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...
5 INTERIOR STYLING ESSENTIALS
When we talk styling, some clients get scared away. But hear me out! By intentionally choosing and using certain decor accessories, we can give your space (particularly a newly renovated space) that lived-in feel by adding curated and layered pieces. When done right,...
INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS 2020
Sequins Eve 2019 is upon us and we are ready to welcome in a new decade, which means it is time for our annual predictions post. Last year we were welcoming in florals and more florals, black bathrooms, and patterned backsplashes and floors. In 2020 we are predicting...
2019 Year in Review
One more day of work and then we are bringing 2019 to a close! It was a great year with a lot of wonderful projects and amazing clients. 2019 was especially great because we officially expanded the Curio fam to include not only a new assistant (Hi Miriam!) but also...
SOFAS: SPLURGE VS SAVE
No matter the price point, sofas are an investment. Real talk: there is a too-good-to-be-true factor when it comes to sofa prices. Even a 'save' sofa will be around $1,200...I would never advise going below that as the quality will be so poor that it won't even...
SEASONAL DECOR: HOLIDAY EDITION
Remember our enthusiasm for fall decor? Well, that was NOTHING compared to how we feel about winter holiday decorating. But just like with fall...it’s easy to get over-excited and just throw Christmas all over your house. Let’s not do that. We’ve got holiday...
HOW TO MAKE A BED LIKE A PRO–5 MUST-HAVES!
5 MUST HAVES TO MAKE A GOOD BED I keep this running list entitled "Things My Mom Was Right About Afterall" (that I rolled my eyes at at the time) and near the top of that list is: make your bed everyday. Ok, maybe not every.day. But more often that not. A beautifully...
COLOR TREND ALERT: AUBERGINE
Aubergine, the cousin of eggplant but much fancier is having a moment and we are obsessed with the look of this dramatic, saturated color as it trends The Curio team predicts that color trends will warm up in general in 2020 (remember our rundown of the best blushes?...
3 WAYS TO DECORATE FOR FALL (THAT CAN BE USED ALL YEAR ROUND)
We are big fans of seasonal decor. Real big. And despite how much we love summer, we are leaning into fall hard. All the pumpkins. All the cozy. Adding some autumnal pizazz to your place doesn’t have to be hard though...and actually, it shouldn’t be. Keep it simple....
SAY NO TO BOOB LIGHTS : 17 FLUSH MOUNT ALTERNATIVES
Part of my duty as an interior designer is to slowly rid the world of what, in the industry, we call, “boob lights”. You know — the builder-basic lights that vaguely resemble a boob on a chilly day. While we definitely aren't boob haters at Curio, we prefer them...
MID CENTURY MAIN HOUSE REVEAL: KITCHEN
It's REVEAL TIME! And this one has been a long time coming! Mainly because, phew, things got really busy for a while there. Well they are actually keeping that busy momentum but I had to carve out some time to show you guys the kitchen from the Mid Century Main House...
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.
CONNECT WITH US
FOLLOW ON PINTEREST
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM
DESIGN SERVICES
Marquette, MI Interior Design Services
for local clients
Virtual Design Services
for nationwide clients
[magicactionbox id="587"]