Posts
COLOR TREND FORECASTING: Finish Meets Fashion; Science Meets Art
December 29, 2020
For only the second time in 20 plus years of color forecasting, the Pantone Color Institute has announced that its 2021 color of the year is two colors! This led us to take a deeper dive into color trend forecasting. Color trend forecasts have garnered more media attention in recent years and seem to be increasingly impacting interior design trends, as well as fashion, home décor and consumer products from blenders to cars. Who’s behind the color picks each year and how are they selected?
Biophilic Design for Learning
September 30, 2020
Despite the documented benefits of getting outside and experiencing nature firsthand, students spend most of the day indoors and a growing proportion of that time is spent staring at a computer screen. This reality reinforces the value of applying biophilic design principles to a new school building or campus renovation to create a better learning environment for students.
Biophilic Design Defined
Biophilic design has received growing attention in recent years. The idea that nature connections help to inspire, calm and nurture us almost seems like common sense. Biologist Edward O. Wilson, who literally wrote the book “Biophilia,” describes our innate tendency to affiliate with nature.
Biophilic design acknowledges this reality and focuses on strategies to increase occupant connections to the natural environment. This is achieved through a combination of direct connections, simulated nature, and space and place conditions.
KITCHEN DESIGN 2019: Five of Our Favorite Trends
May 30, 2019
Island workstations, smart appliances, accessible cabinets, touch faucets, lighting innovations—the list goes on and on for what’s new in kitchen design! Eric McRoberts and Jessica Jack attended this year’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to see the latest innovations and products that manufacturers are featuring, especially since their top picks are typically based on consumer demands, color trends and emerging technologies. The following are a few of our favorite concepts which can be applied to kitchens of any size.
LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES: Interior Design Strategies for Smaller Homes
March 30, 2019
Tiny living is having its day, with more people than ever taking on the challenge of living small or at least paring back to focus on the essentials. By now most of us are at least somewhat familiar with Marie Kondo’s recommendations for getting rid of items that no longer “spark joy.” Even thrift stores are feeling the effects of her books and Netflix series with donations trending up from previous years.
WINTER WARMTH: Interior Design Strategies to Beat the Winter Blues
February 28, 2019
Record-breaking lows, wind chills, snowstorms and precipitation mixes can make the winter months seem long in much of the United States. Even places like Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California have recently experienced unusual snowfalls. As many of us are already looking forward to the arrival of spring in the next month or two, there are a number of ways to brighten interior spaces during the remaining cold and dark days of winter.
DESIGN ON THE SUNNY SIDE: Using Yellow in Interior Design
January 31, 2019
January seems like a good time to highlight yellow–the color associated with warm, sunny days. As with any color, yellow elicits a variety of responses and the emotions evoked are typically related to the specific hue and extent to which it has been applied. Lighter, muted tones work well as a soothing background neutral. More saturated, vibrant options can help to brighten spaces and create the illusion of light.
BEYOND THE BOOKS: Library Design Trends
November 27, 2018
While some have questioned their long-term viability, both public and private libraries are reinventing themselves and, according to the 2018 American Library Association report, continuing to serve as a valuable resource for diverse groups of people. Libraries face many similar challenges to those of retailers, as large numbers of people turn to digital resources. However, the convenience of digital shopping, reading, learning, communicating and so forth can be isolating and less rewarding. This is where public libraries can step in to provide positive interactions, teachable moments and a collaborative community experience available to everyone regardless of their financial status.
Taking the Plunge: Interior Design Strategies for Indoor Pool Areas
July 30, 2018
Outdoor pools are associated with warm weather fun, relaxation and low impact exercise. Indoor pools can offer these same benefits year-round in every climate. However, indoor pools require careful considerations by the design team to provide a comfortable and appealing space that will endure for many years. We’ve asked a couple of our designers for their thoughts and ideas to create a successful indoor pool space, also known as natatoriums or aquatics centers, whether for a retirement community, school or college campus, community center, hotel or other hospitality venue.
THE RAGE FOR GREIGE: Interior Design Strategies for Using Neutrals Effectively
May 30, 2018
Beige, gray and everything in between are today’s go-to neutrals for creating subtle and sophisticated spaces. For those who may be wondering, greige is simply a combination of gray and beige, merging the soft, cool tones of gray with the warmth of beige.
Understated gray and beige tones provide easy appeal and are especially valued for their timeless qualities. However, as is often the case, you can have too much of a good thing so we typically recommend not relying exclusively on neutrals. We’ve asked a couple of our interior designers to share their thoughts about working with greige.
DESIGN GRATITUDE: Thanksgiving for Interior Design Professionals
November 22, 2017
Although the origins of Thanksgiving are disputed by various historians, we do know that it was President Abraham Lincoln who made it an official holiday in 1863. Since that time, Thanksgiving has evolved into the celebratory feast that most of us enjoy with family and friends. Regardless of its history, we appreciate the opportunity to pause and reflect about the many things for which we are thankful. We’ve asked a few members of our interior design team to share something they are thankful for that relates to their profession, whether a current trend or timeless design element.