What’s Trending? - Past Meets Present In Interior Design

A Walk Down Memory Lane:

I remember, while in my early high school years, we had just moved into a “new”, older home.  The bathroom off my bedroom was done in a pink tile, combined with turquoise accents.  My first reaction was to wonder - What on earth were my parents thinking?!  Didn’t they know these were not the “colors du jour” for 1974?  We were into the “earthtone” period of design . . .  rust, tan, brown, olive/avocado green and harvest gold.

(What a déjà vu experience it was to see this bathroom photo!  It could have been a close cousin to mine. Courtesy of No Pattern Required .)

At the time, the “updated” bathroom should have looked like this. – Bathroom carpet, wallpaper, and all!

(Photo courtesy of Active Rain)

1974 was during the heyday of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, with its optimistic jingle and a focus on a whole new time and a different lifestyle.  We were more “modern”! 

 

Looking at Mary’s apartment reminds me of having to use a shag carpet “rake” to keep it fluffed.  No telling how many lost pennies were found when that was replaced!  (The characters of Phyllis Lindstrom/Cloris Leachman – on the left, Mary Richards/Mary Tyler Moore - center, and Rhoda Morgenstern/Valerie Harper – on the right.)  Now that I see the pop of turquoise, from Mary’s jumpsuit, I have to smile.  My new company logo will feature similar colors.  Does it mean I’ve gone retro or moved forward with a color trend, or just worked with what looks best for me?  (Rather than wait for a big reveal, I’ll give you a sneak peak at the bottom of the post.)

Mary is modeling a dress in one of the popular 70’s colors, an orange-rust.  Did you know the Pantone Color Institute was helping to influence these colors, even then? They’ve been around since the early ‘60’s to help create an accurate color format, for the graphic arts community, and that has translated across the board from runway fashion, to the automobile industry, to home design, and beyond!

A history lesson of color:

(Forty years of color brought to you by Pantone.  Click on one of the swatch boards for the fascinating details.)

Fast forward a few decades later, (sigh), plus a four-year degree in interior design, over twenty-five years in the design world, and I’m now answering questions about what’s “new” in the world of interior design.  My answer is pretty consistent, these days.  What was once “old” is new again.  (And as a baby boomer, I think that gives me a bountiful bag of experience to share!)

Reinterpreting Retro:

Even with “retro” rebounding, there are options open for interpretation.  Just as a woman might have a particular hairstyle which is her most flattering, she always likes to “freshen” it up a bit, with a tweak or a twist. 

Here are some great examples:

Instead of using a sink skirt, this retro wall sink had a small table added for the base.  Leaving it open made this small bath feel larger.  The overall white palette allows for the color to be added in the accents.  Timeless and far from boring!  (Courtesy of “Cottage Living”.)

What could be more retro than subway tile and marble?  Remember the days of medicine cabinets?  Even these faucets and the cabinet hardware harkens to the past.  The trick is the wall color and the clean accents.  Not kitschy at all!  (Courtesy of “Sunset Magazine”.)

In some cases, a total gutting just isn’t in the cards.  Changing a shower door, to a frameless version, re-grouting tile, replacing counters, bath fixtures, and adding a new coat of paint might be the answer.  (Courtesy of “Coastal Living”.)

Old cast iron tubs can be refinished.  The feet, on this claw foot tub, were accented in chrome for a little more “bling”.  (Courtesy of “Southern Accents”.)

If you are a purist, when it comes to the using the original fixtures, restoration can be the answer.  You wouldn’t be “neutral” on the subject of this color! (Courtesy of “Sunset Magazine”)

Here is a new bath, featured by the Apartment Therapy blog.  While somewhat futuristic, it does bring up images of being a room I could picture The Jetsons having used.  (I’m telling on myself, now!)

And now in 2011:

It was announced, a few months ago, the 2011 Color of the Year is Honeysuckle.  Have I really lived long enough to be seeing trends swing full circle?!  Is the bathroom of my teenage angst coming back? 

Well, perhaps, but in a different way.

Although referred to as “lilac”, these fixtures from Aqua Solutions Plus present as pink to me!

Courtesy of NeatHome.net  (The sink stopper is even pink!)

I guess you could say, “We’ve come a long way, baby!”

 

I love vintage ads.  They give a glimpse into the history and reliability of a brand.  Both Kohler and “Standard” aka American Standard, are still operating today.  Eljer is also part of American Standard.

Mmmmm.  Now you’re talking!  Basic black can compliment almost any brilliant hue.

The Eljer poster reminded me of this ‘tween bathroom I did for a showhouse, a few years ago.  Notice the hint of pink.  It was a favorite from girls to grandmothers!

Looking Before You Leap:

If you love to keep up with the latest in interior design, be sure to take a few minutes to decide if what you are following is a trend or a fad.  There is a difference! 

Fads are usually fun, but short-lived.  They come and go almost as quickly as they make their appearance.  Trends tend to be more proven and can last for years, depending on public acceptance.  It used to be that the life of a trend was predictable, if moving from high-end design to mass marketing venues.  Such is not always the case in today’s world of technology.  Ideas and concepts move much faster through the world of communication to production. 

In some cases, when a trend is overdone, as in too much being used in a home or a room, it can feel as if it’s a fad.  It creates a glaring, “This was done in such-and-such a year”. Classics usually always have us heading in the right direction, and they can be adapted to stay current and relevant.  My role, as my clients’ interior designer, is to help to discern the difference.  I’ve walked this road a time or two, as you can probably tell!

And so now, as promised, here is the new logo reveal:

I think Mary and the girls might approve! 

                 

All my best! ~ Wanda

Fresh Interiors For 2011

After The Holidays . . . One Step At A Time!

If your holiday decorations have made their way back to storage, you might be experiencing withdrawal from all things sparkly and bright.  It could make you feel a bit turned upside down!

The great reason for continuing to have all of those “pretties” placed about could be to distract you from some of the household “to-do” items you may have missed back in the fall.  (I have seen decorations left up until Easter!)

 

Now that the New Year has arrived, are you feeling a little challenged by the notion of adding one more thing to your list of resolutions?  How about considering this option?  Create a “love” list instead!  Isn’t it time to make 2011 the year of “Loving The Home You’re In?”™

 

I’m here to share with you how simple it can be by taking small steps, which add up in a big way.  You can lead a well-designed life! 

Rather than have you immediately focus on big areas or big projects, in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to share small steps to help you better embrace those projects when you’re ready for them. 

Here’s a good “Love List”, to start:

1.  Start with one room or a small cluster of spaces.  Getting one area completed not only makes for a positive impact, psychologically, it’s allows for a better focus of how the dollars are invested.  Trying to spread a one room budget, throughout an entire home, still leaves for projects unfinished.  Of course, expansion to other areas is totally up to you!

2.  Clear the clutter.  While this might seem obvious, clutter is not only about “junk”, but unless something serves a purpose, is a true treasure, or enhances the room, it’s hard to see the proverbial forest for the “stuff”.  This doesn’t mean you are 100% permanently removing those things, it just allows you to start with a fresh perspective.  For example, I’ll often have clients strip down bookcases, before I arrive, place the items on a table in a dining room, and we’ll “shop” in there, first, before eliminating or deciding to add or update the shelves.  The transformations are always amazing!

3.  Take a room assessment test.  Now that the room has been somewhat cleared, take a look at what’s going on in the background.  Do the floors or floorcoverings need attention . . . cleaned, replaced, or a new area rug?  Are the walls and trim scuffed and in need of touch-up or repainting?  Does the ceiling show stains from leaks?  Without lamps, is the room dark and relying on one lone ceiling fixture?  Do you have any trim molding details which are not in proportion to the size of the room or any molding at all?  As a designer, I take a good look at the bones of a space.  I can often tell if the homeowner is spending more dollars on furniture and accessories, in effort to compensate for some missing architectural definition or function.  Temporary or cover-up solutions are only band-aids and don’t necessarily address what the “design doctor” might really need to order.

No matter the style of your home, when completed, there are certain items that will make it sparkle and shine!

I’ll continue to share some special tips and advice, throughout the month, along with some regular posts.  I’m in the process of practicing what I preach, so the Horton household has been receiving some attention to the little things, as well as some business housekeeping.  A new logo, an updated website, and even a name tweak is in the works!  (Thanks to Aimee O’Boyle, at Creative Montage for her amazing talents!)

Stay-tuned!  2011 is going to be a great year for “Loving The Home You’re In”™ !

All my best! ~ Wanda

It’s Nate Day! - And The Moggit Girls Are Rocking It!

Unless you’ve never seen the Oprah show, or you’ve been sent to a secluded desert location, you’ve probably seen this guy – Nate Berkus.  Nate has done over 127 makeovers, during his stint on Oprah, transforming spaces with his enthusiasm for a life, well-lived.  You can tell it’s not just about the design work, it’s about creating something deeper for the recipient of his talents.

Did you know, on September 13th, his own show will be debuted on NBC?  That’s right!  As in many of the talented folks, on the Oprah, folks wanted to see more of him and the buzz has been building, in anticipation.  In fact, that’s where the rest of this story comes into play.

Joy and Janet, of The Moggit Girls, some witty, talented writers, in the world of design blogs, (Moggit Blog), decided it would be a fabulous event if they could fill the audience with decor bloggers, for the first show.  The rest they say, is “totally viral”, with tweets and blogging spreading the world like social media wildfire.  My Twitter friend, Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo, of ABCD Design, has written a great blog post with some of the best information.  You can read it, here.

There has been a list, dedicated to all of us blog-chatty peeps, and you can check it out on #NateDay Bloggers.  Keep peeking back as Joy and Janet are expanding the list.  I can’t wait to read each one.  It’s so much more entertaining than tuning into television . . . unless, of course, it’s the Nate Berkus Show!

Happy Nate Day!

Shouldn’t you experience the best about design?  Wanda

3 Cool Solutions for a Hot Day – And 1 For Good Measure!

Last night, during a very late, night owl session, I was Tweet-chatting with my friend, Maybelline Te.  I read her previous posts of the heat she has been experiencing, while visiting with family and friends, in and around Cebu, in the Philippines.  I believe she mentioned the mercury had been hovering around 94 degrees, Fahrenheit.  (I’m clarifying the difference because they tend to go by Celsius, in other countries.)  I was thinking, “Wow!  That is warm”, and then chuckled when I realized it’s been about the same in my area.  I’ve been joking that all one has to do is walk outdoors, and a free, instant facial will be provided.  (And, whether you have straight or curly hair, it will definitely not be a good hair day.)

Meanwhile, if you are in an location, where the AC has been running full force or outdoor activities are not so appealing, chances are, you’ll totally relate to this post.  I thought it would be nice to capture the moment with “Cool Solutions for a Hot Day”, and I hope you’ll enjoy the brief respite!

1.  As a southerner, there is never a moment when I don’t have a pitcher of tea in the fridge.  It doesn’t matter how chilled it already is . . . there’s going to be ice involved!  This brewing pitcher, available from Tea Forté, is the perfect solution if you want a fresh glass, without much fuss.  They currently have a special offer, so be sure to click on this link.  I’m tempted by some of their delicious flavors, too – iced raspberry nectar and iced pomegranate blackberry.  Tons of anti-oxidant benefits, as well!

I thought it was especially helpful to see the preparation steps demonstrated.  I love it when a merchant takes the mystery away from the “how-to”.  I also appreciate the combination of beautiful design and function.  Mmmmm . . . Excuse me for a moment . . . I think I have an order to place!

 

   

 

2.  Ceiling fans – love them or hate them?  I’ve got clients who have strong opinions and it’s a real 50/50 split on the subject.  Some can’t get past the look and others can’t live without the function.  Let me just say this, I always think of function before form, but that doesn’t mean you have to ignore the aesthetics in the process.  I think this fan, from Hunter Fan Company, is a pretty sharp cookie, and it’s probably because they got it right in several categories.  Let’s talk function, first.  The blades are coated with Dust Armor™ Nanotechnology.  This is designed to repeal dust from the blades, so it keeps maintenance low, while prevented sneezing fits every time you hit the ‘on’ control.  It’s also ENERGY STAR® rated and utilizes their WhisperWind® Motor, for quiet operation.  No humming or buzzing above.  The design is compact and sleek.  If you need to have an egress light for your room, this fan incorporates it in a non-obtrusive way.  You won’t have ugly, dangling light bulbs detracting from your beautiful interiors.  Different finishes are also available to compliment your other metals and color palette.

3.  Another way to maintain your cool, is to think about switching out your bed linens in the summer months.  The challenge can be in maintaining a soft, fluffy look, without adding a heavy layer to be tossed aside, every evening.  One of my favorite solutions is the summer weight silk comforter from DeWoolfson Fine Linens.  It’s filled with fine, Mulberry silk, which is naturally hypoallergenic.  The cover is silk habotai, which loosely translated, means soft-as-down – and that, it is!  I call it the “binkie” for grown-ups.  I do really believe we sleep better, when the largest organ of our body, our skin, experiences a little extra nurturing and care. Did you know silk is the closest thing to human skin as it contains a natural protein and essential amino acids?  Dust mites are naturally repelled by silk and it is also a naturally fire retardant material. (From the Silk Perfect site.)  While we might think of silk as a luxury item, when you understand all of the benefits and the performance of the fiber, silk really is a “cool thing”!

So now you have my three “cool” solutions for a hot day.  What’s the one for good measure? . . .

  

. . . Take a cooling, Epsom salt bath.  There are so many combinations you can create, with essential oils, or by adding some sprigs of peppermint.  You’ll not only cool off, but the benefits are amazing from what is absorbed through our skin.  (Yes, that protective body covering needs a little extra TLC, as it directs good things to our internal systems.)  Just a few cups, diluted in your bath, and you’re good to go!

Do take care, as you go out into the heat!  Be sure to “design” your day for the best experience!

All my best!  Wanda

Still coming in June - “A Room At A Time” Blogpost Series!