CREATING A TIMELESS ESTHETIC
Paloma Contreras, an interior design blogger based in Houston who has a very ‘Southern’ esthetic, weighs in on a wide variety of design topics, from the ideal colour of towels in the bathroom — prepare to banish dark bold shades — to what’s new in counter
Q Do you think it’s better to have all-white or colour towels in a bathroom?
A I prefer white towels in bathrooms. They look more crisp and classic than any other colour. There also seems to be an element of luxury. If the upkeep of white towels is not appealing to you, I would recommend that you stick with a neutral colour, such as a grey or tan. Generally, lighter colours look better. To be honest, I don’t like the look of dark, bold, coloured towels at all.
Q What are the latest trends in kitchen countertops? I have yet to see a piece of granite I really like and want to stay away from earth tones in our remodel.
A This year, I was selected to be one of the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s K+B Insiders, and as such, I’ve had the opportunity to preview a lot of great new countertop options. Companies such as Cosentino/ Silestone and Caesarstone are making ultracompact surfaces that are a breeze to live with because they require little maintenance, but they also come in a variety of interesting colours and motifs. I’d recommend getting a few samples and seeing how they look with the other elements in your space.
Q What paint colours do you find the most restful for a bedroom? Any specific recommendations?
A I tend to favour neutral colours in bedrooms. As much as I love a bold-coloured wall in other areas of the home, your bedroom should be the place where you go to rest and recharge. One of my favourite neutral paint colours is a lovely grey with warm undertones called Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. It is universally flattering and pairs beautifully with just about any colour palette.
Q Do you have any suggestions on where to look for ideas on decorating a corporate office? My only artwork is my daughter’s drawings, and everything else is largely functional or too cute (freebie desk toys from conventions). I’d like a professional look with a little personality and can achieve that only with accessories on my desk, shelves and walls. Nothing too cutesy, but a touch of fun would be nice.
A I would buy a few nice, silver picture frames to hold pictures of your family. They’ll add a personal touch to your desk area. I would also recommend getting a nice desk blotter and desk accessories that match, so that the space looks polished and complete. Leather desk accessories, a personalized tray or coaster and a few well-chosen mementoes are a nice way of adding a personal touch to an otherwise corporate space.
Q I’m considering a minor update of a small main-floor bath. It has white ceramic floor tile. I’d really like to add a white vanity, but would that be too much?
A You can’t go wrong with all white! It is crisp, classic and timeless. I would just make sure that your wall colour provides some contrast.
Q We did quite a bit of remodelling this year and used warm greys on walls, countertops, tiles, etc. A little late to be asking, but is grey going to look dated in the near future?
A I know that grey has been a very trendy colour for the past few years. Although I prefer to shy away from trends because they look dated so soon and don’t have a personal element, I do think grey is the exception. Although it is popular now, it is also a classic, neutral colour that will never go out of style, in my humble opinion.
Q We have a traditional, red-brick, white-mantel, wood-burning fireplace in our living room. We’ve recently had it cleaned and re-pointed and want to purchase a new fire screen, but I’ve been told polished brass is old-school. What do you think?
A Brass is certainly a classic material, but polished brass has become dated. My suggestion is that you have the brass refinished to go from polished and lacquered to more of an aged finish with some patina and less shine. First, be sure to check that the surround is actually made from solid brass. Oftentimes, things can be labelled as brass when they are, in fact, just plated steel. If that is the case, you can cause some corrosion in the refinishing process, so it is important to be sure. If it is in fact brass, you’ll love the new, updated look. We recently had a custom, aged-brass fireplace surround created for a client, and it is a true showstopper!