Welcome to Amplified Apartments Star, a special edition of ForRent.com’s Amplified Apartments series, featuring all-star bloggers with trained eyes and wise words. No questions asked.
Our newest Amplified Apartments Star is Kristen Grove, no stranger to internet limelight. The interior designer’s blog, Simply Grove, is a gem for apartment décor inspiration. Each post is infused with Grove’s aesthetic, her trained eye, and excellent taste. For six years, she’s provided the digital world her unique view, and for her clients, a handful more. It’s all led to a growing readership and, of course, a Pinterest following in the tens of thousands.
Grove recently set her design sights on a client’s 180-square-foot Boise, Idaho bedroom. With her imagination ignited, the bedroom quickly took its present form – slate grey with layers of textures and textiles. Both rustic and minimal, the final product is neither cluttered nor bare. Personality is studded throughout – from its wooden furniture to its sunshine bright bouquets. Read on to hear more design insights from Grove herself, with tips for creating crisp and refined design.
If you could describe the room’s design concept using 5 words, what would they be?
Relaxed, organic, bohemian, and modern bedroom.
What’s your process like when creating a design concept? Do you have an overarching design philosophy?
My goal for every room that I design is to create a space that is both practical and beautiful for the client. I do not believe in showroom rooms in the home. Everything should be used and lived in.
There are a lot of tapestries, rugs and skins used in the room’s design. Was that a conscious effort on your part to play down the room’s own grey carpeting?
It was both conscious and unconscious. I love textiles and patterns. I didn’t love the carpet in this apartment, so it was a fun blank slate to fill with rugs. I also love layering rugs to bring dimension to a space.
In small spaces, using dark tones can narrow the room visually, but it doesn’t seem to be the case here. How do you pick color schemes when you design your rooms? Do you take the size of those rooms into consideration?
I love playing with moody, dark colors. This bedroom feels open and airy with all of the windows so I knew that I could use a dark hue on one of the walls. To be honest, I am all for white, crisp walls. You can add any color and pattern that you want to white. But if I had to choose a second favorite wall color, it is definitely dark gray or black.
Are there any other guidelines you follow when designing in tighter confines?
When the ceiling feels high, the room feels larger. So when hanging drapery, I start at the ceiling down to create a tall sense in a space. I am also a huge believer in great lighting. The right lighting can change the look and feel of a space entirely.
How do you toe the line between clutter and decor?
There is nothing wrong with collecting beautiful things. If they are displayed neatly, they can look both appealing and clean.
My rule is if I can’t dust everything I have, then I have too much.(Tweet This)
What are your go-to stores for home furnishings and decor?
There are too many to list. I love A+R Store, West Elm, DWR, H&M Home, Zara Home and the list goes on and on.
What’s your number one tip for solving the small space problem?
Stay minimal and clean. The more stuff, the more cluttered it will feel.
After years in the design arena, how have you grown as an interior designer?
I’ve learned that thinking outside of the box photographs much better than thinking traditionally.
How can ForRent.com readers develop their own interior design skills?
Practice makes perfect. Play around in your home with colors, patterns and textures. Also, use Pinterest and blogs as your learning tools.
Look at beautiful spaces not just for inspiration. Let them motivate you.(Tweet This)
Simply Grove provides a constant stream of colorful inspiration for your many readers. Who or where do you look to for your own design inspiration?
I draw a lot of inspiration from European and Australian bloggers and designers. The Design Files is one of my favorite blogs to visit. I also love French By Design and Fry + Design.
See more of Kristen Grove’s design skills on her blog, Simply Grove.
Want to share your space? Email ForRent.com to feature your own Amplified Apartment or Home. See your interior design creations on the ForRent.com blog!
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