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Living in Minnesota means developing a deep appreciation for all kinds of weather -not just the cold! But we really do design all our systems to accommodate the frigid temperatures we can see as the calendar turns from one year to the next. So, beyond our HVAC system (you can read about our gas-free HVAC system here, and the one-year review here) and our solar array providing energy in sunny conditions if the grid goes down, there are a lot of things we do to separate ourselves from the cold. So many of our decisions revolve around doing just that. 
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I know I've made some wild claims in the past, like "Timeless Design" doesn't exist, but this is one that really has been shaping how I think about our house this time of year. In the post-Christmas-stuck-inside season of cold that we get in January in Minnesota, getting organized is a huge part of how we start the year. This is when the restlessness of winter sets in, and the deep scrutinization of things takes off. There are a lot of ways to do storage, but the importance of closed storage cannot be overstated in houses like mine: lots of people, not a lot of square footage. The more we keep in the open, the more we feel cluttered. It's important to rethink open storage, even for folks like me who are slowly -but surely- finishing a basement library filled with open shelving.  Paint selection and using color is one of my favorite parts of working in different homes. While we pull out of an all-neutral ideal and back into technicolor design choices, understanding how colors work together -or argue with each other- is a huge part of making a space work. My personal affinity toward color is no secret, but I’m also a bit of an open book on how I choose my colors. Truthfully, it’s all about finding a balance with personal preference and existing conditions. Since this is the fourth part of the series, hop back to Part 1 for information on the color wheel, undertones, and some tips and tricks to finding the information on the color you love. Part 2 is all about the nuance of color temperature with light bulbs, and how different light bulbs can change everything: from appearances to the energy levels called for in our brains. Part 3 dives deep into the six main types of color palettes used to create a space.  A huge part of planning a space is selection of color schemes. How colors interact with each other changes a lot of the mood of a room. That interaction can be controlled in a lot of ways with different schemes. These also make a room feel balanced and intentional. Using the color wheel and its varying tints, shades, and tones makes a place dynamic. For more information on using the color wheel and color theory basics, check out Part 1; for a comprehensive guide to lighting and color temperatures, check out Part 2! With starting out, using the 60-30-10 rule helps make a room feel intentional and works as a guide when building different elements. So, 60% of the design should follow one color, 30% should follow a second, and 10% of the design should be accents in another.  We're back with Part 2 of my color theory series, and I'm so excited to branch out of the basics, but all of that information is essential for going deeper into understanding just how to make color work at home. So, for any references -including hex codes for all the key colors- Part 1 is a great place to start. This round, I'm going into a little more about lighting and how lighting affects different colors. This goes way back for me, all the way into working in theater and understanding how light can make or break everything. I went over the basics of understanding lighting -specifically LEDs- a while back too.  |
Katie SwansonI am a parent, creative spirit, and old house lover. My big passions are sustainable design and preservation. Bringing these together is key to moving existing homes into the future. * By subscribing to the monthly newsletter, you consent to receive links this month's blog posts and other relevant blog updates, a round up of things I love, and as a throwback to my DIY days, I may toss in an exclusive knit or crochet pattern of mine. Archives
January 2025
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