Design trends...

First of all Just want to share exciting news - Just when I thought I knew a lot about color.... I had a pleasure to participate and learn from the best- Tobi Fairley!  All about color.  And I have learnt a lot. She is such a talented, knowledgeable and inspiring designer. Thank you Tobi!! And I hope (this is my wish for the New Year!) to enroll into her design camps :) I know I will!

 

Now, I want to share some of hottest trends in design that were presented at the October High Point Market that took place from Oct. 19-24.

The HighPoint Market is the biggest home furnishings industry trade show in the world. It covers 11.5 million square feet of showroom space spanning more than 180 buildings in downtown High Point, North Carolina. Twice a year over 75,000 industry professionals from around the world come to High Point Market to see fabulously designed showrooms and exhibits overflowing with beautiful, the most innovative new products, discover unique merchandising concepts, see the trends as they happen, and experience the vision and excitement of this incredible industry.

To summarize what's coming:

 

Many colors pinks, plums, purples, greens, 

 

 

 

 

sapphire, cobalt adding to softer blue 

 

 

 

but the most popular color combo at market was orange and cobalt blue.

 

 

Velvet upholstery- big time!

 

Brass is definitely back! Gold on gold...

 

 

 

Check more pictures Pinterest

 

 

And don't forget:

 

Pick what you like because living with a trend that is not you

is never a good choice. -Thomas Pheasant

 

 

 

~ Anna

 

 

Daring monochromatic...

Monochromatic room - some like others don't. This one in black  definitely makes a statement. Is it inviting though? I'm sure it is to the owner...


 

I always knew, but even more now, how much I love color!!! I have this urge to put a bright yellow chair, pillow and maybe some statue (there is not much space for pictures) to add a dash of sunshine and warmth to the room...

 

 

 

 

 

The use of black, especially with white in decorating gives a fresh, clean, and unquestionably sophisticated and elegant look to any room. Adding color makes the interior design more complete...  Do you agree?

 ~ anna

 

Rugs...what size?

One common way is to have a rug that sits within the furniture; in front of sofas and chairs, as on the picture. In this case the rug (often used 5' x 8') should be longer and wider than the table but not too far from the seating.

 

 

 Another way, the rug runs about half way under the furniture, so that the back legs of sofas and chairs are off but the front legs are on. Side tables in this case need to be completely on or off the rug.

 

 

source: elle décor

Other way is to get a rug large enough to include all of the furniture. The rug needs to have sufficient extra space all around to ensure that the furniture does not appear 'perched' on the edge.

 

Furniture around the room, such as sideboards and cupboards, are generally best left completely off the rug.

Some furniture fits better to specific layout of rug than the others; sofa or chair that has separate legs and a gap under the seat will work particularly well with the layout #2 (the rug running about half way underneath). If the sofa is very low to the ground, or has a valance, or has a modern single 'rail' type foot then it will probably need to be either completely on or off the rug.

 

If you need help to choose rugs or carpets to your rooms, please contact me at anna@asrinteriordesigns.com or 860-368-0056.

 

~ anna

Happy October!

I didn’t mean to go silent for such a long time but lot is going on around here. I have been working on a few fantastic projects over the summer (that I will try to update you in the next few posts), organizing vacation time for kids (cannot thank enough to my father for taking care of this part) I have also been volunteering in a big renovation project. Any [little] spare time I had I consciously choose to dedicate it to my fantastic clients and family instead of seating at the computer.

I have received, though, several emails with decorating questions…. So here I am…..

This image makes me beyond happy!!!

It's officially October (also my birthday month :) and I can't believe it! Before we know it Christmas will be upon us and then 2014.  Enjoy this fantastic weather! xoxo

 

DOES FLOOR MATTER?

In a response to my last post about choosing the color I am receiving many emails with question: how to include floor in the overall color scheme. So here is my answer to all of you.

If you have carpet- then Yes- I always give a consideration to the carpet. Today the wall-to-wall carpets are pretty neutral. However, neutrals are not the same. For example, the beige can be green-beige, pink-beige, yellow-beige. What you really want is to use the same undertone on the wall so everything flows nicely.

If you like color and you have green, red, or etc carpet then you definitely want to match the wall color to that carpet.

 

Source pinterest.

If you have wooden floor- then No! Wooden floors are like jeans- they go with everything! Oh, I love it. And it does not matter whether the floor is light or dark – it will match all your walls!

 

Source Pinterest

 

Another dilemma I am facing very often with my clients is: tiles or wooden floor in the kitchen? I say, put wood wherever you can! It is nicer for bare-foot than tiles AND- you do not need to worry about the color to match the backsplash, walls, cabinets, or in the open floor plan to match the rest of the house (trust me on that one! Betty- if you read this post maybe you want to comment…) - like with the carpet, you need to consider tiles during the color selection.

Source Pinterest

If you worry that wooden floor in kitchen will be damaged here is my massage:  unless you are running a home-restaurant there is nothing to worry about. Whether it is wooden floor or tiles (especially grout) you will need to refresh it, anyway!!

Which floor do you like, have or would like to have?

If you have question or looking for advice please give me a call 860-368-0056 or email anna@asrinteriordesigns.com

Paint the Ceiling

I did a poll survey on Facebook some time ago asking about the color of a ceiling. Majority responses wanted white ceiling and a few liked colored ceiling but would be afraid to risk at own house.

Now, I have some news for you: "The era of the bright-white ceiling is over," says Elaine Griffin, an interior designer in New York City. And I love it!!

I have a confession to make- a few years ago I was thinking the same as my voters- why to color ceiling?, who is looking up?, I commented even on some designer work... Now, after several painted houses, several consultations I have changed my mind.

Paint the ceiling! Treat the ceiling as your 5th wall!

I think, ceiling should automatically be included in all painting job estimates. But instead, there is always (!) a question: what about the ceiling? or - The ceiling looks good - no need to paint it.

Painting the ceiling a color adds interest to the room and brings harmony to the walls and ceiling. Use a shade lighter than the walls to visually raise it. OR-go a shade darker to bring it down and add coziness. 

If you feeling unsure paint the same color as your walls or add "a few drops" (about 10 percent) of the wall color to a white flat paint- it will give your ceiling a more cohesive feeling.

 

 

If you're feeling braver, you can add even more color.

 

 

 

And if you're feeling like a rock star, go ahead and bring in a new color that complements the wall color as well as the other elements in the room. Make sure the ceiling color you've chosen has relevance to the rest of room's color story.

 

 

 

 

Photos credit to Houzz

 

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Look up - your ceiling color is just as important as the walls.

THE MONTH OF LOVE

It's the time of the year again: February, the month of LOVE.

 

 

When it comes to decorating, nothing stirs up passion like the COLOR RED. From scarlet to tomato to brick, this bold palette injects instant drama to a space. Red is the Chinese color of luck and happiness, the marriage color in India, and the symbolic color of love and romance, courage and passion in the West.

In feng shui color decorating red always signifies richness and luxury. It carries the energy of the fire element, and as fire symbolizes power and expansion. When used properly in your home will bring joy, excitement and strong sexual desire.

Use it sparingly or employ it daringly.  The results can be rewarding: a high-impact design statement that’s bold, inviting, and—unapologetically—sexy....

 

Elle Decor

 

Traditional Home

 

Houzz

 

Houzz 

Bring some love into your rooms ....

Follow me on Pinterest for more pictures.

~ Anna