Holiday Decor: Winter 2013/2014

It's that time of year again. Time to dust off those bins of Christmas decorations and peruse the stores for new items to add to your collection. If you're like me, you like to change it up each year and keep it fresh. This holiday season, the look is muted neutrals with natural elements. Keep your color palette streamlined with just one or two neutrals and touches of metals (Brass!), wood and wool (real or faux). As always with a neutral color palette, keep it interesting by mixing textures. Cable knits, prickly pine cones, and fluttering feathers create warmth and variety.

Here are some great ideas to get you started. It's fun to use these ideas as inspiration and then make them your own in your own space. 

http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/christmas/christmas-decorating-ideas-00100000072895/page4.html

http://www.svenngaarden.com/

  

                                           http://stylizimoblog.com/make-festive-table-setting-for-new-years

http://happyhecticlife.com/2013/07/29/2013-holiday-decor-trend-watch/

                                 http://www.welke.nl/lookbook/lekkerfris/Woonkamer/lekkerfris/Kerst-insparatie-Kijk-voor-meer-foto-s-op-m-n-blog.1354997346

Or, for something completely different, consider pastel holiday decor. If you are someone that cannot leave out the color, fear not. Mixing in some soft pastel colors keeps things fresh.

Here are some great examples of using pastels in your holiday decor.

http://thompsonfamily.typepad.com/

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2013/10/21/photo-books-parent-albums-by-shutterfly/124676/

Whatever direction you chose to go in this year, enjoy the season! And don't toss the old decorations that you don't use this winter, put them away, because they will most likely come back around again.

Design Trend Fall 2013: Color Blocking

Color Blocking is a trend that started in Fashion Design and Art. It began back in the 1960's. (You've probably seen the bright color blocked shift dresses and abstract art that the swinging sixties were so famous for.) You may have noticed a return to the Color Block trend in fashion, so it comes as no surprise that it is also making a comeback in Interior Design.

http://www.labelledujour.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

When you think of the bright pops of color that were such an overwhelming part of the trend in the past, you might be tempted to shy away from color blocks in your decor. However, the modern reincarnation of the trend is much more versatile and can be very subtle when need be. Of course, if bright and fun colors are your thing, blocks of color are where it's at!

When choosing the colors for your room, it is easiest to choose colors that are either close together or on the opposite side of the color wheel. If you want a streamlined look, you may just want two colors (or two and a neutral). However, if you want a richer look, go for three colors (or more if you're daring!) Let's look at some examples of color blocking with just two colors.

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/color-blocking-your-interiors.html

http://www.houzz.com/photos/218702/Sky---MidCity-Lofts-modern-living-room-atlanta

 http://marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/fashion-meets-interior-design-color.html

Here are some examples of blocking with more than two colors:

http://www.edisonavenue.net/2013/02/color-blocking-portugal.html

http://www.houzz.com/photos/74036/residence-F-modern-kitchen-tel-aviv

http://64inthebox.com/events/take-color-block-cues-from-henri-matisse/

Here is an example of mixing two hot trends - color blocking and pastels, this creates a softer look:

 

http://www.houzz.com/photos/2036185/Colour-in-our-Residential-Architecture-contemporary-family-room-sydney

http://www.tumblr.com

For a more classic calming effect, go for blocks of neutral colors:

http://www.houzz.com/photos/468019/Finished-Basement-with-Music-Studio-contemporary-basement-dc-metro

Add http://www.houzz.com/photos/2891478/Rumsin-transitional-kitchen-new-yorkcaption

As you can see, color blocking can be done many different ways. It can be used in modern, traditional or transitional design. Best of all, you can create the blocks with paint, furniture, or accessories. It's so easy to do!

PORTLAND RUMMER RENOVATION

Over the past 10 months, we have been working on updating a beautiful Rummer in Beaverton for a delightful couple. The remodel has included removing the existing cork floors and refinishing the original concrete floors, painting both the interior and exterior, replacing all the interior doors and trim, updating the bathroom with new floor tile and vanity counters, and adding custom roller shades for privacy.

The palette was simple. White and black. The exterior was painted a matte black, with glossy black beams that carry through to the interior. The wood eaves were left exposed to add warmth and contrast. The front door was painted a fun mint green. The interior walls are painted a soft white with white trim and doors creating a blank slate for brightly colored furnishings and artwork.

We have slowly, but surely started furnishing the space with a gorgeous custom leather sofa from Perch Furniture, set a top a graphic chevron rug. Both a live edge coffee table and walnut slab dining table were hand built by our talented clients. A set of vintage, green leather Eames Chairs with new wood bases, and a stunning pendant light compliment the new dining table. The clients found a pair of Bertoia diamond chairs for a killer deal which we painted the same mint green as the door.  We designed a deep built-in bench with custom seat cushions in the nook off the kitchen which will for now serve as a loungy reading space, with plans to add a small kitchen table and two chairs (not pictured).

We are currently working on the master bedroom which will include a custom bedframe with built-in nightstands, light fixtures, art and bedding.

Here are a few photos of our progress:

comfy custom leather sofa and live edge coffee table

walnut dining table & eames chairs with possible wall hanging

refurbished eames chairs w/ wood bases

mint bertoia diamond chair