Guest Post: Design Trends for 2012

Starting off the year with a fabulous guest post covering some great design trends for 2012 by Lisa!

Design Trends for 2012

By taking a look at concept creations from leading designers, we can predict the trends we will see in the coming year. Harsh lines of previous years are falling to the wayside and touches of traditionalism and warmth will make their mark. Here are a handful of trends that if applied can add character to your already existing house plans. 

Via Flicker

Global Inspiration

Maps and architecturally-inspired designs will outlast 2011, and worldly designs are welcome. Use accent pieces that harness the feel of faraway lands. For example, if you’ve traveled to a distant country, display your souvenirs instead of storing them. A bright and eclectic tribal mask from Africa will display nicely amongst neutral furniture. Try incorporating a global element to bathroom vanities by adding bathroom mirrors with a unique shape and applying geography-inspired wallpaper behind them. 

Via Flicker

 

Real Antiques

Clean lines will be a continuous trend in architecture, but 2012 will favor genuine antiques regarding furniture. Real antiques add warmth and character to an otherwise cold and uninviting room. As the years go by, antique preservation is on the rise as well—a great way to preserve is to bring an antique into your home and pamper it in the years to come. This is a great time to take heirlooms out of storage and display them proudly. 

Photo by Rebecca Ward

Perforations in Lighting

Perforations, or “cutouts,” will be big in the coming year.  Perforations simply refer to pieces of lamp shades or other lighting elements that appear to have been “cut out” and allow light to shine directly through. These cutouts can come in any shape or size and look best when they are small and abundant. This unique addition creates beautiful lighting displays along walls and ceilings and instantly adds texture to an otherwise complacent room. Perforations will not only be present in lighting fixtures but in separation walls as well. Adding thin sheets of plexiglass or other sturdy material with perforations will create separation while retaining an open feel.

Photo by Rebecca Ward

Chandeliers and Ornate Glassware

Elements inspired by the time of kings and queens will reign in 2012. Chandeliers add an element of sophistication with a touch of warmth to a cold space. Light reflection is important—ornate glassware in conjunction with chandeliers and other glass pieces will welcome illumination and a variety of texture. These elements will work well in any living space, especially a dining or formal area. 

Via Flicker

Lisa is interested in all things real estate including Austin homes for sale. She loves interior design, architecture, and following home trends. 

Thank you Lisa!!

Lighting Trend

When I say "lighting trend", I'm really only referring to my own trend of what I'm gravitating toward.  However, it may indeed be an indicator of a larger industry trend, since there are so many great options available, especially from the Troy-CSL Lighting group.  Take a look at my finds below and you'll see the pattern I'm referring to....

These four are from Troy Lighting:

I've used this light fixture and a variation of it in two different projects.  Love it!

These two are from a division of Troy Lighting called Corbett Lighting:

Beautiful!! Love!!

Featured in current issue of Luxe Magazine

See the trend?  What are some lighting trends you are loving right now?

Trendy Renovations

Today I'm happy to bring you guest bloggers Christina Johnson & Mia Kelly who have written a very informative article about Trendy Renovations and what's happening in the remodel industry. Enjoy!

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Contractors and homeowners are busy setting their sights on the top renovation trends for the next decade, hoping these trends will spark positive movements in real estate markets. Many of the renovation trends popular in the early 2000s are simply out of date and frankly a bit uninspired. The exterior trends need light to moderate alterations such as a fresh coat of paint in a bright new color, yet a lot of home interiors require major overhauls as kitchens and bathrooms begin to look outdated and worn.  Geographical location is important too, a trend may be just beginning in the New York real estate market area, but in the California market it could be old news.

In the last ten years, kitchen cabinets were defined by natural wood and colored melamine. Yet, the new trends in kitchen styles are not following these basic patterns anymore.

Fisher & Paykel

 Drawers: Cabinet doors are being changed for drawers that contain everything from clothes to washers and dryers! Manufacturers are designing their appliances to fit into drawers. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and warming drawers will all be contained within space saving drawers. Renovations for the next decade place a high premium on saving space but also minimalism. These space saving drawers are wonderful ways to keep your busy life organized without sacrificing the aesthetic of your home.

Colors: Many modern style followers are enamored with glossy colors. Bright reds, greens, and aqua blues are the cutting edge colors for the brave and style conscious. Others still will continue to enjoy the sophisticated dark, warm, and natural colors characteristic of 2010.

Silestone

Silestone

Countertops: Granite and marble are being replaced by composite countertops. They possess the look and feel of natural stone without the worry of damage. Composite countertops are made of Zodiaq and Silestone and mixed with a synthetic bonding material. These mixed material countertops are more durable and heat-resistance than granite and come in a variety of colors.

Image from businessweek.com

Bathroom Styles

The size of bathrooms has doubled as compared to the last 10 years. This is because bathrooms are not simply bathrooms anymore. They have become multi-room, multi-purpose spa rooms, and luxury shower spaces. Tile is still the floor material of choice and can be seen on the walls and even ceilings of these luxury bathrooms.

Soaker tubs, a Japanese innovation, are large enough to stretch your legs out and high enough to completely submerge your body into the water. Other gadgets like hot air bubblers, massage your body more evenly than traditional spa tub.  The shower has split into two areas. The first area is large and glass with seats and many showerheads. The second area is an enclosed cabinet with a full steam bath. Ad to this equation a flat screen television, iPod player, and color therapy lighting and the shower doubles as a home entertainment theater.

Image from theluxehome.com

Decks

Contractors are designing decks larger and more functional. This new style deck is layered platforms that include an outdoor ecosystem complete with plants, trees, and even outdoor jacuzzis. Building decks that double as outdoor living spaces, complete with barbecue grills, fire pits, and full furniture is a new trend that is becoming increasingly popular.

Image from infotube.net

In-Law Suites

As the baby boomer generation takes on more responsibility with children and parents, In-Law suites recognize the multi-generational living situations of many families. In-Law suites are convenient solutions for long term living arrangements necessitated by the baby boomer generations’ growing care responsibilities toward their children and parents. These suites will range anywhere from 1 to 3 bedrooms often time with full bathrooms.

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Thank you Christina and Mia! 

Christina Johnson is a grad student pursuing a masters in journalism and an avid writer in her free time.  She is particularly interested in real estate, politics, and green efforts.  Her co-writer Mia Kelly works in the real estate field and also in her spare time writes articles on up-and-coming trends in home renovations easy DIY tips.

Going to Market?

 I won't be heading down to the winter market in Las Vegas next week since I know I have to go in the summer.  I am also planning to attend KBIS in Vegas in April.  However I took a look and the style file on their website just to see what trends are happening right now.  You can read the style file for yourself here to discover what is happening with the lively colors, bold damasks, subtle yet exotic hues and shining silver accents.

You can also check out some of the featured exhibitors here.  They have many inspiring photos such as these:

Linon Home Decor Products, Inc.

Star International Furniture

Asian Art Imports

Midwest-CBK

Are any of my readers planning to attend Market next week?

Images from www.lasvegasmarket.com

What's in Store for 2011

We are ending 2010 with a guest post from Design Shuffle.  They are going to give a look into what is in store for 2011 in the world of design!
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Predicting interior design trends and what the public will embrace has long been the main focus of IMM Cologne’s expert committee of the international trend board. Each year the committee researches and assesses what consumers are up to and what is on their minds. When predicting trends for 2011, the experts determined people were doing a little questioning of their own when it came to interior design ideas. SO just what is on the buying public’s minds? They’re figuring out what it takes to live comfortably, looking for innovation and personalization in products, and finding a localized balance in an increasingly globalized world. So how does this translate into the interior design trends headed our way for 2011?
Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-William's director of color marketing, sums it up.  "We're celebrating our individuality, embracing what has personal meaning and shedding what doesn't." So with Jordan’s translation in mind, these are the top interior design trends of 2011—a few new, and few brought with us from 2010.
Bold Design Decisions
The strong interest in all things ethnic, handmade and meaningful finds interiors with bolder designs such as heavy texture, geometric and nature prints, and natural materials on window treatments and home décor accessories. Artisan pieces, such as those made by National Geographic’s Novica artists are found for every room of the home. Colors are bold and natural with Pantone’s Honeysuckle in the forefront, its reddish base and pink finish the exact match for the flower. Designers are totally on board for the new trends, with New York interior designers helping their clients find their own style.

Coxy Interior/ Bold Design (Credit)

Mixing It Up
Simplicity is at the forefront as the formal and traditional are stripped down and replaced by mixing pattern, texture and layering materials. Casual feel good prints and fabrics paired with warm distressed woods and finishes mix it up and basically, eclectic rules as we get to choose what goes where. Design that is personalized and reflects individual character is tops for 2011.

High Fashion Home/ Mixing It Up (Credit)

Natural Materials & Texture
Hyper-sensitivity to the environment continues as we look to natural materials in all aspects of the home. Organic and natural fabrics, non-toxic paints and finishes are resplendent. Furniture shows natural aging distressed by usage with rust, water marks, nicks and dings. With use of natural materials comes texture and lots of it, everywhere. Heavy woven and nubby fabrics, rough metals and distressed wood are all sources of the abundant texture.

Luxury Culture/Natural Materials (Credit)

Living Etc. (Credit)

Layering

The Telegraph (Credit)

Overlapping flooring and wallpapers make for wonderful layers of color, texture and bold design. Putting a vividly woven rug atop an existing printed carpet or using differing wallpapers in the same room are examples of the layering being seen. Some are even putting printed wallpaper on the ceiling while having an entirely different, even clashing, print on the walls. Modern colors, bold geometrics and large florals are all part of the layering movement. San Francisco interior designers in particular are embracing this trend in particular with many layered designs being seen in the shelter magazines.
Content provided by Design Shuffle which is a social media site filled with interior design ideas from top tier design talent around the world. Best of all, registration is completely free.
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Thank you Design Shuffle for all the great information!  Don't forget to link your inspiration boards for 2011 in the 2011 inspiration post.  I want to see what YOU think is in store for 2011.

Go A Little Boho

I love the layered, eclectic look of the bohemian style.  One of a kind pieces and obvious influences from international cultures.  Often, the home of the world-traveler becomes a little boho after a while as they add to their collection souvenirs and relics from the many countries they visit.  Bohemian style is very exciting, vibrant and full of life and adventure.  It is quite trendy in interiors right now as well as in fashion.

Sherwin-Williams' Paint has a great article in their current issue of Stir Magazine about the hues and textures of the bohemian style.  One point they brought up that I agreed with was that with all the vibrant colors of the boho style, it's best to have a neutral background to show off your boho pieces.  For example paint the walls neutral and use tablecloths, pillows and other accessories to bring in the color and draw more attention to their uniqueness.  It is definitely worth the read for much more insight and description of the bohemian movement.  Take a look here.

So what about you?  Are you a boho?

Images from Stir