How To Choose a Color Scheme

This week, interior designer Natalie Siegel kicks off a weekly design series on our YouTube channel. This week: choosing a color scheme! You can scroll to the bottom of this post to check out her tutorial, but before we get to the professional advice...

Behold the color wheel.

Did you behold it? Good. Now, there are countless shades of colors, but your basic 6 are your primaries: red, yellow, and blue, and your secondaries: orange, green, and violet. For the purposes of keeping this post shorter than the Bible, these are the 6 colors I will offer my thoughts on below.

1. Red

Everybody knows that red is a passionate color, and can make a big impact even in small doses. It screams 'stop and look at me!' like no other hue. Little known fact about Red's cousin Pink: in the early 20th century, Pink was seen as a masculine color due to its membership in the Red family, while blue was associated with softness and heavenliness, a supposed feminine quality. Early Disney princesses (Snow White, Cinderella) wore blue dresses due in part to this logic, and only during the mid-to-late-century did pink and blue switch places to match up with the genders we commonly associate them with today.

2.Orange

Did you know that orange is least likely to be chosen as a person's favorite color? Cheer up, orange, I love you anyway. Being the only color that is both on the warm side of the color wheel and a secondary color, orange avoids the harsh primary qualities of red and yellow by (almost literally) combining the happiness of yellow with the pizazz of red. Being the opposite of Blue, the most popular color, means that frequently the two will be paired.

3. Yellow

The color of smiley faces, sunny days, and cereal boxes; whenever you want to convey 'happy', yellow is your first stop. Red, orange, and yellow make up the warm side of the color wheel, and are specifically recommended when dealing with low-light spaces that need a little pep added to their step.

4. Green

Money, growth, positivity, and health. Green has long been used in the advertising industry to convey nature and good fortune; you'll find it on 'healthy' product packaging at the grocery store, and on the cover of many books featuring financial advice.

5. Blue

Blue is the world's favorite color. If you're not sure what will be a crowd -pleaser, this is a safe bet. It commands a presence in logos across the world. A calming color, it does well in bedrooms. Blue is used frequently in commercials for cleaning products, as it is seen as pure and trustworthy. Speaking of trustworthy, lets play a game: count how many blue ties you'll find at the next Presidential debate.

6. Violet

Violet rounds out the 3 cool colors of the color wheel. This color is commonly associated with royalty, and its deep hues are a staple in the jewel-tone family. Richness and abundance is a hallmark of this color that has just enough blue to not be considered 'too feminine' by the American mainstream.


I am a firm believer in the idea that there is no such thing as an ugly color; there are just colors that work better in some places than others. If a color speaks to you, use it!

Don't forget to subscribe to Redwood's YouTube channel to be updated when the next video in Natalie's series is published!

Our Favorite House Plants

Many designers agree that plants are an essential ingredient in any living space, not to mention the fact that they promote clean air. If you're plagued with a brown thumb, or have to work around spaces with low-light or low-quality light, the good news is that there is a wide variety of household plants vying for the opportunity to fit your decor needs. Here are a few of my favorites:

FAUX PLANTS

 

'Faux' sounds so much better than 'Fake', right? It's French, which makes it OK. In addition to the French-y elegance, faux plants are the cure-all for Brown Thumb Disease. No worries about finding the right light or watering pattern; just plunk one of these babies where you wish, and give it a good dusting every once in a while.

PHILODENDRON

 

This plant is versatile, from an aesthetic standpoint. It adds a new shape you would be hard-pressed to duplicate to any vignette that it adorns. Whether you want it to gracefully drape from one shelf to the next in a bookcase, draw the eye upward in a hanging planter, or trail off into the background on another flat surface, this plant could become your new favorite addition to your decor.

Best of all, this plant is very easy to take care of.

 

SANSEVIERIA

 

Shoutout to the Brown Thumb Tribe...this plant, nicknamed 'Mother-In-Laws-Tongue' for its sharp  angles, requires watering once per month. You heard that correctly. Once.

 

ZAMIOCULCAS

 

This plant's nickname ( 'eternity plant'), may refer to the amount of time it can go without water.

Just kidding. This plant is another once-a-monther, requiring watering every 3-4 weeks. And ladies and gentlemen, an added bonus to this beauty is that it enjoys low-light. I have two of them personally, and the one I have proclaimed 'The Survivor' has been holding its own in my fiance's man-cave for the past year and a half. If you are also close to an avid video-gamer, you know that they prefer Dracula-level standards of darkness.

 

FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE

 

This is the only plant on the list that I don't personally own, but I have always wanted to see what I could do with this floor plant which has become very popular in the home design world. Its large green leaves are nicknamed for the string instrument that they resemble, and give the plant an airy, yet subtantial presence in any room. These plants can become quite expensive if you find a larger one in the 7ft+ range, but a plant lover may consider the option of nurturing a smaller version to its adult stages. I find that these plants look great in wicker baskets, but don't feel tied to any particular formula!

*Post written by Sharae Terrell, Digital Marketing Associate for Redwood Living 

Behind The Scenes At Redwood's Resident Appreciation Project

You don't have to look far to find a heart-warming or inspirational story, e.g. your Facebook feed or the news. One day in January we started to wonder--wouldn't there also be plenty of stories found among the thousands of residents who call one of our communities home? And, once we identity a few, what should we do about it?

This idea took shape as Redwood corporate asked for the help of those who know our residents best: our Community Managers. We were quickly reassured that the premise for this project was correct; there are many individuals in Redwood communities deserving of recognition, and the most difficult part would be choosing which one.

Having established that this idea would be one of the highlights of our first annual Resident Appreciation Month, and that the chosen resident would receive a cash prize, we pitched the idea of expanding the project to include three recipients to Chief Operating Officer Kris Conwill, whose immediate response was that we were missing a key ingredient: a limo.

Limo in place, balloons purchased, and big check printed, Redwood corporate employees and our Community Managers gathered at our Manchester Falls community on February 16th to celebrate with these residents:

Justin R. became an Army Recruiter after completing five years and two tours of service from 2007 to 2012:

Alice R. is an active volunteer in her community:

and Roy and Millie C. are also longtime residents and bright, happy personalities anyone would love to share a community with:

Congratulations to the 2016 winners, along with all of our residents who won Resident Appreciation Month contests on our social media pages or at our end-of-the-month Resident Appreciation Month. We appreciate all of you, and look forward to out-doing ourselves next year!

What I Wish I'd Known About Home Decor 5 Years Ago

There is a learning curve in design where in the beginning, a budding designer has the ability to identify why something "doesn't look quite right", yet is unable to identify exactly what is throwing off the mo-jo. Oftentimes, good design comes from a period of time spent making minor adjustments and experimenting with elements until they eventually benefit the whole.

As an Impatient-American, I lament the time I spent figuring out basic principles and would like to impart some of those bits of knowledge today. This isn't a replacement for last-minute tweaking, but hopefully these tips will save you some time in the beginning stages, so here are some things I wish that I had figured out a lot quicker:

1. Furniture does not have to be against the wall.

 

If you're fortunate enough to enjoy a spacious living space or open floor plan, the temptation exists to immediately line the furniture up along any available wall space. This line-up strategy works well in police stations, but does not lend itself so easily to interior design. Oftentimes this set-up spaces pieces used for seating too far apart, as the ideal comfortable distance between two people conversing is between 5 and 7 feet. Too much space takes a big chunk out of the conversation-inducing vibe many of us want for living room spaces.

2. Don't hang your art too high.

 

The most universally-accepted height for the center point of a wall-hanging is between 57 and 60 inches from the floor. This is because that is eye-level for the average person.

Shout out to everyone else who didn't take into account that eye-level is not the same as  height over here.

Objects such as couches or televisions may necessitate adjustment of this measurement, but this is a handy rule of thumb to follow.

3. Baskets, baskets, and for the love of God...baskets.

 

We've already covered more uses for baskets if you happen to be a pet-owner, but the most important thing to remember is that baskets hide many organization sins. Deposit clutter into basket, and suddenly it is a decorative accessory. Do piles of mail accumulate on your entryway table despite your best efforts? Place a small basket that you can drop it into daily.

Of course, there is a limit to how many baskets you can use in your quest for de-clutterization, but it remains a quick fix, and may just be what stops your living room from looking like District 13.

4. Odd numbers are our friends 

 

This one translates to many design disciplines. One of the first things photographers learn is the rule of thirds (diving a screen into thirds and placing the subject of the photo on one of the dividing lines). In the case of web design, you may notice the proliferation of three-column layouts.

When it comes to interior design, think about arranging any vignettes (groups of objects) in arrangements of 3, 5, or 7. Something about odd numbers lends itself to a more natural look, so try it!


As always, rules are meant for breaking, so if any of these tips don't speak to you, the beauty of design is that it is whatever you would like it to be. Have fun making your space reflect your style!

*Post written by Sharae Terrell, Digital Marketing Associate for Redwood Living 

Redwood Launches Resident Appreciation Month

It goes without saying that there would be no Redwood without our residents.

But why not say it anyway?

February 2016 was deemed the first annual Resident Appreciation Month, to recognize those who call the single-story lifestyle their own. A month full of prizes and surprises, contests, and special treats on Fridays (or Thursdays in certain communities), the month culminates in Resident Appreciation Parties being thrown at communities on the last Friday of the month. Prizes awarded throughout the month include the elusive 'Mystery Box', flat screen TVs, and more.

Halfway through the month, Redwood is pleased to announce that we are nearing completion on a special project. This endeavor, a collaboration of Redwood Corporate and our Community Managers, has been in the works for some time, and came about from the desire to go above and beyond for our residents.

Please subscribe/join us on YouTube for the unveiling of the project, which is coming soon.

Happy Resident Appreciation Month!

3 Cures For A Messy Apartment

The easiest way to clean a home is to not let it get out of control in the first place. However, if you're like me, your natural surroundings tend to look like something out of Mad Max and Thunderdome, so you may need to trick yourself into good habits. Though we've covered specific examples of how far proper organization can go before, below are some tips we've devised to promote a tidy space to call home:

1. Wrangle That Mail

Perhaps the number one smuggler of clutter in my apartment is mail: junk mail, coupons I'm not sure that I'll use, and sensitive mail that I can't discard before making a run to the paper shredder (which is four feet away, but still...)

There should be some type of container to sort mail into as close to the front door as possible. In order to sort the mail, this container must have some arrangement of compartments, or perhaps several separate containers in which to sort the various categories of mail. I already mentioned that my primary categories are 'junk', 'sensitive/destined for the shredder', and 'coupons'. Separating mail as you go allows you to do some of the work you'll have to do later, which can entice you to actually go through it later and dispose, shred, or file as needed.

2. Drawers, Drawers, Drawers

An entryway table is a staple in front hallways, as a handy place to drop keys, check a mirror, and...collect junk. The struggle to keep that surface space clear is being fought worthily by pieces of furniture with drawers. Note again, that 'drawers' is plural, to further allow sorting similar to the mail organization strategy in the first tip. My entryway features a sideboard. Though sideboards are made for holding dishes in the dining room, there is no rule that its use must be restricted (and even if there is, who cares!) The multitude of drawers allows me to separate pens and simple craft supplies like tape from, in my case, other heavy-duty crafting items, hats and scarves during the winter, and anything else I would like to keep accessible.

3. Bookshelves With A Purpose

If you live in a small space, you probably don't have the luxury of purchasing decorative items, as all of your space is taken up by pieces that serve a function. However, you would be surprised at how many people purchase pretty, functional items-dishware, keepsakes, etc., and then store them in a drawer. Not only does this mean you're losing out on the opportunity to display visually-stimulating items, but this also takes up storage space that could be used to organize more unsightly things like your random nail collection or that grocery bag of more grocery bags hanging off your pantry door knob (yes, the one with the bags that are falling out right now because your dog isn't using them at the pace you expected). If its pretty, display it, and put those dark hiding spaces to more efficient use.

3 Ways To De-Ugly Your Pet Stuff

You don't know the struggle until you've finally finished decorating your home, only to have 'that corner' full of your pet's bright yellow toys and leashes taunting your design sensibilities. Big bags of dog food, litter boxes, and squeaky toys aren't traditional tools for home decor, but they all come with pet ownership.

The following are some solutions for common issues that arise from being a pet owner:

1. Where do I put the food?

The first thing to learn about pet food packaging is that there are often very logical reasons for the material and fashion used in food containment. For example, the layered lining featured in dog and cat food packaging is meant not only to keep outside contaminants away from the food, but also to keep key nutrients from escaping. For this reason, I recommend allowing food to remain in original packaging whenever possible, and simply inserting both food and packaging into a vessel more pleasing to the eye.

While more and more pet stores are stocking more fashionable food container alternatives, feel free to get creative with the one that you choose. Cat and dog food can be stored in lidded baskets and storage ottomans. Larger dog food may be accommodated by larger laundry baskets, which come in various materials and sizes, so that you can keep the food accessible, yet hide it in plain sight.

2.What About The Toys?

Simply having a place to put everything can make a world of difference in home decor. You could be amazed at just how far proper storage can go. With this in mind, baskets are a pet-owner's best friend. Out of sight, out of mind, your clutter becomes a subtle design element once it is tucked away in a basket that complements your decor. If you would like your rainbow of well-loved stuffed toys, squeaky bones, and fuzzy things attached to strings to remain accessible to your pet, choose a basket or container short enough for them to reach.

3. Food And Water Bowl 911

As the owner of a Cocker Spaniel, meal time usually goes like this:
1. Dip face and ears in bowl
2. Drink/Eat
3. Lightly coat floor with dinner drippings.

Never underestimate the power of a pet mat. For light dribbling, a standard yet stylish mat will do. If your situation is dire, you may go the route I take and use a bathmat, which gives me the uncommon super power of the ability to place pet bowls on carpet without forfeiting my security deposit.

And, wa-la!  Go forth and show off your new pet-chic decor!