Interior Design Trends – Blue is Back

According to Houzz.com, blue is back – Big Time. And, while the focus of their article on interior design trends happens to be on kitchen islands, the images that follow display a stunning array of shades for use in virtually any room in the home.Soft gray-blue: Here’s another light blue option, this one cooler and with a bit more gray in it. Blues transform into neutrals as more gray is added to the formula. A neutral blue-clad island is perfect for those who want only a soft splash of color, or for those who have bold elements in the kitchen that they wish to take center stage.

Vibrant tropical blue: Arguably we are also drawn to blues because we associate them with vividly blue bodies of water. This is definitely an intense blue, but because it’s used in a relatively restrained way, for the kitchen island only, it doesn’t overwhelm the room.Feel free to pair a bright color such as this with white or light, cool neutrals and make sure the kitchen has good lighting so the island sparkles.Bold cobalt blue: If you love the idea of a dramatic blue for your kitchen island but prefer more of a peek of color, take inspiration from this gorgeous kitchen. The waterfall-edge countertop leaves just the front and backside of the island available for hosting an accent color.An eye-catching blue like this on your client’s kitchen island is going to draw the eye right into it. Make sure the countertop or bar stools are worthy of being part of the focal point of their kitchen.Dark steel blue: For those looking for a more neutral option, check out this dark grayish-blue color. This color really grounds the island, making it a solid, substantial statement piece in the kitchen. It’s also a nice foil to the warm wood elements in the room.If your client has kids, or they entertain at the island often, a medium-to-dark neutral color like this one is perfect for camouflaging the inevitable scuff marks that will appear at the seating side of the island, especially if the countertop overhang is not very deep.Navy blue: Navy hues are having a moment in kitchen design, but I’ve been a huge fan of this color for a while because of the drama and elegance it imparts. Black is also popping up on islands, but in some spaces, it can feel too dark, heavy and harsh.Navy plays nicely with white, grays and wood tones but has a bit more life to it than pure black.Where would you, and where have you, chosen to use such stunning shades of blue in your client’s homes? Go ahead, share your own tips and design trends in the comment section below.Looking for more new design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today

Interior Design Trends – New Collection from Lee Jofa & Kravet

In her fourth collection with Groundworks at Lee Jofa, Kelly Wearstler addresses the latest interior design trends by presenting dynamic and illusionistic elements in a new collection of fabrics, leathers, wallcoverings, and trimmings.Geometric patterns stand out and seamlessly blend in this collection with the use of bold and subdued color. COVET piques interest with its angular nature and seemingly time-worn texture. The hard angles of a faceted gemstone are softened by the washed look of this linen-cotton blend digital print.POST VELVET is another example of this range, featuring an overscale, graphic wood print that highlights an organic yet graphic element within the bold and neutral color stories.Exceptional quality is at the forefront of so many patterns in this collection. PASTICHE features a maze-like embroidery that offers a soft structure to its textural ground.CHANNELS, one of Kelly’s most adored patterns, is back with more versatile colorways, including darker shades, pushing the abstract and graphic boundaries of this bold pattern. It’s also offered as a stunning wallcovering.New Lee Jofa Wallcoverings from KravetYet, RAPTURE PAPER is also available on silk and paper, offering a dynamic option for a more elevated and luxurious statement.We ’re not done yet though: RARITY PAPER coordinates with its fabric counterpart, offered in a wide range of color from soft warm neutrals to blush, jade and bold blues.Finally, one of this collection’s most exciting introductions is the new fashionable tassel fringe trimming. FELIX FRINGE is inspired by chunky constructions on textural grounds and successfully makes this vintage aesthetic feel contemporary.This new collection from Kelly Wearstler offers an unexpected visual dialogue, enhanced by a graphic structure in patterns and nature using two and three-dimensional art, in an ever-evolving but always current color palette. Geometric and dynamic patterns stand out and seamlessly blend in this collection with the use of bold and subdued color.Looking for more new interior design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends – Southwestern Design is Not Dead

From rugs to wall coverings and from draperies to fabrics, the demise of southwestern design has been greatly exaggerated. As proof, we offer the collaboration of Kravet, the industry leader in to-the-trade fabric and furnishings, with Museum of New Mexico.For this stunning fabric collection, the Museum tells the story of its unique place as a crossroads of international trade and culture through fabrics inspired by the Museum's renowned textile, basketry, and ceramic collections.The inspiration for these modern interpretations of traditional southwestern designs was drawn primarily from small-scale patterns and embroideries in the 25,000-piece textile and dress collection at the Museum of International Folk Art. Iconic Native American textile and ceramic pieces from the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture also influenced many of the collection's designs. These museums comprise two of the Museum of New Mexico's four cultural institutions.Color and texture inspirations came from diverse mediums such as pottery, basketry, textiles and cut paper patterns. The result is rich textures and pops of vivid colors that mimic the crisp blue sky, the red earth, and an array of the complementary hues, both hot and cool, so often identified with the beautiful Santa Fe landscape.Kravet Fabrics & TextilesTextile designer and Museum of International Folk Art donor Alexander Girard quoted an Italian proverb when asked why he collected the folk art of the world's artisans: "Tutto il mondo e paes" or, "The whole world is hometown.""In partnering with us and by choosing such a broad spectrum of Museum textiles for inspiration, Kravet too is saying, 'The whole world is hometown' and that there are no foreigners," said Pamela Kelly, Vice President of Licensing and Brand Management for the Museum.Santa Fe has been an international hub of culture and commerce for centuries, as well as a creative haven for artists, writers, collectors, and others drawn to the region's bohemian lifestyle, spacious landscapes and rich cultural traditions. This eclectic ensemble of textiles embodies this creative approach to living – collected, worldly, and modern. (Kravet)Looking for more new design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Tips – Helping Clients Focus on High-Value Improvements

A recent series of articles at Houzz.com offers some interesting insights into where homeowners might be willing to spend a bit more on remodeling and decorating their homes. Although the site is definitely geared toward helping end-users make better choices, the expert advice they share can also be a great source of interior design tips and trends for anyone in the industry.For example, in an article titled 7 Home Purchases Worth the Splurge, designer Erika Wood offers her advice on where homeowners should be willing to invest a bit more money if they hope to avoid “buyer’s remorse” by compromising on quality versus value (or price).While many homeowners will focus on things that add value to their home, hoping to increase the resale price, Ms. Wood is focused on making the home comfortable for the current occupants of the home. Although both are important to an interior designer, it may be true that focusing on comfort will make your design project more acceptable to your clients. With this in mind, she offers seven “guilt-free” purchases for the savvy homeowner – making these areas of emphasis for the equally sharp interior designer, as well.

• Quality Window Coverings – To the uninitiated, it can seem like their options are endless when it comes to window coverings. Yet, as any designer knows, window placement, frame construction, and other external factors help narrow your client’s choices. Your expert advice will be critical for the client who is confused about which option is best for their home. There's generally no way around custom window treatments when there are unusually tall windows or odd placements. A conservative choice will tend to be a good investment in their home when it's time to sell. (Image from HouseBeautiful.com)
• Upholstered Furniture – While many homeowners will think, “It’s just a sofa”, you know that purchasing a quality sofa or other piece of upholstered furniture that stands up to the demands of your client’s lifestyle is always a good idea. Remind them that quality construction and cotton blends that have a high percentage of polyester provide optimal stain resistance and long-term wear.
• Granite Countertops – Yes, granite remains the first choice in countertops: “When a homeowner contacted Houzz for advice on kitchen upgrades, fellow contributor Rebekah Zaveloff responded with helpful advice. In regard to replacing the homeowner's old laminate countertops with classic honed granite counters, Zaveloff advised, ‘Black and white never goes out of style. If you want a classic black and white kitchen, go ahead and change out those countertops’."
• Room-sized Rugs – As we all know, it can take “forever” to find the perfect rug and, when you do, it usually isn't cheap. It’s always helpful to remember that your client may not have the knowledge to make a good decision and that you are the expert here. Take the time to explain that the cost of a rug will vary depending on the age, weaving technique, fiber content, and dye method. Also, hand-loomed rugs wear well and have added character and charm while minor repairs do not affect the value of the rug as long as they have been done well. (Image from MyRugStore.co.uk)
• Original Artwork – “A one-of-a-kind piece by its nature has special value. In addition to adding beauty and interest to the home, fine art gains extrinsic value as time passes.”
• Comfortable Mattresses – Quality sleep is essential for health and well-being – for the entire family. While the client is the true expert here, knowing what is comfortable to them, your guidance may make all the difference in whether they buy a quality product. If you have a relationship with a local sleep shop, all the better, as you can help them find a reputable dealer who will put their needs ahead of anything else.
• Linens and Towels – As Ms. Woods explains, “[You should] consider anything that touches your bare skin an investment in comfort.” Your client’s bed linens and towels should have a high thread count because they are softer, more durable, and will last longer than cheaper choices.

Even though it may seem that the last two items on the list may not be in your wheelhouse as a designer, offering guidance on making your client’s home as comfortable as possible is definitely has value as an area of focus.Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Designer Marketing Tips – Online Marketing: “Oh no, not more SEO!”

Well, yes; when it comes to designer marketing tips about online marketing, we need to get past the fear and talk about SEO (search engine optimization).For help with this subject, which sometimes frightens website owners (and more than a few website designers), we turn to the inbound marketing experts at HubSpot. Not only do these folks know what they’re talking about, they happily share quite a bit of their high-value information for FREE.First…Benefits of organic SEOWhile offering no guarantees of placement in the search results (SERPs), organic SEO is a proven strategy for gaining the attention of the search engines and bringing traffic to your website. It is cost-effective and, once a list of keywords has been developed and the techniques have been learned, is fairly simple to implement. However, it is not an overnight solution. Effective SEO requires patience and a commitment to consistently implement the strategies and techniques outlined below.Compared to pay-per-click advertising, however, organic SEO has two great benefits: 1) it is less expensive and 2) your placing in the SERPs will hold greater value with your target audience (since they tend to heavily discount the paid ads seen in the search results).Keyword Optimization for Your WebsiteYes, keywords still matter and knowing the phrases that are being searched by your target audience is critical to improving your ranking in the search results and building traffic to your website.But, the traditional view of keywords in search has changed. Where just a few years ago there were maybe 10-20 “big keywords” that would be sought after for ranking within a specific topic or niche market, there are now hundreds or thousands of long-tail variations that are regularly searched within a topic and which can change based on location.Simply dominating a few high-value phrases is no longer enough to produce successful results and, while search engines of the future aren’t going to punish your website for underusing keywords or failing to have an expertly crafted keyword-optimized page title, they will continue to punish you for overusing keywords.What does all of this mean? You should execute proper due diligence and perform market research and keyword analysis to discover high-value phrases to use while creating content for your website.Local SEO Strategy Has Real Value for Interior DesignersBecause most interior design work is local, your online marketing should be targeted accordingly. Both your target audience and your SEO strategy must be focused on the needs of your marketplace – not a national audience.Many marketers and website designers believe that “local SEO” has no value. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth. Since Google's algorithm treats local search rankings more like traditional search rankings, they now take hundreds of ranking signals into account; going so far as to improve the way Google evaluates distance when determining rankings.In other words, if you’re a local interior design business, optimizing for local search won’t only help you get found – it will help you get found by people who are nearby and more likely to buy from you. And, if you’re a national or global business trying to rank for a local term, you might as well give up. Local SEO is that important now.While there is a great deal more to say about how and why you should focus on SEO for your design business (and we’ll have more later), we understand that it’s easy to become overloaded with information. On the other hand, if your interior design website is underperforming, it may well be that you’ve ignored this area of online marketing for too long already.Looking for more interior design marketing tips, trends, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today. And, if you need help developing or improving your SEO strategy, we can refer you to our favorite SEO Strategist!

Interior Design Tips – Managing Cash Flow and the Business Cycle

Managing the ups and downs of any business can be challenging. For a niche market like interior design, where the business cycle is heavily influenced by home sales, managing cash flow can be the difference between long-term success and short-term failure. Here are a few tips for managing the highs and lows of your design business, from an article at MultiBriefs.com.Warmer weather tends to activate the building trades, leading to increased housing construction. Despite the unpredictability of the weather this year, you can be sure that builders and contractors are ramping up for new projects across the country. This is like manna from heaven for those of you who’ve endured a slow winter. But, this also means you need to have your ducks in a row, and your contractors, subs, and suppliers lined up and ready to get to work on your behalf.Perhaps ironically, however, you also need to make plans for the next downturn in the business cycle, if you hope to be around for the next upswing.Planning for the Slow Times

• Review your income history – Cash flow is rarely constant. You should anticipate fluctuations in revenue from month to month. A review of the past two or three years should give you a pretty good idea of these fluctuations. Establish a baseline of your expectations and make your plans accordingly.
• Set a baseline for expenses – While many of your monthly expenses will remain constant, such as office rent and insurance, others will vary. Once you establish a minimum, you can compare these to your income history and determine the months when expenses might exceed revenue. You can now plan for future negative cash flow months and set aside funds to cover them.
• Trim the fat – Develop a list of expenses that could be eliminated or postponed during slow periods to help reduce monthly outlays. For example, during the summer vacation period when business tends to soften, it probably is not worth it to purchase paid advertising. Instead, use the time to plan your marketing strategy for the fall and get a leg up on your competition.
• Keeping staff and subs – It is not the case that everyone you work with will be as diligent as you in planning for slow months. If you lay them off when business is soft, you can’t be sure they’ll be available again when you need them. Instead, try to anticipate those slow times and plan for necessary activities, such as annual or quarterly administrative tasks, vacation time or professional development.
• Make a plan for yourself – Assuming you have worked out your cash-flow forecast and budget for the year, consider how you can best make use of the time during lulls. Investigate new areas of business or new markets for your services, as well as devote time to building relationships with potential clients or persons who could refer clients to you. You may also want to pursue other forms of income, from dealing in real estate to designing and producing products, to offering classes and writing books or articles or pursuing a hobby that will help you to bring additional revenue into your design business.

Every business struggles with cash flow from time to time. By anticipating your needs before they develop, you’ll be able to respond more efficiently and with fewer hiccups. As a last resort, even a short-term loan may be needed yet, if you're ready for it, you’ll also have a plan for that, and will be able to stick to the terms and keep it short term.Looking for more interior design tips, trends, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends: Downsizing is a Thing

Did you know downsizing is a thing?If you’ve been paying even modest attention to social media lately, you're sure to have noticed the trend in “tiny homes” as a way to battle the high cost of buying a house. But, even for homeowners who do not choose to live within less than 500 square feet of space, simplifying their lives by getting rid of excess “stuff” has become something of a trend.According to the website LifeHacker.com, there are at least eight things we can all pretty much do without. Memorabilia, T-shirts (and other clothes you don’t wear), CDs and DVDs (right?), books, sporting equipment, bags and baggage, kitchen gadgets, “things that are neither useful nor beautiful.” (OK, we all have some of THAT around.)Downsizing for DesignersSo, what does this trend mean for an interior designer?If you have a client who is thinking of downsizing as part of their remodeling plans, you’ll need to be on top of this trend with solutions to offer. To help you understand their needs, begin with a few essential questions:

• Why do you want to downsize?
• What do you hope to accomplish by downsizing?
• What is your vision for your downsized home? (What does it look like?)

Of course, what you’re trying to discover is whether they want to live in a smaller space or do they merely want to reduce clutter, simplify their home, and their life.These are very different goals: that is, living in a 200-300 square foot home versus a clutter-free 1500-2500 square foot home requires an entirely different mindset; not to mention a much different interior design plan. (No kidding!)Here are additional questions you can ask to help your clients decide the extent of their downsizing plans, which will also help you to determine if you even want to contract:

• Where do you want to relocate? Some downsizers like to stay in their local area while others prefer to move to a different location to be closer to family, friends, warmer weather, etc.
• What type of housing do you prefer? A small home? A condo? A gated community? A retirement community for 55 and older?
• What size home do you need? List how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and other rooms you need and be specific.
• Do you have any special requirements for your new community? Consider amenities you may want within walking distance such as a health care center, eating options, activities, and entertainment, pool, spa, fitness center.
• What is your budget for your new home? What investment are you prepared to make? Are you going to purchase or rent?

You may decide that, based on the answers to these questions, the job is not for you and – that’s OK. Some jobs just aren’t worth the hassle.Are you looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Tips: Pick Your Own Color of the Year

For some in the design industry, the Pantone Color of the Year may as well be considered gospel. For these folks, there is no other possibility. And yet, with their choice of purple this year (well, “Ultra Violet” according to them), you’ll not be alone if you decide to look elsewhere for hot colors for 2018.After all, doesn’t it make sense to check in with one or two, or four, of the big paint companies to see what they have to offer as Color of the Year? We offer these choices with a large “Thank you” to the Décor & You Blog.AkzoNobel/Dulux Paint – Heart WoodHeart Wood is the quietest shade of the bunch. AkzoNobel calls it a “grown-up pink” that echoes the look and feel of natural wood and leather. If you aren’t familiar with AkzoNobel, they are a paint and coating company headquartered in Amsterdam.The firm’s Global Aesthetic Center works with design and color experts around the world who look at technology, art, design, nature, architecture, and even fashion and music before selecting a color of the year. This year, they felt that people around the world are looking to escape the noise of everyday life when they are at home. Heart Wood brings that sense of calm, relaxation, and solace.PPG Pittsburg Paints – Black FlameTo select PPG’s color of the year, the global paint company has their top 20 color experts from all over the world meet for three days to present and debate their selection. This year, they crowned Black Flame and claimed it will be the “new neutral”.Black Flame is black with a hint of deep indigo. This shade was selected to satisfy consumer’s need for privacy, optimism, and a search for things classic yet modern. This color fits the bill. It’s timeless like the little black dress; it looks great on everyone and provides an excellent canvas to highlight other colors and accessories. This idea translates perfectly into interior decorating.Benjamin Moore - CalienteCaliente is the wild card of the bunch. This daring, energetic red is a bold choice. Benjamin Moore takes months to examine research from industry shows, fashion, and architecture seen around the globe. Red was seen prominently; in January’s Women’s March in Washington DC, in popular TV shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, and in Stockholm Royal College of Music’s concert hall.Caliente has a slight brown undertone, so it’s not a dull primary red. It evokes a sense of change, strength, and confidence. Use it to create a strong focal point or a lasting impression.Sherwin Williams – OceansideOceanside is a gorgeous deep teal, almost a jewel tone. Reminiscent of the ocean and inspired by global travel, Sherwin Williams believes it will satisfy a homeowner’s search for adventure in a shade that is a balance of old and new.After examining influences from all over the world, their experts selected Oceanside for its versatility. It’s suitable for traditional spaces as well as modern; it invites a sense of clarity and is known to boost creativity. This is a color you can bathe your walls in or use more deliberately for points of interest.Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Tips: Use of Color in a Space

Are you aware that 60% of the color in a space comes from the walls and floors? Add the ceiling and you have 80% of the color in every room! That makes the room furnishings nothing but accessories – and the accessories are – nothing but trim to the accessories!While it can be argued, and often is, that the details are what make the room, you can never afford to take the Big Stuff for granted, such as…Wall ColorTypically, the color or colors used on the walls will set the stage for a room. Commonly, these colors are somewhat muted and softer tones, though not necessarily light or pale.  They will become the “anchor colors” for the room and the size of the room will dictate the depth of the color.

• If you are using darker colors, you can lighten the look with an area rug, window treatment or art for the walls.
• The natural light coming through windows will always play a role in your color selection and must be carefully considered.
• Alternating wall colors can create a wonderful effect in a room, opening a small space or limiting a larger, undefined area, perhaps.
• As an alternative to painted walls, consider wallcoverings. There are some gorgeous patterns and textures that add a dimension to the room’s ambiance that you cannot achieve any other way. And, wallcoverings last longer than paint. Plus, today’s wallpaper ain’t your grandma’s wallpaper! If hung properly, it can easily be removed and, with the updated colors and patterns available, can truly add the “wow factor” to any room.

Flooring Condition and/or ColorsTake a good, hard look at the current condition of the floors in your targeted room and ask yourself these questions:

• Even the highest quality hardwood floors become worn. Are they in need of refinishing or will a good buff and polish bring back the luster? Or, are they damaged beyond repair and need to be replaced? What will look best within the color scheme of the room, light or dark wood floors?
• If there is carpeting, what is the condition? If it is close to 10 years old or more, it’s likely time to replace it. Carpet is a textile and as such, it was never designed to wear and last as long as hardwood flooring. Plus, if there has been an active family in the home, 10 years or more is a good benchmark for replacement.

Ceilings Can Add Accent or Drama to a RoomHey, come on, we all know ceilings are white, right? Well, not always. In fact, bold patterns and colors on ceilings have become a fairly strong trend recently. Here are a few options to consider, rather than the standard white ceiling:

• If you’re working with a tray ceiling or an unusually high ceiling, other colors are often used to accent or create warmth. You may even see some black ceilings where the room is so large that a cozier effect is created by giving the illusion of a lower ceiling.
• Check out restaurants or hotels for inspiration. You might be surprised at what you never noticed before.
• And then there is the use of wallcoverings on the ceiling: a great effect.

Bold designs to floor and ceilings can create an atmosphere of luxury and solitude – or great drama.Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Tips: Must-Have Kitchen Features

There are many features in a home that are critical to the comfort of the entire family. Comfortable furniture and bedding, a large master suite along with bedrooms that easily accommodate children, and an overall feeling of being home. With that said, however, there may be nothing more important than the elements and idiosyncrasies of the kitchen – the most popular room in the house for most families.Of course, the size of the kitchen, the appliance brands, and functions, lighting and windows are all big deals for every homeowner. We’ve shared some thoughts on those big-ticket items before but, in this post, we hope to share some ideas that will make your efforts feel a bit more personalized to your potential clients; improving your chances of closing a deal.Small Kitchen Changes that Make Can a Big DifferenceAdequate storage is always an issue for homeowners (and not just in the garage!). Innovative storage designs that focus on organization and ease-of-access will have your clients eagerly accepting your kitchen designs. Pantries are especially problematic for many homeowners so, finding ways to organize this critical area can be a huge bonus for you.Offer Better Kitchen Storage, by Whatever MeansA hot new trend in kitchen storage is hiding away the appliances that are used most often – while keeping them accessible to the entire family. Sometimes referred to as an “appliance garage”, the family’s most used appliances are always plugged in and ready to go without cluttering the countertop.Hidden Appliances are a Huge Kitchen Must-HaveWhile single sinks have become popular recently, that trend is beginning to wane. Not only are double bowl sinks making a comeback, but prep sinks are also becoming increasingly popular. Adding features to kitchen islands, such as wine coolers and/or other storage, will also go a long way toward making your efforts feel personalized to the client’s needs.Don’t Sink Your Kitchen Design with a SinglePrep Sink in Kitchen IslandMulti-Use Kitchen IslandDesigning the dream kitchen for others is always a challenge but, by keeping an eye on what’s possible, you can offer something unique to even the most discriminating clients.Looking for more new design trends, tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.