Design 2011: Black Casework, Doors and Cabinetry

We all know that black is one of the most sophisticated of colors, but for light-starved people, it's often written off as too dark for airy interiors. Last year we embraced "almost black" walls, but for 2011 I believe we will flip flop to adore black crown molding, baseboards, shutters, stair treads, railings, bookcases, doors and cabinetry.

So, how do you get chic appeal without the gloom factor? For the most lustery sheen, use a high-gloss oil paint and apply it with a sponge roller for a smooth finish. Latex is fine for lower sheens, but even coating it with glossy polyurethane will not achieve the same luscious look as oil paint. Remember, high-gloss or low-sheen, paired with white walls, black casework is a perfect example of a timeless classic for the home.

Tip: Keep bookcase backs open to the wall so the room color shows through. Otherwise, paint or line the back of the bookcase with fabric to create some contrast.

Tip: If you leave your exterior door open most of the time you're home, it's nice to have an outside door color that complements your interior as well as your exterior entrance.

Tip: Black doors really sing when there is a wall of them creating repetition. And remember, door colors do not have to match the trim.

Thanks to Houzz Newsletter for these great ideas!

What exactly IS raffia?

 

What is eco-friendly and has many uses? Yep, you guessed it, Raffia. Used for items such as purses, fabric, baskets, rugs and even wallcoverings, Raffia comes from Raffia palms that are found in Africa and Central and South America. The membrane on the underside of each individual frond leaf is taken off to create a long thin fibre which can be dyed and woven as a textile into products ranging from hats to shoes to decorative mats. This incredibly durable fabric is amazing for any upholstery job and is often used for lounge chairs at beach resorts.

 Tribal artists from ancient cultures from Madagascar to the Congo have used Raffia for centuries as a decorative element to create ceremonial clothing, embellish masks and create beautiful accessories such as rugs, mud cloths, embroideries, wall decorations and baskets.

The palm frond’s membrane is not the only thing that this amazing natural resource provides. So as to not waste the tree and all the resources it provides, when cultivating the trees they cut a box in the top of the palm and suspending a large gourd to collect the milky white sap. The palm’s sap contains natural sugar. When first cultivated it is very sweet, as it sits it begins to ferment and converts more sugar. The sap is usually called wine and is often distilled into strong liquors called Ogogoro.

Patterns: Ikat

Somewhere between showing off wealth and showing off love for The Grateful Dead lies a fabric called Ikat. Perhaps that needs a little more explanation: Ikat is a type of fabric that utilizes specific methods of weaving (the word means "to tie" or "to bind" in Indonesian) and a dipping dying method similar to that of tie-dying. Because its creation was so time consuming, it was often a status symbol of wealth and power. Ikat burst back onto the uber-chic interiors scene several years ago, first from high-end ateliers like Madeline Weinrib and worldwide fabric collectors like John Robshaw, and later from big box stores like Target. After that, it quickly caught on in fashion, with designers such as Oscar de la Renta and Matthew Williamson embracing the print style and using it on bags, scarves, shoes and dresses.

During its time in the spotlight, a trend usually hits the tipping point somewhere between Matthew Williamson and Target, becomes passe, and goes dormant until someone decides to bring it back a decade or so later. However, this has not happened with ikat. Instead, designers have looked beyond the first navy blue and white iteration and explored the many different colors and patterns available in the ikat spectrum. Because ikat has such a long history and tradition in far-flung places from Bali from Bolivia and from Cambodia to Uzbekistan, there are plenty of color combinations, styles, patterns, scales and sizes for designers to choose from, ensuring that ikat is here to stay. Enough jibber-jabber, let me show you what I am talking about.

Check out all the amazing Ikat patterns at http://www.interiormall.com/.

Courtesy of Houzz Design Newsletter

We Simply Can't Get Enough: The Sunburst Motif

Over the years, the sunburst mirror has seemed to fall somewhere between decoration and art. Today the sunburst can be found in antique stores and chain stores alike. Economical versions are found at discount outlets while more authentic versions can be tracked down through high-end designers and collectors. - From Houzz Design

Check out all of Interior Mall's sunburst offerings.

Love reading our blog? Vote for us in the 2011 Homies Awards at http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/the-homies-best-home-design-blog-of-2011-submit-your-nominations-137078.

Simply set up or sign into your account and paste the following into the comments box.
Name: ...As the Curtain Hangs
URL: http://asthecurtainhangs.blogspot.com/

So cool!

Wow! First blog of 2011? We are bad bloggers! Sorry to our loyal followers which I think is probably our coworkers and in which case don't count.

I know this has nothing to do with interior design but I thought this was so cool when I found it. I do the ad materials for the website and in our local showroom which means I take a lot of pictures and am always looking for new ways to ad an interesting look to our print ads.

This is a Polaroid program for your computer called Poladroid. Just download and install the program to your computer and drag and drop digital images and they will process and come out looking just like a Polaroid. Here are a couple that I played with yesterday. It will not make an image black and white you have to do that much yourself but it does everything else.

 

I use Photoshop to do a lot of my photo effects but this way you get a vintage look without having to do all the work yourself. Poladroid Download

Fabric Art in Under an Hour!

What You Will Need:

* 1/2 - 1yd of Fabric (Depending on Print and Board Size)

* Foam Board, Canvas or Wood Board (Size is Up to You)

* Sharpened Scissors

* Spray Adhesive

* Stapler

STEP 1:

Lay board flat on fabric.

(Make sure your pattern is straight if using a printed fabric.)

Cut the fabric around the board leaving a 1 - 1 1/2" border.

STEP 2:
Spray the front side of the board with Spray Adhesive.
Lay the glued side of the board flat on your fabric.
Make sure to smooth out any bubbles that may occur in your fabric.


STEP 3:
Cut the corners ofyour fabric as shown.
This allows the fabric to lay flat once it has been folded.

STEP 4:
Fold over all 4 sides of the fabric over your board.
Make sure to pull each side as tight as possible for a smooth looking front.


STEP 5:
Staple corners for extra holding power.


Let Dry and Enjoy!
We created all 4 of these in about 30 minutes!


Hanging Options:
Try hanging these one-of-a-kind canvases with ribbons, tacks, grommets or place on a decorative shelf.

Oh Monkey Tree, O Monkey Tree... how furry are your branches!

This tree, posted to houzz.com by Tobi Fairley (who is actually from Arkansas as well) is *SO* fun!!

How has your holiday decorating been this year?  Did you go more traditional than normal?  Slightly edgier??  With Christmas only days away, I'm ready to see all of your decorations!!  Come on - post 'em!

kids design by other metros interior designer Tobi Fairley

Design Trends for 2011

Pantone announced last week that they have picked Honeysuckle as the 2011 color of the year and they will soon be announcing their full line of predicted colors for 2011. The design world while they look to Pantone for colors, does not wait and has already made their predictions for interior design trends in 2011.
What's old is new. Passing down heirlooms and keeping unique pieces in the family is a trend that we will see more of. Going green and using more renewable resources is a concept that has picked up popularity over that past several years and the idea has started to trickle into the design world. Refinishing an old piece of furniture or using reclaimed wood for flooring and decor is something that we will see a lot of. Where we are from and the people and places that have got us where we are today are of interest and preserving that heritage is becoming increasingly more important.

 Starbucks actually used this concept in one of their locations in Seattle; Using reclaimed wood from barns, shipping crates, fallen trees and architectural salvage yards and getting most of their furniture from local antique stores and reupholstering pieces that were located in other Starbucks locations. They truly took the recycled goods idea by the horns and it turned out fantastic.

Another design trend that has already started gaining momentum is a global design trend. Using influences from other countries and cultures to create a global flair. This trend kicked off with the influx of teal in furnishings and has picked up in popularity since.

Lastly, given the economic conditions, people are starting to reevaluate the things that they need vs the things that they would like to have. The concept "More is Less" will begin to surface more often in homes and rather than using many pieces to dress up a home, people will use color and a few specific items to make their home fabulous.

I'm looking forward to the new year and what the interior design world has to offer.

Pound for Pound Challenge

So.... got plans for how to stick to that every-New-Year's-resolution of losing weight?  Carrie mentioned the Biggest Loser's "Pound for Pound Challenge" and, of course - we decided to sign on!

Did you know that hunger is a struggle for 1 in 6 Americans? There are many ways you can spread awareness and help Feeding America deliver millions of pounds of groceries to local food banks.

Last year, The Pound For Pound Challenge helped Feeding America® deliver more than 3.5 million pounds of groceries to local food banks. The Pound For Pound Challenge is back for year two and with everyone's participation, it will be even BIGGER!

For every pound you pledge to lose through June 30, 2010, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14¢ to Feeding America® – enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank. $800,000 maximum donation. 

 You can also check it out on Facebook

Stay tuned after the new year (and holiday feasting has subsided) and cheer us on to our goal!!