Eco-Redefined: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010

ECO REDEFINED

Eco-Friendly takes on a new meaning; shifting from focused on the environment (ecological) to focus on the (eco)nomy. Concerns over climbing unemployment, massive debt, home foreclosures and the overall bleak economic forecast has homeowners looking to economically friendly solutions to their home decor and furnishings purchases. This new twist on “eco-friendly”  means seeking quality and value with an eye toward long-term savings and joy of ownership.

How Eco-Redefined Applies to Home

Small Touches of Luxe: Though constrained by current economic influences homeowners look to unique, luxury architecture, furnishings and decor for inspiration. Bringing home little forms of extravagant home products like luxury tile mosaics from industry leaders such as Trend Group or Bisazza.  This phenomenon is nothing new: Women have long been inspired by the luxe looks of the runways, being unable to afford a Chanel jacket or purse, but very much being able to carry the Chanel luxury brand in the form of polish, eye shadow or an alluring red lipstick, proving that a little luxe goes a long way.

Bisazza White Gold Mosaic “Still Morris” Folding Screen (Marco Braga).	Trend Group USA Wallpaper glass mosaic tiles from the “Virgin 1” collection  (an idea for an accent wall)

A full mosaic installation utilizing high-end, luxury tiles may be beyond some budgets today, but a smaller mosaic tile installation using those same tiles can be, realistically, within budget. Illustrated above are two examples of mosaic tile installations that add a sense of luxury and richness to a home’s interior.

Tampa based Kitchen Designer Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS shows readers how to create “Sensible Style: Small Makeovers, Big Impact”. One of those sensible style ideas is “Backsplash bling , allowing the homeowner to bring small, yet rich, luxurious decor accents into their kitchen design without breaking the bank.

Luxury For Less:   Bad housing economics have some homeowners shunning high-end ticketed appliances and turning their eyes to kitchen appliances with high-end looks, functionality and style – but with a price tag that will please the financially savvy homeowner. Samsung and Kenmore have kitchen appliances that have high-end appeal with down to earth prices. (Images: Kenmore Elite Stainless Black refrigerator and Samsung RSG257AARS refrigerator).

Home Decor & Design Trends Over The Years

See how design trends have strengthened, changed course or have been relegated to obscurity:

• Design Trends Report 2009
• Design Trends Report 2008
  

  Interior Design & Decor Trends 2010 Reports:

1. Eco-Redefined: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
2. Sophisticated Glamour: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
3. The Home Office:Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
4. Outdoor Living Room: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
5. Universal Design: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
6. Colorful Past: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
7. Tech Decor: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
8. Glimmer & Shimmer: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
9. Zen-full Decor: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010
10. Passion for Fashion: Home Decor & Design Trends 2010

All images copyright of respective owners.

12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 1}

The 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day by Day}

• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 1}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 2}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 3}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 4}
•  12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 5}
•  12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 6}
•  12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 7}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 8}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 9}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 10}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 11}
• 12 Days of Design: Christmas Gift Guide {Day 12}

All images copyright of respective owners.

In-Review: Design Miami 2008 Highlights

Design Miami 2009 opens to the public on December 2nd 2009. In the meantime, here’s a few of our favorite images and reports from last year’s amazing show. {Stay tuned for our Design Miami Coverage starting Dec 1, 2009).

Design Miami 2008 in one word: Impressive. A must see for the design aficionado. Not just for the designs exhibited but for the breathtaking structure that houses said exhibits. The Design Miami exhibition structure was created by the New York-based architectural firm Aranda/Lash, and sets the tone for the outstanding and innovative design finds housed within.

Exterior "lace draped" entry – Design Miami Exhibit Hall and detail view of "structural lace"

Beyond Organic: Design in the State of Nature is the first Design Miami in-house curated exhibit. This exhibit is a stylish nod to the role nature has in design.

GLASSLAB performed live outside, creating unique and beautiful glassware. They captured the attention of the press, and the general public as they demonstrated the age-old technique of glassmaking.

Tom Dixon‘s installation of heavyweight furniture created through the industrial process of flame cutting steel. The furniture was designed and created for the grounds of the 14th century Sudeley Castle.

One of my personal favorite’s was the Al Sabah Art & Design Collection. The Bokja design collection by the very talented artist/designer team of Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri is pictured below. Their fresh, colorful approach to design married with the artisanal traditions of the East creates a unique, original piece of furniture with a story of its own. The Bokja collection is housed in a Design Miami satellite location on 40th NE street. You must make time to visit and enjoy this amazing visual experience. Actually, the entire experience at Al Sabah’s exhibit was extraordinary. From the beautiful music, incredible fragrances and delicious Middle Eastern treats created an environment that delighted, enticed and seduced the senses. Like I said, you have to make Al Sabah Art & Design Collection a must see on your Design Miami/, Art Basel and Art Miami excursions this week and over the weekend.

Industrial Organic Chic by Sebastian Erranzuriz from Cristina Grajales Inc (New York). The images speak for themselves. Mr. Erransuriz is a tremendously talented artist that has captured and fused the beauty of nature with the hard reality of industrial materials like glass and steel. My favorite pieces are the bamboo plant wall shelf "Bilbao"- absolutely ingenious design and the rooted tree table base. I like the duck lamp for its surreal beauty and the fashion in which the lamp mimics the duck’s posture (had it had a duck head).

David Wiseman‘s collage chandelier and wall sculpture. Beautiful. Inspiring.Captivating. Ground-breaking. Just a few words to describe this work of art. Take it in for yourself at R 20th Century‘s exhibit booth.

Campana Brothers at the Albion Gallery Exhibit Booth.

Chandeliers from XYZ Designs at the Contrasts Gallery Exhibit Booth.

Jousse Enterprise presents Rick Owen’s Stag Benches and Table Base.

Priveekollektie showcases the "Cliclounger set Miami" designed by Alexander Pelikan and the "Fredersen/Miami" wingchair by Joe Kranen and Johannes Gille.

Matthew Marks Gallery Roy McMakin Domestic Furniture.

The Decorating Diva Best of Design Miami 2008: Exhibit Booth Design

Sebastian + Barquet (New York & London) -The Decorating Diva winner for Exhibit Booth Design at Design Miami/ 2008.

Heather Bourgeois of Create H Designs

Heather Bourgeois,design blogger, interior design student and Decorative Product Specialist at Sherwin-Williams, is the creative dynamo behind the attractive and visually engaging design blog, CreateH.

Tell us a little about yourself and your design blog, CreateH.

I’m Heather! (Hence the ‘H’ of CreateH). I’m a recent graduate of a small upstate NY private college. I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in American Studies (but I mostly studied art history) and a double minor in English Literature and Philosophy. This fall I’m back to school for a second degree in Interior Design.

I’m currently employed as a Decorative Product Specialist (or Interior Decorator) for Sherwin-Williams. I spend my spare time working on my blog, reading, working out (tennis & jogging), decorating, reading shelter magazines and watching tv shows like The Office, Sex and the City, and HGTV.

I started the CreateH blog as a way to document my discoveries as a student of interior design and art school, and to list my loves, hates and wish lists, and all the things I learn along the way. I like to share interior design, furniture design and graphic design news, anything to do with art and anything to do with my work and life.

I’m honestly completely obsessed with Mid Century Modern design and Scandinavian design and all of the beautiful prints and patterns from Finland. I love being able to share the things I’m passionate about with my readers.

What inspired you to develop and launch CreateH ?

My blog, and interior design are two of the loves of my life. I’m in love with design, and all aspects of it. I can’t NOT be creative, in any parts of my life, from fashion, to my apartment. I love textures, and visual prints and patterns. I am completely enamored with what I do every day, playing with color and making paint, so it’s only natural that my life and work is surrounded by it.

Where do you find inspiration ?

I find inspiration on Twitter and other blogs, through all of the lovely women and bloggers out there that inspire me to continue to write a few times a week, and who love what I love, and what I do. When I first found an interior design blog, and their blog roll, it just seemed to catapult and suddenly I had hundreds of blogs and THEIR blog rolls and it was this amazing feeling that there were other designers out there who love what I love with design, willing to take risks and not just do ‘beige’ or the typical suburban cookie cutter home. I want to show the public and the trade that risks can be taken with paint, and otherwise.

Tell us about a favorite home decorating or remodeling project.

My bedroom in my apartment has been my biggest work in progress and the most of my personal style, but I recently worked on a project close to my heart, my cousin’s studio for her massage therapy office. Like me, she likes to help people and de-stress them, and a large part of my job involves helping the customer choose colors for their home and relieve even a small chunk of their stress, and I love that even my eye candy columns give readers that as well.

What’s your personal design style? Has it evolved over time?

I believe my personal style has evolved over time for sure, who’s hasn’t? Through my blog and studying interior design and art, and also getting through the horrible ‘dorm décor’ stage every twenty something goes through, I’ve been able to evolve my style to a much more modern and mature style. There is of course, hints of pink throughout my home (I’m girly, what can I say?), art I’ve picked up at markets, milk glass and flowers, everywhere. I love soft touches, like texture and candles, and lots of white. I love bold graphic prints, especially florals, like Marimekko, mixed with shelves and shelves of books and magazines. I like to mix the creative with the created.

Many of us have a product we bought for our home-that now makes us think-”what was I thinking” -  do you have one?

I bought a clock once that I now think ‘What was I thinking’ that had flip flops on it. Makes sense now, since I was 16 at the time and I still love flip flops, only now I’m not living in a beach house or on a beach, and it doesn’t really fit with my décor.

If you could design your dream room-what décor, what style, and what color palette would you use?

Probably an all white room, with soft touches of the fabrics and textures I love. Of course, mid century modern furniture (Saarinen and Eames are a must), and fill it with art supplies, music, books and lots of light, with great art on the walls. I’d have to have a desk, with my Mac sitting atop, just waiting to blog and an incredible view.

What’s your favorite color or paint swatch ?

Obviously, my favorite paint swatch has to be a Sherwin Williams swatch, being that I work there. I love Westhighland White 7566. It’s the perfect luminous white, it has this amazing quality to bring out any color and give it contrast without looking stark. It’s bright and clean, and I love to coordinate it with our cool colors.

What are your favorite pieces of home décor from your home or elsewhere?

My five favorite pieces of home décor are: My bed set from Wal Mart for only  $56.99, it’s a gorgeous shade of plum, with a graphic floral print and it’s organic. The liner is made of recycled plastic bottles. Next would be my white shag rug, which I got for a steal at Target $24.99, and my vanity that I inherited from my late Aunt Betty. She taught me how to wear make up at it, and everyday I get ready for my day sitting in front of it. I also love my collection of Mid Century furniture, including various dressers, chests and chairs and a few end tables. They are a never ending passion and collection that will not stop growing. Last would be the glass ball lamps I purchased at Marshalls and TJ MaXX for just $29.99 and $39.99 each. I’m a firm believer in great design at a post-grad friendly budget!

What’s your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?

I love my bedroom, it has all of my favorite pieces and lush, comfortable textures. From my white shag rug, to the many bed sets and fleece blankets and throws, or my furry white pillows, or the heavy chocolate brown floral curtains, I never have a loss of eye candy. The wall color is Halcyon Green by Sherwin Williams, and it’s the perfect, relaxing blue green.

Who’s your favorite designer?

My favorite designer would have to be Jonathan Adler. He encapsulates everything I believe about taking risks in design, stepping outside the box, even if that means taboo subjects, like his banana sculptures. And his talent in sculpting? Amazing. He has the ability to move over multiple kinds of design in this broad and completely new way. I have his book, and not only is it a great resource for eye candy, but a complete mood pick me up as well. His bold colors and strong lines scream and challenge you to be happy, and nothing else.

What are your  favorite blogs or home design/improvement websites-and why?

• Pretty Lovely Things:  Samantha recently redesigned her blog and it looks fantastic, frequently showcases beautiful photography and design and is an all around nice girl. I love to chat with her on Twitter and we continually support each other, and she inspires me!
• Design Her Momma:  Emily is hilarious. Simply stated, I laugh my butt off every time I read her blog. She’s part designer, part mommy blogger and I realize, that if she can do it with two kids and another on the way (9 months pregnant!) and still blog a few times a week, she inspires me to keep up, and I enjoy how much she makes me laugh, and how normal she is.
• Holly Maus: This is the personal blog of Holly Becker, who writes for Decor8, one of the most popular blogs out there for interior design. I love that blog too, but hollymaus particularly catches my eye because it’s more personal. She documents her life in the way I wonder if blogs were originally intended, as a diary of her life as an ex pat. She posts beautiful photography of her life and what she does in Germany and gorgeous pictures of her apartment. Constant creative inspiration.
• Making it Lovely: Nicole is a great print maker and interior designer that I have been following for quite some time now, she loves mid century furniture as well, and I love that she is not afraid to mix décor. She often uses eclectic patterns from Ikea, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, and has great personal and decorative style.
• Apartment Therapy: This has got to be, hands down one of my most favorite websites for design. Constant flow of updated information, multiple times daily, and beautiful, high-resolution photography. Risk takers and creative designers, very artistic and fabulously designed homes. Great Eye candy.

What are your  favorite design television shows, magazines, and/or books?

• Domino Guide to Design (Book)
• Lonny Magazine (Online)
• Elle Décor (Magazine)
• House Beautiful (Magazine)
• House Hunters on HGTV

Do you have a decorating, design or remodeling tip you’d like to share with thedecoratingdiva.com readers?

I think the most important thing I’ve taken away from working in the paint industry to know your paint. Really consider all aspects of the color and the factors that go into choosing the color. Consider lighting and furniture and how these things affect the color. Don’t just look at it in the paint store, under the intense florescent lighting, because that will skew the color. Take it home and put it on every wall, look at it, walk by it, stare at it. Ask for larger samples, especially sample paint. It’s worth the $5 to not make an $80 mistake.

Contact Information

• Blog: Create H Designs
• Twitter: Create H on Twitter

All images copyright of respective owners.

We’d like to thank Heather Bourgeois of Create H Designs for sharing her passion for design and all things beautiful with The Decorating Diva.com readers.

Elegant and Adorable Christmas Ornaments from Franz

Holiday Greetings Ornament – Penguin	Holiday Greetings Ornament – Polar Bear
Holiday Greetings Ornament– Snowman	Holiday Greetings Ornament – Deer
Holiday Greetings Ornament– Christmas Tree	Holiday Classics Ornament – Poinsettia

Time to deck the halls and dress your Christmas tree, and we think these exquisite ornament designs from Franz are just perfect. You can buy your Franz Collection ornaments at gift, specialty and decorative accessory retailers nationwide (locations).

All images copyright of respective owners.

Hostess & Kitchen Couture: Looking Glam this Holiday Season

True decorating divas would never be caught wearing bland, unattractive or heaven forbid, less than stylish kitchen or hostess wear. So imagine our delight when we learned about the elegant, glamorous and stylish aprons designed by Elizabeth Scokin of Haute Hostess Aprons. Finally a kindred couture spirit who’s shaking up the predictable, if not downright boring, and utterly style lacking kitchen and hostess wear industry.

Elizabeth a former couture model and renowned event planner was inspired to create her glamorous apron collections when, while looking through various family treasures, she came upon her grandmother’s stylish holiday apron.

Hey, we’re not alone in loving the Haute Hostess’ understated, yet fabulous hand-crafted aprons. Nope. A-List celebs like Oprah, Candace Bushnell of Sex and the City fame, the one and only domestic diva, Martha Stewart, and Food Network’s charismatic star Rachael Ray have all been spotted wearing one of Elizabeth’s divine creations.

Haute Hostess aprons for stylish decorating divas from $25 to $300. Photos courtesy Bill Kingley and Tonya Glasgow.

Haute Hostess couture aprons available at Haute Hostess Aprons by Elizabeth Scokin and at select boutiques (store locator ).

Holiday Decorating Ornaments Snowflake Shapes and Patterns

1. Waterford 2008 Snow Crystals Pierced Snowflake Ornament (Waterford)
2. Blue/Silver Snowflake Ornament (Christmas Place)
3. Holiday Lane 3″ Ruby Red Metal and Gem Snowflake Christmas Ornaments (Macy’s)
4. Silver-Plated Finish Embellished with Swarovski Crystals Snowflake Ornament (Target)

Holiday Decorating Novelty Fun Ornaments: Hippie Chicks, Martini Mermaids and Pink Diva Reindeer!

1. Christopher Radko “Rockin’ For Peace” Hippie Chick Ornament (Mister Nostalgia)
2. December Diamonds MS. Aquatini mermaid Christmas ornament ( Kitsch City)
3. Cupid Reindeer Krinkles™ Ornament (Bronner’s)

Holiday Decorating Ornaments Angels from Adorable to Artistic Glass Sculptures

1. Angel Girl with Tree Ornament (Bay Berry Cove)
2. Blown Glass Autumn Angel (da Polania)
3. Italian 24K gold,blown-glass Angel Ornament (Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland )

Christine Skaley of Pillow Throw Decor

Christine Skaley, founder of Pillow Throw Decor,  launched her decor designing  and drapery workroom business after retiring from 26 years in the business world.

She enthusiastically expresses her love of fabric and creating unique designs, ” Fabric fascinates me! I could work so much faster if I didn’t stop so often to admire the fabric I’m working with. Colour, texture and even the sound of fabric is what keeps me up all night and gets me going again in the wee hours of the morning.”

With such a deeply felt love for her craft it comes as no surprise, that Christine creates stunning, unique and fashionable decorative pillows and throws.

Tell us about Pillow Throw Decor

My passion is designing and creating one-of-a-kind,  luxury, decorative pillows and throws with designer, “to the trade” fabrics. My “Eclections” include eco, funky, modern, retro, traditional, geek, chic and almost everything else.

One of  my Pillow Throw Decor signature lines,  ”Pocket Pillows” is a huge hit for apartment dwellers  with limited space or geeks like me that like to have my electronics close at hand. My second signature line “Luxe and Found” incorporates high end fabrics with upcycled materials and found objects like belts, hardware, telephone and electrical wiring and more. Here lies “the best of the best ” in my family of GEEK PILLOWS. These pillows have so much character they can talk. I will soon be launching a line of DIY designer pillow kits for the love of cheap chic! Beginner or advanced, home décor for anyone.

What inspired you to create and launch Pillow Throw Decor?

I completed a bedroom ensemble with 16 coordinating pillows for a client. I enjoy it so much I just never stopped creating pillows, pillows and more pillows! You can never have too many pillows. They‘ll always make you feel happy and loved.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Magazines.  I always have two or three current magazines stuffed in my bag.  I follow trend and color experts and especially love  watching fashion and home décor trends in Europe. The fashion  industry has huge influence on home décor right now!

Eco-Chic, fashion Inspired decorative pillows by Christine Skaley for Pillow Throw Decor.

Tell us about a favorite home decorating or remodeling project.

While the renovation of my sister’s home would not have been exciting for anyone else, I was thrilled when she gave me carte blanche to update 32 years of wear and tear. I wrestled her for the beauty pleat drapes and smuggled two antique armchairs out from basement storage. Their restoration was amazing as was the whole house and that’s a good thing because it will probably be another 32 years before she’ll let me at it again!

Many of us have a product we bought for our home-that now makes us think-”what was I thinking” -  do you have one?

My worst faux pas? Two black leather club chairs. They have a sleek contemporary style but are so uncomfortable. That was a real reminder that comfort should be your number one priority when buying furniture.

What’s your personal design style? Has it evolved over time?

I love traditional style with lots of dark wood. I’ve  started to introduce stronger brighter colors and bolder prints.

If you could design your dream room-what décor, what style, and what color palette would you use?

I would love to create a room from the orient with red walls,  lacquered black furniture, and lots of jade and mother of pearl accoutrements.

What’s your favorite color ?

That’s a tough one. I love color! Shades of green are my favorites.

What are your favorite pieces of home décor from your home or elsewhere?

Our 5 piece dining room set is our favorite. It represents so many happy memories of family gatherings and the curio cabinets house our collections from our worldwide travels.  The grandchildren love to play with a globe on a stand and hear about where each piece has come from. Lastly, an antique lectern which holds our family bible just barely in reach for little fingers to turn the onion skin pages.

What’s your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?

My sewing room.  It houses 10 of my 12 different sewing machines. It’s like one big toy box!!!

Who’s your favorite designer?

I’m too new in the business to have strong opinions on one or another. Right now I find them all fascinating.

What are your  favorite blogs or home design/improvement websites-and why?

• Get Decorating.com: pictures pictures and more pictures of dream homes
• Better Homes and Gardens:  their ideas are so affordable and manageable

What are your  favorite design television shows, magazines, and/or books?

I love any and all decorating magazines  but Canada’s Style at Home and Traditional Home are favorites.

Favorite books:

• Scalamandre Luxurious Home Interiors
• The Style Source Book by Judith Miller
• Window Treatments by Karla J. Nielson… the window Covering Bible

Do you have a decorating, design or remodeling tip you’d like to share with thedecoratingdiva.com readers?

When you buy your next home do as much of the redecorating or renovating right away and live there long enough to enjoy it all! Too often I see home owners doing all these things to get a house ready for sale only for all their efforts to be enjoyed by new owners.

Contact Information

Christine Skaley
Web:
Pillow Throw Decor on Etsy
Pillow Throw Decor on Icraft
Blog: Pillow Throw Decor Blog
Twitter: Pillow Throw Decor on Twitter

We’d like to thank Christine Skaley of Pillow Throw Decor for sharing her design inspirations, entrepreneurial journey and unique decorative accessory designs with The Decorating Diva.com readers.