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. "

Industry Ed with Richard: Kitchen and Bath Guideline Series

In this post we will discuss the NKBA Kitchen and Bathroom Planning Guidelines, by first stating the guidelines and then pointing out their importance and giving insight on solutions and practices based on my industry experience. Find out more about NKBA here.

Refrigerator Standards

My Experience

• The standard refrigerator size is 36" wide by 69" tall.
• They do come in many sizes though, and the scope of the space in which it resides and the needs of your family will determine what size refrigerator is best for you.
• Often times the fridge sits alone with cabinets built around it, to the side and sometimes atop. A new trend seen lately is a completely built-in refrigerator. These refrigerator doors look like the rest of the cabinets and so therefore the fridge looks like it is apart of your cabinets and is hidden a bit.
• Another kind of refrigerator seen lately is the kind that comes in "colums" of 18", 24", and 36" wide. Each column is a part of the fridge that has a specific purpose and you can piece them together to make one refrigerator. You can pick and choose what you need. This is a great way to customize your fridge according to your lifestyle needs.
• Also, when refrigerator shopping, I suggest you get a refrigerator that has a separate compressor for the fridge and the freezer. This makes the cooling of the fridge more efficient and the food lasts longer.
• It is important that you don't let your fridge become too big for your space. If you need more refrigerator space, consider having a second refrigerator in a butler's pantry or garage.
• Remember when space planning your kitchen that your fridge must sit off the wall to allow for water hookup. This will vary with each manufacturer.

 ***See example of a column fridge in the picture below.

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History Lesson: B306 Chaise Lounge

Design: 1928

Production: since 1930

Manufacturer: Thonet Frères, Paris

Size: c. 70 x 56.6 x 156 cms

Material: chrome-plated and varnished

steel, fabric, steel springs, rubber

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"Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, and Perriand designed a multifunctional structure which made the reclining surface, fixed on a pair of bows, independent of the base. Since this section rests loosely on the H-shaped supports of the base, its inclination can be adjusted continuously. The rubber sleeves around the crossbeam of the support prevent slipping when someone uses the chaise longue. When the reclining surface is lifted off the base, the bows serve as runners for a rocking recliner. The three created different pieces of furniture such as a swivel stool, tables, armchairs, and a chaise longue. Included among these designs, which are all highly regarded today, is this chaise longue which is undoubtedly one of the most famous items of twentiethcentury furniture."

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In this photo is one of the 3 designers, Charlotte Perriand on the B306 Chaise Lounge. An interesting fact about Charlotte Perriand: "When the 24 year old Charlotte Perriand strode into Le Corbusier’s studio at 35 rue de Sèvres, Paris in 1927, and asked him to hire her as a furniture designer, his response was terse. “We don’t embroider cushions here, he replied and showed her the door. A few months later Le Corbusier apologized. After being taken by his cousin Pierre Jeanneret to see the glacial Bar sous le Toît, or rooftop bar that Perriand had created in glass, steel and aluminium, for the Salon D’Automne exhibition in Paris, Le Corbusier invited her to join his studio."

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