Eclecticism: A Liberating Approach to Design

I loved interviewing Elle Greene for this article and getting some great advice from a pro on a more liberating approach to design:

“The cool thing about Eclecticism is you don’t need the giant apothecary jar of lemons to be living the well-decorated life.” So says Elle Greene, owner of Austin Modern (www.austinmodern.com), a very hip online collection of Mid-Century modern furniture, art, lighting and accessories. She practices Eclecticism, and freely mixes genres to achieve a refreshingly original look. Instead of pigeonholing your home into one rigid style full of catalogue clichés, simply introducing a few affordable accents into your current décor allows you to customize your living space. Following are several of Elle’s imaginative design suggestions on how to do just that.

The main question you should consider before you spice up your place is “What kind of lifestyle do I lead?” Many of us have flipped through home-style magazines and felt envious of the gloriously staged photos; sure, a sparkling, sun-soaked room boasting plush white furniture IS beautiful. Add an animal, child, or Cheetos® into the mix, let alone all three, and the idyllic vision quickly implodes. Taking into account practicality makes any space more enjoyable. (more…)

Getting eco-friendlier

Re-purposing furniture is an easy, creative way to get eco-friendlier while decorating your home.

Check out Ways to Repurpose Old Furniture, a recent blog I did for Core Architect.

Side Tables and Wallpaper?

Yes please.

Here are two recent blogs I did for Core Architect:

Side Tables from Every Angle

Inspiration to Help You Choose the Perfect Wallpaper

A jaunt into Asia

One of the parts I dig most about writing for Core Architect is the research involved. I am learning so much about interior design and architecture, and find myself personally inspired to create a more aesthetic space in my own home.

Check out today’s article entitled Japanese and Chinese Design Style and see how to design your home with Asian-inspired elements by following a few general rules. Or, break the rules and create an Asian fusion interior!

Project-ing into 2011

I am starting 2011 with some exciting new writing projects.

One is a regular blog for UK-based website Core Architect, which focuses on interior design inspiration and resources. Check out some recent posts:

“Building On A Budget”

“Lighting Up Your Home”

“Inspirational Loft Conversions”

“How To Make Any Room Feel Cozy”

“Decorating A Home For Children”

More articles coming, and many more projects in the works! (Visit Articles by Jessica Rounds to see most current posts)

Hill Country Estate: People’s Choice Award-Winning Home

This home shows what happens when a team of eco-minded pros get to work. I wrote this article for Austin/San Antonio Urban Home Magazine on the 2009 San Antonio Parade of Homes Peoples Choice Award-winning home. The coolest part is that the entire home is green certified by the Build San Antonio Green program.

EXCERPT: “When builder Kevin FitzGerald initially saw the terrain, he knew he wanted to modernize without sacrificing traditional Hill Country style. He decided on what he calls “transitional”, meaning it could go either way. Moving from room to room, the home quietly surprises you; from old ship laps along the wall that create intriguing shadow lines, to a floating mirror replete with backlighting, the style is original, and even refreshing.”

To download a PDF and read more click HERE.

The Ong Jar: A New Way to Capture an Old Tradition

“Ong” is a Thai word that refers to the large handmade concrete urns used throughout Thailand to collect rainwater. I wrote this article for the summer 2009 issue of Urban Home Magazine for San Antonio/Austin.

EXCERPT:“Collecting rainwater for landscape irrigation is one of the oldest methods of recycling natural resources. With groundwater supplies rapidly depleting, most residential homeowners are looking for ways to conserve water while still sufficiently hydrating their gardens. By simply harvesting the rain via any catchment surface into a container…”

To download and read the whole article click HERE.

Ava Living: A Design Adventure

A friend introduced me to Ava Living- an online interactive site for interior designers and design enthusiasts. It takes the DIY (do it yourself) concept to the next level: HMDIM (help me do it myself). Innovative.

EXCERPT: “Generally, you create a living space as well as possible to characterize your personal style. Sometimes, however, you look around and find the results disappointing. Ava Living provides a range of options, from light touch advice for the true DIYers, to intensive step-by-step guidance. Not only can you choose services á la Carte, but also you can do so from home at your own pace.”

To download a PDF and read more click HERE.

Skimstone: From Art to Finish

An article I did about a cool eco-friendly finish… My mom is now putting Skimstone on her kitchen countertops. That gives you an idea of how much I enjoyed researching and writing this article… and then promoting it.

EXCERPT: “How can you economically transform boring concrete floors into works of art? Or create a marble finish over your laminate countertops? Skimstone™, a unique decorative finishing system, is an extremely user-friendly, non-toxic option. Principally formulated solely for concrete flooring, its versatility has extended to other surfaces in the home.

Most people have at least one surface in their home that, if improved, would change the living space completely. SkimStone is ideal for anyone ready to make that improvement without having to bother with tear-out and the large expense of typical renovations. It is easy to apply for either a professional contractor or a Do-It-Yourself homeowner. Unlike most paints or stains, it is low VOC and meets LEEDS standards, making it the ideal green alternative to many other decorative finishes.”

To download and read this article click HERE.