Monday

My first job in Los Angeles was for a company that designed Hotels and Casinos.  It was a great experience straight out of design school.  If you’ve ever visited Las Vegas, you know how the hotels are based on a theme.  You can see everything from the Luxor, built as a pyramid with an Egyptian Theme, to the NY NY Hotel and Casino based on the NYC itself, to The Paris Hotel and Casino based around an Eiffel Tower replica, just to name a few.

I spent this past weekend in Las Vegas with a view of the Eiffel Tower from my hotel window (yes, this is Vegas, not Paris).

Having a design theme is important when you work in the Casino design business. I, however, consider it a big no-no when doing your own home.  Instead of having a theme for your home’s design, consider a design concept.  I often hear my clients use the “theme” word when they describe the look they want to achieve.  For example, an Island theme is best described as a light, breezy and casual design concept.  Otherwise you’re going to get too theme-y and look like you live in an amusement park.

So here’s a little design tip:  A theme is too literal for your home’s design.  Instead work toward a concept which helps to identify the feeling or atmosphere you are trying to achieve.

The new Wynn Hotel and Casino avoided an obvious theme.  I did, however, notice a common design concept of bright fresh colors in custom tile work, silk flower topiaries hanging in trees and colorful lanterns hanging over a staircase.  This concept created a more elegant design experience.  More than I can say for the hotels that had an obvious theme.