Top 10 interior design tips to create a vibrant California cool vibe in your space

We’ve recently been working on a local project here in Carlsbad, California to turn a cold aluminum science office space into a warm and earthy collaborative work and event space. After all it’s those earthy + soulful elements in interior design that TERRA + SOL does best. Our focus taps into the Southern California lifestyle.

The strategy to bring warmth and energy to the space laid the groundwork for our overall design concept of beach lodge. Being less than a mile from the ocean, we’re highlighting the southern California lifestyle while incorporating the cozy feeling of a lodge.

For design concepts for this project I tapped into the traditional eastern elements: wood, earth, water, fire, and metal. The beauty of nature provides the foundation for Feng Shui and allows us to feel connected and grounded to the world. We infused California-inspired themes to help create an energizing and vibrant environment for members to create, collaborate and come together.

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VISION BOARD FOR A NEW CONCEPT COLLABORATIVE WORK AND EVENT SPACE.

Here are our TOP TENs to help you begin:

1.    Earthly Elements – Different in Eastern and Western cultures but very closely related. We chose Eastern for this project which incorporates metal and wood. Working with local artisans, we’re creating a high-end custom kitchen and member only library with inspirational stories and leadership memoirs.

2.    Outdoors on the Indoors – Bringing nature inside is one of the easiest and quickest ways to tap into earthly elements. Don’t have a green thumb? There are loads of easy indoor plants that don’t need a lot of maintenance. Check out our pinterest board for easy to care for plant options. Talking to your oxygen-boosting friends doesn’t hurt either :)

3.    Neutral Color Palette – Start with a pretty neutral palette for your foundation. Choose one color that pops and inspires you to ground the neutrals and keep you interested. This color can easily be changed out with the seasons or as you mood shifts.  

4.    Balance Cozy with Simplistic – Remember that warm blanket we talked about? Bring in the comforts on your sofa or your reading chair for a cozy feel but try and keep the extras to a minimum. Our spaces are there to help us thrive and having too much stuff can feel stifling and heavy.

5.    Textile Mix up – Fabrics are the perfect way to bring softness and warmth to a space. Adding a printed throw blanket on your bed or mixing graphic pillows on a couch adds texture and interest, using curtains in a room creates a beautiful backdrop for any space.

6.    Inspired by nature accents – Curious why reclaimed shelves have become so popular? The natural, rustic feel of the wood brings an element of nature into the home. This can also be done by adding rocks to an indoor fireplace, setting a branch on your coffee table or using real herb plants like rosemary in your kitchen.

7.    Conversational Seating – Casual seating is the perfect way to bring chill into your space. Adding two chairs (or poufs!) across from your sofa makes friends and family the focus and television secondary.

8.    Photographs + Art – The perfect way to tell your story is through art and photography. well-appointed and interestingly placed pieces on walls and shelving adds personality and personalization.

9.    Tile, Tile on the wall – Have you guys seen the creative tile work on pinterest these days? It’s the perfect way to add texture, color and your own uniqueness to your space. check out cle tile for newness.

10.  Let the sunshine in – Allow sun drenched spaces to create warmth and bring energy to a room. Sun challenged? Create the illusion with warm lighting both overhead and on side tables and walls. Keep it warm to keep the vibes chill.

Like what we do? We’re going to be offering one Instagram follower a free face time consult each month. Be sure to follow us @terrasolinteriors so you can enter to win, just in time for the Holiday season!

You can always give us a call at (619) 630-6007 to discuss your commercial or residential design project. You can also subscribe to Terra Sol Interior Design Studio or visit us in Carlsbad, CA.