If you don’t know Patch NYC, you really should check them out. They are these great New York City designers/artists who according to Apartment Therapy, recently partnered with West Elm. Their original art drawings will appear on West Elm’s new line of artwork, pillows, ceramics and totes. Aren’t these pillows so pretty?
I just spent the weekend taking part in the Kansas City Home and Garden Show at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. It’s quite an event and many re-modelers, home improvement suppliers, lawn and garden suppliers bring out their newest and best displays for spring inspiration.
While at the show, the questions I was asked most was “When do I get you involved in my project?” Let me just say, it’s never too early to consult with your designer. I spoke with over a thousand folks this weekend who thought that they might not talk to a designer or decorator until they needed the furniture or paint for the project. Please let me warn you to look at the bigger picture.
If you are thinking about any remodel, building, or updating project in your home or office, you really should consult a designer first. Designers add so much to the process–we actually help you see the project as a larger picture before you start looking at the smaller pieces. What you choose for tile, carpet, paint etc., can only be made by knowing which direction to take and the overall goal of the project. Unfortunately, many people think about one small part of the project, such as “I want to retile my bath” and forget how the tile will affect the walls, window treatments, bedroom off the bath, and so much more. So, before you select the first item in your “remodel,” think BIGGER. A designer can help guide you on the whole picture. There is more than one item in any give remodel and certainly more in every new construction opportunity and every selection fits and connects with the next. It’s like a giant puzzle. Does yours connect?
Janine Terstriep
Just as each New Year invariably brings resolutions, so does it deliver forecasts of home fashion trends. And in terms of color, Pantone—a color research and information center—is arguably the premier predictor; when they talk, anyone who uses color in their profession listens, including interior designers.
Image Courtesy of Pantone
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says turquoise is the color of the year for 2010—specifically, PANTONE 15-5519. “In many cultures, turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” she explains. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that turquoise represents an escape to many—taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”
Additionally, the Pantone color experts note that turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It’s universally flattering, appeals to both men and women and translates beautifully to interiors. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.
By Louise Lange
We all agree that recycling is good for the environment, but what about good for your interior design? Kansas City Homes & Gardens featured an article recently covering “new” building materials that you may want to consider for your next renovation. Recycled glass in your countertops, reclaimed into tiles for your backsplash, and even paper and metals can find a second life in your home.
Image Courtesy of Kansas City Homes & Gardens
By Jaime Tamsin
