Cindy Aplanalp Interiors.... By Design

I was the original ‘octomom’.

I had one child, married a man with 6 and we had one together- 1+6+1=8.

Six were frequently in our home either living there or as long-term participants.

While, this seems like a lifetime ago, the lessons learned from my expanded family continue to serve me in many areas of my life- one of which is my design acumen ---for design is really the manipulation of space and form to achieve desired results and I learned how to use design (largely through trial and error) to create a home environment that supported my desire to connect and really become a family.

Design can support intention. The color of a room, the way furnishings are arranged, the texture of fabrics, or the pictures -strategically placed- can all serve as visual reminders of intention.

A few things I learned…

A house full of kids doesn’t mean you can’t have good design. In fact, it demands it.

Clutter equals chaos. Have a place for shoes, backpacks, keys, cell phones, your purse/briefcase- the stuff you need everyday- it’s called a ‘landing spot.’ Best by where you enter your home- by the back door or just off the garage. Train yourself to use it. It will save you the agony of searching when you least have time to search and add to your peace.

Lots of people means lots of energy

To calm and settle- use earthy colors such as warm greens, deep tans, calm, deep colors found in nature. I personally like Benjamin Moore’s 245 it’s an oldie but a goodie. I also like Ben Moore’s Tyler Taupe and Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige- all of these look good in any light and interior.

Create a place for everyone

In public spaces such as family rooms, have ample seating for all of your family members. I’m a fan of ‘bench seat’ cushions for sofas- since they aren’t divided into 2 or 3 cushions- several little bodies can fit on a single sofa. I’m also fond of ottomans on casters. They serve a multitude of purposes and are great to pull up to the dining table, by the fireplace or topped with a tray they morph into a side table. Ottomans are also a great place to add a zany pop of color without a huge commitment- you might love a brightly striped ottoman, fully dressed with nail head trim – but maybe not so much a brightly stripped sofa.

To add to the overall peacefulness of your space- use materials that won’t show wear or dirt. 

Such as the darker and more sheen your flooring has- the more dust and scratches will show. If you have a dog or kids who like to roller blade indoors – consider a low sheen, hand scraped floor-it will serve you well. Also, go big… larger tiles- such as 24x24 and minimum grout lines in tile means less cleaning. There are several reasons to seek natural looking – man-made through-body porcelain tiles. I’m placing them regularly in million+++ homes because they not only look great, but they wear like iron and often are more ‘green’ than their natural counterparts because of transportation costs and the use of recycled materials. Consider also that nowadays, just about any fabric can be coated for stain resiliency. Ask a design pro what is possible. Several new products are on the market- FINALLY this makes many lush, yummy, richly textured fabrics – such as Chenilles - now suitable for high wear items like sofas, dining chairs, bar stools, bedding and the like.

Flat and matte vs. gloss

I personally like matte or flat paints, they definitely look richer and hide imperfections in sheetrock plus they touch up easily- there are no ‘shinny spots’ like with eggshell paints. Matte paints have gotten a lot better as far as durability goes- you can’t technically ‘scrub’ them- but I regularly wash mine and they are fine. Just for grins, I keep my touch up paint under the bathroom sink and touch up a couple of times a year.

Mostly, good design creates an environment where your family wants to linger-a place where their friends are welcome, where the livin’ is easy, conversation flows and everyone is comfortable. Good design plays a major role in creating such homes by offering an over-arching sense of welcoming. Lastly, your home should be an expression of comfort and joy. This is your life- live it!

Be Inspired!

Note: While I’m no longer married, I continue to enjoy a beautiful relationship with my stepchildren and count their influence as one of my life’s greatest blessings. Thanks Rian, Danielle, Shilo, Madison, Whitney and Dakota. Because of you, I am more than I ever could have been on my own. I love you.