http://www.bwid.com/blog/rss/feedsBWID is a luxury turn-key residential interior design studio specializing in new construction and large scale remodels.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:05:54 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/color-of-the-month-february-2025-1http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/color-of-the-month-february-2025-1 FEBRUARY 2025COLOR OF THE MONTHWith blue and green tones on the rise, Slow Green captures the essence of two popular color families within its balanced undertone. It has a subtle demeanor that lets you push the envelope of color exploration without feeling overwhelmed by bold, maximalist shades. Instead, this lively hue feels refreshing and buildable in accordance with their interior styles.from Sherwin WilliamsMon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/color-of-the-month-january-2025http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/color-of-the-month-january-2025 JANUARY 2025COLOR OF THE MONTH Off-whites and beiges are here to stay, and with good reason. Elevated neutral paint colors like Creamy make homes look chic without feeling over-designed. Bright and inviting, Creamy features a delicate yellow undertone that adds subtle warmth to any room. Resounding versatility and ability to pair with corresponding colors makes this understated shade a go-to for homeowners and designers alike.from Sherwin WilliamsThu, 06 Feb 2025 15:11:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/wabisabi-intentional-imperfection-and-how-to-achieve-it-at-homehttp://www.bwid.com/blog/post/wabisabi-intentional-imperfection-and-how-to-achieve-it-at-homeby Greg Geilman for BWIDWabi-Sabi is the idea of squashing the impossible ideal of perfection and embracing the imperfect nature of life. Instead of becoming irritated with flaws, the concept teaches us to embrace and feature them. The Wabi-Sabi philosophy is one of the latest rising trends in interior design for many reasons. This isn't an all-or-nothing kind of style, so even those looking to focus on other aesthetics may find something they like in Wabi-Sabi.A Brief History of Wabi-SabiWabi-Sabi stems from Japanese Zen Buddhism. It was a kind of reaction to the popular trends of the 15th century that focused on lavish decor and over-ornamentation. It can be looked at as a form of mindfulness in a way as it urges everyone to stop trying to change things that don't fit the conventional meaning of perfect. There is beauty in flaws if people know how to look at something and if they can change their perspective to fit a new narrative.(photo from Matteo Home)Growing PopularityMany homeowners have not heard of Wabi-Sabi, but it might not stay that way for long. Wabi-Sabi gives homeowners license to more or less "let loose". Pillows don't have to be meticulously set back into place as soon as they're disturbed, furniture or decor doesn't have to be dumped as soon as a scuff mark appears. This style opens up many different doors for homeowners, as suddenly more weathered and worn items are on the table. Natural materials are a good fit with this style, meaning those who have adopted other design philosophies featuring wood or stone already have a path to fully or partially adopting Wabi-Sabi.Designing with Wabi-SabiWabi-Sabi starts with relaxing the idea of what material possessions should bring to our lives. It's about using one's own creativity and sense of style to turn a building into a home with a lifetime of memories. Not every home has to look as though it's come straight out of a photo shoot although, somewhat ironically, this relaxed aesthetic does look quite appealing in photographs.An important thing to keep in mind is that "relaxed" does not mean "not deliberate". This apparent contradiction is why a style like this may be a little difficult to create for those new to the world of home design. Using Wabi-Sabi techniques, a home will look harmonious if the homeowner and the residents view it as such. They should assess objects based on their merit and the character of their property.Luxury in ImperfectionFor those wondering how this humble philosophy might apply to a high-end property, take a look to the world of fashion. Is high-end clothing always ornate in appearance? Can worn or distressed materials make their way to the runway or even the red carpet? One might argue that these kinds of statement pieces have a place in this world when executed correctly. It may not be the norm and it may not be accepted by all who view it but that's not what the Wabi-Sabi philosophy is about.It's no surprise that Wabi-Sabi connects with homeowners on a number of different levels. A home doesn't have to look as though it has never been touched by its inhabitants. Decorating for their own tastes and feelings, for the comfort and love of the home and themselves, not others.Tue, 11 Sep 2018 10:00:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/bedroom-tips-accessorizing-the-minimalist-wayhttp://www.bwid.com/blog/post/bedroom-tips-accessorizing-the-minimalist-wayBedroom Tips: Accessorizing the Minimalist WayFor 2018, minimalism is expected to remain a hot trend in interior design. Even though many people are going for brighter color schemes and floral accents, Houzz editor Mitchell Parker said that homeowners still want simplicity when it comes to their bedrooms. He noted that neutral color palettes and simple furniture pieces will still be popular when it comes to bedroom decor. A major reason for this is because the aesthetic has been known to help cultivate sleep and relaxation. Certain elements of the design are noted to have soothing psychological benefits for the occupants, so in this article we will show the connection between minimalist design and how the trend can also improve sleep quality.To achieve this popular style, the following are 5 bedroom tips for accessorizing the minimalist way. 1. Have wide empty spaces(image: Decoration Channel)Minimalism essentially relies on the idea of “less is more”, which means having limited furniture. In fact, on the Dig This Design blog, Florida interior designer Patricia Davis Brown emphasized that space is essential in minimalism so the more you have, the better. Having more space can also make you feel less constrained in your own bedroom. One thing you can do is to install built-in features like wall wardrobes and floating shelves. 2. Store your belongings properly(image: The Debrief)To gain even more space, you have to store your things neatly in your bedroom. You can arrange all your items to look like another design feature, like color-coordinating your books for example. The more organized your room is, the less likely your mind will be overly stimulated by clutter, which can hinder your sleep. 3. Make use of natural light(image: Beth Whitlinger Interior Design)In terms of lighting, many interior designers suggest letting as much natural light in the bedroom as possible. The sunlight actually helps your body clock stay on track and let you form good sleeping habits. Some of the projects among our Showcase Houses featured floor-to-ceiling windows, also known as picture windows. This type is great for lighting a minimalist room, as it reduces the need to install artificial lighting that will take up space. Plus, it can even make the room look more spacious. 4. Neutral color scheme(image: Beth Whitlinger Interior Design, Inc.)One of the most prominent features of a minimalist bedroom design is its use of neutral color schemes. Hues like white, cream, and ecru are among the top choices when it comes to the style. Aside from its simplistic vibe, in the online blog by Leesa Mattress, writer Sharon Nichols Keith pointed out that neutrals are associated with rest and relaxation, and painting your walls in these colors can make you feel like you’re floating on "Cloud 9". 5. Arrange some plants in the bedroom(image: Beth Whitlinger Interior Design, Inc.)Banksophilia suggested adding some greenery to add a different dynamic to your bedroom. You can place a potted plant in the corner or put a small one on your bedroom desk and/or windowsill. They help make your room feel cleaner and fresher – traits that are faithful to the minimalist style. They also add a pop of color and give off a sweet aroma, and some species can even help induce sleep, like lavender.If you want a good balance of aesthetics and functionality, minimalism is an excellent theme to apply. Best of all, the design promotes a relaxing mood, making it perfect for bedrooms.Thu, 08 Mar 2018 15:24:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/best-of-houzz-2018http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/best-of-houzz-2018Beth Whitlinger Interior Design of Foothill RanchAwarded Best Of Houzz 2018Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building,Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the WorldOrange County, CA January 17, 2018 – Beth Whitlinger Interior Design, Inc. of Foothill Ranch, California has won “Best Of Customer Service” on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The 24-year old interior design firm was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2017. A “Best Of Houzz 2018” badge will appear on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.“We’re thrilled to be included again in the “Best of Houzz” winners. It is truly an honor. We have been fortunate to work with such wonderful clients who truly appreciate our calm, organized approach to their interior projects,” reported Beth Whitlinger, CEO of BWID, Inc."The Houzz community selected a phenomenal group of Best of Houzz 2018 award winners, so this year's recipients should be very proud,” said Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing at Houzz. “Best of Houzz winners represent some of the most talented and customer-focused professionals in our industry, and we are extremely pleased to give them both this recognition and a platform on which to showcase their expertise."Follow Beth Whitlinger Interior Design on Houzz- https://www.houzz.com/pro/beth-whitlinger/beth-whitlinger-interior-designAbout BWIDBETH WHITLINGER INTERIOR DESIGN is a full-service Interior Design Firm creating elegant, comfortable interiors for homeowners with discerning tastes throughout the world. Our particular strength is to bring a sense of calm and organization to your project, helping you to bring the dream of your ideal environment to life.At BWID, we are passionate about creating the perfect space that meets your needs, both aesthetically and practically. Our goal is to provide value to the client, attention to quality and give homeowners even more than they imagined. Our interiors reflect the lifestyles and tastes of our clients, in any style or size. The services we offer range from full turn-key “dirt to linens” design of a custom home to a simple refresh of your primary or vacation residence. For more information, visit www.bwid.design.About HouzzHouzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit www.houzz.com. # # #Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:56:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/accessorize-your-home-like-you-accessorize-your-outfits-1http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/accessorize-your-home-like-you-accessorize-your-outfits-1 By Beth Whitlinger, ASID, CIDHome accessories can make all the difference in making a home look finished and pulled together. Accessories add scale, balance and proportion and complete the look of a room, just like fashion accessories do with an outfit. Layering accessories of different texture and structure create a cohesive force in the room and help draw people into the space.Like a scarf completes an outfit by tying disparate colors together, pillows, area rugs and artwork can marry a color palette, bringing the colors together into a cohesive, flowing aesthetic. For example, when using two very different colors such as gray and yellow, accessories can tie them together to make the room look complete.A touch of the unexpected in accessories can give a room a unique personality, resulting in an exciting, impactful environment. For example, found objects, such as shells, sea glass and wood pieces, bring the outside in and can reflect the personality of homeowners. Using objects for different uses than their original purpose also creates an intriguing visual. For example, we repurposed a 200-year-old Chinese bed that our client found and wanted to use in her home design. Finding a new life as a coffee table, it personalizes the space and is a topic of conversation. Being rustic and sturdy, it’s also perfect for this high-traffic family home.Rather than having collections scattered around the home, it’s more impactful to group them. For example, we have had clients who collected animal figurines. Grouping them creates a whimsical look and a story about the homeowner’s interests.For collections of very small items, such as Native American fetish, Milagros, Guatemalan worry dolls, thimbles and polished rocks, placing them in a bowl on a coffee table encourages guests to look at them and touch them. It’s also less cluttered than a lot of small items sitting on a shelf.Incorporating personal collections gives homeowners a personal connection with their space. Things that they love and want to share should be placed in a prominent place, such as the living room. More personal pieces should be placed in their bedrooms or other private spaces.A homeowner’s hobbies can translate into bold accessories. In one home, we made the owner’s guitar collection into wall art. The guitars make an artistic display that reflects the homeowner’s personality and also provide useful, easy storage.Artwork is also an important accessory. Art pieces don’t always need to be new. In fact, a homeowner’s favorite artwork from travels or visits to local art fairs fill the room with happy memories. Even posters from favorite movies or video games bring flare and personality to a room and can be used to tie colors together. If the artwork brings the homeowner joy, it should be included in his or her home.In some cases, the artwork doesn’t even have to be in the same color palette to fit into the design. We placed a client’s turquoise glass plate over her fireplace in a very neutral room. The striking blue color makes the room pop. In selecting artwork from personal collections, it’s important for the homeowner to feel like the designer is curating the collections. Since artwork is personal and emotional, the comfort of the homeowner is paramount. He or she should love it and feel that it reflects his or her personality. Anyone can go buy new stuff, but curating takes talent.Regardless of the accessory type, choosing the right balance of color, texture, size and emotional value will create spaces in the home that are perfect for gathering family and friends or spending time reflecting alone. Wed, 03 Jan 2018 15:00:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/choosing-the-perfect-interior-designerhttp://www.bwid.com/blog/post/choosing-the-perfect-interior-designerHow to Choose Your Unique “Perfect” Interior DesignerBy Beth Whitlinger, ASID, CID“Perfect” is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities or characteristics and being as good as it is possible to be. In choosing the “perfect” interior designer, “perfect” is subjective to what each person thinks is perfect. Here is a guideline of the essentials to define your unique “perfect” designer.PersonalityYour perfect designer is calm, methodical and process-oriented and will work through challenges in a proactive way, delivering a drama-free experience. While it’s always somewhat stressful to have your home under construction, having a flexible and organized designer makes the process as smooth as possible.StyleYour perfect designer has experience designing in a wide breadth of styles, from traditional to contemporary, and can blend styles to create an interesting and inviting look for your home. Your perfect designer will integrate your style into the design and can incorporate your special furniture pieces, artwork and collectibles, even if you are moving from one style to another one.CurationAn interior that looks curated, as if items were collected over time, creates a more inviting and timeless environment than having everything in a single style, which may look thematic and can quickly become dated. Your perfect designer knows how to curate the items that make your home unique, a little eclectic, comfortable and totally you.CommunicationWhether you’re updating a single-room or building a 20,000-square-foot home, communication is essential. Your perfect designer will organize and document every detail, including specifications, product and material prices against the budget and all tangible deliverables. Your perfect designer will provide a physical or digital file that you can review together to ensure everything is moving in the desired direction.SkillsYour perfect designer will understand everything about your project, from architectural and construction principles to accounting and specifications, including furniture construction. Most importantly, your perfect designer will understand scale, balance and proportion to ensure an appealing look for your interior and exterior living areas. Having a designer who is both methodical and creative can result in out-of-the-box thinking for clever and interesting designs that are beyond your wildest dreams.QualificationsThere’s a big difference between an educated designer and someone who’s just good with color. Your perfect designer will have a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design plus experience working on varied projects. His or her portfolio should reflect designs that not only appeal to you but also show the breadth of his or her skill, style and ability to meet the client’s desired look. Your perfect designer is a fully accredited design member of a professional association, such as ASID.BudgetsYour perfect designer will be comfortable and experienced with the budget process. At the beginning of your project, your designer will deliver a master budget that serves as an estimating tool for the entire project. A solid budget plan will give you the peace of mind of where your money is going and the knowledge that the project is staying within budget. The budget plan gets filled in each step along the way with information on each piece that is going into your home. From flooring to fixtures, everything that is being purchased for your home is in the budget. If construction is also being done on your home, these items can also be added to your budget so everything related to cost is in one place.DeadlinesYour perfect designer will create a timeline and will provide you with periodic updates on construction, deliveries and installation to ensure deadlines are being met. She or he will coordinate with the architect, general contractor, landscape architect and any other trades involved with your project so that everything is completed in an effective timeline. If there are challenges, you can trust your perfect designer to endeavor to resolve them with the entire team.TrustworthyWhether or not you are living in your house through the redesign, your perfect designer is one whom you can trust to oversee what is going on in your home, including who is going to be there and when, and to ensure your home is secured at the end of each work day.Conclusion: Your perfect designer is the one that’s perfect for youMost importantly, your perfect designer listens and understands what you want and how to interpret your desires into the overall look and feel of the home. She or he will work within your comfort level, price and style, without attempting to force anything onto you. The bottom line is that it’s your home, and the most important part of the design is that you are pleased and comfortable with the end result.Wed, 20 Dec 2017 13:00:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/decorating-tips-for-a-stunning-holiday-decorhttp://www.bwid.com/blog/post/decorating-tips-for-a-stunning-holiday-decorby Beth Whitlinger, ASID, CIDMaking your home festive for the holidays should be an enjoyable task, but it can be a challenge to make it tasteful and fit into your home’s interior style. Here are some tips to ensure a festive yet tasteful decorating theme for your holiday home. 1. Bring in a sense of mountain fir trees by using greenery on your mantles, bannisters and alcoves. Weave in pine cones, sprigs of faux berries, ornaments and bows. Choose organic items that look as if they might have been found in the woods. 2. Make your holiday décor match the color, theme and style of the room. For example, if the room is transitional style in warm taupes and blues, use those colors in your holiday decorating. Extend the color scheme to mantles, bannisters and the Christmas tree. This helps make all your decorations cohesive and appear as if they were custom-designed for your home. 3. For mantles, offset symmetry is the most balanced and pleasing to the eye. This means having mostly symmetry except a few items, such as ornaments that are added in odd numbers to create interest. 4. In choosing ribbons for bows, find complementary colors and textures that work well with the fabrics in the room. For example, striped ribbon complements striped furniture fabric. 5. Start your holiday decorating before Thanksgiving by doing the greenery on mantles and throughout living areas. Incorporate fall colors to allow the décor to remain throughout the holidays. If you’re buying a fresh tree, wait to purchase it until closer to Christmas so it will stay fresh and beautiful. 6. Consider placing your Christmas tree in a room other than the living room. Having the tree in your entry makes a grand entrance for your guests and leaves more room in the living areas. 7. Have a “children’s tree” in your family room with nostalgic and collected ornaments that don’t fit within the theme of your “grand tree”. This could also be a tabletop tree to save space.8. Consider a themed tree to share your love of something special, such as a favorite color, the beach, pets, favorite cities (Paris, Honolulu…), and personal hobbies such as golf. 9. Curate beautiful items for your holiday decorating. Sourcing materials from unusual places delivers a “collected” look and lets you make it your own.10. Freshen up your holiday décor each year with a few new ornaments or decorations. About the Designer:Elisabeth “Beth” Foist Whitlinger, ASID, CID, regularly decorates her clients’ homes for the holidays. She is an interior designer driven by a passion for architecture, art and beautiful interiors. Beth has traveled throughout the world, always focusing on architectural sites and historical buildings. Her passion for structure and simple interpretation of form translates into her designs. Beth’s interiors have a timeless and classic elegance that enhances the architecture of the space.Thu, 07 Dec 2017 10:00:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/anything-worth-having-is-worth-waiting-for-the-myth-of-instant-gratificationhttp://www.bwid.com/blog/post/anything-worth-having-is-worth-waiting-for-the-myth-of-instant-gratification(excerpted from the 10/8/17 blog by Pam Danziger of Unity Marketing)Ask shoppers what they want and you’ll find they want it all — good quality products, wide selection, low prices — and they want it all now. Consumers are driving the demand for instant gratification, so much so that we are becoming an instant gratification society. Digital marketer Neil Patel says, “Instant gratification is the desire to experience pleasure or fulfillment without delay or deferment. Basically, it’s when you want it; and you want it now.”In consumers’ quest for “instant gratification” there are two components: the “Instant” now and the “Gratification” from pleasure and fulfillment achieved that leads to personal happiness. But human psychology programs us so that to get the later, i.e. our gratification, we have to give up the former, i.e. the instant. In other words, instant gratification isn’t so gratifying.Your mother told you that anything worth having is worth waiting for. And she was right. Marketers that cater to the very high-end, such as bespoke tailors and shoe markers, artists, jewelers, interior designers and even Hermès with its famed waiting list, understand this essential truth.Humans are “hard-wired to prioritize 'seeking' over 'finding',” so the searching and waiting for something wonderful to buy is often more rewarding than actually buying it. This explains consumers’ extensive pursuit of pre-purchase research, a phenomenon I have observed often in research with consumers, even as they complain about leading hectic, time-crunched lives. That time spent researching and planning a purchase is rewarding in and of itself.Enhancing the emotional reward, not simply satisfying perceived physical need for a product, is what luxury interior design is all about. As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:50:00 -0700http://www.bwid.com/blog/post/the-importance-of-accessorizinghttp://www.bwid.com/blog/post/the-importance-of-accessorizingby Kelsey LeslieOnce your home renovations are complete and you have added new furniture pieces, it's time for accessories. Introducing artwork, lighting, decorative pillows, plants or sculptures gives your space personality and adds texture. Note the term personality; this is one of the most important things about accessorizing a space. It is the jewelry of your home!You want to incorporate pieces that are significant to you and are a reflection of yourself. Refrain from using accessories just to fill up space on a console or on a wall. Each piece should be one that sparks joy and adds meaning to your life.Room by BWID/Photo by Meghan Beirle-O'Brien It is easy to pick up accessory sets; however it takes a creative eye to effectively put together accessories that don’t necessarily go together. This adds visual interest to a space and can, again, echo the fascinating aspects of your life.Once accessories have been selected, the next step is figuring out how and where to display them. This could take some trial on error and rearranging to find the best placement for each item. Displaying your accessories in three’s with varying heights is a good starting point.Room by BWID/Photo by Andrew Pece It is important that a space doesn’t look too full or cluttered with items. You also want to keep in mind the scale of your accessories. For example, you want to make sure that you are filling out empty space with taller or larger items. A tip for smaller accessories is to arrange them together on a tray or lay them on top of a book to add height.To add depth and texture, try to incorporate different materials that suit your space. You can add contrasting colors through decorative pillows or artwork.Room by BWID/Photo by Meghan Beirle-O'BrienIf you are looking to spice up your space with fresh accessories and need that designer eye, please reach out to us at BWID.Mon, 31 Jul 2017 10:00:00 -0700