Three Apartment Common Area Design Factors to Consider

The founder and senior interior designer for Design Matters in California, Julie Cavanaugh has been working in the interior design sector for more than two decades. Focused largely on senior residential and commercial interior design, Julie Cavanaugh has completed projects in several areas around the US, such as Malibu, California, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The project in Jackson Hole is a 90-unit apartment building that recently broke ground.

Common areas in apartments, such as lobbies, hallways, and community rooms, are essential for creating a good first impression and providing residents with a practical space in which to enjoy different activities. Here are several ways to upgrade common areas without breaking the bank:

Add floors and mats.
During times of heavy snow or rain, both residents and visitors have a risk of slipping in apartment lobbies and common areas. For this reason, having mats out is essential for safety. Certain floor types, like hardwood and stained concrete, are also affordable flooring options that help keep people safe. However, these mats and floors must be kept nice, and must be replaced when they begin showing signs of wear and tear.

Reduce sound.
Many common areas echo and reverberate sound very easily, making it uncomfortable for residents to talk, or even walk, in the areas at certain times of the day. New ceiling systems and sound-absorbing floors are some upgrades to reduce noise carrying in common areas. The acoustic design of an apartment common area is becoming increasingly important.

Increase lighting.

Many landlords overlook the impact that good lighting has on the appearance of common areas in apartment buildings. Adding a fluorescent lamp, newer lighting fixtures, or a chandelier can really brighten up the area. Furthermore, landlords should avoid leaving dark spots in common areas when there is no other light source. Paint choice also impacts how bright common areas feel, so it’s important to consider interior paint color and keep it fresh so it doesn’t appear dingy. 

Choosing Paint Color for a Luxury Home

The founder and senior interior designer of Design Matters, Julie Cavanaugh is an award-winning senior residential, commercial, and luxury interior designer. Specializing in kitchen and bath design, architectural planning, area rugs, window coverings, and more, she creates a comprehensive look for all her projects. At present, Julie Cavanaugh and her company are refocusing largely on the luxury market, and adhere to the concept of “livable luxury.” To create a comprehensive interior design in luxury spaces, paint color must also be considered, alongside furniture, home decor, and layout.

Paint color plays a huge role in determining the look and feel of a home. While bright colors may work in certain spaces, they often detract from the sophistication of a luxury home and do not coordinate with the luxury architecture, layout, or overall feel of the space. Typically, luxury homes are best suited for more neutral colors like grays, tans, and tonal whites. These neutral colors create a clean feel and help smaller rooms appear larger by extending the height of the ceilings. They are also easy to match, so homeowners can more easily place other colors into the space via pillows or furniture to fully create the look they want.

This doesn’t mean luxury homes must avoid colors entirely when it comes to paint. In fact, a warm shade of green brings a fresh feel to dull rooms. It promotes a feel of peace and is a great complementary color to luxury accents of white and gold. Blues can also be used in luxury homes, since they create a feeling of tranquility and lightness. Granted, bright blues can be a bit too bold, but muted blues are often preferred. The same is true of yellow, with muted yellow tones working best for adding warmth to a luxury home without overpowering it.

An Overview of the ASID Joel Polsky Prize

Founder and principal interior designer at Design Matters, Julie Cavanaugh has grown her business and expanded it to four locations across Northern California and Wyoming. Her recent projects include luxury homes in Malibu and Arizona as well as a 90-unit apartment complex in Jackson Hole. An award-winning designer, Julie Cavanaugh maintains membership with the American Society of Interior Designers.

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) works in close collaboration with all stakeholders to promote the career of interior design and assist members to excel in their profession. ASID uses education, community building, knowledge sharing, outreach and advocacy to use interior design to impact positive change in the society. ASID offers beneficiaries numerous scholarships and grants which include Joel Polsky Prize whose award price is $5,000. Awarded on an annual basis, the Joel Polsky Prize seeks to recognize exemplary academic contributions to the field of interior design via print or digital communication.

For the 2021 award, applications will open in spring as the ASID Foundation seeks submissions that will address the impact of design on health and wellness. Submissions are expected address topics such as behavioral science, design process and business practice as well as incorporate the needs of designers, students and the general public. Types of entries include blogs, videos, books and whitepapers. Screening of submissions will be based on innovation of subject matter, graphic presentation, comprehensive topic coverage, bibliography and references. Application should include a 250-word publication or visual communication description, headshot, biographical statement and copy of publication or visual communication. 

Sagebrush Apartments - Great Design Meets Convenience in Jackson Hole

Julie Cavanaugh is the founder and senior interior designer at Design Matters in Los Gatos, California. She efficiently leads her highly-skilled design team in working with clients to coordinate creative interior design solutions that are tailored to individual needs. Adding to the many projects she has completed in the past decade, Julie Cavanaugh and her team are beginning design work on a large development, Sagebrush Apartments, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Sagebrush Apartments will be one of the largest housing developments to be built in many years in Jackson Hole. The complex was originally approved in 2017 and will contain 90 units, including eight studio apartments, 62 one-bedroom, and 20 two-bedroom apartments. The building is projected to be completed by 2021 in a conveniently located area at 550 West Broadway that is close to shops, restaurants, banks, and public transportation to work.

The design of the building and material used will complement the surrounding environment with the implementation of stone, timber, and other high-quality materials. Additionally, with professionally designed and maintained landscaping, the grounds will include a gathering space and children's playground that overlook Flat Creek.

Qualifications for Becoming a Certified Interior Designer

Julie Cavanaugh, a passionate interior design professional with more than two decades of experience, serves as the senior interior designer at Design Matters in Los Gatos, California. In addition to her practical experience, Julie Cavanaugh holds a degree in interior design and is a Certified Interior Designer (CID).

Administered by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC), the CID designation helps consumers hire qualified interior designers. Since the title is protected under the California Business and Professions Code, individuals cannot use it unless they have the experience, education, and examination requirements for receiving the CID designation.

To become a CID, candidates must possess at least six years of accredited interior design experience or education. If this education is unaccredited, candidates must have at least eight combined years of experience and education. Additionally, candidates must pass the IDEX California examination, a test of competence in state codes, regulations, and design synthesis in commercial and residential spaces.

To take the exam, professionals need at least five years of diversified design experience or 40 semester core units from accredited design programs. Professionals can continue working toward qualification for CID designation after they pass the IDEX California.

ASID Awards Recognize Excellence in Design

The founder of the interior design firm, Design Matters, Julie Cavanaugh has developed a style she calls “livable luxury” to help homeowners create living spaces that beautiful with a purpose. Julie Cavanaugh received her Interior Design degree from West Valley College and maintains membership in professional organizations such as the American Society of Interior Designers.

Established in 1975, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a multi-disciplinary organization that includes designers and design students, as well as manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to offering business support services and sharing valuable industry research, the organization recognizes notable professional accomplishments with its ASID Annual Awards.

For aspiring designers, the Student Chapter awards and Student Portfolio awards recognize promising work in design, while several ASID National Awards represent innovation in design throughout a career. The most prestigious honor, election to the ASID College of Fellows, is reserved for only one percent of ASID membership who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the field of design.