Designs of the Interior

Balance to Preservation – Details on this 2012 Interior Design trend

Posted by on Dec 8, 2011 in Interior Designs | 6 comments

In an article on our blog last month, we touched on the “Balance to Preservation” trend, quite an interesting interior design trend for 2012 identified in a recent color trends report. The overall trend has four distinct components — Heritage, Process, Protection and Enlightenment — which we described briefly in that article. Now, follow along as we fully explore the details of these trends.

  1. Heritage — Our past, reflected in interior design with recycled and repurposed items and new looks with old patterns such as Damask.  Heritage-related color trends are saturated neutrals like camel, browns with red and yellow undertones, dark reds, sunny yellows with red undertones, and teal, turquoise, indigo and navy blue.
  2. Process — Our journey, showing us being open to new cues from nature with a real movement towards functionality and a self-sustaining lifestyle.  Recycled, nenewed materials replect this trend as well, but will build on it with aspects of old designs incorporated into new, interesting pieces.  Process-related color trends will be seen in layered greens (organic movement), gray/charcoal to outline thougts and design, and red to orange as a contrast to grays.
  3. Protection — Our vulnerability, which speaks to our need to feel safe in an uncertain time, will be seen in a continued use of metalics and pearized colors, but with a resurgence of gold in satin finishes.  Colors to watch in the protection trend are black, grays, pink and purple, and khaki, camel and animal prints.
  4. Enlightenment — Our future is reflected in the excitement of rebirth that we all envision.  Design elements to watch for are the egg, as a symbol of rebirth; orbital or elliptical shapes will be big.  Colors in this trend will have shine, vaporous tones and mirror effects, and will include grape purples, aquatic blues and cobalt and fuchsia.

Next time, we’ll explore how these trends are applying to bedding design.  In the meantime, visit Designs of the Interior for help with interior design and home furnishings including custom furniture and window treatments.

Read More

16th annual Pinnacle award winners for designers

Posted by on Nov 22, 2011 in Home Furnishings, Uncategorized | 12 comments

In October, the American Society of Furniture Designers announced the 16th annual Pinnacle award winners for designers in 16 furniture, accessories and lighting categories.

Hooker Furniture’s Rafferty Console was the winner in the occasional tables category. The Pinnacle judges said: “Inspired by an Old World compass, the design has timely ‘right now’ style with good scale and a rustic charisma with its planked top and stone-like finish.” Finished on all four sides, the piece retails for $1389 ($969 at Designs of the Interior) and is a wonderful example of the four preservation trends discussed in the last two blog posts.

Hooker Furniture's Rafferty Console
Stanley Furniture’s Coastal Living Resort won for the major collections category. Balanced effortlessly between the breezy simplicity of shore life and the understated elegance of a five-star hotel, Coastal Living Resort brings contemporary sophistication to the coast:

Hundreds of styles are available, from casual dining, shown above, to a more formal setting; all are available at Designs of the Interior (46” table as shown retails for $2299; at Designs of the Interior it’s $1599. Casual chair as shown retails for $1089; at Designs of the Interior, it’s $759. Sleigh bed as shown retails for $2629 for a queen size; at Designs of the Interior, it’s $1839. End of bed bench retails for $1309; at Designs of the Interior, it’s $919.)

Visit Designs of the Interior for more home furnishings including custom furniture and window treatments.

More interior design trends for 2012 to come soon. Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Designs of the Interior – Custom Furniture Westlake Village, Window Treatments Westlake Village, Home Furnishings Westlake Village.

 

Read More

The “Balance to Preservation” trend

Posted by on Nov 19, 2011 in Home Furnishings, Interior Designs, Uncategorized | 9 comments

The “Balance to Preservation” trend for 2012 uncovered in our last post is broken out into four trends: Heritage, Process, Protection and Enlightenment. Elliptical shapes are one of the design elements to watch with the Enlightenment trend along with the egg, as a symbol of rebirth; and orbital shapes. Colors in this trend will have shine, vaporous tones and mirror effects, and will include grape purples, aquatic blues and cobalt and fuchsia.

This elliptical concept is quite intriguing, and the shapes will be seen in fabrics, rugs, lamp bases and occasional tables. This refined, repeated pattern will be in deep, dark finishes and organic elements, sometimes with spikes of vibrant color accents.

Three great examples of the look are shown below. The amazing, hand knotted, wool rug from Jaunty is available at Designs of the Interior for $699 (retail is $879). Open ellipses in black, oxidized iron make this end table a real focal point; it’s $839 at Designs of the Interior and the retail is $1199. The hand hammered, antiqued brass and polished nickel construction, combined with its graceful, elliptical shape, make this lamp a rare gem of jewelry in any room (retails for $1379; at Designs of the Interior it’s $1099).

Next time, Pinnacle winners! Then, more trends for 2012 to follow.

Read More

What’s Hot in Interior Design for 2012

Posted by on Nov 11, 2011 in Interior Designs, Uncategorized | 1 comment

“Balance to Preservation” is an interesting trend identified recently in a 2012 color trends report.  It is a curious reflection of our current economic and social climate, seen as an overall desire to connect our past with our future.  Preservation is broken out into four trends:

  1. Heritage — our past, reflected in interior design with recycled and repurposed items and new looks with old patterns such as Damask.
  2. Process — our journey, showing us being open to new cues from nature with a real movement towards functionality and a self-sustaining lifestyle.
  3. Protection — our vulnerability, which speaks to our need to feel safe in an uncertain time.
  4. Enlightenment — our future is reflected in the excitement of rebirth that we all envision.

In October, High Point, NC was a mecca of what’s hot for 2012, in terms of texture, color, exotic prints and sophistication.  Aspects of the Preservation Trends could be seen throughout all of the new styles.  Also in October, the American Society of Furniture Designers announced the 16th annual Pinnacle award winners for designers in 16 furniture, accessories and lighting categories.

Over the next few weeks here on our blog, we’ll delve into these Preservation Trends more deeply and look at how the Pinnacle award winners incorporated these trends.  We’ll even share some photos of the winning pieces and other furnishings that are available from Designs of the Interior at prices well below retail!

 

Read More

Reader Poll: Favorite Color Trend

Posted by on Oct 14, 2011 in Interior Designs, Uncategorized | 14 comments

This summer in our Interior Design blog, we talked about color trends and how they play an important role in accent colors.  Now, we want to share with you which color is the favorite color trend of the year as voted on by readers of our newsletter.  The 2nd runner up is Citrus Yellow, which is light, airy, free spirited, fun, and encapsulates a mood of hope, optimism and positive energy.  The 1st runner up is Honeysuckle (Pantone 18-2120), a vibrant, energetic, courageous, confident, vital color.  And, drum roll, the favorite color trend of the year is … Vintage Wine.  First seen on the fashion runways of New York, Paris, and Milan, this rich hue with a deep brown base and a hint of smoky violet is just as magnificent in the home in wood finishes, leathers, paint and fabrics as it is on the runway.

Let our interior designers help you incorprate these colors into your home furnishings, custom furniture and window treatments

Read More

Designing a Romantic Bedroom Sanctuary – Part Three

Posted by on Sep 30, 2011 in Home Furnishings, Interior Designs, Uncategorized | 0 comments

In our final installment of how to create a romantic bedroom sanctuary, we touch on two subjects that are related and opposite at the same time, clutter and Feng Shui.  Christopher Forrest McDowell, PHD suggests in his book Islands of Grace: Finding Sanctuary in Daily Life that your home sanctuary should give you space and time from the outside world, amid the turmoil, obligations and demands for your time and resources.  And the place we most need to be able recharge ourselves is in the bedroom.

Clutter Kills the Mood: Clutter detracts from your ability to rest and relax, so one of the best design ideas for the master bedroom is to live by the old adage of  “a place for everything and everything in its place” to eliminate it.  If your bedroom is on the small side, having it clutter free will make it appear larger as well.

Feng Shui Elements: Some basics will make room for a more positive and harmonious flow of energy.  Remove anything that could be mistaken for loneliness (that lone person on the beach painting).  Avoid sharp angles and geometric shapes.  The bed should have a clear view of the door, but not so you sleep with your feet facing the door, which allows energy to flow out the door.  Keep the bed off the floor and the space under the bed free and not used for storage, so the room can circulate and give you a restful sleep.  And keep the bed centered on the wall, easily approachable from both sides if you have a partner, so both are equal in the relationship.  Subdued colors of violet, blue, green and gray are best for making the bedroom soothing and restful.

Your design team at Designs of the Interior brings its expertise to every project, including Romantic Bedrooms. 
 
Beauty.  Warmth.  Comfort.  (It’s what we do best.)
 
…From inspiration to installation… 

 

Read More

Designing a Romantic Bedroom Sanctuary – Part Two

Posted by on Sep 21, 2011 in Interior Designs | 25 comments

As promised, more this month on how to create a romantic bedroom sanctuary.  Christopher Forrest McDowell, PHD suggests in his book Islands of Grace: Finding Sanctuary in Daily Life that your home sanctuary should give you space and time from the outside world, amid the turmoil, obligations and demands for your time and resources.  And the place we most need to be able recharge ourselves is in the bedroom.  This week, Smell, Taste and Touch inside tips…

Smell: Use scented candles in soothing scents like lavender, or splurge on cut flowers for the nightstands to involve your sense of smell.

Taste: How fun would it be to have pretty breakfast trays so you can enjoy breakfast in bed occasionally? 

Touch: The bed, complete with sumptuous bedding, is the main focal point and is very important in setting the tone for your romantic bedroom.  It should be something you love, with a comfortable mattress that invites sleeping in on those days when you can.  Dress your bed with comforting texture for tactile pleasure and visual interest.  Look for fine quality in your bedding; investing in beautiful bedding is not a frivolous buy, but the kind of luxury that , once you purchase it, you wonder how you managed without it!  Pattern and trimmings are wonderful design elements to mix with plain fabrics.  They inject a feeling of warmth and coziness, and bring in a signature statement rich in character to the room.  But not too much, so the room still is soothing!  An area rug softens the room and can define a sitting area or be placed at the foot or side of the bed.  How heavenly it is to sink your bare toes into into something soft when you get out of bed!

Next week:  Thoughts on clutter and Feng Shui.

Read More