TOP 3 TRICKS FOR THAT DESIGNER LOOK
Something is missing. You've worked hard to update your home, you love the colors, the furniture, the overall look...but something you can't *quite* put a finger on is keeping you from having that designer look, that Instagram vibe. What is it? We've got our top three...
PROJECT REVEAL : MODERN FOURSQUARE KITCHEN
Major renovations are one of our favorite jobs (ok...we love every kind of job for different reasons! ) but there is something about knocking down walls and reorganizing space that really makes a job special. A major renovation gives us so much control over the...
RULES OF THUMB FOR GROUT
The details matter. When we start a project, everyone is excited about the big vision plan and the Pinterest-worthy reveal. Part of my job as the designer is to support that vibe while also bringing attention to details. Small things. The oft-overlooked design make or...
HOW TO MAKE DESIGN PERSONAL: AVOIDING THE PINTEREST TRAP
The age of Pinterest and Instagram have made diverse, gorgeous, and well-staged designs available to us, quite literally, at our fingertips. But just like the whole of social media, the rooms you seen designed on Pinterest aren't as real as they feel. You might feel...
PROJECT REVEAL: BELL FINANCIAL
Working on commercial spaces is one of our favorite kind of projects. We have to flex a different creative muscle and consider factors like durability, ease of maintenance and accessibility-- factors that aren't as heavily weighed in residential design. One of my...
VIRTUAL INTERIOR DESIGN – SINCE 2012
Curio Design was born through Virtual Design Services. When Curio came into existence, before a pandemic, before Zoom rooms were all the rage, before our vacations were canceled and we started looking more closely at our homes --- all of our services were provided...
PROJECT REVEAL: B+W LAKESHORE BATH
We love a bold bathroom! And not all of our projects are major renovations--some only require a few upgrades to bring the space up to times! The Before. The existing bathroom was a perfectly-fine builder-grade space. Functional? Yes. Spacious? 100%. But definitely...
WHAT COMES FIRST? THE CONTRACTOR OR THE DESIGNER
It's a classic chicken and egg scenario, but I think I've got the answer. Through the years I have found that as soon as people decide on a renovation, they immediately start looking for a contractor. A contractor will want to know the scope of the project to get you...
PROJECT REVEAL: MID CENTURY GUEST BATH
Three dreamy bathrooms in one house!? Yes-- it's true. This is the 3rd and final bathroom in this amazing house. The details are the perfect compliment to the black cabinets of the kitchen while the warm wood vanities create connect to the guest bath and master bath....
WHAT DOES A KITCHEN RENO ACTUALLY COST
Bad news first: kitchen renovations are expensive. Good news? They are usually a very good return on investment, whether that means having a functional, heavily used space in your home or increasing the resale value. The most important thing to remember is the HGTV...
HOW TO MIX METAL FINISHES: BRASS + CHROME
There are certain design rules that are meant to be broken. Black and brown do actually match… the right polka dot can complement any stripe…and metallic finishes in your space do not have to be limited to either silver or gold. Mixing and matching metals is a fun and...
PROJECT REVEAL: BOLD HEWITT HOUSE
My favorite project is one that challenges me. Every designer comes into a project with an IDEA of what that project will be, after all that is what is expected of us. To bring fresh eyes and new ideas to a space that feels stagnant, non-functional or dated. But the...
OUR FAVORITE PAINT COLORS
We get asked about paint...a lot. The colors you choose for your space have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of the design, and our clients tend to agonize over the perfect shade. Choosing paint *seems* like it should be an easy decision, but the sheer...
WHAT INTERIOR DESIGN IS REALLY ALL ABOUT…
Truth time. As we welcome in 2020 and begin exciting projects with clients new and old, I find myself revisiting ways that I can share with our community the TRUE role of an interior designer. You've probably heard my rant on realistic expectations before (spoiler...
REVAMP YOUR HOUSE (WITHOUT LEAVING IT)
Spending a lot of time at home can cause some serious restlessness. Looking at a lot of your unfinished projects and feeling like you want to dive headfirst into smashing out those walls, or ripping up the floor. Let me tell you: now is NOT the time to do that. We are...
MID CENTURY MAIN HOUSE REVEAL: MASTER BATH
Back to back reveals on the blog?! Sure --- we totally need some beautiful distractions right about now. The master bathroom at the Mid Century main house is a perfect compliment to some of the other space (like their guest bath here and kitchen here). It carries a...
PROJECT REVEAL: EAST MICHIGAN MASTER
Ever wonder what our client’s reactions are when we reveal their new space!? Check out this VIDEO project reveal of the East Michigan Master!
OUR FAVORITES: WARM BEIGE PAINT COLORS
Remember our 2020 Trend Predictions post? One of our forecasted trends is in an influx of warmer tones, including toasted almond. What's another word for toasted almond? It's beige. Stay with me though! Beige gets a bad rap because it's practical and your mom may have...
We Are Anti-Open-Concept. Here’s Why:
Open concept is overrated. I heard you *GASP*, but hear me out. For the longest time, the trends (and the HGTV shows) were telling us we need to take out every wall. Open concept open concept open concept. Walls, bad. No walls, good. But from a design perspective and...
PROJECT REVEAL: PARK + PINE LIVING
FINALLY another project reveal! Although I love major construction projects-- every once and a while a project comes along that is just in need of paint and furniture to make your jaw drop. The Park + Pine living room is exactly that project. Park + Pine BEFORE I have...
The Curio Design Blog
Founded in 2012 by Allison Harlow, Curio Design Studio focuses on creating distinctive interior environments for new construction, whole house renovations and kitchen + bath remodels for modern families and leading professionals.
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