Design by Lauren RIchardson, Besosa Designs Rendering: DSRenderings
Glam is so appealing. What’s not to love? Ethereal color palettes, shimmering finishes, luxurious fabrics, and drama, drama, drama!
The guest bedroom shown above was done on a budget of only $2,000. All items were sourced through Wayfair. The wall paint is Gray Cashmere — 2138-60 Benjamin Moore — a whisper light blend of grey, blue and green. Yummy. Champagne, silver and bronze finishes distributed throughout the space create an understated elegance. The warmth of the wood flooring keeps the space grounded as does white bedding, grey drapery panels, and a grey and cream area rug.
Z Gallerie was doing glam before glam was in. They have it all — in spades. Affordable accessories and art from Wayfair or Z Gallerie are a great way to get the feel of glam without committing to major pieces.
This is the most fun collection I’ve seen all year! Perigold, known for elegance in all things, offers the Bohemian Traditional collection. This is an eclectic design sensibility that uses a combination of pattern, texture and color, carved wood elements, global accents, and exotic Eastern touches. It brings warmth into the well-travelled home. As a Wayfair designer I can assist you in personalizing this look and making it your own.
” Viburnum is extra special because its growing season is one of the shortest–the season typically spans the month of April. Viburnum is also known for its color change during the season. They first bloom in a vivid lime green color and then turn to ivory-white puffballs as they mature in the sunshine. ” –Bloomexpert.com
Viburnum green pairs beautifully with creams and greys. Visit Flower Magazine’s link below for inspiration.
There is so much color and pattern in design this year! This can be a blessing and a curse. Look before you leap. The images provided by the industry should be regarded in the same way one reads Vogue – you aren’t meant to reproduce the entire image.
Take snippets of color and pattern that you can live with — at least for a while. Ensure you have some neutrals for breathing room. As designers, we can get away with a lot more drama in hospitality settings where clients will only spend an hour or two. Your home must be restful enough for extended time periods.
One thing that makes this year’s colors a bit more classic is that they are largely nature’s colors — greens and blues (navy is especially classic), with little pops of yellow or salmon to liven things up. You can always use concentrated color for small objects like throw pillows or accessories. However, for wallpaper, window treatments, or large furniture items, be cautious about the intensity of the color and the business of the pattern.
Ballard Designs has done a nice job this year of showing us what’s possible with pattern and color coordination. It’s refreshing to see color back in action after so many years of grey and, well, more grey. Check out their custom fabric, sold by the yard, to apply to hundreds of customizable items.
In the Houzz article below, the author states that “pattern and vibrancy are two trends that don’t appear to be going away anytime soon.” This is an opportunity to explore and integrate colors and patterns that you love in small doses (called the law of Chromatic Distribution).
Law Of Chromatic Distribution. A rule governing the distribution of color intensity or brightness. The most neutralized colors are used in the largest areas, and the smaller the size or area, the brighter or more intense the chroma proportionately becomes. (google search)
Pattern and color are two of the true joys of interior design. They are meant to be used and enjoyed. Just be mindful that what looks fabulous in a tiny image in a magazine will look and feel very different in real time and space in your home.
Scalamandré always delivers on luxury. The Calabria Collection (inspired by the region of Calabria, Italy) captures the more elegant, soft, and refined side of Italian style and works well with stone and the greys that are still so popular. The line also gives us ideas on how to weave softer colors into color schemes that include greys.
Calabria Color Stories
Scalamandré allows you to pair product from the Calabria Collection with classics from other Scalamandré lines. Be sure to review Morning Glory, Winter, Bluestone and Onyx from this new collection that celebrates the company’s 90th anniversary.
What makes this particular Eastern Accents pattern compilation Low Tide Mashup successful is the restraint. It’s not overdone. The hallmark of Eastern Accents is the company’s ability to coordinate color and pattern to perfection.
To determine if you even like living with bold, colorful patterns in your space, purchase only a few accents, such as pillows, accessories, or artwork. Anchor the space in neutrals (headboard, area rug, draperies, wallpaper, paint). Consider a pastel or bright paint color for an accent wall only. If you determine that you love lots of pattern, still keep bold patterns to smaller items.
Faux Florals and Greenery
Think beyond fronds and banana leaves. Monstera leaves, elephant ear, and green lilies all bring freshness. Colorful tropicals include Bird of Paradise, succulent protea and antherium. Etsy always offers wonderful, unique finds, but my “go to” for quality botanicals is NDI Florals.
NDI Tropical Faux FloralsNDI Faux Florals Monastera Leaf
Wicker and rattan area timeless as well due to their natural tones and subtle colors. Rattan furniture is crafted out of rattan only, but wicker furniture may be crafted out of different materials such as bamboo, straw and ratta . Recently, synthetic materials are also being used for the manufacure of wicker furniture. An additional benefit of using wicker or rattan furniture is the ability to add colorful cushions to them.
World Market – always a leader in all things world beat and tropical
World Market Natural Rattan Criscross Lantern
World Market Wood X Table Lamp Base
Artwork
For artwork selections, the key to success with a tropical theme, again, is subtlety and restraint. Consider watercolors to get that fresh, breezy feel of paradise without going overboard.
Note the muted tones in the beautiful design below by Designvibes.com. Nothing hits you over the head. The large pillow and area rug in brown and cream give some breathing room to the blue and orange patterned items in the room. Brighter hues are reserved for glass accessories. The designer achieved perfect balance and harmony in this composition!
The rustic look has found its way into restaurants, boutique shops, big box stores, and residential interiors. Any design that is well made and composed of natural elements has timeless appeal. Consider marble, wood, stone, silk, and linen.
Here’s a look at some other trends that will endure:
If you find that the offerings are less than optimal, or you just don’t want to shell out the extra dollars for a real tree this year, there are many alternatives that will bring you holiday cheer without breaking the bank.
Multicolored Lights and Baubles in a Clear Vase
Design and Image by Riverscross Pottery
Faux Poinsettia and Lights Among Greenery
Faux greenery wraps and holds around a bannister beautifully. Twist the ends together to stay in place. Image by L. Richardson
A Basket of Greenery, Lights and Ornaments
Design and Image by Riverscross Pottery
“The Christmas spirit is simply an honest spirit of love for all humanity. It is the force that moves us to give what we can, to help as we are able, and to always be of kind comfort.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons
CB2 has elevated contemporary interior design. CB2 is transforming the perception of home design for today’s modern consumer by offering high quality, sophisticated design at an approachable price.
Glamour and Luxury
CB2 offers richness, glamour, and luxury in their design offerings — always stylish, ever intriguing! The room settings showcased in their October 2018 lookbook expertly balance the currently popular gold and silver tones with soft hues. Their interior settings adeptly apply texture and pattern, balance warm and cool, and make an artful, breathtaking use of black. Their wood tones, upholstered furniture and area rugs create a warmth and coziness to balance contemporary lines.
CB2 has embraced the emerald green that is so hot at present, but it never looks out of place in any of their settings. For accent walls consider SW6289 Delightful (soft mauve), SW 6747 Argyle (deep green), or SW 6496 Oceanside (deep blue) when incorporating your select CB2 offerings.
Images provided by CB2
There is a delicate nature to CB2’s bling — survey their mirrors, crystal drops, light fixtures and glass trees. Their accessories are refreshingly innovative and interesting.
Images provided by CB2
Edgy, Eclectic, Inspirational
The brand is definitely today’s destination for timeless yet edgy home collections, creating furniture and decor to inspire creativity and celebrate individuality with an eclectic mix of products and decorating ideas. Their furniture and accessories are many and varied, so much so that you will find it easy to make CB2 your own. Your space will truly look and feel like a home – contemporary, eclectic, unique, and very livable.
Images provided by CB2
CB2 is Growing Rapidly
In addition to being a leader in online retail, the brand is rapidly expanding their physical footprint and currently has 18 locations across the U.S and Canada. CB2 is part of Crate and Barrel Holdings, which is owned by The Otto Group, a global retail and services group based in Hamburg, Germany.
For More CB2
For more information, visit www.cb2.com, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. I adore the glorious colors of fall foilage and the cooler temeratures bringing on increased energy. Perhaps it is the association of the new school year that I associate fall with a fresh start. Or it might be that kick of temperature change along with seeing nature let go of summer with such a graceful transition that autumn inspires taking on new adventures in our lives.
Image via Pexel 33109
“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all.” –Stanley Horowitz
There are so many ways to celebrate the season. The cooler weather encourages us to clean out our homes, taken on challenging chores, visit orchards, perhaps even start something new that is good for us like a hobby or carving out some time for ourselves. Give yourself plenty of time to plan for and enjoy Halloween.
Image via Pexel 1371178
A thousand flowers baked by the sun
Their scent dampened by dew now that night has begun
A distant church bell’s toll is eerie tonight
Young children notice all take takes flight
Close friends and neighbors we don’t recognize
Until small friendly voices dispel their disguise
A pumpkin, a candle, a sheet becomes ghost
Our path is so marked by our spooky host
With mild trepidation we approach the next door
Each house has become a free candy store
The night fills with quick footsteps, the shouts that we utter
A spring in our step, inside us a flutter
The beauty of autumn, the mystery of lore
A witch on the wing, a bat hangs from a door
Countless enchantments to be heard, felt and seen
On its once a year visit, once again — Halloween
Poem by Adrian Jennings
Image via Pexel 33577
Autumn is such a fun time for crafts or and adding fall decor. You can let your personality shine, such as with this adorable porcupine set in a nest of warm color –shown above.
Image & Design by Lauren Richardson
Head to your local craft store and grab a grapevine wreath, some colorful leaf stems, berry stems (anything to add interest and texture), your favorite ribbon (with wire) and a bow maker (it’s easy after a few practices), wreath hangers and make yourself a dazzling wreath. I love to have one for the outside of the front door and one for the inside of the front door.
Image & Design by Lauren Richardson
Crate and Barrel’s Suki Collection offers a modern and fresh take on autumn and Thanksgiving table decor. The Suki Collection hosts runners, tablecloths, and napkins in a fresh, stylized floral in two colorways.
If you like the idea of adding acorns to your decor, be sure to pop them in an oven for a few minutes to remove any organic material or purchase faux acorns from any variety of retailers.
Image via Pexel 33109
Image via Pexel 1371178
Image via Pexel 33577
Image & Design by Lauren Richardson
Image & Design by Lauren Richardson