interior design trends

Jaipur Living – Meet the Urban Curator Trend

Design trends come and go (which is kind of the definition of a trend, right?), but when they’re hot, you need to be able to respond to meet the needs of your design clients. The latest “trend du jour” is known as Urban Creator, according to our friends at Jaipur Living.

As they explain, there are “3 Steps To Mastering The Trend: Urban Curator Traditional foundations mix with modern styling in this of-the-moment design trend.”

Step 1: Layered Interiors

“Layering textures, patterns, and colors creates a look that’s organic yet polished. ‘I love developing a design around a piece that a client may already own,’ says Sam Cram of eponymous firm Sam Cram Design. ‘Maybe it’s an antique chest, a vintage light fixture, or a favorite Persian rug. Urban curator means timelessly fusing old and new while bringing pieces from different styles to elevate the look’.”

Jaipur woven rugs and fabrics offer the perfect foundation for layering spaces in traditional looks without sacrificing modern styling.

Jaipur urban curator

Step 2: Curate Each Space Individually

“Old with new, traditional with modern, smooth with textured—it’s all about the mix. ‘It’s elevated yet approachable—a comfortable lived-in vibe that feels welcoming and warm, not stark,’ says Urbanology Designs‘ Ginger Curtis of the urban curator trend. ‘Think old meets new, and incorporate items that feel lived in or vintage to complement and create a relaxed modern aesthetic’.”

“Then comes the curation. Pay attention to silhouettes, textures, colors, and the like, the styling duo recommends, to achieve the professionally polished yet effortlessly tossed together aesthetic. ‘Keep your eyes out for something odd, adding something unexpected creates a visual tension that is important to the look’, says Lori Paranjape, founder of Mrs. Paranjape Design + Interiors.”

urban curator design trend

Step 3: Finesse the Look and Feel

“With collected, layered decor comes the need for a sharp edit. Read: Choose your focal point, and choose it wisely. ‘I love mixing old with new,’ says Bonnie Ryan of Ryan Haus Interiors + Design. ‘The juxtaposition of a traditional or vintage piece next to something bold and modern is so stunning and it makes both pieces more interesting.’ In the end, she recommends, ‘bring in something bold and modern next to something organic and older’ for ultimate eye-catching appeal.”

“ ‘When it comes to mixing styles like modern, traditional, and vintage,’ House of Hipsters‘ Kayla Herbes concludes, ‘you’re really just mixing pieces that speak to you. Somehow, some way, when you decorate with pieces you love, it just works. There are no vital ingredients or rules except sticking to a color palette.”

interior design trends

Jaipur Wovens from TD Fall

Having worked closely with Jaipur for decades, we u understand how their hand-woven rugs and fabrics can be used to build a foundation for any space, as well as for accents and flow, as explained in the Jaipur Living article.

For more on Jaipur rugs and other products… Contact TD Fall today.

What’s the Point of Studying Interior Design Trends?

design trends.jpg

After reading a few articles about the latest interior design trends, articles which tend to conflict we admit, one might wonder what is the point? If trends change so regularly, do they even matter?

To take this a step farther, there are “current” trends that are so out of date that one wonders if the designer understands the meaning of the word. It’s far too easy to take a space beyond kitsch to campy, tacky, and corny and, despite what “everyone else” be doing, a sharp designer will avoid such trendy traps.

As explained in an article at Forbes.com (admittedly not our usual source for design trends), author Amanda Lauren writes: “Just because a look is heavily featured on social media or HGTV, doesn't mean it's a good choice for everyone from an aesthetic or even a practicality standpoint.”

(You might wan to check out this article to see some of the “least favorite” trends among designers today.)

Why Design Trends Matter

At the most fundamental level, interior design is about making a space livable. Moving well beyond the old, simplistic design business model of offering good taste and “sensitivity”, contemporary designers focus on the process:

“… a process that provides [clients] with a set of aesthetically pleasing but efficient solutions for a better use of the space in question. The goal of interior design is to improve the user experience by better managing the space available in the intervened environment.” (EssentialHome.eu)

 In other words, the most important design trends are not simply about colors, weaves, and textures; or whether wallpaper has become more popular than paint or whether hardwood floors are better than tile. It’s not about impressing the neighbors or family members.

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Ultimately, the only “trend” that should matter to an interior designer is how you can transform the lives of people who live within, or enjoy a particular space, and improve their quality of life through professional design, beautiful decoration, and quality home furnishings.

Looking for more interior design trends, design business tips, marketing tips, new products, and furnishing ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Home Design Trends – Inspirational & Stylish Bathroom Designs

While the kitchen remains the most popular room in most homes, stylish bathrooms can add a great deal of resale value. Of course, since they are also important spaces for any homeowner, a sharp interior designer will be conscious of these home design trends and will place emphasis on ensuring these very private spaces are comfortable and attractive.With help from the folks at HGTV.com, we are happy to present a selection of stylish bathrooms as potential inspirational design ideas for your use in an upcoming bathroom remodel.Bohemian LuxuryFrom compartmentalized and dated to open and bright with modern twists, this California bathroom gives a nod to the home's mid-century origins. Modern elements like the freestanding tub and vessel sinks mix with eclectic and bohemian touches, including leather cabinet pulls, patterned concrete tile, and a traditional carpet.home design trendsA Calming AtmosphereA light blue vanity and brass pulls are a pretty surprise against this bathroom's black-and-white, mosaic tile floor. A cactus adds a fun (yet spiky) companion up top.home interior design trendsMaking a SplashThis modern cottage master bathroom features a mosaic glass tile patterned wall, soaking tub, brass fixtures, and clear glass shower enclosure.bathroom design trendsSmall, Yet Mighty ImpressiveFrom the mesmerizing floor tile to the slanted ceiling, this bathroom is nothing but first-rate design inspiration. One of designer Emily Henderson's tactics for decorating this small bathroom was to match metals, from towel bars to faucets, for a more cohesive appearance.stylish bathroom designsThey May Never Want to LeaveA large, arched window lets plenty of natural light into this neutral, remodeled space, creating a warm feel throughout this magnificent master bathroom.inspirational bathroom designsRustic ChicDesigners pulled the dark khaki color from the tile and used it to add warmth to the shiplap backsplash. This feature wall adds a splash of color and creates a balance between the busy pattern of the tile floor and the glamour of the copper fixtures.rustic bathroom designMaking a Bold StatementThe floor's geometric pattern acts as a red carpet, leading the eye down this chic bathroom to the dazzling shower at the far end, covered in blue subway tiles.bold bathroom designLeaving Nothing to ChanceDesigned by Montana Creative and Heidi Tate with Tate Interiors, this home was inspired by the waterfront with expansive windows out to the lake and accordion doors to create a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience. Modern finishes round out the house to create a unique lake house.luxurious bathroom designWhile each of the above bathroom designs can be used as inspiration, they are merely a glimpse of the 99 images available from HGTV.com. if you find yourself struggling to imagine the perfect bath design for a client, feel free to take a look for yourself. You’re bound to find something that will help.Looking for more new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Curated Kravet – Stunning e-Commerce Resource for Interior Designers

While it is certainly nice to be able to see and feel the high-end furnishings, fabrics, and wallcoverings you may be considering for your design clients, Kravet offers an unmatched online shopping experience for the busy interior designer. Curated Kravet offers everything from room accents to lighting and from ready-to-ship furnishings to hand-picked holiday designs.CuratedKravet.com now serves as an easy-to-use, one-stop shop for savvy designers to search for, browse, and purchase products in a variety of ways, all presented in curated spaces.“We really tried to listen to what our customers – interior designers – were looking for in the market, so we created a to-the-trade-only website of curated, shoppable rooms, and new categories of finished products like mirrors, wall art, bedding, lighting, and accessories,” said company president Cary Kravet. (ArchitecturalDigest.com)Items on Curated Kravet can be perused three ways: by category (say, lamps, sofas, or upholstery), by trend, by season, or by curated room.Curated Room Designs from KravetThe way in which curated room designs are presented at Curated Kravet is stunningly simple and absolutely practical. First, images of the room design are offered, followed by images of each item available for you to create a similar space for your own client if you choose to do so. Of course, you are not required to purchase every piece as a collection, no matter how much sense doing so might make; rather, you can pick and choose from the furnishings, lighting, accent pieces, or bedding sets presented.For example, Beachside Beauty, curated by California-based designer Jeffrey Alan Marks, provides you with an opportunity to create relaxed and sophisticated interiors for your design clients.curated room designscurated furnishings beachside beauty designsOn the other hand, if you're searching for a more glamorous presentation, the room curated by Dallas-based designer Jan showers, appropriately named Pretty Glamorous may be more what you are looking for.new fabric designsglamourous room designsKravet furnishingsonline shopping for designersWith nearly three dozen curated room design offerings available to choose from, Curated Kravet offers something for everyone – interior designer and design client alike.Timeless and Well-Traveled, curated by Nate Berkuscurated KravetNatural Neutrals, curated by Joni Vanderslicedesigner marketing trendsTo learn more about Curated Kravet, and to view the selections available by category, click on the links below:Hand-Picked for the HolidaysReady to Ship FurnitureLight Up the HolidaysAccent Furniture FastCrafted and Curated WicklewoodQuick SolutionsPerhaps the greatest feature offered by Curated Kravet is convenience, combined with ease of shopping. Simply focus on using the site’s filters to find in stock product for everything from a completely curated room design to those last minute finishing touches that every interior design project seems to need.Looking for more new interior design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.    

Interior Design Tips: Kitchen Cabinets for the Most Popular Room in the House

It has long been said that the kitchen is the most popular room in the house for most families. Yet, it is often the bane of their lives for interior designers. Perhaps the reason for this is that the kitchen IS the most popular room, meaning everyone in the family has an opinion about it.Well, in case you were wondering, the adage is true. According to a study by Realtor.com, analyzing the rooms most mentioned in listing descriptions, the kitchen has overwhelmingly become the most popular room in the home at 69%, followed by the bedroom (49%), garage (35%), and living room (21%).This means that, as a designer, you must place as much importance on kitchen design, functionality, and comfort as your client does. Obviously, knowing which features of the kitchen will help it stand out among other homes is critical to a successful redesign.Some features will add value to a kitchen, while other amenities are less relevant to buyers. Custom cabinetry ranks at the top of the list for adding value to a kitchen, followed by a kitchen island, creative lighting, granite counters, large pantry, stainless-steel appliances, tile backsplash, and breakfast bar. To protect yourself from angry clients, stay away from over-the-stove microwaves, maple cabinets, and 4 x 4 tile floors.If buyers like custom cabinets (and they do), and they also like wood (and they do), then it makes sense to focus on finding the right custom wood cabinets to add value to your client’s kitchen.Custom Shaker-style wood cabinetry offers far more than ample storage in this redesigned kitchen. (NewHomeSource.com)shaker style kitchen cabinetsLighter woods also have their place when the client wants an open, roomier feel. (NewHomeSource.com)blonde wood kitchen cabinetswood veneer cabinetsThe simplicity of design does not have to mean simplistic. Paints and veneers add flexibility to wood cabinetry that is hard to match. (Phil Kean Design Group)The concept of “home” still pulls at the heartstrings, and homebuilders say that upgrading certain features and adding special flourishes remains high on buyers’ shopping lists. As shown above, #1 on that list is the kitchen!Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today

Simple Bathroom Upgrades for Better Home Improvement ROI

In a previous post, Value of the Most Popular Home Improvement Projects, we outlined for you where your clients can expect the greatest return on investment for remodeling the rooms of their homes. While none of the most popular home improvements offered an overwhelming return, bathrooms and kitchens consistently showed the best ROI. Here, we present some of the easiest and most profitable bathroom upgrades to improve the ROI of a remodel.

You can use these tips to help close the deal when you have a client that wants to “think about it some more”.

Can a Bathroom Make a Statement?

An especially quick and easy bathroom upgrade, and one which most homeowners never consider, is to add artwork to the space. From eclectic to elegant, this simple step can completely change the feel of a normally neutral room, making a statement about the homeowner’s sense of style. (Image from HuffingtonPost.com)

simple bathroom upgrades

The 70s Called to Get Their Bathroom Back

This jetted bathtub should be a place of relaxation and respite for an exhausted homeowner. But, the dated tile and dingy colors do nothing to create a sense of tranquility.

replace old bathroom tile

Now, with a cottage-style makeover, done for less than $1000, this bathtub has become a destination to which a homeowner can happily return for her “Me Time”, after a busy day. (Image from HGTV.com)

cottage style bathroom upgrade

Turning Classics into Contemporary Pieces

If innovation truly is the mother of invention, then adaptation may be the father of innovation.

This stunning piece employs the classic idea of a wash basin combined with an antique dresser to create a sink with modern plumbing that is truly unique and lovely. (Click here to learn more about how you can offer this innovative idea to your design clients, with how-to instructions from thisOldHouse.com.)

unique vanity upgrade

It certainly adds more style than this old house could do. (See what we did there? LOL)

worn out vanity

Turns out, the perfect client may not be the one who says, “Money is no object”. First, they rarely mean it, and second, they’re as rare as a stylish mullet. On the other hand, homeowners on a budget are numerous, and frequently willing to accept outside the box solutions, which is exactly what some of these bathroom upgrades are.

Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Tips: How to Make a Bathroom Look Bigger

From millennials living in tiny houses to seniors making the money-saving move to smaller spaces like townhomes and condos, adding a roomy feeling to their homes for your clients requires some innovative thinking. When space is at a premium in the bathroom, these interior design tips should come in very handy for you.

Floating Vanity in the Bathroom

When space gets tight in a bathroom, balancing the need for storage with a desire for breathing room can be quite the challenge. A floating vanity is a great answer for making such a small area feel larger. Even with room to store daily essentials, the bit of flooring that’s revealed beneath makes the area feel a notch more open.

This 48” Single Sink Floating Vanity with Mirror is from ICAFurniture.com.

floating vanity

Reflect More of the Space You Have to Work With

Make the space feel more spacious than it actually is.  A large mirror can double the size of your space and, in a bathroom especially, can really help to visually double your investment.

Large Rectangular Wall Mounted Vanity Mirror With LED Lighting from GravityDecor.com.

interior design tips

Glass Adds Class – And Space

A great way to expand the look and feel of a small bathroom is by replacing a shower curtain with a glass panel or door in the shower. By eliminating the visual wall, the entire square footage of the room will be visible at once for a bigger look, especially when you’re in the shower. A frameless glass design adds an even more open feeling.

Avalux Frameless Corner Shower Enclosure from HomeDepot.com.

frameless glass shower

Use Small Bathroom Size to Your Advantage

As mentioned in a previous post, cozy spaces are in this year. If you can turn the limited space of a smaller bathroom into a positive for your client by making it feel intimate and comfy, you’ll do yourself and them a favor. Choosing a single color in various shades can create a sense of coziness, a richly stained wood vanity and mirror frame adds a touch of luxury. The small floor tiles add a splash of contrasting texture that keeps the space looking modern and fresh.

Better Homes & Gardens offers more ideas like this one at BGH.com.

cozy bathroom design

These are just a few ideas for making a small bathroom look bigger. If you're really stuck for ideas to open up spaces for your clients, it’s time to invest in some research into other interior design tips that you can employ on their behalf.

Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

 

One Thing Interior Designers Agree On - To Disagree!

If there is one thing interior designers agree on, it’s this: they agree to disagree.

The hot color for this season is blue and all its shades, right? Then again, Pantone's Greenery was recently named the color of the year for 2017, with plenty of the top designers in the country adding it to their palate. In fact, about the only thing designers can agree on when it comes to color is that it can make or break the space in which it’s used!Are you a fan of blue as the hot color this year?shades of blue hot colorOr, are you going for the green as your favorite color?green hot color 2017Bare Floors or Rugs: Which is best?Perhaps even more contentious among designers is the classic issue of bare floors versus rugs; which may never be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone – or anyone, for that matter.Rugs are a great and relatively easy way to add warmth to a room, which is why they are so popular. They are also easily replaced, which is another feature that appeals, since changing the feel of an entire space can be accomplished by simply tossing something new and beautiful on the floor. And yet, rugs can be maintenance heavy items, requiring vacuuming of shedding layers of wool, pet hair they can capture, or even cleaning stains from spills by the kids (or that unruly guest who consumed too much wine).Potentially one of the most transformative elements in a room, a strategically placed collection of rugs in a home can make all the difference in the world: accenting, featuring, joining or separating spaces as needed.rugs make the roomThen again, there are some rooms, and some floors, that cry out to be left bare. For example, covering the exquisite pattern in the image below could be thought of as a crime by some. Then too, rugs in a dining area can attract all sorts of accidents left behind following a dinner party. This floor is not only gorgeous, it’s easier to clean and maintain than a rug might be.bare floors or rugsAs with so many things, when it comes to designing a comfortable, attractive living space, there will be many disagreements on exactly what comfortable and attractive mean. The sharp interior designers agree with the client more often than not, helping to guide them yet accepting that the space belongs to them, and so must meet their needs above all else.Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.  

Mobile Interior Design Apps

Mobile Interior Design Apps

As tools to make your professional life as an interior designer a bit easier, the recent upsurge in interior design apps is a blessing for virtually everyone in our industry. With the capacity to view potential changes to virtually any space instantly on your smartphone or tablet, and to modify them in a heartbeat to present to a potential client, not only are such tools long overdue in our digital age – at least one of them should also be at your fingertips – now!

While many of these applications are designed for the home owner to use, improved functionality and universal availability make them appealing to professional designers as well. Plus, since most of them are freely available for both Android and iOS systems, downloading and using them now is quickly becoming mandatory for a cutting-edge designer.

While the list of available interior design apps as far too long to present here, there are multiple online locations that have evaluated and reviewed many of the most popular among them. These sites include: 1stdibs.com, BestProducts.com and DigitalTrends.com (for flat fee, pay-to-play apps).

Popular Digital, Mobile Interior Design Apps

With that in mind, and knowing that newer and better apps may be right around the corner, we offer a few of the most popular, most helpful interior design apps on the market at the moment:

  • Houzz Design App – Arguably, the best of the bunch (CNN once called it the “Wikipedia of interior and exterior design”) the Houzz App database contains more than 5 million high-res home images tagged and organized according to style, room, and location. Browse, search, and save favorites to your smartphone or tablet, which both stores your ideas and gives the app’s real-life, professional design consultants an idea of what you’re into. (Free for Android or iOS.)
  • ColorSnap Design App – Sherman-Williams has solved your desire to splash an entire palette of colors onto any interior (or exterior, for that matter). The app can analyze the colors of any photo on your smartphone and let you know which shade of Sherman-Williams paint it matches. Peruse the contents of its 1,500-shade inventory and apply it to virtual sample rooms. (Free for Android or iOS.)
  • Autodesk® Homestyler® Design App – Enabling you to make smarter home design choices faster than ever before, you can watch your design ideas come to life within a photograph of your client’s space, simply by experimenting with high quality 3D models of real design products. (Free for Android or iOS.)
  • MagicPlan Design App – When it comes to saving you time and effort, the MagicPlan app transforms the painstaking ordeal of taking measurements and drawing up floor plans into an effortless process. The app computes distances within a space simply by analyzing a snapshot. Simply add objects, annotations, photos and attributes to generate reports or complete estimates. (Free for Android or iOS.)
  • Home Design 3D Gold - This architectural app lets you import floorplans and change the space itself; visualize new openings, raise ceilings, or take out entire walls, then add in the furniture and other amenities of your choice. See the results of your designs in either 2-D or 3-D, and share projects with collaborators who can make modifications with you in real time. (Cost is $9.99 for either Android or iOS.)

These interior design apps will soon become ubiquitous, enabling even the smallest design business to offer cutting edge technology to their clients. The interior designer who does not use such high-value tools, does so at their own peril.

Looking for interior design trends and tips? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends - Spring 2016 High Point Market Report

Interior Design Trends - Spring 2016 High Point Market Report-1For those who were unable to attend High Point Market in April, and for those who did make the trip but were simply too busy to see all that was on display, we offer this short recap of the interior design trends that many are talking about.First, it must be said that the energy level was high at Spring High Point this year! As was the enthusiasm shown by designers, suppliers, manufacturers, and buyers; with everyone optimistic about the potential for growth during the remainderInterior Design Trends - Spring 2016 High Point Market Report-2 of the year.Compact & Multifunctional – For consumers who are just short on space, products designed for small spaces – yet which serve a variety of functions enable people to maximize their spaces with furnishings that support their busy lifestyles. This need is being met with lightweight, yet durable pieces that present a narrower profile.Livable Luxury – A luxurious look and feel is fine for those who seek such, yet today’s consumer also wants to ensure their spaces a livable. Durable fabrics, forgiving woods, and low-maintenance finishes are being introduced in greater quantities in the brands and product lines that offer luxury.Interior Design Trends - Spring 2016 High Point Market Report-3Feminine Finery – The feminine edge is an emerging trend; offering flowing lines, lovely curves, floral patterns, and intricate details, a soft cushion on a sofa, the subtle curved front of a chest, and pinks and purples that bring a breezy lightness to every detail of the space in which they’re utilized.Interior Design Trends - Spring 2016 High Point Market Report-4Mix ‘n Match – For several seasons, manufacturers and retailers we’re playing it safe; fearing they could be left with a stockroom or warehouse full of inventory, showrooms were often filled with easy, and sometimes, boring options. This is beginning to change, as vendors are being bolder with their options and mixing materials, color and shapes with abandon.    For more on emerging trends that we saw at this year’s Spring High Point Market, click here to download the High Point Market Style Report (pdf).