Interview with Bria Hammel

Today we're sharing the interior design wisdom of Bria Hammel, of Bria Hammel Interiors. We reached out to Bria back in January and asked if she would be willing answer a couple questions from the likes us, major fans. She was immediately responsive and incredibly generous.

We are such major fans because Bria Hammel Interiors creates undeniably gorgeous designs. Just scroll through the portfolio and you will see bright, fresh spaces done right in so many different ways. She does use color, and we mean hot pink and bright yellow, but it's mostly white, neutral palettes that feel inherently clean and inviting. While traditional stylings are certainly her wheelhouse, she kills modern too. I mean, check out this mudroom from The Orono House project.

The wide plank walls, the light gray and white checkered floor. Just perfect.

And here's what she had to say (we did keep it brief because she's a busy lady):

Gray Oak Studio: Your aesthetic is so clean and bright. We absolutely love it. And, yet, you’re not afraid to use color! What tips or strategies do you have for people who want to use color or try out a new trend but are a little afraid or unsure?

Bria Hammel: We always tell our clients that are afraid of too much color to use it in places that aren’t as big of commitments. In the kitchen- if you are afraid to paint all your cabinets a fun color, take the risk on the backsplash. In the great room- afraid to commit to buying a bright colored sofa? Have fun with the chairs and pillows, or use color on your window treatments. I think it’s important for clients to push their style. We all sit and look at thousands of pictures on Instagram and Pinterest and the ones that always stand out are the spaces where people took risks! I’ve never had a client regret it.

Gray Oak Studio: Other than the kitchen, what do you think is the most important room for people to focus on in their home? What is an aspect in design that you think people should not skimp on? And then, when is going budget a no brainer?

Bria Hammel: I always want to finish the living room in a home. Between the kitchen and living
room, which these days are typically open to each other, it’s where people spend 90% of their time in the home while they are awake ;) Our goal is to always create a room that is not only beautiful but so comfortable too. We have to use materials that people can live in… the days of not touching the furniture are over! If we are working with a client on their home from the ground up, we push our clients to invest in their millwork and their lighting. Those 2 elements can elevate
the home to a new level! Typically we can be budget friendly in bathrooms and bedrooms. There are so many beautiful simple tiles, and sometimes just adjusting the pattern can still make a statement.

Speaking of millwork and lighting (from The Scheffer Avenue House project)...

It kinda hurts it's so pretty. Sigh.

Alright, that's all from Bria for today. Although, you can check out our post from last month about 2018 design trend predictions, which includes one of Bria's predictions (click here). And you can also get excited for more great interview fun with more great designers - next month we're sharing the wise words of Marie Flanigan!

- Leah, Michele & Sonia 

Michele's 2018 Design Goal

Recently, Leah and Sonia shared their design goals for 2018. This week, I'll be sharing one of the rooms from my home that I’ve been wanting to makeover for quite some time--the laundry room! Isn’t it funny how a room we use almost every day doing one of the most dreaded chores gets pushed aside to the bottom of our wishlist? This year, I'm finally taking control and making this a room that makes me want to do multiple loads of laundry and iron like nobody’s business!

While I'm thankful to have an actual room for our laundry near the kitchen, it is a room that guests walk by and see when they use our powder room right next to it. If we are having company over, I need to make sure there’s not a mound of laundry on the floor, undergarments drying on a rack, or shoes piling up from the garage entrance also off this room. Luckily, there's a pocket door for emergencies (smart thinking of the previous owners of our home).  However, the laundry room also has a window that gives off a lot of natural light into the otherwise dark hallway so closing the pocket door is not always ideal.

Along with the clutter, there is also a not-so-pretty wire shelving unit that is visible on the way to the powder room that is really not necessary since there are plenty of cabinets above and beside the washer/dryer on the opposite wall.  My goal is to replace the wire shelving unit with a long open counter top for folding clothes with a couple of rolling laundry carts underneath and some type of concealed shelving for extra shoes. A nice light fixture and a fresh coat of paint on the walls and cabinets would really transform this room and make it a place I look forward to using every day (and not embarrassed by from all the clutter when guests walk by).

Here are some inspirational laundry rooms that I could spend all day washing, folding, and ironing in...

SOURCE: twelve on main

I love the turned legs and butcher block countertop along with some simple white subway tile to go along with the rest of the farmhouse style in my home.

Source: Studio McGee

What’s better than white shiplap to add some texture to an accent wall? I love the gray tiled floor in this pattern in this room too!

source: Bre purposed

I am thinking of painting the existing white cabinets a beautiful shade of navy or gray to add some contrast and interest to my mostly neutral home. Love how darker paint colors can make such a statement against so much white!

Hope to have some updates for you later in 2018!        

-Michele

Predictions for What's Hot This Year

With February almost upon us, it's now or never to make some predictions for what is gonna be HOT this year. But before we dive into our thoughts on what should be on everyone's radar, we asked a few of our fellow designers to share their worthy opinions. Like...

STUDIO MCGEE

You read that extra large print correctly - Shea McGee of Studio McGee! We asked Shea if she would share her 2018 predictions with us, and she was kind enough to give us her thoughts on what interior design trends to pay attention to in the coming months. So, get out a pen, pencil, crayon, sharpie, whatever...here's what she had to say: 

"This year, I'm hoping that we'll continue to see more refined rustic aesthetic coming in finishes, furnishings, and even accessories. I love the warmth that raw textures brings. Also, whether it's in wood form or painted, I love the dimension that vertical paneling gives a space." - Shea McGee

You know how much we love texture and we totally agree that natural and raw finishes are a current, yet timeless way to bring them into your home. Here are a couple visuals to demonstrate Shea's insight (they both come from Studio McGee's Park City Canyons Remodel). The raw wood stools and floating shelves are giving that "refined rustic aesthetic" and the skinny, vertical, black paneling is a fresh twist on all that horizontal shiplap we've been seening for the past few years.

CC AND MIKE CREATIVE

We were also lucky enough to get some predictions from CC and Mike Creative. You may have read the awesome interview they gave us last month (click here to read it). CC also gave us her predictions for 2018 trends, we just saved this wise nugget until now:

"I am in love with the green tones and recently painted our dining room Benjamin Moore’s Dark Harbor and couldn’t be more pleased with the results. I also painted our pool bathroom Benjamin Moore Newburg green. I think the navy and jewel tone trends will continue into 2018. I also predict that we will continue to see more and more return to natural wood cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms. I love the return to natural wood, especially paired with patterned tile floors!" - Carissa of CC and Mike Creative

Well, you know how much we LOVE green these days, so we were so pleased to hear that CC is on board with our current obsession. Also really interesting to hear similar thoughts to Shea McGee when it comes to natural wood. 

This is CC's dining room in Dark Harbor. Completely and utterly stunning.

BRIA HAMMEL INTERIORS

And the fun continues with a prediction from the insanely talented Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors. Here is what she told us about the 2018 trends she's predicting (and loving): 

"We are so excited for the new shift towards traditional styles. I never really got on the mid-century bandwagon but so happy to see more brands and designers embracing this updated traditional look coming on. Finally people aren’t afraid to use pink and florals, but in a really fresh cool way. We have never had so many male clients open to us adding a soft feminine color to their rooms as they are now! Bring on the classic pinstripe fabrics and floral wallpaper!" - Bria Hammel

We couldn't agree more. While we do love mid-century furnishings and stylings, nothing is more timeless than traditional. And if there's anyone who hasn't gotten on board with pink yet, even after the millennial pink craze, it's officially time.  

This gorgeous living room is from Bria Hammel Interior's Mendota Heights Townhome project. You can see where she's going with this pink, floral, traditional prediction - subtle and soft and completely inviting. PS - keep your eye out for a full blown interview with Bria next month. She had so much design wisdom to share with us and we are excited to pay it forward!

GRAY OAK STUDIO

And, last but not least, us. What are OUR design predictions for this glorious new year? We think cozy is the name of the game this year.

Everyone wants to live in a space that is beautiful, but, more than anything, feels like home. Hence the absolute rage of modern farmhouse style (Thanks Chip and JoJo, we all owe you). While we don't think modern farmhouse is going away just yet, but we do think that it's taking a more streamlined turn. A little more minimalist, a little more traditional. We think neutral palettes will rule, and not just gray, but all neutrals. From white to beige to taupe to tan to...alright, fine, gray.

Natural wood and natural fibers are part of this neutral trend. Like Shea and CC, we think that raw woods are just at the beginning of their climb to HOT HOT HOT. And with that, we'll see a lot of mixing of wood tones. You don't have to buy everything in "walnut stain" anymore. Just like you can mix and match throw pillows, you can mix and match wood finishes, you just need to find the right balance. Finally, pops of deeply saturated color (black, caliente red, blue and, of course, green) will provide the whimsy and fun that every space needs to give it some personality and interest.

And there you have it. Documented predictions ready to be affirmed...or WAY OFF (Swim? Swammi? Slippy? Slappy? Swenson? Swanson?)

- Leah, Michele & Sonia