THE DESIGN JOURNAL
Aesthetics & Beyond: Exploring the Vision of Interior Designers in Las Vegas
MIC & NAY Design Collective
Las Vegas, the vibrant city known for its dazzling lights, bustling casinos, and extravagant entertainment, is also home to a thriving interior design scene. Behind the glamour of Las Vegas, a community of talented Interior Designers are shaping the aesthetics of the city's diverse spaces, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and transforming ordinary places into extraordinary environments. Let’s delve into the vision and inspiration of interior designers in Las Vegas and the unique perspective MIC & NAY Design Collective brings to the scene.
Understanding the Essence of Interior Design
Interior Design goes beyond mere decoration; it is an art form that combines functionality, aesthetics, and a deep understanding of space. It involves creating harmonious environments that evoke emotions, enhance experiences, and reflect the personality and purpose of the space. How do you break boundaries and create new ones? How do you come out of the ordinary, all while staying cohesive? Not only should a space be aesthetic and functional, but in residential design, it is to bring out the character of the humans that will embody the space. Every last light fixture and fabric choice is made to emulate its residents. The details will be thought through, big and small. The door handles, the light switches, the small transition piece from your main flooring to your laundry room. Nothing is to be missed. And when fully complete, a project turns into a work of art, sometimes taking years to get to the finish line, and placing that last coffee table book.
Creating Unforgettable Hospitality Experiences
Las Vegas is renowned for its luxurious hotels, resorts, and casinos, attracting millions of visitors each year. Interior Designers play a pivotal role in crafting unforgettable hospitality experiences in these establishments. By blending opulence, comfort, and thematic elements, they create spaces that captivate guests and transport them to different worlds, quite literally. From elegant lobbies to swanky bars, interior designers in Las Vegas leave no stone unturned in curating immersive environments that leave a lasting impression. With big budgets and big vision, the unimaginable is done.
Redefining Residential Living
While Las Vegas is synonymous with entertainment, it is also home to diverse residents. With all walks of life residing in this city, Interior designers cater to the unique needs and preferences of homeowners. With an abundance of stucco track homes, it leaves interiors as the place for residents to express themselves. Whether it's creating open and airy spaces to embrace the desert landscape or infusing contemporary designs with hints of the city's vibrant energy, an Interior Designer will execute it.
As an up and coming design firm, MIC & NAY create exceptional spaces by utilizing modern day technology and materials. A company that has built a foundation on the principles of design, while running the company as a modern wheelhouse. Always on the hunt for what’s new and improved, MIC & NAY dive into designs that are so new in the realm of Las Vegas. As an overall style, MIC & NAY leave the glitz and glamor for the strip and focus on bespoke materials and furnishings for each client.
Elevating Commercial Spaces
Beyond hospitality and residential projects, Interior Designers in Las Vegas contribute significantly to the design of commercial spaces. From corporate offices and retail stores to restaurants and entertainment venues, these professionals breathe life into commercial environments. They understand the importance of branding and customer experience, and their creative prowess helps businesses stand out in the competitive landscape. Through strategic use of colors, textures, lighting, and spatial planning, interior designers craft spaces that align with a brand's identity and foster engagement. Commercial design can be a very whimsical and fun space to design in, as the sky is the limit. Creating and ambiance and atmosphere true to a brand.
Embracing Eclecticism
Las Vegas is a city that thrives on eclecticism, and Interior Designers fully embrace this aspect in their work. Blended by different styles, eras, and cultural influences creates visually stunning spaces. By juxtaposing modern and traditional elements, a harmonious balance is achieved. This fusion of styles not only adds intrigue but also ensures that each project is a unique representation of the client's personality and essence. As a Designer, materials are EVERYTHING. Texture, color, finish, fabrication. Coming across so many innovative and unique materials, a Designer will know when to make a space a statement, or when to make it secondary. Balanced design is a fine line of underwhelming to overwhelming. Selecting a few unique and bespoke materials and pairing them with more muted and subdued materials to get the right balance for the finished product. Sometimes it is a tile or a wallpaper, or it could be an antique case good or eclectic chair. When that piece become the most exciting part of the room, design begins around it. MIC & NAY thrive in designing with a bit of eclecticism and funk. Creating fun spaces through materials and artwork is what they do best. Even in a neutral color palette, unique design can be executed through shapes, objects, and color variation. Design is to be bold, while staying harmonious.
Sustainable Design Practices
In recent years, sustainable design practices have gained significant importance in the field of Interior Design. MIC & NAY are no exception and are actively incorporating eco-friendly elements into their projects. They utilize materials that are locally sourced, furniture that is re-purposed, and incorporate renewable energy sources wherever possible. By prioritizing sustainability, these designers contribute to the overall well-being of the environment and create spaces that align with a conscientious mindset. MIC & NAY love to incorporate up-cycling and source sustainably into their projects, which can pose as a challenge, but worth the results.
Drapery Style: Curtain Hanging for all Aesthetics
Drapery plays a vital role in enhancing the visual appeal of any space in Interior Design. They not only provide privacy and control lighting but also have the power to transform a room into a chic sanctuary. MIC & NAY, a renowned source for revolutionary design, has curated a collection of their curtain-hanging ideas just for you. In this blog post, we will explore the various ways to hang curtains with style, enabling you to express your personality and elevate the aesthetic of your home.
Timeless Sophistication: Floor-to-Ceiling Curtains
For a classic and elegant touch, consider hanging floor-to-ceiling drapery. This design choice adds an element of refinement and creates an illusion of height in any space. To achieve an appealing look, opt for drapes made of flowing fabrics with delicate designs or simple colors. For a polished finish, we recommend pairing them with ornate curtain rods or modern tracks. This is our top choice for hanging curtains!
There are numerous types of curtain headers, which play a role in how they suggest your house to read. Back Tab headers create a more seamless look, where you don’t see any hardware and the curtain is very clean and simple on the wall. This header allows for the billowing effect that so many people chase for. For a more classic and traditional look, many go with pleated curtains that are hung on rings to the rod. Our least favorite version of a curtain header would be the grommet hole. It allows for more of the hardware rod to show through. We like to conceal as much of the rod and hardware as possible.
Minimalist Elegance: Ceiling-Mounted Track Systems
If you prefer a sleek and minimalist style, ceiling-mounted track systems offer a clean and contemporary design. This hanging method works particularly well in modern interiors or rooms with limited wall space. To foster an open and uncluttered atmosphere, MIC & NAY suggest using lightweight materials like sheer or linen for the curtains if you are just looking to add texture to the room. The next steps on from that are ‘light filtering’ levels, and then blackout levels. This is our top choice for hanging roller or roman shades!
Dramatic Impact: Layered Curtains
To add depth and create a dramatic effect for your windows, consider layering curtains. Combining transparent curtains with heavier drapes or shutters can produce a visually striking result. With this layering technique, you can experiment with different textures, patterns, and colors to infuse your space with depth and individuality. Having double lined drapes provide you not only aesthetics, but functionality. Do you want to draw your sheers to let light in? Or do you want blackout for nighttime? Adding more fabric like this softens the space even more. Be aware, if you have low ceilings or a lot of furniture in the room, curtains like this might look like too much going on.
Modern Functional: Motorized Curtain System
For tech-savvy households that value simplicity and functionality, motorized curtain systems offer a modern and practical solution. MIC & NAY recommend these automated solutions for their convenience and ease of use. With a simple push of a button or a voice command, you can effortlessly open and close your curtains, adding a touch of contemporary elegance to your home. We love this feature in a home. At the moment it can be a large expense, but we have never had a client say “The thing that wasn’t worth it is the motorized roller shades.”
A few key tips in selecting curtain length:
For a tailored look, have the curtain hang just about ¼” off the ground.
For a casual look, have the curtain hang about 1-2” on the floor.
For a dramatic look, have the curtain hang 3-4” on the floor.
By exploring these ‘MIC & NAY’ curtain-hanging suggestions, you can let your personal flair shine through. Whether you prefer traditional elegance, minimalist chic, dramatic effects, creative expression, bohemian vibes, whimsical swags, or modern utility, there are numerous ways to hang curtains that align with your style and personality. Embrace your imagination and experiment with different materials, colors, and patterns to turn your curtains into a canvas for your unique home design masterpiece.
The Ideal Fit: Rug Sizes with MIC & NAY
The selection of an appropriate rug size often goes unnoticed in the realm of interior design. However, choosing the right rug size can significantly impact the overall aesthetics and functionality of a room. We absolutely love using rugs in our projects. It’s an opportunity to express character, but in a muted way. A rug can be simple, or it can be the statement piece. It’s like jewelry to your home- dress it as up or down as you wish. To help you in navigating this process, MIC & NAY has curated their expert insights and techniques to master rug sizing. This blog delves into the importance of selecting the correct rug size and guides you through the process of achieving the perfect fit.
The Significance of Rug Size
Before delving into the specifics, it is essential to grasp why rug size holds importance. A thoughtfully chosen rug has the power to delineate spaces, enhance visual appeal, and unify the design elements of a room. Conversely, an ill-fitting rug can create a sense of disarray and unattractiveness. If it’s too small, it can make furniture look large and smushed together, and the room to appear disproportionate. If it’s too large, furniture selection will feel sparse and empty. The right-sized rug aids in establishing designated areas, anchoring furniture, and providing a harmonious flow to the space.
Standard Rug Sizing
Majority of rug companies will sell in standard sizes:
Runners- 2.5’x7.’ and 2.5’x10’
Area Rugs- 3’x5’ , 4’x6’ , 5’x7’ , 6’x9’ , 8’x10’ , 9’x12’ and sometimes 12’x15’
Assessing the Space
The initial step in determining the appropriate rug size is to assess the room itself. Consider the dimensions of the room and its intended purpose. For instance, in a living room, ensure that the rug accommodates the seating area while leaving sufficient room around the furniture. Take precise measurements of the space and take note of any obstacles or architectural elements that might impact rug placement.
Defining Zones and Spatial Planning
Creating distinct zones within a room is vital for crafting an aesthetically pleasing and functional environment. Rugs play a pivotal role in defining these zones. For rugs that are freestanding and not against walls, leave around 3’ of walkway space or 5’ or more if it is a main walkway space. Rugs can go up to the wall on an edge or two depending on the space and its purpose.
Living Room Rug Sizing
In the living room, the rug should be large enough to encompass all major furniture pieces. One common mistake is opting for a rug that is too small, resulting in furniture appearing out of place or floating in the space. MIC & NAY advise selecting a rug that extends beyond the coffee table, allowing the front legs of the couch and chairs to rest on it. This creates a polished and grounded look. On the edge of the sofa side, the rug should overhang around 2 ft, enough for the placement of a side table if desired. At minimum, it should come out past the sofa edge 3”. If there is going to be a console behind the sofa, back the edge of the sofa to the edge of the rug. You do not want furniture to be ‘half on, half off’ the area rug. There are exceptions- the rug doesn’t go to the back of the sofa to have more of the rug showing out in front of it- use furniture risers to make sure the sofa stays even. For a standard home and sofa sizes, a 9’x12’ is ideal, but a 6x9’ if you have a smaller living room. Again, this is relative to the size of your home. In a 14,000 sq. ft. home, the great room may be much much larger!
Dining Room Rug Sizing
Choosing the appropriate rug size for the dining room is crucial to have functionality and visual appeal. Even when the chairs are pulled out, the dining table should comfortably fit on the rug. To prevent chairs from snagging on the edge of the rug, it is recommended to extend the rug at least 24 inches on each side of the table. This allows for a seamless dining experience that is both practical and visually pleasing. Ideal sizes for a 6-top table is 8’x10’ and for 8-top we recommend 9’x12’. A 4-top, square or round, would fit on a 6’x9’.
Bedroom Rug Sizing
Rugs in the bedroom provide a warm foundation and add a touch of coziness. We get asked a lot if we prefer the rug to go longways with the bed, or longways horizontal to the bed. With standard sizes, it’s circumstantial. Preferably, if you cannot fit the entire nightstand on the rug comfortably, MIC & NAY suggest placing the rug beneath the lower two-thirds of the bed, extending it beyond the sides and foot. This would keep the nightstands balanced, without having to comprise the amount of rug that goes under the bed. Our least favored look is when the majority of the rug is under the bed, and minimal rug walking space around the bed. Avoiding this will impart a sense of elegance to the space and offer a soft landing for your feet as you wake up. Our general size guide for bedrooms are 9’x12’ for a King bed, 8’x10’ for a Queen bed, a 6’x9’ for a full or two runners. These sizes and directions can be played with in a space- we’ve angled rugs under beds to create a more whimsical and lived in feeling.
And Don’t Forget…Your Rug Pad!
Rug pads play a crucial role in enhancing the functionality and longevity of rugs. They prevent slipping and sliding, and act as a protective barrier. Different thickness rug pads will provide cushioning and comfort when walking on them. There are certain areas that rug pads will deem unnecessary, like on carpeted floors. Thinner rug pads are great for high traffic areas, whereas you want thicker pads for areas you want comfort and find yourself barefoot a lot. If you find you really do not need any rug padding, we suggest just placing rug tape down to keep the corners from coming up.
While all of MIC & NAY’s recommendations are invaluable, there are a few additional tips and factors to consider when choosing the right rug size:
Room dimensions: Take into account the overall proportions of the room before settling on a rug size. Larger rooms may require bigger rugs to maintain balance, while smaller rooms can benefit from smaller rugs to avoid overwhelming the space.
Budget: Determine your spending limit in advance, as larger rugs typically come with a higher price tag. However, compromising on size might diminish the overall impact of the rug. MIC & NAY advise in investing in the largest rug within your budget. In the world of rugs, prices can be hundreds to thousands of dollars, quickly!