Current yet timeless designs, Paula Simmons creates environments that reflect the lives and lifestyles of her clients. Paula is a full service interior and garden designer.

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Interior Design

I believe everyone deserves to live in style and love their home.  

I hope to help you bring about a beautiful, comfortable and practical home environment that satisfies your lifestyle.

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Garden Design

There is no need to sacrifice beauty and curb appeal in the landscape to save water.

I connect the urban dweller with nature and it’s human and earth healing benefits.


PROJECTS

Practical with an industrial vibe

 

A modern style kitchen with a touch of nostalgia is the hub of this craftsman style house.

White upper Shaker cabinets brighten the area while the grey-blue lower cabinets compliment the Saltillo-like floor.  Touches of industrial design found in the Edison bulb light fixtures and the burnished hardware gives a rustic vibe to this family friendly space.

 
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A precious little gem

 

A small yard bejeweled with a variety of succulents, native plants and a pair of graceful trees blends nicely with the character of this little craftsman style house. As the client says, “The house has a very approachable street presence now, which makes us happy every time we pull back into the driveway!” 

 
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Stylish yet relaxed spaces, indoors and out

 

A fusion of traditional form, scale and proportion with an earthy, Boho appeal grace this home from the hand hewed cherry wood floors, travertine stone, to the wood lintels over broad doorways and windows. Touches of rich jewel tone colors excite the mood in this casually elegant family friendly home.

 
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A ranch style house of rustic elegance

 

 A garden of rustic elegance, unstructured by design, gives homage to the craggy forest walls that flank the neighborhood.  A riprap, large chunky boulders, provides an organic transition from the street to the drought tolerant garden and dry creek bed.  A broad spectrum of colors and textures of the native plants and grasses compliment the golden hues of the hardscape.  This western setting is enveloped by a unique raw steel and grape stake fence whose patina adds to the ever-changing beauty of the garden.  

 
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Warm colors and wood tones evoke a sense of calm.

 

An eclectic collection of finishes, comfortable furnishings and artifacts that blend to reflect a peaceful Japanese sensibility. Tansu chests, Danish furniture, Japanese sculpture and raku tiles blend to produce a harmonious environment in this family friendly home.

 

 
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Winding Lane

A take your coat off and put your feet up kind of home

 

Beautifully balanced layers of lively color and texture, family mementos and fine art, enliven this charming home.  A welcoming, livable appeal invite you to enjoy the good company and joie de vivre.

 
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Dreamy Romantic Garden

Then & Now

 

Wander through this carefree garden in the shadow of the Storybook Tudor house to find much has changed since it’s initial planting 4 years ago.   Serpentine colored bluestone paths guide the way to a circular patio near the bubbling water pot and an old iron gate punctuates the thick hedge which keeps the sounds of the street at bay. The native and drought tolerant plants have filled in nicely, many more have been added and a surprise ground cover has volunteered to cover the parkway under the oak.  This is a peaceful place to come home to. 

 

Then

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& Now

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Freshwind

Lake-side charm with a French flair

 

Thoughtfully designed interiors reflect a home of refined beauty with an inviting, livable atmosphere. Casual elegance was the mantra of this buildout. Belgium silk carpet, soft sunshine yellow paints with grass green and raspberry accents, serve as backdrop to a collection of artwork and antiques collected by the client.

 

 
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Capturing the rainy day grey

 

Pebbles underfoot, glass globe overhead, glistening grey tiles and a tub for soaking away the issues of the day.  Open the roller shade and view the outdoor shower that has become a favorite spot for the youngsters. 

 

 
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Eclectic mix makes for lively living

 

Sun-filled rooms are softened with textured natural shades and linen drapes.  A palette of cream, tan, charcoal and yellow accentuates the clean lines of modern furniture. 

 
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Bold colors and unorthodox materials set this home apart.

 

A fun, family-friendly style with bold splashes of color and patterns for a crisp modern design. The Mondrian pattern glass tiles set the mood for the kitchen, the countertops and family room fireplace are made of recycled materials. A perfect setting for the clients’ collection of modern art.

 

 
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A drought tolerant English Garden

 

This historical Tudor home guided the design and plantings of this water friendly front yard and patio. We created a symmetrical gravel walkway with classic boxwood hedges to give the client the English garden they were hoping for. Replacing the old patio trellis with a new cover and adding the BBQ area and pretty plantings turned a dog run into a wonderful dining area for the family.

 

 
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A Fun Moroccan vibe

 

Travertine stone carved in an arabesque design set off the shower stall and tub surround in the Moroccan inspired master bathroom.  It’s all about the tile, and it doesn’t stop here.  In the man’s cave bathroom simple terracotta floor tile and a custom pattern of white handmade tiles set off the serpentine countertop and decoration. 

 
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 Pingry-Water Sensitive Landscape

 

California native grasses that can be mowed or not, replace a thirsty lawn.  Swaths of permeable crushed rock add a textural contrast to the green sod, a favorite, affordable low water idea.  

 
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Tools-Industrial Chic

 

Exposed sand-blasted beams set the tone for the rest of the design of this large empty building.  Once army barracks, we kept the steel windows, concrete brick walls and floors, scrounged for salvage items and built plywood cabinets, all of which created a cool working vibe for this post-production office.   

 
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