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Breaking Design Boundaries: My Three Hard Passes in Interior Design

Zachary Wheeler • June 21, 2023

Hard passes & their daring alternatives!

Welcome, to the fabulous world of interior design! I’m Zachary Luke from Zachary Luke Designs. I take immense pride in creating spaces that truly reflect the unique personalities and vibrant spirits of my clients. In this blog post, I want to share with you three of my hard passes in interior design, where I break free from the conventional norms and embrace daring alternatives that infuse life and character.


Monochromatic Spaces? No, Thank You! Let's Play with Colors!

Monochromatic spaces have their charm, but life is too short to limit ourselves to a single hue. Instead of confining my designs to a monochromatic palette, I love to explore color schemes. Colors have the power to evoke emotions, set moods, and create visual interest. 


Incorporating pops of color is my secret weapon. Whether it's through vibrant throw pillows, bold art pieces, or playful accessories, I believe in injecting doses of color to enliven a space. Picture a stunning living room with neutral furnishings, where vibrant turquoise throw pillows add to the beauty, or a chic bedroom with a calming palette, accentuated by vibrant artwork. 


Marble in the Kitchen? Let's Rock with Quartzite!

Marble has long been a symbol of luxury and elegance in kitchen design. However, my discerning eye tells me that it's time to break free from tradition. While marble certainly has its allure, it's a delicate stone that requires diligent care to maintain its pristine beauty. Enter quartzite, everyone!


Quartzite, a hard stone formed from sandstone and quartz, offers the perfect alternative. With its durability, resistance to heat, and striking natural patterns, quartzite adds a touch of drama and sophistication to any kitchen. Imagine a sleek quartzite countertop in a bold pattern or a statement-making quartzite backsplash that becomes the focal point of the space. Let's rock the kitchen with this stunning, low-maintenance choice!


Goodbye 12x12 Tile, Hello Statement-Sized Stones!

Ah, the classic 12x12 tile, a staple of traditional design. It's time to think bigger and bolder! When it comes to flooring, walls, or even shower enclosures, why limit ourselves to tiny squares? Let's break free from the constraints of size and embrace larger stones like 12x24 18x18, or even larger.


Larger stone tiles not only make a grand visual statement but also create an illusion of more space, especially in smaller rooms. Picture a luxurious bathroom with large-format stone tiles, perfectly accentuated by delicate mosaic accents. The possibilities are endless. 


I believe in celebrating individuality and pushing the boundaries of design. By veering away from monochromatic spaces and introducing pops of color, swapping marble for quartzite in the kitchen, and embracing larger stone tiles, we can create spaces that truly reflect our vibrant personalities.

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By Zachary Wheeler • February 10, 2025
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Colors of the Year 2025

By Zachary Wheeler • January 21, 2025
Mocha, Cinnamon, Ruby, Green and more! The main company I use in my business for paint is, Benjamin Moore. I have used them for years and love all their colors, stains, and products. From the whitest white to blackest black, they carry over 3000 colors for all your color needs! Beyond Benjamin Moore, we will touch on other company’s colors of the year. I love POPS of colors in design. Grays and Blues are still my go-to standards, but adding in a pop of color can make your space fun! Benjamin Moore Color of the Year is: Cinnamon Slate They describe this as a mix of heather plum and velvety brown. It is a lovely purple-y hue that would look great in a kitchen, foyer, or primary bedroom. Along with the Color of the Year, they also coordinate a color palette with that. These are colors that will complement each other and can be used together in rooms, like accents, doors, trim, etc. When I accent color, I do not mean an accent wall, just to clarify. These colors include: Rosepine-green/sage, Paris Rain-mint/light green, Sea Salt-neutral grey/white, Glacier White-white hue, Stained Glass-Teal/green, Leather Saddle Brown-burgundy/brown, Chowning’s Tan-Tan/camel, Tissue Pink-Blush pink, & Ashwood Moss-mossy green. Moving on to the other Colors of the Year. Here are my other favorites. Pantone- Mocha Moose A warm rich brown that would be perfect for a big open family room, or in a walk-in closet. HGTV Home for Sherwin Williams- Quietude A neutral green with gray and blue undertones. This would look great on kitchen cabinets or a comfortable sunroom! Behr- Rumors This is a deep ruby red with a bold warmth and would look wonderful in a moody library, home office, or a dining room. If you are looking to update paint in any of your spaces, all these colors would look great. Again, I work with Benjamin Moore, and they have plenty to choose from. I do color consultations often and work those colors into a full design. Get your 2025 started off right, and let’s get to work! 

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