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Home at Alpine Mountain Ranch & Club, photo courtesy of Rumor Designs 

Steamboat’s own Valerie Stafford of Rumor Designs, located in downtown Steamboat Springs, was recently featured in an article on Sotheby’s International Realty’s blog, sharing her insight and expertise when it comes to interior design. A global brand with millions of website visitors worldwide, this is unparalleled exposure for Stafford, Rumor Designs, and Steamboat Springs.

Whether it’s artwork, color schemes, or decorative accents, any detail can bring together Stafford’s vision for a room. Here are her tips for designing a room and how she brings her vision to life.

START WITH A SENSE OF PURPOSE

Yampa Street Loft, photo courtesy of Rumor Designs 

“Each room should have a purpose, and the furniture and lighting should support those functions,” says Stafford. “Our surroundings, whether we are aware of it or not, set the tone or mood for our experiences. So at work or in the home, a beautifully designed space can create purpose, inspiration, energy, or peace.”

 

LOOK HIGH AND LOW

The Anglers retreat, photo courtesy of Rumor Designs

When designing open-concept floorplans, she finds unique ways to differentiate where one space ends and another begins. “Some spaces can be redefined, regardless of the architecture, using area rugs or ceiling treatments that reinvent the space,” says Stafford. “Cues from below your feet (such as changes in flooring), or above your head (such as changes in ceiling heights or lighting groups), can help.”

 

TAKE CARE OF THE IN-BETWEEN SPACES

House at Wildhorse Meadows, photo courtesy of Rumor Designs

Creating a space that is inviting and cohesive is a key focus for the vision of a room. “Each room should feel inviting in some way, either in how the furniture is positioned or the way the lighting is arranged,” she says. “Colors and textures play a huge role in this department as well.”

 

PAY ATTENTION TO ENTRANCES

House at Wildhorse Meadows, photo courtesy of Rumor Designs 

First impressions are everything. When designing a room concept, it’s important to think about the experience of entering that space or the home entirely. “An entryway helps get your entertaining off on the right foot and makes your guests feel welcomed,” she says. “Whether it is as simple as a small table and a mirror to check yourself on the way out, or as grand as a water feature and chandeliers, you can’t go wrong keeping the design elevated in this area.”

For the full blog post article on Sotheby’s International Realty’s blog, check it out here: http://bit.ly/ReadingTheRoom

 

 

 


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