Predicted Color Trends for 2012

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It’s only September, but Sherwin-Williams has already come out with its color forecast for next year. Curious which shades will be in vogue in 2012? The Sherwin Williams Director of Color Marketing, Jackie Jordan, had this to say:

“Colors that are analogous, or adjacent on the color wheel, are a dominant trend. We discover a fresh array of combinations within color families—be it fiery reds, watery blues, grassy greens or organic neutrals.”

The colors featured in the Sherwin-Williams colormix™ 2012 forecast are sorted by the color families she mentioned above—neutrals, reds, blues and greens. All four of the palettes relate back to nature.

The neutrals tie in with materials like wood, grain and stones, and the reds relate to fire and fresh flower blooms. The blues have a clear tie-in with water, as do the greens, which also refer to gardens and forests. Visit sherwin-williams.com to see the 10 shades in each color family.

I love attending the color forecast seminar that Sherwin Williams puts on here in Kansas City for the design community. Just like you, we interior designers sit on the edge of our seats and wonder what’s going to be the “hot” new thing for the next season!

Jackie Jordon is amazing; not only does she give us great insight, but her presentations are always inspiring and uplifting, allowing designers to leave her seminars with a feeling of excitement for the new season. It’s kinda like getting to open a new “present” at Christmas for those of us who work with color!  I hope you see something that inspires YOU with the upcoming trends in color — remember, paint is a reasonable way to change the entire mood of a room. Enjoy!

Image via kbbcollective.com

Home Decorating Magazines Go International

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Although the U.S. decorating-magazine industry has been rocky in the last couple years as favorite titles such as House & Garden and Domino have folded, shelter magazines are actually booming internationally. The Los Angeles Times did a great article on this phenomenon recently, explaining the main catalyst for these publications’ success:  The middle classes in countries including China, Russia and Brazil are becoming wealthier, thus purchasing new homes that need to be decorated.

The renowned Architectural Digest has launched Architectural Digest China, and an India edition is predicted to come out next year. Interior design blog The Editor at Large also reported on a new Middle East edition of Good Housekeeping, which is set to come out in November. But in addition to these American spin-offs, many other shelter magazines are springing up as “home-grown publications,” according to the L.A. Times.

Interestingly, a number of these titles are getting design ideas and publishing projects by American designers. What do you think about the success of décor magazines around the world? What’s your favorite shelter magazine, here or abroad?

Image via lanecrawford.com

Creative New Uses for Wallpaper in your Home

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When you hear the word wallpaper do you instantly conjure up images of country themes and floral? Granted there are some wallpaper designs that should be left in the past, there are even more that should be celebrated throughout interiors. For example, the collections from the likes of York Wallcoverings and Thibaut Wallpaper & Fabric are a few of our favorites. They are modern luxurious and full of glamour.

If you just aren’t one to use decorative coverings on your walls have you ever thought about using them in other ways? Given the high design of many of today’s wallpapers there are and endless amount of options of how they can be used in your home. Consider these creative new uses for wallpaper…

To add style to a display case

To accent a fireplace

As wall art

To highlight panels

To add visual interest to the ceilingImages from Better Homes and Gardens

Now do you think differently about using wallpaper in your home? If you would like to discuss any of these options or more ways to use wallpaper throughout the interior design of your home call The Decorative Touch at 913-888-1388

Eye Catching Interior Design of Missoni

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Are you familiar with the popular Italian fashion designer Missoni? You may have more recently heard the name due to an upcoming collaboration with Target which will bring the high-end, bold prints to the masses in the form of clothing and decor. In other news the luxury goods powerhouse recently unveiled Missoni Kuwait the brand’s luxury hotel. And of course a hotel created by one of the greatest fashion designers isn’t just a plain old hotel. Missoni Kuwait features the most eye catching interior design not for those of us who crave vivid colors and bold patterns.

Each and every one of the 18 floors in the hotel is decorated to the nines in brightly colored prints made famous by Missoni. Bold stripes make their home in the lobby highlighted by dramatic lighting, the in-house Italian restaurant features an explosion of floral and the bathroom accessories exude their very own personality. Take a peek at the eye catching interior design of Missoni Kuwait…

Images from ShelterPop

Would you love to stay  in a hotel that features the interior design of Missoni?

What Inspires Martyn Lawrence-Bullard?

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We’re sure you’ve heard the name Martyn Lawrence-Bullard before? After all we’ve featured a few of the designs created by the interior designer to the stars. One of the reasons we’ve chosen to highlight Lawrence-Bullard is because of his uncanny ability to effectively convey his clients’ personalities through his designs. I too strive to infuse the interior design of my clients’ homes with their personality, considering that their home is ultimately a reflection of them.

Today we are going to share a few of the spaces Lawrence-Bullard finds the most inspiring. The designs he finds inspiring serve up a wide range of styles from disco glamour, Mediterranean architecture, and dramatic luxury in addition to many others. Take a look at what inspires Martyn Lawrence-Bullard?

Elton John’s Master Bedroom

Kid Rock’s Kitchen

Cheryl Tieg’s Bedroom

Ellen Pompeo’s Living Room

Tamara Mellon’s Media RoomImages from CasaSugar

Which design do you find to be the most inspiring?

Entra: the New, High-End Online Shelter Magazine

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It seems as though every other month there is news of a new online shelter magazine debuting, and once again there is a new kid on the block. However, it is different from the latest crop interior design magazines. Entra, the design + architecture magazine was not created by bloggers as were the most recent others. The staff at Entra is comprised of former print magazine editors and art directors, as well as design history experts from one of our favorite publications Architectural Digest.

It has a much more serious take on design and architecture than its counterparts, focusing on fine photography and high-end spaces that are ahead of the curve. And unlike the many other online magazines Entra will only be available to paid subscribers. To give you a preview of what’s in store the inaugural issue of Entra is free. Visit Entra Magazine to read the issue then come back and let us know what you think!

Images from Entra Magazine

A Very Happy Mother’s Day

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Happy MOM’s DAY…to All the mothers and grandmothers out there!!
I was so inspired by my own Mother…she truly was a one in a million woman.
She taught me so much about life, and how to live it.  How to treat other people, and how to hold my head up high even when I didn’t always feel I could.   She taught me to be the best at whatever I chose to be… She will always be the wind beneath my wings, and an angel on my shoulder.  There is not a Mothers Day that I don’t miss her and wish I would have cherished our time more…
I hope all of you have a blessed Mothers Day…and if you can…hug your mom just one more time…
Janine

42nd Symphony Designers’ Showhouse Set to Open

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For 42 years the Kansas City Symphony Alliance, a nonprofit volunteer organization which promotes an interest in classical music throughout the Kansas City area, has hosted their annual fundraiser the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse. Known as Kansas City’s biggest home makeover project the showhouse is the place for the latest in interior and landscape design.

This  year the interiors and landscape of the showhouse were designed by 28 professionals located throughout the Kansas City area that include craftsmen, designers, manufacturers, and furniture builders to name a few. Aside from touring the showhouse and viewing the creative designs other events will accompany the tour. Thursday nights will feature live music, food and drinks. If you are in need of design inspiration and entertainment swing by the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse for a taste of both.

As an interior designer myself, and having participate in this event, I know how much work goes into making these rooms look grand enough to be on tour.  I love to walk through these stately homes and see how they have been transformed in a very short time…it is truly magical.
Grab your best friend and have a girls-day-out, it is a treat, and you never know what inspirational message you just might find around the corner!! If you are inspired by the tour just give The Decorative Touch a call and let us help you further develop your ideas!

Visit Historic Homes Tour for Antique Design Inspiration

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Are you interested in historic architecture and the look of antique filled interior designs? If so you can gain inspiration this weekend at the Fort Leavenworth Historic Homes Tour. The tour, which is an annual fundraiser for the Friends of the Frontier Army Museum, will feature eight of the most historic homes in Fort Leavenworth. Tour participants will be able to view the architectural features of the homes, as well as the current interior designs. Many of the homes are decorated with a nod to the past with antiques and historic heirlooms on display, so if you are looking for antique design inspiration for your home the Fort Leavenworth Historic Homes Tour is the place to be.

Need help bringing your ideas of how to infuse antiques into your interior design to life? Call The Decorative Touch, we would love to help!

Image from the Ft. Leavenworth Lamp

New Home Lines and Shelter Magazine to Debut

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There has been a lot going on in the interior design world this week, first we shared the news of Cynthia Rowley creating a paint palette designed after her read-to-wear fashion line. Now there’s news of two celebrity home lines as well as a new shelter magazine.

Estee Lauder heir Aerin Lauder and Food Network Star Sandra Lee recently revealed their plans to launch home lines in spring of 2012 respectively. Lauder plans to make things easier for consumers with her line Aerin by providing what they are looking for. Lee’s goals are to help customers live their lives simply and beautifully.

Soon after hearing about the new home lines we learned of the new shelter magazine. Hearst is teaming up with HGTV to launch HGTV Magazine. The press release states that the magazine will provide “personal tips, tricks and expertise, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at their shows.” The magazine headed by former Coastal Living editor Sara Peterson will hit stands this fall as Hearst’s fifth shelter magazine.

What are you thoughts on the latest interior design news?