Having toured several designer show houses over the spring and summer, this column gives an overview of the trends that will inspire homeowners and decorators well into 2014. Mix and match seemed to be the clear direction of most participating designers.
Lamps go XXL. In large spaces such as living rooms, entry halls and dining rooms, the must-have accessories are large ceiling fixtures — lighting fixtures on steroids. The larger the better, and with a lot of personality: dripping in jewels, chains and even feathers, a definite nod to flirtatious femininity.
Northern European influences abound. Light neutrals and relaxed and functional furnishings with splashes of color are the next trend. These combinations make no bones about mingling furniture styles, mixing wood tones and pairing highbrow furniture with low-cost items from your local home goods stores.
Pure craftsmanship. The beauty of the imperfections of handmade crafts makes them the current "it" items for the home. Crafted items, whether made by your own hands or that of an artisan from a faraway land, have value because of their uniqueness. Ceramics, woven lamp shades and hand-knit throws are all the rage in markets from Chelsea to Santa Fe.
A focus on the American '50s. The glamour of the 1950s continues to be on designers' radars. This likely is due to the sophisticated and sculptural lines of the furniture of that era. Sofas that seem to float, ochre and avocado tones, textured velvets and mobile-like lighting fixtures are the takeaways this season.
Mirror, mirror on the wall. Mirrors are once again making a comeback as wall coverings and not just as virtual space-makers. This time, mirrors are combined with moldings in geometric shapes for more of a decorative statement.
Colored ceilings in every color imaginable, including black. Don't be afraid of the ceiling. This surface is almost always forgotten in interiors. Take a chance and try something different.
Functional sculptures. Talented designers are blurring the look of tables and chairs. Every year, more and more artful furnishings that function as both furniture and sculpture are present in the furniture markets.
New materials. Technology has made furniture design more creative. Combinations of polystyrene, fiberglass and cement allow for finishes and shapes that look solid, yet are light, malleable and water-resistant. Many other new materials are in the works, so keep an eye out for innovative designs, especially in bathrooms and kitchens.
Gold. This classic material is making a comeback. Gold and brass finishes are being seen on wall coverings, hardware, lamps and other accessories. This mineral color looks best in small doses.
Vintage industrial. The steam-punk feeling is markedly present in functional furniture and reclaimed aesthetics whether real or faux. This look is created with aged and distressed woods, eco-fabrics and rusted metals that are given a second life.
Turquoise. Hands down, this is the color of the year. From entire rooms of matching turquoise to strong splashes of aqua, every show house featured this color, which was often treated as a neutral and mixed with every other color imaginable. Goes to show that "anything goes."
Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
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