Tuesday, March 30, 2010

More Easter Ideas

To start have a nice arrangement or an Easter egg tree as your centerpiece - then under it place the “parting gifts” for your guests. I like to have personalized tags on each one - usually I laminate a “holiday” picture of Charlie on it with a small note to each person or family - this year Charlie is wearing bunny ears...

Simple Easter Ideas


Simple extras to make your Easter extra special this year!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Trends We Love for 2010 and Trends We Would Love To Go


Trends We Love
Trends are often considered the pieces you buy one year and throw out the next, when they're no longer gracing the pages of your favorite  magazine.
However, not every trend is fleeting. A few years ago, going green was hailed as one of the hottest trends. Now it is becoming a standard throughout the design industry.

A list of 10 trends for 2010 that have some staying power ...

Palette
Regarding colour - turquoise is the colour for 2010, but shades of purple will continue into 2010. In particular, purple and gray, yellow and gray and matte shiny gray together, are great combinations. Clearly "Gray is the new beige," and we anticipate rich and unexpected combinations like gray and teal, or magenta or tangerine.

Bolder design decisions
In the last year, people were looking to be calmed and comforted by interiors....this year, a  sense of optimism will translate into sparkle, glamour and lots of risk-taking in design.

Forget faux
In 2010, we want to see a movement toward the natural patina of woods, metals and other materials. We don't even mind a water mark or a hint of rust. After all, those imperfections may be the result of generations of wear and come with a good story or two.

Artisanal goods
Just as artisanal foods have taken off, expect the same for home furnishings and accessories. Artisanal work will continue to be strong......even modernists will want to see natural materials or the work of the craftsman brought into their home in some way.

Texture
Texture will be big in 2010. We are spending a lot of time researching new natural materials and unusual techniques with a lot of rich, textural interest... products include a woven natural bamboo headboard, a crocheted floor cushion, recycled glass candleholders and storage made of kooboo.

The well-traveled look
The Sundance Channel series "Man Shops Globe" follows Anthropologie buyer-at-large Keith Johnson as he visits country after country, looking for special pieces and inspiration for the company's 135 stores worldwide. Whether you're scouring or browsing shops during a quick weekend getaway, incorporating souvenirs in a space can give it a bit of personality.

Mix it up
In general, I see a trend to a carefully edited 'anything goes' approach.Going forward in 2010, it's all about the mix and how you combine individual, disparate elements. The right classic 19th century piece will mix with certain vintage finds from the '70s and '80s and with pieces designed this year.  Graphic modern print textiles work with traditional chairs and sofas.


Old is new again
Antiques and vintage pieces add soul to any space...and these types of items are plentiful in today's markets, so our clients are able to invest in key pieces for their home.

Wallpapered ceilings
Wallpaper is huge this year ... and believe it or not - look for wallpapered ceilings as an increasingly popular option for creating visual impact in a room.


Trends We'd Love To See Go
The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live - personal taste and decor that meets your needs are always in style ...
That said, there are some trends we've come across in the past few years that we wish hadn't been so widely adopted.


•  Flat-screen TVs mounted so high above the fireplace mantel, you get a neck cramp before the first commercial break.

•  Home makeover shows that set unrealistic expectations about decorating a space. There are usually scores of people
   working behind the scenes whom you never see on screen. Plus, we're firm believers that good design takes time.
•  Shallow sink basins that result in water splashing everywhere.
•  Outfitting a room top to bottom with reproduction designer furniture. We've seen too many homes filled with so much
    Eames, Bertoia and Saarinen with no personal touch or reflection of ones own style ...
•  Watch any house-hunting program on HGTV and, chances are, granite countertops are on the buyer's wish list. But
    with so many options now available - including recycled paper and glass products - our wish for 2010 is for anyone
    embarking on a remodel to think beyond the granite and stainless steel combination.

Color Trends for 2010

Turquoise
Color trends are the result of much observation of our surrounding natural world as well as the influences that will impact our world in the future.These factors include socioeconomic issues, technology, lifestyles and play styles, diversions, entertainment, and most importantly, the needs, moods, fantasies and aspirations of consumers.
 
Turquoise ... combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of well-being.
 
Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

Here are  three color themes that have been predicted for 2010:
One - "genesis" which is all about real colors found in the natural world. From green to yellow, the greyscale continues. Carbon color footprints. New beige and white. Monochromes in colored and earthen neutrals. Beautiful hues of browns, creams, greens, reds...think sand, flowers, grasses, root vegetables. Colors include: wild mushroom, forest moss, yellow finch, frostline, granite.

Two - "the new luxury" which is more about values and less about wealth. Sophisticated deep and rich tones. Bold translucency and art-inspired brights contrast against beige grounds. Gold, bronze, copper. Sustainable color choices accented with luxurious chromas of organic brights....think eco-chic. Colors include: sandlot gray, granite, wild orchid, caponata, summer plum, gold.

Three - "ingenuity" which is considered more out of the box and fun. Unexpected and free. Sporty hues and glimmers of metallics. Playful color tones. Prismatic color, ombre effects. Bold and vibrant yellows, blues, oranges...think freedom of expression and right-brain thinking. Colors include: seaweed, midnight navy, salsa, fairview taupe, bronze.

Wallpaper Trends for 2010


Trends to watch for: Floral Patterns · Retro Prints · Large Graphics · Vibrant Colours

Trends in home designs come and go, and wallpaper is no different. Wallpaper has ridden the waves of popularity over the years and recently there has been a rising interest with an offering of new, rich designs and interesting textures. Whether you just want to make your new home unique, or are preparing your house to put on the market, deciding to wallpaper the interior can provide great visual interest to potential buyer and visitors.

You may not be impressed at the thought of covering your walls once again with wallpaper, especially if you think back to some of the designs that were produced back in the 60 and 70's. Although some of the new designs have a distinctly retro feel there are plenty of other choices, anything from Victorian to geometrical, vinyls to fabrics, and small repeats to entire murals. As with all decorating elements there is something to fit in with all kinds of taste and budget range.

Original Art


Hot off the press!!

March has arrived, and with it comes fabulous new art!!!
We just received some great new pieces from Robyn Millar and Annette Sicotte!