Winter Design Trends

I was preparing for an interview last week on Winter Trends and it got me thinking about the changing of the seasons, snuggling in and the whole concept of Trending.

For those of you that know me, you will know I am not the trendy type and neither are my clients.
While our politics might not reflect it, when it comes to design, New Englanders are a pretty temperate bunch. There are no, "just becauses". Each decision comes with a platter full of practicality. 

So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that when I started researching the most recent trends in design for this fall and winter, that I was indeed on trend, merely by virtue of my natural design style.

Go figure!



A natural mixture of organic materials and ethnic inspiration 

photo credit: trendy.com


It stands to reason that organic, natural, and sustainable materials are always trendy.

Rich, nature inspired colors, heavy in texture and weight will always be in style, but this year don't forget to balance them with a bit of the whimsical, ethereal, and lighter weight. 




photo credit: justbesplendid.tumblr.com

Balance never goes out of style either.
Winter naturally brings about more layering. Heavier weight materials and faux furs (always faux!). 




photo credit: punktse.tunblr.com

Winter whites with undertones of brown and gray work any time of year, but as the sun struggles to muster up the energy to rise overhead, these lighter tones will invite the rays to stay just a little longer before retreating.




This parquet wood tile is from ADKO's Mansion Porcelain Library 

Barn elements continue to be popular with "wood" tiles and sliding barn doors leading the fashion pack. 

I find myself suggesting tile flooring that mimics wood to many clients looking for a great textured element but with the ease of water clean up and no refinishing. Add some radiant heating and big faux fur pillow and you might find me curled up on your kitchen floor. 



photo credit: bluebergitt.wordpress.com

The fashion world has promised us more distressed denim. You know, the kind your mom said, "Why should I pay good money on something that looks it just went through the chipper?!"


photo credit: writeontrend.com

Fabrics and tiles seem to be trekking the globe from Tribal to Ethnic with influences spanning from the middle east to Europe.




A recent bathroom we did incorporating Moroccan and Italian tile

And a the juxtaposition of color is always a personal favorite of mine. Pairing of unassuming colors is like that great couple that people can't figure out, but they just click. 
Think ballet slipper pink with cobalt or a whisper of gray with the rich aplomb of eggplant.




www.designseeds.com

Finally, mix well with the loose and blousy look of Bohemia. This style is forgiving in both fashion and design. It says, "Come as you are. Bring me your grandmothers couch, your favorite scarf from beloved travels and no worries about the cheesecake you ate last night, we can make that work too."
Who doesn't love that!

photo credit: ecosalon.com

So, welcome this wintery season with open and forgiving arms. Embrace contrast, change, and even purple. 

Take a chance!

Best,

Renee

For more inspiration check out our Winter Trends
pinterest board 

Tips for a stylish and functional Mudroom and Laundry

So, I have to admit my cleaning spree has continued into a second week, which for those that know me, realize this is a big deal. I have a small attention span for repeated tasks that seem to bring no lasting value, i.e; the kids just mess it up again.
We (read: my husband) has taken over the task of remodeling our mudroom/laundry room complete with tiling, barnwood shelving, and mega organizational items. This, I am convinced, will change our lives and certainly put us on the path to whole house organization, and at the very least has allowed us (again read: husband) to hone our formerly non-existent tiling skills.
I took the advise I would give my clients and made a list of: Must haves, Would Like to Have, and Dreams (this is where the indoor/outdoor shower complete with rainforest foliage fit it).
I figured it might be good to pass this list along and also take it as an opportunity to get it out of my head and onto paper!

 ~ Define the purpose. A mudroom is only as good as it's easiest entrance. The best laid mudrooms have become pantries because the kids had to pass easier entrances like the front door to get to them. Make sure this much needed room is attached to your garage or as close to the bus stop is geographically possible.

 

This bright and functional space is right off the garage. It practically requests you to hang up your coat and boots, especially if they color coordinate.

~A Place for Everything and Everything in it's Place. Your grandmother was on to something (and probably tired of picking up your stuff). Take an inventory of what you have and where it should go. Whenever we design a kitchen or bath, we have the client empty everything out before we design. They end up needed about a 1/3 less than they thought because it turns out stuff like the gardening tools don't need to be in the spice drawer.

This great system from Pottery Barn gives even the most hopeless of organizers a fighting chance!

~Everyone Accounted For? How many family members will be using the space? How much room do they need? Make sure you take into consideration that your 5 year old will someday be bigger than you (trust me it happens!) and a cute little bench now will have them eating their knees years to come. Plus the size of backpacks doubles from year to year.
Are there room for guests?
This dream mudroom from Peace Design respects both present and future company.

And don't forget the four footed friends. It's great to at least have a hook or two for our companions, but here are some fun ideas that are on my Dream List.

 Whether you just have a corner to devote or a room the size of a Manhattan apt (my current mudroom reno is the size of my first Manhattan apt), devoting some time to planning and organizing will keep you ahead of the clutter ahead.
There are some great inspirational ideas on both Houzz.com and Pinterest to help get you started on your own road to organizational paradise. Just click here to check out my inspirational board and get more fun tips! 


Happy Organizing!

Best,
Renee 

Tile with Style!

Beachwood Tile by FINE

Tile has way more style than you may have thought! Gone are the days of boring square and rectangular tiles. Today our options are literally endless! Not only are there so many variations on shapes and styles, now there are tiles to mimic other materials.

 

Right now tile plank floor meant to mimic wood is all the rage!  And you can go inexpensive like Lowe's or really high end with parquet patterns. The color and pattern options are endless and they are so much easier to care for than wood floors. Most people don't believe they aren't wood. True story, my kiddo dropped his Ninja star on the floor (don't ask) expecting it to land squarely in the wood. Good thing he is fleet of foot :).

 

I found this beautiful accent tile right in town at G & N Flooring
I am currently working on a bathroom where we are going to use a tile that looks like linen on the floor with a porcelain tile that mimics copper sheeting on the walls and a birch looking tile in the shower. It's gorgeous! And gives a nod to my clients roots back in Aspen, which makes their NH home feel even more like home to them!

 

 

It seems like the most popular styles now are taken from other materials...wood, fabric, metals, etc.

 

A great way to pull it all together is to use a thin accent tile that has all the materials in it. In the bathroom we will use a ribbon of 1x1's with a mix of slate laced with iron, glass, and copper. It brings continuity to the space without overwhelming it or costing a ton.

 

Check out some of my personal favorites. Here are some from +ANN SACKS. This is actually a porcelain tile, made to look like wood.  It's durable, practical and oh so versatile!              

As mentioned on the Ann Sacks website, the Cowden Bell tiles shown here are made from renowned Herman Oak leather. These tiles are slightly thinner than saddle leather and suitable for both floors and walls. Hand-dyed and stamped by Cowden Bell, each tile is subtly different in color and texture, and affords a warm, richly detailed and resilient floor. 

 Glass tiles offer many incredible design ideas. They bring in patterns and light in ways that other products simply can't!

 

 

I also love AKDO. These pictures clearly show you that there is a tile out there for everyone! 

 



The flooring in this picture is actually porcelain tiles!

 As you can see anything is possible when it comes to designing with tiles these days.

 

For more inspiration, check out my new board, "Tile with Style" on +Pinterest!

 

Happy tiling!

 

Renee