Outdoor living spaces, mudrooms, and home offices currently top the list of special-function rooms popular with American homeowners. This is the conclusion of the latest Home Designs Trend Survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects, which focused on emerging home features, systems, and technologies. “Heavy investment in outdoor living spaces, mudrooms, and home offices […]
Bendheim Architectural Glass in the “Whites” of 2016
With all the “whites” announced for the “color of the year” for 2016, Bendheim, manufacturer of architectural glass, recently introduced a new collection of delicate off-white back-painted architectural glass. Applications include floor-to-ceiling wall cladding, grout-free backsplashes, counter- and table-tops. Bendheim’s proprietary manufacturing process bakes color coatings right into the glass, resulting in an exceptionally durable product […]
Simply White: Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2016
It was only a few years ago that we were into bold colors such as Tangerine Tango, Radiant Orchid and Exclusive Plumb. Lately, though, we’ve shifted to the other side of the tone spectrum. In a short time, our desire for bold and strong has morphed into the desire for a “soothing sense of order and peace.” And apparently, for […]
Alabaster: Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2016
Lightness and whimsy seems to be the theme for colors of the year in 2016. Pantone has come out with its unprecedented two colors for 2016, Rose Quartz and Serenity, which, while contrasting, reside at the lighter end of the hue spectrum. Sherwin-Williams has done it one step further with their color of the year, Alabaster. […]
Rose Quartz and Serenity: Pantone colors of the year 2016
Pantone is doing something different this year. For the first time, Pantone is naming two complimentary colors of the year. With Rose Quartz (13-1520) and Serenity (15-3919), Pantone offers a softer take on on color for 2016. Rose Quartz and Serenity offer a balance, the warmer hues of Rose Quartz complimenting the cooler tone of Serenity’s […]
Himalayan Salt Plate Cooking
In July I attended the California Gift Show in Los Angeles. It’s an easy show for me to attend. Because I live in Southern California, LA is close; and because I am an interior design and remodeling professional, not a gift vendor, per se, much of what is on display there doesn’t apply to me, […]
Bold Patterns of Yesteryear, Remixed
We’re home from the Las Vegas Market. As I sift through all the exciting material I gathered there, I’m noticing another trend from the show. Bold patterns. Modern retro, re-mixed. Everywhere we looked, we noticed lovely variations on this theme. Patterned throw pillows on a solid couch, cushioned cubes decked in hound’s tooth, chairs with wild […]
Branching out: Spotting Trends at the Las Vegas World Market
It’s all about relationships As usual, this year’s Las Vegas Market has been incredibly exciting — and productive! It’s always lovely to get a chance to reconnect in person with my current vendors and product reps, some of whom I’ve known for nearly 30 years, and also wonderful to learn about exciting new products and […]
Las Vegas World Market: Here We Come!
I’m off to one of my favorite and most anticipated trade shows of the year, Las Vegas World Market! Twice a year, in the summer and winter, The Market is open to showcase the absolute best in home decor, furniture and gift items for designers and home professionals to peruse. I always have a few […]
Home automation systems can increase energy efficiency and save you money
The Internet of Things The phrase “Internet of Things(IoT),” coined as early as 1999, refers to “uniquely identifiable objects and their virtual representations in an Internet-like structure.” In plain English, this means that everyday objects, appliances, and other gadgets are obtaining the ability to connect to the internet and provide their users with valuable information […]
