Blog - MJN and Associates Interiors

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.

Rich Elegance: Navy and Magenta

March 6, 2017 by Michelle

When many people consider neutrals, they veer toward softer, lighter colors. Beiges, creams, and sandy tones are easy to accent, giving the room a peaceful quality with just the right touch of visual interest. Navies and “dress blues” may be overlooked because of their darker hues, but in the hands of a skilled designer, these neutrals add depth to rich jewel tones and shimmering metallics without wearying the eye.

MJN & Associates recently transformed a client’s home, pairing a calming, dark blue neutral with the client’s favorite color, magenta, to result in a warm, elegant look for her home.

Light neutrals drape the bedroom floor to ceiling, creating a peaceful atmosphere and keeping the attention on the bed. A subtle pop of magenta catches the eye, blending texture and pure color to create a graceful vivacity, which is offset by the stately navy headboard, finished with nailhead trim for a touch of metallic interest.

Our principal designer Michelle Nettles used dress blues to anchor the sitting room without the harshness that can result from darker neutrals like dark brown or black. The cabinets anchor the room, allowing for pops of color and soft gold accents without overwhelming the space. The sandy stone fireplace and navy display shelves create a dynamic focus wall without drawing the eye from the rich pops of magenta in the chair, pillows, and draperies.

Working together with decorative artist Kass Wilson, Michelle gave these architectural cabinets the “jewelry box treatment,” using a dark, neutral to give items on the shelf more visual impact. Kass softened the rich navy paint with a glaze, adding warmth and texture to the backsplash to create a look that’s as cozy and elegant as the rest of the space.

navy magenta sitting room

The subtle shimmer of gold in the magenta draperies echoes the warm softness of natural light catching the sheer cream window treatments. Translucent glass lamps in dress blues anchor the eye, reflecting the same buoyancy while tying together the colorful throw pillows with the deeper navy of the couch.

Call MJN & Associates Interiors and let us help unveil your home’s true style.

Take Home a Piece from Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest

February 27, 2017 by Michelle

At MJN & Associates Interiors, we loved the challenge of working on Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest, the 2016 Homarama home showcase. This year’s design displayed the simple, casual elegance that epitomizes the region inland of Virginia Beach. We aren’t the only ones who enjoy calming colors, elegant details, and a homey, welcoming atmosphere; the Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest home sold the week of the home show. Many of the furnishings were sold with the home, but we hung onto a few treasures that you can bring home for a steal!

Homarama Accent Pieces

Were you enticed by the furnishings on display at the 2016 Homarama? Each piece was chosen with care to accentuate the understated grandeur of the home. Each room was roped off, so all rugs and furnishings are in new condition. But because we purchased them for the Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest, we’re able to offer them at an attractive discount. Take a virtual tour of the home to see each piece as we arranged it for the home show.

Floral Vine Chest

This hand-painted floral and vine artwork mahogany chest is offset by antiqued hardware and stain finish accents in Heritage Dark Grey. The piece retails for as much as $2400, but we can offer it exclusively at $1495.

floral vine chest

Silver Ring Pull Chest

This brand new, mahogany construction chest has a waterfront gray stain with white hang up. Its 6 drawers feature antique silver ring pulls. Online, this chest retails for as much as $2700. Contact designer Michelle Nettles and take it home for just $1250.

Were you drawn in by the casual elegance of the Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest home? Our design team can help you put your own spin on this classic style. Contact MJN & Associates Interiors in Virginia Beach. We’ll assist you with furniture selection, color planning, art selection, and a range of other interior design services.

Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest: A Peek Inside the Custom Pantry

February 20, 2017 by Michelle

When it comes to interior design, the details make all the difference. A polished, stylish home is an organized home. At MJN & Associates Interiors, we don’t simply focus on the aesthetics of your house; we take care to design a home that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

Custom Pantry Design for the Chesapeake Treasure Chest

Custom organizational systems are an excellent way to achieve daily efficiency without sacrificing style. We were recently given the opportunity to marry form and function in a way that highlighted the local flavor of the Chesapeake region. Take a peek inside our pantry at the 2016 Homearama Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest show home.

The custom cabinetry in the pantry adds both function and style to a room most homeowners frequent daily. The shelves, drawers, and custom wine racks improve the use of the pantry, which can all too easily dissolve into a cluttered mess of cabinets and spoiled food items. The light colored cabinets and countertops illuminate the contents of each shelf, reflecting the soft, bright overhead lighting. Beauty, meet brunch!

What’s In Our Pantry?

The Chesapeake Treasure Chest celebrates the unique, warm elegance that characterizes the Chesapeake region. And what would a local home be without our favorite pantry items? We worked with renowned Virginia Beach companies to give a tasty glimpse into local, home cooked flavor.

Experience Olives and Grapes offers over 50 varieties of the finest extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars, carefully stored to preserve freshness and flavor. Located in Chesapeake on Kempsville Road.
Rodger’s Puddings like the banana pudding filling are local favorites, made with grass-fed milk, kosher ingredients, and no GMOs. Available at Whole Foods market.

Keep an eye out for more details from MJN & Associates Interiors’ work from the 2016 Homearama show home.

Homearama 2016: It’s All in the Details

February 13, 2017 by Michelle

MJN & Associates Interiors has worked with talented artists and craftsmen to design a luxury home interior that captures the essence of Chesapeake’s Edinburgh community. The Homearama showcase is all about comfort, classic touches, and the details that make all the difference. Step inside “Chesapeake’s Treasure Chest” in a room-by-room virtual tour of the custom details envisioned by our own Virginia Beach interior designer Michelle Nettles.

The bordered cabinetry, Swan Cotton Quartz, and light tones of the kitchen make it feel open and elegant, while the painted island cabinets and patterned blue draperies reflect the flavor of the Chesapeake region. Small details like the scalloped, unfinished wooden serving tray, the metallic rose planter, and the texture of a decorative bird add interest to the kitchen. Sam Cohen of Joey Corp, Closet Factory of Hampton Roads, and Rock Solid helped Michelle execute the design concept for the kitchen. The tile was selected at Mosaic Tile.

Rich navies and soft neutrals create a bold statement in the dining room, which marries classic elegance with modern elements, like the geometric, metallic chandelier. Idyllic details such as artwork by Barbara Gernat and the simple framing provided by Frame N Art complete the room.

Sherwin Williams Quietude (visible in the kitchen) was used throughout the home to create a sense of warm tranquility, gently flowing from one room to the next. Sherwin Williams Backdrop was used in the sitting room for contrast and to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The floors and carpeting, which were selected at The Floor Trader, add subtle interest with their soft tones and patterns.

Stay tuned for our next blog for another peek inside Homearama 2016.