Design Trends 2011 - Trend #11 Change It Up!

I have a dear friend, who every time I go to her house (which is once a week) she has moved everything around! Other than a few accessories that she changes out every-so-often, for the most part the items in her house are the same…just moved around! And I am not just talking about a couple of accessories; I am talking about furniture, art, lamps, even place settings in the hutch! She knows how to re-vamp her house without spending ANY money!

The key to being able to change it up and really see the is to keep you base pieces (ie: sofa, dining table, main dishes, etc.), the pieces you are only going to purchase every 10+ years, keep them neutral and timeless.  And let the smaller investments like lamps, picture frames, chargers, and linens be for colorful, playful and trendy.  Also buy a couple of statement pieces like a funky shaped Bombay chest or a mirrored buffet.

This week when I went to my friend’s house she had her dining table set with leopard print glass chargers, white plates and blue and gold napkins. She accented the room with a leopard-shaded lamp and a piece of art that tied all the colors together.  In her music room she leaned an iron piece of art (that is usually in her master bedroom) up against the wall and hung various framed picture of her loved ones.

So I challenge you! Once a quarter change it up! Move your furniture around, move your accessories, even rehang some art. You will be amazed how much it changes the feel of your home.  Pieces that didn’t show up before are now standing out and making a statement!

Penne, I adore you and you truly are an inspiration!

Design Trends 2011 - Trend #9 Lighting



Pottery Barn Fixture



Lighting is one of the most essential aspects in home decorating and yet it tends to get ignored more than any other single element in an interior decorating scheme. Lighting can give the illusion of space and depth and comfort and emphasis. It draws the eye and can also be used to distract it. Lighting, when done correctly, can make a so-so room look phenomenal.

The importance of the right kind of lighting in your house cannot be overstated. What is the first thing you do when you get home in the evening? Switch on the lights, right? And what if you want to set the mood? Don’t you head towards dimming the lights? Having the right lights can proverbially make or break a home. Use the right lights to highlight your favorite piece of art or downplay a paint inconsistency that only your eye can see.

Light fixtures, if used in the right way, can transform the entire look of your home and it is definitely less expensive than a new coat of paint or even the husband-dreaded word, ‘remodel’!



Ikea Fixture



This year lighting is either going to make a statement or disappear.  You will see a lot of bold and art-like fixtures or out-of-sight recessed lighting.  When you are selecting lighting think about what you need it for, task lighting, ambient lighting, focal lighting or decorative lighting. Then decide it you want to make a statement or if you want it to disappear.  Finally, think about the reflections and shadows it will cask on your surroundings.

Remember, make a statement, have fun with it, and give them something to talk about!

Design Trends 2011 - Trend #5 Kitchen Design

As 2011 arrives, a few design trends have emerged into the forefront of kitchen design. Particularly as the economy continues to improve, homeowners are expected to invest more money in their homes through remodeling, rather than buying completely new houses. Here are 5 top predicted trends for kitchen design in 2011:



Cork Flooring



1. Going Green

As we are becoming more aware of the impact their lives have on the environment, they look to more eco-friendly product options. This holds true in kitchens as well. Natural design options, like cork, bamboo, and reclaimed wood are experiencing a surge in interest, as well as decorating essentials like low-VOC paint and varnishes. Eco-friendly appliances like induction cooking and those with an Energy Star rating are continuing to be popular as well.

2. Hidden Surprises

Even while appliances may be increasing in size, new building trends and design technologies can allow them to be essentially hidden within a kitchen behind custom cabinetry. This provides kitchens with all of the regular functionality, but also with a truly seamless appearance that we are just beginning to be seen in kitchen design.

3. Sleek vs. Mod

Although some homewoners may desire to hide their kitchen appliances, another trend for 2011 kitchens is the continuance of the sleek and modern look. Most homeowners will do this with stainless steel appliances, and pair them with a darker wood cabinetry for a sophisticated appearance. A new trend in cabinetry that we’re seeing for 2011, particularly in kitchens with stainless steel appliances, is white cabinets and countertops. This combination creates open and airy kitchens while still retaining full functionality.

4. Multipurpose Room

Speaking of open and airy, kitchens have long been a gathering point for family and friends, especially during the holidays. The increasing number of multipurpose islands being created and installed in kitchens shows that more consumers are both cooking and gathering in their kitchens. Homeowners are also gravitating towards open floorplans, which allows the kitchen to be connected to a living or dining room, and provides even more space to cook and entertain.

5. Pops of Color

While it might feel a bit like a return to the colorful kitchen days of the 1950’s and 1960’s, one of the biggest trends designers are predicting for this season is for kitchens to include whimsical and often unexpected pops of color. Usually, these will come from appliances, like the traditional KitchenAid stand mixer in a bold cherry red hue. If clients express their wishes to include such bright bits of color, consider your material choices in the rest of the kitchen design and you can provide the ideal kitchen experience!

Design Trend 2011 - #4 Hardwood Flooring

Although espresso and dark hardwood floors have been the norm for years, the trend is going towards a little lighter look for the surface you walk on. You will start to see two-tone and gray finishes, like driftwood (I have also seen this finish popping up in furniture as well).  Another trend is faux vintage hardwood flooring that is distressed to provide a convincing, naturally worn appearance. Additionally floor finishes are trending away from the high-gloss, minimal grain look to more natural, unvarnished, waxed finish with higher graining and imperfections.

The eco-friendly woods like bamboo, rubber tree and salvaged wood floors (which can be pricey) are also still all the rage. While green hardwoods don’t always offer the variety you can find in your typical hardwoods, in a town like Austin, Texas, eco-friendly products are starting to slightly outweigh design. Oak hardwood floors will continue to be popular because they are seen as timeless and can be molded to work with a variety of design schemes. Homeowners can install an oak hardwood floor and five years down the road, redecorate their homes without needed to touch the wood.

No matter how you look it is though, hardwood flooring, whether vintage, oak or bamboo, is the #1 flooring choice for most homeowners.