Blog - MJN and Associates Interiors

Design Trends that Get in the Way of Your Sleep

October 10, 2018 by Michelle

Interior design should always support the purpose of the room. In the bedroom, that means healthy sleep. But what if the latest trends keep you tossing and turning? That’s when it’s time to rethink your design choices so that you can get the full seven to nine hours of sleep you need.

1. Sheer Window Treatments

You may envision a light, airy bedroom, but all that light can get in the way of your sleep. Natural light helps the body correctly time the sleep-wake cycle. Light pollution from street lamps, headlights, or even the moon can interfere with the release of sleep hormones. Blackout curtains, heavy drapes, and/or blinds provide protection from outside light and, to an extent, sound.

You can do two layers of curtains if you still love the way sheers disperse light. That way you can you use sheers during the day and pull the second heavier layer closed at night.

2. Bright Paint Colors and Busy Wallpaper

Color and pattern have a psychological impact that can affect your sleep too. Colors are divided into two families – warm and cool. Warm colors, so-called because they’re the colors of the sun and they make people believe the room feels warmer, like red, orange, and bright yellows invigorate and enliven in the body. Unfortunately, that’s not the effect you’re going for in the bedroom.

Cool colors, those that literally make most people feel like the room temperature is lower, like blue, green, and some neutrals can help bring your heart rate and blood pressure down. In a Travelodge survey, 58 percent of participants slept better and longer in blue rooms.There is one exception to colors in the bedroom. Light, pastel yellows can cause a feeling of happiness and contentment that helps some people sleep better. The relaxation of the body is often followed by a calming of the mind.

Watch out for busy, chaotic wallpapers. They can get in the way of the relaxation necessary for restful sleep. Simple designs in cool, pastel colors work better to calm the mind and body.

3. Rough Bedding Textures

What kind of textures can get in the way of sleep? Burlap, sequins, and fabrics weaved with metallics can feel rough against the skin and prevent the relaxation necessary for sleep. While throw pillows may be removed from the bed before you go to sleep, even the look of roughness can unconsciously influence the brain.

Natural fabrics like cotton and linen breathe well and look beautiful whether they’re found in the sheets or on throw pillows. If sophistication and luxury are part of your design, velvet and oversized knits feel soft but bring a touch of extravagance. You’ll also want to consider the texture of your curtains, rugs, and seating along with throw pillows and blankets. They, too, should look and feel inviting and comfortable to support healthy sleep.

4. High-Efficiency Light Bulbs

With the development of retro-inspired Edison bulbs and similar designs, light bulbs make more of a design statement now than they ever have before. However, in the bedroom, you want to avoid high-efficiency (HE) bulbs. HE bulbs give off a bright blue light that simulates sunlight and can suppress the release of sleep hormones. Stick to traditional incandescent bulbs, which emit a red light.

All aspects of the bedroom should support good sleep from the curtains to the lighting. With healthy sleep as your goal, you’ll be able to narrow your design choices to those that look beautiful, appeal to you, and create the home oasis you need for better sleep.

Inventory Clearance

July 19, 2018 by Michelle

Over the past few years we at MJN & Associates Interiors have had the pleasure of designing for Homearama in Hampton Roads. Homearama is an annual event where multiple homes are custom built in an area and fully furnished to showcase the latest building trends and technologies as well as interior design and landscaping. From start to finish Interior Designers are involved with the selection of what goes into the homes. This includes the brick, flooring, hardware, lighting fixtures as well as custom furniture, custom window treatments, and accessories.
Since we use so many things for staging the Homearama houses we currently have an overflow of inventory and are willing to let some things go, especially window treatments for far below our cost!

One of the best ways to make a space feel softer and more inviting is with window treatments. In the photo above you can see how we used neutral colors on the floor, cabinetry, and backspash and then brought in our accent colors (peacock blue and green) with the smaller elements to bring a big pop!
The patterned custom green valance above is available for purchase for less than the price of the fabric alone at $55 and is lined and interlined with blackout lining.
Also from this room: One of our favorite accessories! We have a few of these carved wooden bowls that we’ve featured on the counter available. Great for decorative or practical use and bringing some warmth to any space. (Retail Price: $177. Sale Price: $119)

In the living room we chose to keep things neutral and sophisticated bringing in the accent colors we used throughout the house in a more subtle way. You can see the blues and greens incorporated in the pillow fabric, the clock on the wall, and smaller accessories. For the window treatments we used a unique patterened sheer as a drapery and coordinated it with a simple valance at the top of the stairs. This valance is available for $45 and the matching sheer panels (one set) for $175.
Also from this room: This set of three mosaic bottles (pictured on the left) is a great way to bring a touch of color and some visual interest to your space. (Retail Price: $201. Sale Price: $85)

We had some fun with the room above the garage which featured a murphy bed and living room area. Using the accent colors we painted the walls two different hues and had two reverse valances custom made to coordinate. Pictured above is the blue valance with green trim we put on the green wall and not pictured is the opposite (a green valance with blue trim). These are currently available for purchase for $45 each.
Also from this room: Pictured below is a set of glass candle holders with decorative metal strips. They come as a pair, but can be used in different ways. Above you can see how we placed a small wreath around one of them and created a festive centerpiece for the round table. (Retail Price: $207. Sale Price: $75)
Another one of our favorite items from this room is the lamp to the left. It has a transparent blueish gray tone with black shade and crystal base. (Retail Price: $357. Sale Price:$199)
Check back for a part two with more window treatments and accessories! The prices quoted are good while supplies lasts only.

How to Cool Your Bedroom When the Temperatures Rise

May 17, 2018 by Michelle

The discomfort of a sweltering summer night can not only cause excessive sweating but sleepless nights due to the rise in body temperature. The body naturally lowers its temperature at night to redistribute energy use to heal, rejuvenate, and recharge the body. Cooling off at night becomes an essential part of getting a full seven to eight hours of sleep. A little planning goes a long way to help cool the home and keep the bedroom comfortable at night. The key to many cooling methods is to keep the air moving.

Open the Windows and Doors

Once the temperatures start to drop in the evening, you should open those windows and doors. Be sure all doors and windows are covered with screens before opening to prevent unwanted insect visitors from coming in. A gentle breeze can get the air moving so that it can evaporate the moisture on the skin and cool the body. Studies have shown that the extra ventilation from open doors and windows improves sleep quality and reduces night waking.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans get air circulating through the room and usually have several speed settings and offer extra lighting. While some people might balk at a ceiling fan, aesthetically they’ve come a long way since the days of faux wood and brass. Designs now range from industrial propellers to wooden palm frond blades. Additionally, ceiling fans can serve a dual purpose. Models that spin in both directions allow you to pull cool air up from the floor or press warm air from the ceiling down to the ground, which gives you an extra ventilation option in both the summer and winter.

Box Fans

Box fans should come as no surprise. However, they can be used in more than one way. Traditionally, they’re placed in the window to help bring in fresh air from the outside. However, they can be turned around, so they push warm air out of the house as well. When strategically placed, a box fan used in conjunction with open windows and doors can quickly move more air through the home, cooling it faster.

Cooling Mattress and Bedding

Since the two purposes of the bedroom are sleep and sex, the mattress should support both partners needs without causing overheating. Some mattress types like memory foam tend to trap heat against the body while others like latex and specially designed foams allow for more breathability.

Bedding can also play an important role in your comfort. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen offer good breathability, so that heat and moisture don’t get trapped against the body. They also feel soft and comfortable against the skin.

Freeze the Sheets

Even cooling bedding can get hot in extreme temperatures. For an extra cold blast when getting in bed, remove the sheets and pillowcases and seal them in a plastic bag. Place them in the freezer for an hour or two before bed. At bedtime, the cool sheets feel comfortable while allowing the dip in body temperature needed to fall asleep quickly.

Ways to Use LED Lighting for Interior Design

April 30, 2018 by Michelle

LED lighting has been popular for quite some time, but not for interior designing. Typically you would hear about LED lights for motor vehicles. The light is brighter and shines farther out which is great for nighttime driving.

But it didn’t take long for the popularity of LED lights to make its way into our homes. The technology is continually changing to improve the bulb in every way possible to give rooms a better quality of light that is durable and reliable. The result is endless opportunities to incorporate these lights into unique designs within the home.

Let’s take a look at the different ways we can use LED lights for interior designing and what their advantages are.

What Are LED Lights?

An LED is a light emitting diode. There is an electrical current that passes through a microchip. This current is what creates the light we see by illuminating the LED light source. These lights are found to be 90 percent more efficient at producing light than standard incandescent light bulbs.

Often when you stand near a light bulb, you can feel the heat coming off of it. But LED lights absorb their heat they produce into what is called a heat sink. It then dispels the heat into the environment around. The capturing of the heat is how it prevents the bulb from overheating and burning out.

Although LED lights are more money to purchase up front, the benefits greatly outweigh the price in the long run. These bulbs can use around 75 percent less energy compared to incandescent bulbs. Their lifespan is also significantly longer. So the extra dollars at the start pays off with energy savings and less frequency of buying new bulbs.

LED for Recessed Lighting

Recessed lights are those that almost fade into the structure of the house. It provides the home with a neat look that can be unique depending on the placement and light used. Quite commonly these types of lights are used as pot lights in the ceiling or to highlight a particular aspect of the house. Because these lights can be challenging to change, LED is preferred for their long lifespan.

Recessed LED lights are quite popular for working areas. They can replace already existing light fixtures with little modifications needed. They typically project light in a downwards motion which is why they are sometimes referred to as LED recessed downlights. So in offices or boardrooms, these lights work great to brighten up the room without taking space in the ceiling.

But recessed LED lights have so much more potential. In a bathroom, you can have the lights go around the mirror which gives off a halo-like hue around the mirror. Or in the kitchen, you can install them under cupboards that softly shine onto the floor to give the room a warm feeling.

Accent Features with LED Lights

Interior decorating can be a lot of fun from the color scheme down to the lighting. One way we can use LED lights in interior decorating is to feature accents within a room. LED lights can come in various shapes and sizes that make for a great tool to highlight areas of a place.

If you go to an art gallery, typically you will see lights on the ground or the ceiling that point towards the art on the wall. Most likely these are what is called LED Shoebox lighting. They help illuminate large spaces, and you can place them in areas that other lights would not work. So the opportunities are almost endless, even inside your home.

LED lights can come in a variety of colors as well. So you don’t have to stick with the traditional off-white or yellow hue of older bulbs. So whatever theme you are decorating your house in, you can choose a color for an LED light to match.

Beyond the Canvas: Add Interest to Your Home With Different Art Mediums

August 1, 2017 by Michelle

Followers of this blog know that art selection is one of our favorite interior design services to provide, which is why we have shared plenty of expert tips and ideas over the years! From how to select the right art for your home to tips on framing and displaying your art collection, we love everything about the process of helping our clients add personal style to their homes through one-of-a-kind art.

While we love the impact a beautiful painting or photograph can bring to a space, one of the best “pro tips” we can share with fellow art collectors is to keep an open mind when it comes to medium. There are so many types of art to consider beyond paintings, drawings, and photos… Like these gorgeous silk paintings from Silk Creations by Janey.

These hand-painted silk works of art are lush and vibrant, with floral and landscape motifs that are sure to brighten up any corner of your home. The artist, Janey Harrington, creates each piece by hand-drawing a resist pattern on the silk, then painting up to 30 layers of vibrant dyes before the colors are steam set. The final silk art is then hand-sewn to an archival mat to retain the natural flow of the fabric once framed.

Varying the types of art you include in your home decor adds an extra element of visual interest and is a great way to express your personal style. In order to showcase your unique art and create a cohesive, elegant atmosphere in your home, think about the feeling you’re trying to evoke in that space. For instance, you may want to place a peaceful landscape painting in a bedroom, a vibrant mosaic in the kitchen, and a conversation-starting sculpture in the living room.

Ultimately, the best art for your home is whatever you love seeing every day! If you are interested in refining your home’s interior design and expanding your art collection, contact MJN & Associates Interiors in Virginia Beach. We’re here for all of your interior design and remodeling needs in Hampton Roads.

Crypton Fabric Is as Strong and Beautiful as Everyday Life

June 13, 2017 by Michelle

Are you enchanted by the tasteful elegance that graces the pages of home decor magazines? The pristine white loveseats, the soft, shimmering draperies, the dust-free furnishings and perfectly placed curios? You don’t have to live in a child-free, perpetually spotless environment to achieve the home of your dreams. And you don’t have to give up coffee and red wine either! Crypton fabrics give homeowners the best of both worlds: a soft, beautiful textile that encapsulates each personal style, but also has high performance stain and odor resistance that’s suited to any lifestyle.

Why Invest in Crypton Fabrics?

Many homeowners postpone purchasing high quality furnishings. After all, “I have kids,” “the dog will only ruin it,” “do you know how clumsy I am with my morning coffee?” The beauty of Crypton fabrics lies not only in its craftsmanship, but also its unique stain-resistant technology. Whereas many “stain-proof” fabrics are coated with a spray or post-manufacture treatment, Crypton technology is incorporated into every fiber, so stains wipe up easily instead of seeping into the upholstery. Many homeowners steer towards cheap furnishings because of their lifestyles, and wind up replacing couches and armchairs every few years because the kids and pets tear them up. Now you can invest in long lasting, high quality furnishings without worrying about juice stains by the end of the first week. Not only can you enjoy the interior design you love (before becoming an empty nester), but you’ll also save money by investing in furniture that will last.

Crypton in Any Situation

Because it’s almost indistinguishable from other upholstery on a surface level, Crypton fabric is versatile enough to meet any home decorating need. It can be used to cover a stately French settee in the foyer or patio furniture cushions outside. Crypton wipes clean of pollen and dirt, can withstand sudden summer squalls, and easily endures heavy outdoor use. It’s comfortable and attractive enough to make your outdoor spaces feel like an extension of the house, so you can have the perfect entertaining space inside and out.

Real life is beautifully messy. Shouldn’t your home meet both needs? If you want a home that’s as functional as it is stylish, call MJN & Associates Interiors to learn more about interior decorating with Crypton fabrics.

High Point Market Trends: Spring/Summer 2017

May 29, 2017 by Michelle

High Point Market is the authority on home furnishing and decor trends. We’ve taken a peek into their seasonal preview to find out which trends are on point for spring and summer 2017.

Style Trends for the Spring and Summer

Diamonds. Diamond shapes and geometric facets add a modern vibe to Virginia Beach homes. When artfully placed, diamond-shaped decor can easily transform a home from elegant to luxe.
Curated pieces. The appeal of curated pieces never wanes, but this spring designers encourage the use of eye-catching artwork and display pieces to show off each homeowner’s unique, personal style. Go for colorful, contemporary pieces or curated items with a classic antique appeal.
Dynamic forms. A geometric-framed lamp, boldly shaped table, or other furnishing with a strongly directed form adds a contemporary feel to a room while subtly directing the viewer’s eye toward other focus points. This season’s color trends skew neutral, which is balanced by the bold lines of dynamic furnishings.
Unexpected details. Design trends such as hanging Edison lights may be on the way out, but rustic and industrial-inspired combinations like polished + rough-hewn wood or brushed gold fixtures + old fashioned iron pieces still make an attractive combination.
Au natural. 2017 furnishing trends have left behind red and yellow undertone furnishings in favor of simple, neutral wood tones. This allows for a more accessible, beachy decor that gives the eye places to rest before moving onto bolder pieces.

Beachy Colors Trends for Summer 2017

This season colors are trending toward neutrals with a luxe touch. Indigos and navies allow for calming, darker shades without the boldness of blacks, while warm expressos, tawny browns, and sandy hues combine with soft, misty blues to invoke the image of the sea. Shimmer adds just the right touch of luxe, like sunlight glinting off the sand. This season’s gray hues are imbued with a touch of brown to create an earthier vibe.

Do you want to incorporate timeless trends into your Virginia Beach home? Call MJN Interiors to help you transform your home into a space that’s elegant, comfortable, and just to your taste.

Virginia Beach Spring Events

April 20, 2017 by Michelle

Spring is finally here and the weather is perfect for enjoying the culture and art of Virginia Beach. There are several upcoming events that you should put on your ‘do not miss’ list, whether you are just visiting the area for a spring vacation, or you are enjoying your home town.

Boardwalk Art Show

An annual event on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, this show is produced by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Each year the event attracts over 700 applications from artists around the country. More than 250 of those artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work throughout 15 blocks along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s hard to decide what is more beautiful – the artwork, or the natural beauty of the Virginia Beach ocean front.

This year the show will run June 15-18 for select hours each day. Be sure to make some time to stroll through the beautiful artwork and meet the artists. If you are looking for a new piece of art for your home, but have a hard time making the decisions, we offer an art selection service. We would love to help you find the perfect piece of art for ‘that space’ in your home.

Neptune Wine

May hosts the annual Neptune Festival International Spring Wine Tasting at Neptune’s Park. Perfect for wine connoisseur, this festival will offer wines from 9 countries, each featuring blends and styles that are sure to inspire your palate. Your international taste tour will be serenaded by live music performances from some of our favorite local musicians.

Once you’re done shopping, do you have an appropriate place in your home to store and display your wine? Creating a customized wine storage solution that showcases your collection is a unique addition to a wine connoisseur’s home. MJN can help you create just the right space!

What’s Your Vision?

April 20, 2017 by Michelle

When it comes to redecorating your home, every decision you make needs to be the right one because you’re only going to recover that chair once and you certainly don’t want to paint the walls over and over again. So, how do you make these decisions with confidence? Especially if you know that you want a change, but you’re just not sure exactly what that change is? MJN Interiors offers a unique process that will allow you to make every decision with 100% confidence: interior design renderings.

What are Interior Design Renderings

We can use the interior design rendering process for almost any change that you’d like to see in your home. Whether that is completely redesigning your whole space, room by room, or something more simple such as creating custom window hangings or recovering a lounge chair. There are several ways you can use this process. When redesigning a larger space – such as an entire room – we will start by choosing fabrics, colors, and large design items (such as chairs and sofas) and lay those out together so we can get an idea of how each of those aspects will interact. Then, we will create a floor plan that shows how the new room will be laid out using each of these items. If we are only looking to add a window covering or change a wall color, we can start with a photo of the actual space. Then, we can digitally make the changes that you have in mind and see how those changes will interact with the rest of your room.

Our interior design services are all about creating personalized elegance. Our Digital Interior Design Renderings take our idea of personalization to the next level! Call us today for a consultation on your projects, whether small or large, and let us help you love your interior design.

Update Your Outdoor Spaces to Get the Most Out of Your Home

March 13, 2017 by Michelle

Spring has finally arrived, and we can feel the lightness of it in our bones. In our homes? Not so much. It’s time to transition from the heavy, cozy decor of the cooler seasons and restore summer vitality to our living spaces. There’s no better time to restyle your Virginia Beach home.

Classic Elegance Right Outside Your Door

Prepare your home for warmer weather with a touch of custom style. Outdoor furnishings make the home more attractive, as well as more liveable. Do you have a wicker sofa, painted metal dining set, or porch swing that’s past its prime? Our designer Michelle Nettles can procure high end outdoor furniture to add elegance to your outdoor living spaces. If your outdoor furnishings simply need updating, talk with our design team about our custom upholstery and durable outdoor fabrics.

Comfort and Style, Inside and Out

Do something unexpected with your outdoor spaces. Rugs and draperies can soften porches and patios, making them feel as homey and welcoming as the rooms inside. We can help you find outdoor accents that are durable enough to withstand the elements, but will complement the unique style of your Virginia Beach home.

Natural Beauty

Take advantage of the beauty outside. Gardening containers come in any shape, size, or style. Contrast the antique gold finish of a metal container with the verdant vibrancy of ferns. Allow a simple stone pot to emphasize bright seasonal flowers. Play with heights and styles to create an eye-catching display.

Whether you’re looking for a few summery touches or are considering a more extensive remodeling project, MJN Associates & Interiors will help you transform your home for summer.