Looking Back on 2015: Top 5 Best Articles from Ourso Designs this Year

Let us take a look back at Ourso Designs in 2015. Here are our 5 most popular articles from this past year. Just wait till you see what the year 2016 will bring.

1. Shelves: From Built-Ins to Floating

"Shelves are a great way to store items and also display items you have collected over the years. Enjoy our collection of shelving types and inspiration."

2. How to Arrange Furniture

"Get out the tape measure

The first step in arranging a space is determining its size. Use a tape measure to get the dimensions of a room. Or, a quick tip: Measure your foot and then walk heel to toe across the room. This is an easy way to estimate the basic size. Then, check the dimensions of the hallways, stairs and door widths leading to the space. This is the eternal challenge for a homeowner, being sure the entrance and egress of the room are large enough for potential purchases."

3. The Freestanding Tub: "A Newfound Stature"

"We all need that room in our house that serves as our guilty pleasure sanctuary; and for many that's turning their bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Because the "bathroom" is a wet area, there are a lot more hard surfaces and so it can sometimes be difficult to achieve a relaxing, comfortable feeling you have in other spaces of your home. Nonetheless, new bathroom technologies, from steam showers to radiant-heat floors, leading fixture designs and new materials have emerged in recent years – combined they can be used to calm the mind and soothe and relax the body – creating that spa-like retreat you desperately need."

4. Ceilings to Look Up To

"A ceiling plan can be just as important as a floor plan. Though this statement may apply more in a commercial setting, the ceiling plan should still not be neglected in a residential setting. A well thought out ceiling plan can make all the difference in the aesthetic of your home."

5. Shot-Gun Houses

"It is often stated that the "shot-gun" house got it's name because you can stand in the front doorway, fire a shot gun, and the bullet would exit right out of the back door."

Looking Back on 2015: Best Trends of the Year

Let us reminisce on all of the best trends from 2015. We can't wait to share with you what great trends 2016 will have to offer!

DECEMBER

CHINOISERIE CHIC

"Chinoiserie: the imitation or evocation of Chinese motifs and techniques in Western art, furniture, and architecture, especially in the 18th century.

Some characterstics of Chinoiserie style constists of: 

• Upturned ends on tables
• Bamboo furniture
• Garden Stools
• Ginger Jars "

NOVEMBER

INTRICATE COLOR PALETTES

"Colors communicate aspects of a personality or brand and have the power to produce psychological and physiological effects.  In the design industry we are noticing a shift towards complex color palettes."

OCTOBER

PARISIAN ARCHITECTURE • MODERN ELEMENTS

"Lately we are seeing a trend of Parisian architecture and modern elements.  It's a mix of old and new, traditional design offset by modern, and always very chic and stylish, just like their fashion sense. So here are my top tips for recreating Parisian interior style and adding that certain je ne sais quoi to your space."

SEPTEMBER

SINGLE SLAB TUB SURROUND

"We love the simple, clean look of a single slab surrounding an undermount tub.  The best part: no grout lines and it's easy to clean."

AUGUST

ROUND MIRRORS

"Lately, we have been seeing a trend shift towards round mirrors.  People are using them all over their houses from bathroom vanity mirrors to decorative focal works in foyers."

JULY

LARGE SCALE ART

"Large scale art can have a big impact on a room.You may have noticed the trend toward over-sized artwork and photography. It may not be for everyone, but I think it's fabulous to be big and bold in your design choices. One huge piece will definitely take care of a single wall or may be enough for the whole space."

JUNE

BOOK-MATCHED MARBLE

"Bookmatching is a great way to take something that's already beautiful and step it up a notch!  Lately, we have seen an increase in the application of marble in vertical locations such as walls, backsplashes, fireplaces and tub surrounds."

MAY

DRAWERS OVER DOORS

"Redesigning your Kitchen? Now has come the time to make the decision about your storage. You have many options, but one trend that has made a large impact for best ergonomics practices in the kitchen is the choice of Drawers over Doors."

APRIL

ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE PAVERS

"Spring is upon us and is calling all outdoors! Architectural concrete pavers are a great way to create the ideal outdoor space you want to be in!"

"Pavers are created from molded concrete formed into tiles to either resemble stone or brick, or proudly look like what they are: concrete. Concrete pavers generally fall into two types. The first is the thick durable interlocking paver. Resembling bricks in density, interlocking pavers are often used for driveways as they can handle the weight of a vehicle. The other variety is the thinner, and more visually pleasing, architectural paver.  Architectural pavers are commonly used for paths or patios where aesthetics are more important."

MARCH

ENCAUSTIC TILE

"Encaustic tiles are ceramic tiles in which the pattern or figure on the surface is not a product of the glaze but of different colors of clay. They are usually of two colors but a tile may be composed of as many as six. The pattern appears inlaid into the body of the tile, so that the design remains as the tile is worn down. Encaustic tiles may be glazed or unglazed and the inlay may be as shallow as an eighth of an inch, as is often the case with "printed" encaustic tile from the later medieval period, or as deep as a quarter inch."

FEBRUARY

HONED & LEATHERED FINISHES FOR STONE COUNTER TOPS

"Honed and Leathered finishes for Granite and Marble counter tops are being chosen more often than the once popular polished finish."

JANUARY

GINGHAM

"Black and White Gingham printed fabric and patterns are showing up everywhere.  From interior design accessories to the runway.

Both Ethan Allen & Schoolhouse Electric offer furniture covered in this graphically intense and bold fabric. Apartment Therapy states:""These distinctive checks are popping up everywhere, even in interiors that are decidedly non-country. Big checks feel bold and graphic; smaller patterns have a springtime freshness to them. Gingham is especially versatile, too — pair it with florals for a quirky, unexpected look, or use it to lighten up a dramatic interior. "