Friday, February 1, 2013

Furniture Flashback Friday



The Barcelona Chair was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1929 for the German Pavillion.  The steel frame on the chair supported the leather webbing that held the tufted cushions that form the seat and back.  The graceful sweeping curves of the legs provide a pleasing contrast to the straight lines of the cushions.







Today, 80+ plus years later the Barcelona Chair still graces modern homes everywhere.  Now available in loveseats, ottomans, and children's sizes, the armless chair adds a design statement to any decor.




Are you a fan of modern design?  If you are let me know and pin it, tweet it and share it on facebook!

Visit me again, for another "Furniture Flashback Friday" to see what other fab furniture pieces have been around a lot longer then you think.

Have a fabulicious weekend!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

2013 Interior DESIGN trend - BLACK with WHITE or WHITE with BLACK


Here is my top 10 design trends for 2013 spread out over the next 10 days...

Trend #1 Geometric patterns 
Trend #2 Animal influences
Trend #3 Brass metal
Trend #4 Industrial style light fixtures
Trend #5 Reclaimed wood
Trend #6 Man-made materials
Trend #7 Chevron Pattern
Trend #8 Emerald Green
Trend #9 Wall Stencilling


Trend #10 - Black & White

2013 seems to be a year for risk taking in interior design.  In fact most people are throwing the rule book away and just decorating the way they want.  In a world full of "eclectic" design pretty much anything seems to go.  So why not do black with white or white with black?  It's the most dramatic contrast you can possibly create!  Its a fun way to mix patterns and styles and still create an element of luxury in your decor.  It is after all black tie decorating!  Add another layer of interest by throwing in a contrast colour of your choice.







Friday, January 11, 2013

2013 Interior DESIGN trend - WALL STENCILLING

Here is my top 10 design trends for 2013 spread out over the next 10 days...

Trend #1 Geometric patterns 
Trend #2 Animal influences
Trend #3 Brass metal
Trend #4 Industrial style light fixtures
Trend #5 Reclaimed wood
Trend #6 Man-made materials
Trend #7 Chevron Pattern
Trend #8 Emerald Green


Trend #9 - Wall Stencilling

Don't worry this is not your mother's 90s stencil!  Instead of the borders and vines of the past, the wall stencilling of 2013 is a lot of tone on tone all over patterns that cover an entire wall or complete room.  I am also seeing a lot of stencilling done in the same paint colour but one in high gloss and one in matte.   The wall stencilling trend is in response to the huge wallpaper trend.  Fortunately wall stencilling is more affordable and less permanent.  It's a great way to add pattern and texture to a room without the high price tag and long term commitment.

Check out this great online resource for stencilling products.  Cutting Edge Stencils

Mediterranean Spaces design - Cutting Edge Stencils


Cutting Stencil Sheet

Chevron stencil accent wall

Painting with stencil

Thursday, January 10, 2013

2013 Interior DESIGN trend - EMERALD GREEN

Here is my top 10 design trends for 2013 spread out over the next 10 days...

Trend #1 Geometric patterns 
Trend #2 Animal influences
Trend #3 Brass metal
Trend #4 Industrial style light fixtures
Trend #5 Reclaimed wood
Trend #6 Man-made materials
Trend #7 Chevron Pattern

Trend #8 - Emerald Green

2013 Colour of the Year

"Lively.  Radiant.  Lush... A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald


Out with the Tangerine Tango, in with the Emerald Green.  The colour of the year for 2013 is Emerald Green.  We should expect to see a lot of this colour showing up in home decor this year.


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

2013 Interior DESIGN trend - CHEVRON pattern

Here is my top 10 design trends for 2013 spread out over the next 10 days...

Trend #1 Geometric patterns 
Trend #2 Animal influences
Trend #3 Brass metal
Trend #4 Industrial style light fixtures
Trend #5 Reclaimed wood
Trend #6 Man-made materials

Trend #7 - Chevron Pattern

The Chevron pattern was a huge trend in 2012 and will definitely continue into 2013.  I do see a new sophistication of the chevron for 2013.  It has evolved into a lot more then just the original zig zag stripe.  Check out photos below.




2013 Interior DESIGN trend - MAN-made materials

Here is my top 10 design trends for 2013 spread out over the next 10 days...

Trend #1 Geometric patterns 
Trend #2 Animal influences
Trend #3 Brass metal
Trend #4 Industrial style light fixtures
Trend #5 Reclaimed wood

Trend #6 - MAN-made materials

Over the last decade there has been a huge demand for natural stone or wood.  How could you not love the thought of a material where no 2 pieces are alike. In a world of mass production, individuality and uniqueness are definitely more important then ever.  As wonderful as it sounds there is always a catch.  The problem is they aren't quite as durable as we'd like.  Wouldn't you love a marble island?  Well unfortunately it can stain, and unfortunately granite can too, so if your an avid cook you have to be careful.  Hardwood floors in the bathroom would be great for the overall flow in your house, but they are not recommended around water.  And what would you think about travertine in your foyer?  Again it would be stunning, but unfortunately it scratches.  I'm sure you can see where this is going.  The consumers loved the idea of stone, but they wanted something better.  That's when the manufacturers started making products that had the beauty of natural products, but had the added bonus of essentially being bullet proof.

Let me introduce these wonderful man-made materials to you.


Quartz

Quartz Countertops are resistant to stain and easy to clean: Unlike a granite countertop, quartz countertops are non-porous and stain resistant.

Quartz countertops are resistant to heat and naturally fight germs: Because Quartz is non porous, food bacteria and fluids have a more difficult time getting trapped inside.

Porcelain Tile (can look just like stone or hardwood)

  • Hard, Dense and very durable
  • Essentially stain-proof and highly resistant to moisture
  • Frost and Fire resistant... good for any interior/exterior application
  • Offers good traction and resistance to slipping
  • Doesn't need sealing (except polished finished), waxing or polishing
  • Broad range of colors, textures and patterns
  • Easy to clean with hot water or typical products
  • Does not etch like marble or travertine
  • Highly resistant to scratching
  • Won't break or crack easy



  • Luxury Vinyl

    Luxury vinyl flooring has naturally influenced designs with performance advantages 
    including flexible and easy installation with low costs and excellent durability.

    Although you can't beat the beauty of natural products, these man-made materials are great alternatives.  As we move forward in our busy lives, I think these maintenance free products will continue to grow as an interior design trend for 2013.

    Monday, January 7, 2013

    2013 Interior DESIGN trend - RECLAIMED wood

    Here is my top 10 design trends for 2013 spread out over the next 10 days...

    Trend #1 Geometric patterns 
    Trend #2 Animal influences
    Trend #3 Brass metal
    Trend #4 Industrial style light fixtures

    Trend #5 - RECLAIMED wood

    Are you feeling a little bit green this year?  As all of us continue to try to improve on our carbon footprint, we look for different ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, and why not?  Reclaimed wood is a great way to save money and of course the environment.  Often taken from old barns, schools or factories that are more than 50 years old, reclaimed wood can instantly add a lot of character and charm to your home.  And as an added bonus, it's incredibly durable.  The wood itself was likely milled from mature trees at least 100 years old.  You can't buy that kind of strength or patina with new wood.  Not surprisingly, everyone seems to be jumping on the reclaimed wood bandwagon.


    Notice the beautiful reclaimed wood staircase.  In a monotone colour scheme the stairs become the focal point of the room.

    Source: designstiles.me via T o n i on Pinterest







    By painting the wood walls white on this modern farmhouse, the character of reclaimed wood really comes through.





    Source: roadkillrescue.net via Kimberly on Pinterest




    You can even find reclaimed wood furniture at major furniture stores.  
    Nightstand from Crate and Barrel

    Reclaimed wood is a welcome accent to any fireplace.  In the picture below the scale of the fireplace is increased by completing cladding it in reclaimed wood.  Traditionally we would see only a wood mantel on a brick fireplace.   The beauty and charm of the reclaimed wood is really seen here.


    In the picture below you can see a more contemporary application of the reclaimed wood.  The feature wall plays on all the interesting angles in the room.

    Using reclaimed wood for flooring, accent walls, furniture and anything else you can dream of, is definitely a interior design trend that will continue to grow through 2013.