Design Blog
Featuring Marion Kahn
Friday, August 6th | 5pm-8pm
Rumor Designs 912 Lincoln Ave.Marion Kahn is a contemporary colorist based in Steamboat Springs, CO.
We love her use of bright, bold, color that compliments our interior design style so well.
Marion will premiere “The Twins”, two 48” x 60” linear abstract paintings.
We look forward to showcasing her new work at our First Friday Artwalk Show this August and have you "Dreaming in Color".
Marion Kahn is a Colorado oil painter best described as a contemporary colorist. Her paintings share the unceasing beauty of the world around her.
As an artist, Marion confidently captures surprising details that draw in the viewer. Her palettes can be soft or bold. She uses color to carry the message of the painting, whether expressing a quiet meditation or exuberant joy. Marion's work is found in the homes of collectors around the country.
"My desire to paint exploded in Sicily when I saw two young artists atop a scaffolding as they restored a 400-year-old fresco," says Marion. "I watched, mesmerized and full of questions."
Up to that point Marion's work combined marketing communications consulting for companies like Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Delta Air Lines. She modeled and acted in the U.S. and Paris. She also designed jewelry for custom clients.
Through these fields of interpretation, Marion was engaged in the creation of form, design and color that cause a desired response from the target audience. Painting, on the other hand, requires the artist to be true to herself without regard to the after-effect.
Good painters create a series of problems that they must solve. As Sir Winston Churchill wrote, "...painting a picture is like fighting a battle... It is, if anything, more exciting than fighting it successfully."
Ever growing, Marion has studied with a number of top artists. She comments locally on the arts, juries regional shows, and has reviewed grants for Colorado Creative Industries. She served on the board of Arts for Colorado for 14 years.
Currently, Marion is spearheading a personal mission, The Gratitude Project. Through this, she is donating 12 giclee prints of large paintings to cancer treatment centers around the country. The purpose is to both brighten the spaces where patients await treatment and to give thanks for support her family has received during difficult times.
Marion is very excited to show at Rumor Designs and to hang in their sophisticated showroom.
Houzz.com is one of our favorite FREE tools we recommend to our new design clients. It’s an easy way to browse for inspiration, style concepts and examples of your personal design taste; likes and dislikes.
It’s a similar concept to the Pinterest app where you save recipes or good ideas to “boards” - however on Houzz, the Rumor team can collaborate more efficiently with co-owned project boards, sorted by room, that are filled with direct links to furniture, materials, and resources.
We are proud to share that our designs have been saved to over 10,000 idea books since 2017 and our latest designs are now part of the 10 Most Popular photos in two different categories for Spring 2021: Living Rooms and Exteriors.
Take a look at our most popular design photos and read each article linked below for even more inspo:
Iconic and Rumor Design approved.
Read how lead designer, Lindsey Jamison uses the Linden Lamp in her designs on MyDomain.com and see it in person at 𝐫 | 𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞.
Rumor Project: Spring Creek. Photo by: David Patterson
Historic Hugus Building in Steamboat, Colorado is celebrated with design-focused new tenants
Rumor Design + reDesign and r|d home slated to open Summer 2021.
STEAMBOAT, Colorado, Saturday May 15th, 2021 — Rumor Design + reDesign, a Steamboat Interior Design Firm established in 2008, makes a move to the historic Hugus Building/Thiesen Mall at 912 Lincoln Ave. in downtown Steamboat Springs, CO. Most recently known as the Steamboat Smokehouse, the building has been a landmark of rich western history since it was built in the 1890s. Originally the site of J.W. Hugus & Co, it was one the nation’s first general store chains. From farm equipment, feed, and barrels of gasoline, the store also sold home appliances and furniture, a common thread for the new use of its space.
Rumor Designs has been recognized as one of Colorado’s Top Interior Design Firms by Colorado Homes and Mountain Living Magazine, and locally a seven time Best of the Boat winner, known for their contemporary and mountain-modern interior design style. Partners Valerie Stafford and Lindsey Jamison will use the space to grow their highly rated interior design services as well as offer home furnishings and decor, including ready-to-buy sofas, one-of-a-kind chairs, accent tables, and curated home accessories. “Every day, we meet customers who are looking to purchase furniture on the spot. We wanted to offer a locally curated selection for our growing community where you can sit and experience those options in person,” says Stafford.
The newly renovated 4,000 sq. ft. space will serve as a creative hub for anyone designing their home, with a dedicated fabric nook plus detail drawing services and samples for custom cabinetry, tile, plumbing, flooring and more. “Designing or redesigning a home in our high alpine climate is a bigger challenge than most people realize. Our evolving and bespoke assortment of samples are all Rumor approved materials and styles, ranging in price for a variety of budgets,” Jamison explains.
“The entire space will be an elevated home design shopping experience for our clients and anyone who wants to feel inspired, or make improvements in their home. We’re excited to be open to the community, offering a gourmet coffee bar featuring barista crafted coffee and tea drinks with grab-and-go snack and lunch items” Stafford describes.
Stafford and Jamison plan to open the space this summer and begin hosting First Friday Artwalk at the new location each month starting in July. When the time is right, we’ll host a grand opening to showcase the historic building in its new form to the community. “In the renovation process, we uncovered these beautiful stone walls and learned that the building was constructed from Emerald Quarry boulders, transported by the grandfather of one of our contractors, Tyke Pierce. We kept the walls exposed and natural to give the space an industrial feel, honoring the historical architecture of its past while updating most everything else that was damaged in the 2019 fire.” Stafford recalls.
1991 - When Steamboat Smokehouse first opened.
The building was purchased in the summer of 2020 from Fritz Aurin who owned the building that housed the Steamboat Smokehouse for 30 years, before a fire caused substantial damage to the interior and smoke damage to the surrounding businesses. “When it came time to sell after the fire, I was lucky to find Valerie and Lindsey as buyers who wanted to protect and enhance the rustic character of this local landmark. Many years ago I schemed up plans to ‘open up’ the building and espose the stonework and structural character which I knew existed and wanted to display but simply couldn't afford. The Rumor Design crew has allowed me to finally witness that potential. I am excited for the building for which I have grown incredibly attached, and for the heritage of Steamboat Springs to evolve with this addition" says Aurin.
2019 - Steamboat Smokehouse just prior to the fire.
The building has come a long way since housing Steamboat's first telephone at J.W. Hugus & Co in 1890. The new home of Rumor Designs will showcase the same integrated lighting, sound and security systems they recommend for their clients, installed locally by Midwest Electric, Western Security and Cloud 9, Integrated Systems. "The building has solid bones, it just needed to function as it should in the modern world. Now with capabilities similar to what we use in our fully integrated smart home systems, the Rumor Design team is doing it right." says Thomas McKenzie of Cloud 9, Integrated Systems.
“We’ve always believed that a sense of wellbeing stems from the home environment and we want everyone to experience that same inspiration we have provided for our clients over the last 13 years. As we evolve, our space should too, so if you’re stuck with the same style, changing up your space may be the key to getting unstuck in your routines and outlook. We’re putting our own theory into action by moving into a bigger, brighter space with so much potential for our design team and support staff. More than ever, the importance of home design has been magnified and we want to be there for anyone who is ready to design or redesign their space.” says Stafford.
Lindsey Jamison and Valerie Stafford, co-owners of Rumor Design + reDesign. Photo by: Danielle Zimmerer.
Rumor Design + reDesign is slated to open summer 2021, moving from 345 Lincoln Ave. to 912 Lincoln Ave. in downtown Steamboat Springs, CO. The retail showroom and coffee bar will be open to the community Monday through Sunday 10am - 6pm. Visit www.rumordesigns.com for more information or call 970-819-9721.
Introducing our latest reDesign, presented in our very own online publication:
January is National Get Organized Month and we’re getting involved. Sure we’re designers; we’re organized – by color as a matter of fact! However, even the best of us need to back away from the scene of the crime and assess the situation. Truth, we’ve been working within the same space plan for the past three years, we are well overdue for a re-design.
Executed effectively, getting organized can help you keep on track with all of those big resolutions you made. Maybe getting organized was one of those resolutions - either way,
An organized life helps ease the stress of other obstacles you’ll encounter throughout the year.
And just to be clear, we’re not talking about being tidy. We’re talking about being organized, which is substantially different. Being organized is arranging items of similar category or subject matter in the same areas. Being tidy is just one step further, and we’d like to save that for another month. Being tidy is narrowing down those items to only the things you must have, those items that speak to you and in the words of Marie Kondo “spark joy.”
It’s in our name to re-design and with that comes serious organization tactics. So how will we take on the challenge of National Get Organized Month? We are taking ourselves on as the first design client of 2019! All hands on deck, brainstorming in progress, “wait till you see what Rumor did,” kind of design work. Ok, we won’t oversell it, but our step-by-step design process can help even the most disorganized, chaotic personality types.
First things first, consider these variables: What is the space used for, who will use this space and how do you want to feel in this space? Other considerations, where do you feel most inspired, happy, at peace? How you can implement your feelings from that place into your own space?
Secondly, sharpen your pencil, use crayons if you must and draw out the shape of the room. Drop in the essentials of your space, in our case – we’re working with desks, meeting tables and display cabinetry, the big items. Also, keeping in mind dimensions and precise measurements. Here’s a great tutorial for “How To Draw A Simple Room Layout”.
Thirdly, if possible, take everything out of the space – especially those big pieces of furniture that can prevent you from achieving your desired flow. Option to move everything to one side of the room while you work on the other, it’s flexible.
Lastly, put the pieces back together while you nudge, fluff, and mess with it a few more times. These first and last steps require the most thought, attention to detail and will require more time within the process. Be prepared for this mental excerise and further, the physical requirements of the project. Do you need to hire help? Maybe save it for a weekend when there are more hands to help around the house. If possible, complete the installation in one afternoon. Take your time with the rest if you need to purchase specific items to fill in new spaces, or storage solutions.
This fresh perspective of your space will inspire you to organize even more parts of your life and start the new year off right. As far as our space goes, we're spending extra time on Steps 1 & 2 and will be executing Steps 3 & 4 come February. Stay tuned!
There are many factors that go into getting a good night’s sleep, and for a lot of people, it’s still a big mystery. With some basic math, you’ll realize that you spend about one-third of your life sleeping. We think that’s a pretty significant amount to take stock of, so how can we help?
Our solutions stem from the function of your space and the design aesthetic of your surroundings. Ultimately this space affects your day-to-day mood, and in turn affects the quality of your sleep. Does your bedroom function in a way that provides you with optimal sleeping conditions? Good news, there are a few key pieces below that you can get to work on today!
Imagine - your bare feet on a soft, warm rug. Your eyes adjust, restful in the ambient light, the smell of fresh cotton sheets invite you in, and the sound of this quiet space allows you to finally relax.
If you’re ready to explore this type of environment, let’s start from the floor up.
On a hard surfaced floor like wood or tile, we suggest a large area rug that spans the border of your bed. Carpeting can be left alone or enhanced with a fun textured rug. Choose a low pile made of soft quality textiles and a pattern or color that physically brings a smile to your lips. You’ll look down at this rug twice a day, when you slip in and out of bed.
Furniture
Furniture in this space is all about function, so please remove any chunky, creaking, sticky drawer armoire you might still be holding on to. We want to keep this space clutter free with space saving solutions and reliable, curated pieces.
A sturdy bed frame with a headboard will serve as a backboard for reading and prevent any stains or dents on your accent wall. A slim bench at the toe-end of your bed will provide a sitting area to take off your shoes or store extra blankets for cold winter nights. If your space allows for a reading nook, use these four pieces to create a serene oasis - a cozy chair with ottoman, a floor lamp for task lighting, and a side table for your book, hot tea and/or a small vase with flowers – items that make you happy!
Closets
Your closet can be so much more than a rod hanging across an eight-foot opening. A personalized closet system keeps you organized and ultimately minimalist, prioritizing space for things you love. Shelving, drawers, hang bars, jewelry trays, pant hangars, tie and belt racks, are all helpful tools to simplify your routine and improve your overall mood morning and night.
#roombyrumor
Color
Color can absolutely affect your mood and your sleep, so we will typically play it safe here with a calming, neutral tone of white or gray paint. Accent colors or wallpaper can be placed on one wall at the headboard that will add to the aesthetic but not detract from your line of sight while lying in bed. You can play around with textured papers and woods as long as there is not too much movement, patterns or variations in color.
Color variation between the walls and your furnishings should compliment each other. Complimenting colors can be found on opposite sides of a color wheel, and pop more effectively on a neutral pallet. If your walls are a soft gray with a wooded accent wall, use a dark navy headboard to enhance a rich, luxurious feel. If you’re going for something more casual and bright, try black and white with pops of orange, yellow or pinks. The combinations are endless, but balance is key!
Lighting
A successfully designed room will include three types of lighting, ambient, task and statement. Can you identify each in your current space?
- Ambient lighting is a soft glow that blankets your space just enough for you to function without causing a harsh glare such as can lights, strategically placed within the ceiling.
- Task lighting is for specific activities like late night reading with bedside sconces, which will ease strain in your eyes and your sleep.
- Statement lighting can add to the room on its own, or in a small space, be a combination of ambient or task lighting within a chandelier or floor lamp. This type of lighting is like tasteful jewelry, which should enhance the overall aesthetic, and not take away or distract.
We won’t leave out shades and window treatments in this category as they serve to block or allow in natural lighting, something extremely coveted in the bedroom. Keep these items light in material and color to minimize heat absorption and maximize an open feel.
You Can Do It!
Believe it or not, these simple checklist items can improve your mood and your sleep overnight! Or within a few nights if you take these tasks one by one. If you need more help with your bedroom makeover, overhaul – you know who to call!
If you’re renting, more than likely you are not able to achieve all of your HGTV décor dreams. Landlords typically don’t appreciate any significant modifications without them knowing, and why spend your own money on a rented space?
That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t live in a beautiful surrounding that inspires you daily. As we transition into a new season, we love to refresh our spaces. Use these three tricks to maximize your style this summer, rented or owned.
1. Lean your artwork against the wall without spending too much time hanging it precisely and patching it up afterwards. This method allows you to layer various sized pieces on any dresser, console or mantle.
2. Layer your area rugs. This will add texture to the floors, warmth and cover up potentially unpleasant flooring. Pair mismatched shapes and sizes, patterns and colors to create a wow factor.
3. DIY furniture. If you’re really itching to decorate more of your space, use a few found furniture pieces to refinish or paint. You can always take these pieces with you or sell them if you move.
These chairs were salvaged on their way to the dumpster. The legs were painted black with a gold dipped look. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on this fairly simple diy project.
Let us know what design projects you have in the works, stop by the studio for inspiration or advice Monday-Friday 10-5pm.
From Top Left to Right
1. Phases of the Moon - Home Decor Charm. We are always amazed and inspired by celestial mechanics and how it affects the world around us. This charm is a subtle way to embrace the lunar calendar and invite a little magnetism into your daily life.
Find this charm on TheCitzenry.com or DIY with this easy tutorial
2. Wire Geo Planter. Put your plants on a pedestal this summer! These outdoor planters are a great way to make a statement on the patio or even a small entry porch. A touch of green can go a long way especially in these short summer months.
Find these planters on Hayneedle.com and more pedestal planters on WestElm.com
3. LED Sound Lantern. We hope that you have a birthday coming up this summer, and make sure to put this on your wishlist. This LED Sound Lantern creates perfect moments with audible and visual ambience while camping, BBQing, or just relaxing.
Find this lantern and other outdoor lighting options at Lumens.com
From Bottom Left to Right
4. Sunbrella Mud Cloth Pillows. If you didn't know, Sunbrella = Outdoors! This magical fabric is all-weather, high-performance with a hand feel like no other. We love the mud cloth prints in black, white and indigo that will up the ambiance in any setting.
Find these Sunbrella Pillows in Mud Cloth and More Prints at RestorationHardware.com
5. Rosé Cider. Yep - we rosé-ed all day last summer, but in the spirit of trying new things in 2018, we are ready to embrace a new drink of the summer - even if it’s same same. You can find Rosé Ciders at craft breweries, the local liquor store and even online!
Find your favorite ciders locally or online at TotalWine.com
6. Not Just an Outdoor Rug. Indoor/Outdoor and reversible?! We love this simple modern design that will last through the seasons. Handwoven in India and made from recycled water bottles - plus tassel fringe ends for an extra chic touch.
Find this amazing outdoor rug at WorldMarket.com