DESIGN IDEAS
What’s hot for 2008?
Susan Fredman Design Group
Embrace the change of the season, with a change of scenery… at home. The designers at Susan Fredman Design Group believe in nature’s restorative effect and bring nature and balance into every piece they create and every room they transform. The collaborative team at Susan Fredman Design Group offers these ideas about how to bring nature into your homes and into your lives for the New Year…
Natural Materials – A combination of natural materials such as stone, glass, metal, and fiber connect us with our environment. Contrasting textures and surface treatments create visual interest. Use patterns from nature to soften any space—such as a subtle floral fabric, an organic pattern on your dishes, or a serene scene on wall art.
Color, color, color – The colors in our environment have the power to influence our overall mood. Next year’s palette ranges from “warm and homey” hues, such as cream and pumpkin orange, to greens and browns, with the dramatic black and white combination coming back en vogue.
Pamper yourself – “Luxury bathrooms are now invoking the soothing qualities of traditional spa retreats with meticulous attention to detail,” says SF&A designer Ruth Mortensen. “A bathroom suite energizes us in the morning and relaxes us in the evening. More and more people want an aesthetically pleasing space that is still extremely functional,” she adds. There is lots of detail in the bath now, and the trend is having the option to have everything to create a full body experience versus just getting clean.
Texture – “More and more people are looking to appease all of their senses-- including that of touch,” says Fredman designer, Kathy Hoffman. “We all know you can not pass a silky, velvet drapery or fabulous, nubby pillow without sliding your fingers along the material. A unique blend of textures can create a clean, attractive space that also calms and soothes,” she adds. Texture can be used in multiple applications-- for example, applied wall treatments such as plaster, wall paper, texture in stone countertops that are traditionally smooth or polished, upholstery fabric, linens, and even furniture finishes.
Lighting Trends
Aimee Nemeckay
Lighting in home design is increasingly coming out “of the shadows” and becoming as important as the perfect piece or furniture. Sufficient lighting simply illuminates a space—great lighting goes beyond illumination—great lighting adds interest, dimension and depth. The quality of the light warms the space and lends a richness to its content. One of the keys to great lighting design is to create balance through the use of multiple types of lighting…recessed, incandescent, LED, decorative, track & halogen. A layering of light sources creates a warmth not achievable through the use of a single light source. Trends for 2008 include lighting a space through the use of multiple types of light, playing with the scale of the light fixtures you select. Long gone are the days of selecting a “standard” chandelier for use in your home. Go bolder…get a custom look by selecting a piece a bit larger than the “standard”. Introduce complimentary styles—avoid themes when you design—the easy way out is to select pieces from the same collection and “plug” them in throughout your house. Instead, reach far and wide and combine, combine, combine. Combine a delicate little chandelier in the powder room of a decidedly contemporary space. Introduce “multi-media”….a rustic iron chandelier draped in rock crystal baubles creates unexpected drama.
For a truly unique and compelling lighting design call an Interior Designer.
