Atlanta Mart

Having just returned from the Atlanta Mart I am excited to share what is new in interior design!

First things first, eco friendly. Interiors are improving with the use of natural and recycled materials from counter tops to flooring, I saw lots of fabulous reclaimed items at Kalalou, a home accessories showroom we use quite frequently here at A Village Gift Shop.

Second, I saw lots of time worn looks, white washed woods with classic neutrals, new but with a feeling of worn and comfortable.

Third, Color. Sherwin Williams introduced the color mix for 2012 - very beautiful combinations Neutral- think piles of pebbles, weathered wood, earthy clay
Reds- brilliant flowers, glowing ember and colors of fire
Blues- clear beach water, faded denim, lakes and crisp blue sky
Greens- roof top gardens, natural forest ferns, and seaweed

Shopping my way through 3 buildings with 18 stories in each one can be overwhelming but when you look at all the textiles, rugs, home decor, lighting and furniture you just don't get tired - you get inspired!

Most showrooms sell a variety of items, and I am seeing a theme of mixing it up, new with antique modern with traditional. What ties the rooms together is the balance of the items and the combination of color and texture.

Lighting is always one of the most important elements in creating a beautiful home, and the market was not short on fabulous fixtures. Lighting as a showpiece in the room is very big.
Statement fixtures are in much like a statement piece of jewelery.

For many years, we did heavy window treatments, then we lightened up the look and kept windows simple. Well now we will dress our windows again, simply but beautifully, with lots of fabulous trim and fabrics.

We are going to see lots of metallic in paint and in wallpaper. It will also be present in our furniture finishes. Just a bit of shimmer can add so much to a room. I really enjoy seeing a bit of metallic in rooms on the ceiling with a metallic paint or in the drapery.

There is really never anything new just reinvented a combination. This is what I love about redesigning rooms for my clients. Let's use what we have first in a new and exciting way and then bring in what we need for fun touches to our homes.

Winter Blues

Light Up the Dark to Banish the Winter Blues

Here in the Midwest, darkness is king for most of the winter. Days are short, the sun does not show its face often enough, and our home can end up feeling very gloomy.
We have the answer for the dark and gloom - more light! Sounds like the obvious answer, right?, but we find that many of the homes we visit do not have enough sources of light for the size and function of their spaces.

In any room, you need to have a variety of lighting to make the space welcoming, cozy and well-lit for the room's purpose. Small rooms require at least 6 sources of light and larger rooms will require 8 or more. The type of light you add to the room will depend on the functions of the room. Is this where you read, do needlework or the daily crossword puzzle? Is this where you sit to relax at the end of the day? Or is this the space where you gather with family and guests for birthday parties or to watch the big game?

If you could use a little help banishing the dark and gloom in your house, consider reevaluating the light sources in each room.

Place lamps in every room with the appropriate wattage for that room’s activities.

Lamps should be placed in a triangular pattern through out the spaces

Chandeliers should not be too bright - dimmers make a lot of sense here - and should be hung 32” above the table top.

If the room will be used for activities like reading, knitting, or cooking, make sure you have ample light near where these tasks will be performed.

The three types of light to consider:

Ambient - the primary light source of your room: can lights, overhead lights, or ceiling fan lights

Accent - light specifically made to draw attention to

something: think about a light shining on a painting, lights in the china hutch or a niche light

Decorative - this is the diva of the light world: these are mood setting lights that just look pretty, like the cute little lamp shaped like a turtle, or a candle