling of intention without taking away from the relaxed feel.
“Our furniture in this space is all about comfort, but we still have a few dressy pieces to elevate the look and feel.”
– Shea McGee
Always consider the lighting
Lighting is one of the elements that can make or break the feeling of any room, especially in the basement. In The McGee Home basement, we did our best to make sure our wells were large enough to add as many windows as possible for optimal lighting. In many basements, though, window lighting is minimal or non-existent. Adding layers from every viewpoint — the floors, tables, and ceilings is important to create a cozy environment.
We love the ambiance that a lot of lamp lighting brings, and incorporated lamps in nearly every room in the basement. We also chose really elevated cans for the ceiling that illuminate a softer, less intense light that makes a significant difference.
Elevate your window treatments
In rooms with lower ceilings, we always try to draw the eye up as much as possible. In the basement, elevating your window treatments (figuratively and literally) can go a long way in making your windows, and therefore your ceilings, appear taller than they really are.
We worked with The Shade Store to do custom window treatments throughout our entire home. In the basement guest room, we knew we needed to do something a little different to accommodate the minimal space between the window and ceiling. We ended up going with The Shade Store’s “Custom Track” hardware and their Ripple Fold Drapery in the material “Upton” and color “Wheat”.
“One great way to make a basement room feel less like a basement room is to incorporate really full drapes that add weight and texture.”
– Shea McGee
by Furnishly | Apr 11, 2022 | Design Inspiration
The feeling of spring is in full bloom…
and with each new season comes new inspirations. In the springtime, we’re constantly reminded of the beauty in the process as we watch our natural surroundings unfold. In design work, the beginning of our process always starts with gathering inspiration. Whether remodeling one room or building an entire home from the ground up, our team creates a mood board to reflect the look and feel we want to capture in the space.
Our design team at McGee HQ has been playing around with materials that inspire them this season, and we thought it would be fun to share our spring mood board and a few pieces that capture its feeling in the home and wardrobe.
Scroll through to read more about and shop our spring inspiration edit.
Materials + motifs
A dreamy, earthy palette sets the tone for our design team’s mood board, inspired by the feeling of romance that the onset of spring brings. Muted greens and warm greys are contrasted by the warmth of muddy terracotta and unlacquered brass, while botanical prints and hand-formed tiles add an element of nature’s hand. A whimsical floral pattern by Schumacher, a few paint tones we love from Portola, favorite swatches from our recent McGee & Co. collections, and an image we saved from the recent Freda Salvador catalogue pull the board together.
Décor for a spring refresh
This season, we’re refreshing our homes with pieces and elements that draw from our natural surroundings. Bring the look of our spring mood board into your home by mixing muted natural hues with romantic florals, imperfect time-worn pieces, and layers of decor in textural materials like marble, brass, and vintage stone.
Lorraine Print Tablecloth
Palo Santo & Oakmoss Candle
Spring wardrobe inspiration
We’re taking this spring-inspired moodboard and incorporating some of the seasonal elements into our wardrobes with these pieces. The touch of flora and fauna in this top, paired with the warmth of this shade of terraccotta blush make for a perfect pairing. Take a look at all the pieces we are loving for an earthy and romantic spring refresh.
ROSE INC
Blush Divine Clean Dewy Cream Blush
Agolde
Riley High Rise Straight Crop
Universal Thread™
Elora Mules
Mille
Maja Dress in Pearl Eyelet
AEYDE
Anna Slide Slippers
Nicola Bathie
Petite Pearl Bouquet + Blooming Vine
by Furnishly | Mar 21, 2022 | Design Inspiration
After years of working on our Home on the Bay Project, it’s hard to believe it’s finally complete.
We loved seeing this San Francisco Bay area project come to life, from compiling mood boards to putting the finishing touches on each vignette. Now that we’ve shared all of the webisodes and photo tours, it’s time to deep dive into some of our favorite details and break down a few things we learned along the way.
Read on for five design tips from our Home on the Bay Project.
No. 1: Balance out light and bright elements with bold moments
In the initial stage of working on this project, we learned that while our clients loved a clean and minimal look and palette, they were also open to a few bold surprises. You don’t have to choose between light and bright and dark and moody; in fact, a dimensional design often involves leaning into both.
Throughout this home, we took opportunities to find moments where we could add depth — From the black fireplace in the great room, to the dark navy-blue check in the dining nook, to the black countertops in the white kitchen, to the burgundy office nook.
“The moody elements we incorporated throughout this home help ground the space and add warmth to contrast the muted palette.”
Kelsie Lindley, Senior Designer
No. 2: Prioritize cohesion in your key materials
Although it sounds obvious, a well-designed space is about finding cohesion as much as it is in mixing and contrasting. Wood is often one of the first materials we choose in the design process, and this project was no exception.
We have gotten a lot of questions about how we consider mixing wood tones over the years, and although every project is different, keeping the wood species consistent throughout lends more cohesion in look and feel. For this home, we chose a beautiful White Oak early on, and each wood element you see throughout — the floors, ceilings, and vanities- are all the same white oak species.
Though the stain of the wood may change from darker to lighter, and the cuts of the wood range from a Rift, Plaine, and Quarter Sawn, having a base of the same White Oak species keeps a consistent feel throughout the home.
No. 3: Mixing silhouette lines helps add visual interest
Mixing silhouettes and shapes is always important for adding interest to a space, and something we wanted to emphasize in this home. From the contrast of the chair shapes in the dining area to the round mirror in the entryway, each element balances the other to add dimension.
Adding shapely dimension isn’t just about mixing and matching your furniture pieces. Where you can, find opportunities to accentuate or contrast the architecture and build of your home with pieces that bring in a new layer.
In this kitchen design, we had a lot of angular lines — from the cabinetry to the pocket doors to the shape of the hood, and although we loved the clean feeling it brought, we wanted to add in some softer edges. The circular shape of the lighting and the rounded feel that the woven counter stools add allowed for some dimension.
No. 4: Creating character is about making the most of every corner
We love to talk about how decorative accents and furniture pieces can add character to any home, but creating character is also at the forefront of our design process when creating layouts and selecting finishing details. Aside from pattern and patina, little moments of surprise and function can bring a feeling of thoughtfulness to the design and how our clients live in their homes.
We made the most of every corner in this home with a few adjustments to maximize its function — from the indented shelf moment above the range for holding cooking essentials to the towel rail on the sink to the built-in office nook in the kitchen.
“This little workstation nook in the kitchen adds just the right amount of charm to this space and is the perfect place for our client’s young kids to do homework.”
Shea McGee
No. 5: Introducing “old” elements brings a thoughtful touch to new build
This home was a completely custom new build from the ground up, and we got to start from scratch to bring our client’s dreams to fruition with the help of the amazing teams at Sausalito Construction and Holscher Architecture.
When designing new builds, the challenge is often to add enough character, so it doesn’t fall flat. In this design, we added a few “old” elements to ground the feeling of the home. The stained wood ceilings went a long way in adding warmth and dimension to this home, and the limestone tile on the floor of the primary bathroom, one of our favorite details, brought some age and sophistication to the light and open design.
“The limestone tile on the primary bathroom floors was the perfect material to give this space a thoughtful feeling and bring in an element of character.”
Kelsie Lindley, Senior Designer
by Furnishly | Jan 5, 2022 | Design Inspiration
The New Year comes with many shifts…
and whether or not you are the type to subscribe to the idea of resolutions or goals, there’s something special about setting intentions and looking forward to what’s ahead with each new calendar year. When it comes to the interior design space, the new year is often filled with debate about what’s “in” and “out”.
Our team shares mixed feelings about the idea of trends in design, but the truth is, our homes are ever evolving and often a reflection of what is happening around us. It’s always fun to watch how the patterns of material, form, and influences ebb and flow from year to year, and we’re excited to share a few things we can’t wait to incorporate more of in 2022.
While we love light and bright spaces, the design pendulum is swinging back to traditionalism as we spend more and more time indoors and long for the feeling of comfort that timeless, warm elements bring to our spaces. This year, we’re encouraging our clients to welcome rich materials that bring depth to the home, and we’re excited to see a resurgence of traditional details in everything from architecture to product design.
Here are a few design “trends” we’re anticipating this year:
Pattern-heavy elements
While we saw a lot of pattern-heavy elements in 2021, we’re anticipating even more in the year ahead. Large and small-scale patterns are becoming more apparent in everything from wallpaper to bedding to window treatments!
While committing to a pattern can feel intimidating, there are countless ways to incorporate more patterns into your space that don’t involve covering your walls from floor to ceiling. Think patterned textiles, rugs, and even artwork! It’s all about playing with scale and maintaining a consistent color palette to keep your space feeling consistent and interesting.
Romantic materials & textures
We’re excited to incorporate more romantic and whimsical design influences into our spaces this year and anticipate the continuation of fluted, reeded, scalloped, and ribbed, and lace materials. Not only do these elements soften our homes and bring a feeling of warmth and nostalgia, but they can bring dimensions to even the most minimal of color palettes.
These romantic details feel unexpected when juxtaposed with modern elements and angular silhouettes and are easy to incorporate through both big and small furniture and decor selections.
Exaggerated proportions
Playing with scale is always a great way to keep things interesting in design, and this year, we’re excited to see even more exaggerated proportions in everything from statement-making lighting to sculptural-like vases and artwork.
Even proportions in hard finishes like tile and hardware can feel exaggerated and draw the eye to every detail, giving any interior a custom and thoughtful feeling.
Softened kitchen furnishings
We’re excited about seeing more furniture-like builds in the kitchen and living-space-like decor in the kitchen this year. We’ve been using artwork in kitchens for years, and we love incorporating lamps and other unexpected décor and finish elements to soften the hard lines of kitchen cabinetry and appliances.
Warmer material & color palettes
From terracotta to deep brown hues and warm natural stone and woods, we’re expecting to see even more warm material and color palettes in 2022. After a few years of uncertainty in the outside world, these warm tones are comforting and inviting, encouraging you to sit down and stay awhile.
Although warm and rusty tones are typically associated with autumn and winter months, we anticipate them having a year-round staying power as we continue to create spaces of refuge at home.
Pedestals
While pedestals aren’t a new trend, we’re seeing more and more people incorporate them into their spaces, and we’re all for it!
Pedestals can be a great way to add a new layer of material or texture in your home, fill an empty space, bring in height variation, or all of the above!
We’re excited to see new variations on pedestal materials and colors, and we might even have a few to share in our upcoming collections with McGee & Co (hint hint).
What are you looking forward to incorporating into your space this year? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
by Furnishly | Dec 8, 2021 | Design Inspiration
Good design is all about balance…
and whether you’re repainting a room or choosing your bedding, considering the colors or tones of each element or piece can make all the difference in the final result.
The balance or imbalance of warm or cool tones in your space can completely change how it feels. Even in designs with a neutral palette, undertones in wood finishes and hardware need to work together to create a dimensional and cohesive look.
We love mixing warm and cool tones in our projects to create more interest, but it can be tricky to know where to start in your own space.
In this post, we’re sharing more about our approach to mixing warm and cool tones and a few tips on simplifying the process.
Warm tones vs. cool tones
Before you can start balancing the tones in your space like a pro, it’s helpful to step back and understand the different impacts they can have on your design.
Warm tones (reds, oranges, browns, yellows, golds, beige, and whites with creamy undertones) are stimulating, and while they can make your space feel cozy and inviting, too many of them in one area can create a closed-in, stuffy feeling.
Cool tones (blues, greens, purples, grays, silvers, and whites with grey undertones) are calming and have a modern, clean effect. However, too many cool tones in one space can make a design feel cold and unwelcome.
Whites can be warm or cool depending on the undertones, and since black is neither warm nor cool, it can be a great element to add balance to your space.
Mixing warm + cool tones
While your space may lean towards one or the other, adding layers of contrast and blending warm and cool tones together is part of what makes a room feel curated and thoughtful.
If you’re drawn to one particular element or finish, remember that sometimes too much of the same element can get lost.
Finding your jumping-off point
Finding a jumping-off point for mixing warm and cool tones can make getting started less overwhelming.
Whether you’re choosing hard finishes like flooring and light fixtures or soft finishes like furniture and decor pieces, consider what you have selected or own already, and evaluate the tones coming through. Are they warm or cool?
Once you have a jumping-off point, it’s easier to find ways to layer and contrast to create more interest.
Adding dimension through contrasting pieces
Furniture and decor can be a great way to bring in contrasting tones to your finishes, too.
Adding leather chairs to a moody, cool-toned lounge space can instantly make the room feel inviting, while cool-toned barstools in a kitchen with gold lighting and hardware can refresh the space and bring balance.
Can you see the warm and cool elements in these spaces? Keep scrolling for more examples!
