Design Trends for 2013

What's New for 2013?

Among the resources I use to stay on top of the latest trends in Design, is Dunn Edwards annual Specs + Spaces article.  Today I'm sharing with you and edited version of their design trends for 2013.  I'm not including the new colors trends due to time restraints.  Following my blog is a link you can use for more in depth information on design trends and many great visuals of color examples.

The themes for the future are:

• Re - Invent
• Re - Newel
• Re - Imagined
• Re - Vival

RE-INVENT

The Inspiration:   Inspired by the 19th century Industrial Age as well as sociological changes to the American landscape.

Design Check List

• Metals that age gracefully will cover surfaces rather than just details
• Rust, corrosion and copper are important materials and finishes
• Molten metals with raw joints
• Archaeological Chic
• Extreme Salvage
• Wild West Abode Chic

RE-NEWAL

The Inspiration:   A world of blissful innocence not yet affected by global strife, focusing on a truthful and honest lifestyle, coupled with restrained luxury and a touch of glamour.

Design Check List

• Textures mimic nature
• Threads of color appear in fabric, wall covering and carpet
• Thatched Roofs
• Home Spas
• Mirrors and Key
• Plank siding and driftwood
• Faded colors that are dilapidated and charming
• Prairie planting
• Rough Luxe

 RE-IMAGINED

 The Inspiration:   Images of far off realities give us a desire to run away.

Design Check List

• One World City
• Edible looking colors (cantaloupe and bubble gum)
• Pointillism, pixilation and cubism become design elements for walls
• Fantasy and escapism
• Sticker Art (for kids)

 RE-VIVAL

The Inspiration:  Re-birth of midcentury modernism in the Southwest.  Resort lifestyle with a thrill of nostalgia and memories of travel and places.

Design Check List

• Mid - Century motifs
• Mid - Century reading
• Hollywood lore
• Resort motifs (logos from the past)

If you have further interest or want see the colors, visit:

www.specsspaces.com/article/simplyarenaissance2013colortrends

 



 

 

 



A Favorite Resource

Bungalow 5 is one of my favorite vendors.  They have a unique collection of furniture, lighting, wall decor and accessories.  Their furnishings are transitional, contemporary and many have an Asian influence.  I'm including some examples of their products I think are special and fun!



Jacqui Tea Table

Calista Mirror

Costa Table Lamp

Lotus Vase

The New York based company is always adding pieces that are a joy to offer clients who like distinctive furnishings. 



Emphasis

Another Principle of Design is "Emphasis".  This goes along with my blog last week about including a special piece in your interiors that create "Contrast", i.e. you're creating "Emphasis".  Emphasis is something that the eye is first drawn to.  A simple example is a fireplace - this is structural emphasis.
Emphasis can also be achieved through color.  Similar to Contrast, too much Emphasis causes confusion and the lack of Emphasis causes boredom. 

Below are examples of spaces with and without any Emphasis.  It is obvious the space with the fireplace and bright colored and bold patterned rug is the better design.  The space where everything
is a neutral color lacks excitement.

Good Example of Emphasis

Poor Example of Emphasis

Choose your furnishings and accessories wisely, so what you have is exciting, combine things that normally would not be used together.  That's what makes good design!

Somthing Special or Different

Ideally each room or space should have a unique piece of furniture, an accessory, lighting or artwork that stands out as special.  These can be heirlooms, a piece bought on a trip, or something found or sought after to fulfill the Wow Factor. 

I will be sharing in this and upcoming blogs companies I've discovered that offer such pieces.  I like to find furnishings for my clients that when people walk into their rooms, they ask, "Wow -where did you find that?"

African Screen

The beautiful African screen above by Hoyos comes in a variety of wood stain finishes or can be customize stained to match your interior finishes.  Just another example of a unique furnishings not found everyday.  It's not trendy - it's timeless.

Principles & Elements of Design: Scale

My last blog was about "Contrast" - very important!

Another critical principle of design is Scale.  An easy example is: size of furniture to size of room or space.  When talking about Scale - it always involves two things.  In this case, furniture and a room size.  Often we over crowd rooms with too much furniture, accessories etc.  Good design results when everything is in Scale to each other.  Another example is too tall or large of a lamp on a small table or visa versa. 

Scale is also relevant in pattern.  A very large pattern repeat is not suitable on a small piece of upholstery - you loose the pattern.  Often times I see coffee tables that are not in scale with the sofa they are used with.

Doing a furniture plan can eliminate obvious mistakes, but an elevation for heights is usually necessary as well.  There are no "rules" I strictly follow on Scale, usually my eye will tell me when something is in or out of Scale.