Lamp Love – Clayton Gray Home

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Trend Report: Emerging Color Forecast 2010

I showed you the primary colors shown at market in my post about Purples and Mauves but there were also some emerging color stars that will take on more importance in the next couple of seasons. A glossy almost lacquered Black is the anchoring neutral for this collection of ultra bight heavily saturated accent colors.

One of the less vibrant color combinations in this palette is black set off with metallic silver or gold and accented with the same chartreuse green that we saw commonly mixed with purple and mauve.

Designers Guild

By grounding this intense color with the use of an abundant amount of black the finished effect is sophisticated an surprisingly soothing. Playing with texture, sheen, create motion and balance in the room.

Gaudarte

We saw the same chartreuse accented with white and the effect was an intensely vibrant and bright space.

Gaudarte

This color combination was not for the faint of heart but would provide for a happy and vital space.

Gaudarte

I saw quite a few bold combinations of pattern and color used on modern furnishings much like the traditional combination upholstered pieces we saw a few years ago. This new trend combined traditional fabric motifs in super bright color ways all arranged in asymmetrical pieces that showed off a high level of contrast.

Furniture frames lacquered in super bright colors were neutralized with men's wear inspired woolen upholstery in various shades of grey and taupe. These pieces were set off with patent leather welting in various colors including black.

Another view of the back of the chairs. I saw many grouping of similar or very diverse chairs in assorted super bright grouped with small tables and set in a traditional dining room setting. Also worthy of notice is the rug used in this display. Seems there is a growing trend to repurpose old or surplus rugs by bleaching them. Bleach is applied randomly as on this rug or more uniformly on others to create a very worn look.

Another example of mix & match traditional patterns on a modern chair. This black and white beauty does a great job of combining fabrics with heavy texture, shine, and bold pattern.

This years Pantone color of the year Turquoise, was present in this super bright color mix. Here a lovely turquoise sofa by Shine Home was a big hit at Maison et Objet.

Shine Home

Reflective surfaces are a key component of this look so we saw many fabulous products printed on or painted behind glass. I absolutely love this look!

Provence et Fils

More turquoise mixed with high gloss black and white in high relief. Definitely Chinoiserie inspired I loved this vignette.

To go along with super bright furnishings we found super bright and super large graphic wall paper from Marburg.

Marburg

Another set of mismatched bright chairs in various finishes and styles.

The last color in this scheme is bright orange and I am talking serious Halloween or for you fashionistas out there, Hermes orange.

Tempered again with glossy black it is a strong statement to be sure. But one that I found surprisingly appealing.

This room really shows how intense the sheen is on the black furnishings and accessories.

Orange was also paired with white for high contrast.

It seems that this emerging trend towards bright color and high contrast is the direct opposite of the dominant trend of faded grays, neutrals and natural products mixed with soft hues of purple and mauve and the highly textured woods like oak and teak use for case goods. Only time will tell what the “new” look will be but I’ll keep my eye on this palette. I think it has legs.

What do you think about it? Fan of faded, soothing, ethereal interiors or longing for some uber bright pigments to brighten your day.

Please leave a comment and let me know.

More Oscar Fun with Architectural Digest & Roger Thomas

Click on the arrow to view

Well I teased you in my last post with the beautiful rendering by Jeffrey Schneider and now I have another special treat for you!

This time lapse video, so generously provided to us by Architectural Digest, provides a fascinating look into the real life step by step process of interior design construction and installation! It takes a village to raise a child and a huge team of very talented artists and craftsman as well as creative manufacturers and vendors to decorate this green room.

You can see Roger hard at work, arm in arm with his team, putting everything in it's place. He's the very distinguished looking gentleman with the white hair and although I couldn't see them ,I am sure he is wearing one of his signature pair of colorful shoes. Constructing and installing all at once in such a small space must have been particularly challenging. You can see the work table still busy as the furniture is already being brought in. This type of install is like a complicated symphony and it takes and experienced and talented conductor to pull it off.

The room looks stunning and has Rogers usual flair for the dramatic while at the same time addressing the purpose of the room which is to provide a quite, calming, space for nervous nominees! It is a room that could be installed in any home as a main living space. It's not overly themed or kitschy as some rooms have been in the past. I love the reference to the golden age of Hollywood with the painted floor, use of mirror, and formal seating arrangements. Perhaps I am a bit biased being a Las Vegan but I believe he has done a fantastic job!

What do you think?

Roger Thomas Does The Oscars!

Rendering by Jeffrey Schneider

Roger Thomas, my fellow Las Vegas designer and hospitality designer par excellence has been tapped to deck out this years Oscar Awards , Architectural Digest Greenroom! Thomas single handedly revamped Las Vegas style with such properties as The Golden Nugget, Mirage, Bellagio, Wynn, and Encore among many others all over the world.

He brought sophistication, class and distinction to a world formerly filled with plastic afrontery. Las Vegas owes much of its succes over the past twenty to Thomas and his muse Steve Wynn. I am so thrilled to see AI tapping into his incredible talent. Congratulations Roger - it's about time!

FREE 30 Minute Webinar – JVT Designs at Work in Studio Graphic Design Software

If you heard my recent interview on The Skirted Roundtable or read some of my posts about design software you may be interested in learning more about how my designs are used in STUDIO graphic design software.

My friend Merlyn (yes, that is her real name) who is the official wizard over at Minutes Matter and I would like to cordially invited you to attend a FREE, 30 minute webinar sponsored by Minutes Matter Solutions on Thursday, March 4 at 1 PM Eastern. You’ll see Merlin use Studio, our graphic design program, to translate the fabulous draperies and valances from my book, The Design Directory of Window Treatments into elevation renderings filled with fabrics, colors, and textures. These complete designs can also be broken apart quickly and mixed and matched for an infinite variety of styles. Never be stumped again how to treat your client’s windows – watch how easy it is to drag and drop these beautifully illustrated images to create drawings that your clients will want show their friends.

To register for this free event on March 4 at 1 PM EST , please click here:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/240892040

for more information, please visit the Minute Matter website:

www.minutesmatter.com

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Jackie Von Tobel – LIVE!

I’ve got some shameless self promoting to do this month to promote several seminars I will be giving in Atlanta, Charlotte and Las Vegas. If you’d like to come meet me in person and learn a few things about window treatments and emerging trends in interior design for 2010 here are the details of my appearances for March.

First, I was thrilled to be asked to be interviewed by some of my favorite bloggers, Joni Webb, Linda Merrill, and Megan Arquette for their fantastic blog The Skirted Roundtable! We did the interview last night and I had so much fun I forgot what I said! I’ll have to listen to it myself to see what I talked about! You can listen to the interview at The Skirted Roundtable later this week.

They are raffling off one copy of my book, The Design Directory of Window Treatments, and one copy of my new book, The Design Directory of Bedding so get on over there and sign up to win!!!

Next, I’ll be the featured speaker at the Las Vegas World Market Design Centers First Friday event on March 5 at 10:00 am. Here is a brief description of the topic:

Design Trends 2010

Bestselling author, product designer and blogger Jackie Von Tobel brings you the latest trends in interior design straight from the winter Heimtextile, IMM Cologne and Maison et Objet interior trends tradeshows. Join Jackie as she gives you a visual tour of these influential shows and breaks down the emerging trends in color, style and design for 2010.

Then I’m off to Atlanta for the DWC Spring event. See the full post about it here.

4000 Summit Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30319

www.villachristina.com

I will be presenting Emerging Design Trends for 2010 and Selling High End Looks in a Down Economy. Also, be one of the first to see highlights from my groundbreaking new book and graphic software supported marketing system in collaboration with Minutes Matter, The Power of I, due for release in January 2010. I’ll also be showing my new line of eco-friendly fabrics and pillows.

After that I’ll be in Charlotte, NC for the WCAA and AIDP Spring event. This will be an all day seminar covering a wide array of subjects. I’ll be giving away books, and Minutes Matter & Studio gift certificates!!

I may be stopping by the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Charlotte on March 27th for their open house weekend.

A big thanks to the great editors over at Drapery & Design Professional Magazine for using my Angelica fabric as the background for this years calendar. If you didn’t get your copy be sure to subscribe today!

Troubling Trend? Taxidermy

I think most of you know that I adore peacocks. I even included them in my pillow collection as I adore the coloring and the regal beauty of the birds. I was troubled to see that many vendors at the winter shows where highlighting taxidermy as their dominant accessories.
Dead, stuffed animals were everywhere: under glass domes, on decorative pedestals, framed as art, and posed on all fours.


Peacocks were the leader in this disturbing trend. But birds of all sizes and varieties were available in abundance. The collection of dead, stuffed aviary specimens at Guadarte was beautiful but creepy.



This trend was not limited to fowl, large mammals were also in vogue with lions, tigers, giraffes, and even elephants available for sale.



It was sad to see these proud, beautiful creatures reduced to elements in a visual display selling fabrics.



The most disturbing was a display by a famous window designer for Hermes that portrayed a luxury campsite filled with Hermes products that was stuffed full of exotic animals including an elephant. I just don't get it!



All of this is in answer to the resurgence of the Cabinet of Curiosities a trend that began in the Victorian area. Personally I think it should have stayed there.



While many of the items in this new decorative category are not as disturbing as stuffed tigers or cheetahs they were all once living creatures who were killed for our need to decorate our living spaces. This is a trend that I just cannot get behind and I find it odd that it is becoming so mainstream. In a world were you feel uncomfortable wearing fur or exotic leather I wonder why there is not an outcry against the killing of these animals for decoration.

What do you think?

Trend Report: Limed Wood

The second most dominant trend that continues to gain steam at the international markets is limed, bleached, natural, or white washed wood. It was everywhere shown in hundreds of different subtle hues of grey, tan, taupe, and white.

Patinas were boldly distressed, sleek and shiny, and everything in between. Virtually every vendor highlighted some shade of grey or mushroom wood with oak and teak being the raw material of choice.

I know, white washed oak !! – it makes me shiver just thinking of my old pinkish whitewashed kitchen cabinets that I hated with such a passion back in the 80’s! But this new oak is tinted in sophisticated shades of dove grey, tin, gunmetal, lichen, frost, and many others that lend a sophisticated edge to the rough luxe movement.

Pale woods in all hues of whites and creams were also abundant, many mixed with the color of the moment – mauve.

Grayed woods mixed with bright bluish purples were also on display in many showrooms.

This photo shoes the range of tints available at this vendor of teak furnishings.

Kitchens were shown decked out in grey distressed woods that gave them almost a menswear vibe. The perfect compliment to the soapstone countertops and farm sink!

Grey and mauve were the accompanying colors to this new pale wood.

It doesn’t matter if you’re into classic lines -

or a more contemporary aesthetic, the palette is the same.

White on white was also a popular combination with lots of play on texture and sheen for variety.

Super rustic was still on view but for the most part a more sophisticated take on the rough woods was the norm.

This roomscape was the piece de resistance of the show, combining rustic finishes, gilded accents, limed case goods and that fabulous real fur throw as a centerpiece. For me this room really summed up all of the trends at the show in one well designed package. Pale vertical stripes on the walls gradiated from a deep grey to a light lavender at the ceiling. Many subtle variations of grey on the chairs all on men's wear inspired wools welted with patent leather in bright shades of purple and fuchsias. A super pale bleached out repurposed carpet (another trend here) was the base of the display. Wish you could have all been there in person because it was spectacular. My photography does not do it justice! ( I had to sneak this one and actually got thrown out of this show room for taking pictures even with a press pass)

Photos: Guadarte, Provence & Fils, JVT