Suzanne Kasler for Lee Jofa

One of my favorite designers is Suzanne Kasler. We were lucky enough to listen to her at Lee Jofa talk about her new collection shown above. We all loved her energy. She was warm and authentic. She told us she loves going to Paris flea markets, acquiring fabulous pieces and refurbishing them. This Hickory Chair sofa shown below was inspired by a piece she purchased in Paris. On the original, she painted the frame cream and pieced two colors of linen together to make this fabulous pattern. I loved seeing pictures and hearing details on how many of her projects evolved into gorgeous homes. Many of those are pictured in her book.

Meeting Suzanne Kasler at SFDC Design San Francisco

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Trina Turk was a keynote speaker. She talked about how on photo shoots for her swimwear and clothing lines, they would make pillows out of her fabulous fabrics. After the photo shoots, they would put them in her boutiques to sell. They would fly off the shelves. That was the start of her collaboration with Schumacher to make fabulous Sunbrella Fabrics as shown.

Some of the most exciting trends we noticed are:

Natural stone is still as popular as ever!  Honed, polished, tumbled, chiseled, split-face, grooved brushed & leathered slabs and tiles are amongst the choices.  Naturally variegated, and durable, we can capture any look or mood with the choices now available.

Island Stone International

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Relatively new to the residential market are semi-precious stone slabs that are begging to be backlit and shown off.  Semi-precious stones (lapis, tiger eye, onyx, agate) are softer than their more traditional stone counterparts, but offer a luminescent and luxurious look.  While it may not be the material of choice for a high-use kitchen countertop, it may be perfect for a backsplash, fireplace surround, a powder bath counter top, or a stunning piece of furniture! Ultra-swanky, and very sexy, these stones add an edginess not formerly associated with stone slabs.  While semi-precious slabs remain on the higher end of pricing, a single slab can generate a lot of bang for the buck!

The Antolini Collection at Da Vinci Marble

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Stone slabs now come in laser cut finishes that offer a decidedly more exotic look to the standard “Absolute Black” granite.

The Natura Collection at Da Vinci Marble

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During the 1970’s, 4”x4” tile was the norm.  Today’s large format tiles 12×24, 24×24, 15×36, etc. have become increasingly common and popular.  Large scale tiles offer a cleaner, sleeker, look and is a wonderful option for those who hate grout.

Da Vinci Marble

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Laser cutting glass and stone have opened the doors to infinite design possibilities.  I love mixing old world and timeless materials like stone, with new-age and sleek materials like glass.  Often, all that’s needed is an unexpected backsplash to freshen up a conventional bathroom or kitchen.

The Nadeau Collection

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What was once only considered for the interiors is perfectly acceptable for most exterior use.  Glass, ceramics, stone slabs perform beautifully in the elements.  It is such an easy way to bring the indoors out, and vice versa!

Da Vinci Marble

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Natural materials, such as grasscloth and bamboo, add texture and warmth to a room, as in this Phillip Jeffries pattern. If you’re not a big fan of patterned walls, texture is a great way to branch out.

Phillip Jeffries Wallpaper

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New wallpaper trends encourage us to break the traditional rules of scale and proportion. If you have a small room (eg. a powder room) consider a large scale pattern to add instant drama. This damask wall covering by Osborne & Little, really packs a punch and compliments the contemporary sofa beautifully.

Osborne & Little Wallpaper

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In this image the silver trellis adds glamour to a monochromatic dressing room – using a large pattern in a small room to great effect.

Thibault Design wallpaper, via Elle Decor

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I love this clean, fresh bedroom with pale lilac and chartreuse flowers on a white background – very young and chic! With lighter wall coverings, you can get away with bolder patterns.

Harlequin Wallpaper

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Don’t forget the ceiling! This year, people are going gaga for ceilings. If you have architectural details, such as tray or coffered ceilings, adding wallpaper can achieve a very dramatic look.

Alix Soubiran's wallpaper in her own home via LA Times

1. Classic Minimalism is the look for the next year! The modern simplicity of the last decade is being softened with more traditional lines. Furniture will feel more familiar and comfortable, and will retain cleaner lines to render a decidedly sexy appearance. (image below from Hickory Chair)

2. Move over chrome, brass is back again. This familiar metal accent will see a re-emergence in the market. This time, however, its application will be sleeker, more modern and less garish.

Chrome pieces by Fabricut

3. Shades of gray will replace beige and browns as the new neutral. Grays will range from heather to charcoal and will be played against bolder colors to create a vibrant palette. Meanwhile, America is still embracing a serene, and calm mood. Benjamin Moore has named Wythe Blue their color of the year for its ability to evoke images of “sky & sea.”

Benjamin Moore, shades of gray

4. Color is back in fabrics and furniture and will punch up formerly sedate, if not altogether safe, rooms. This trend started a few years ago with the increasing popularity of ikat fabrics. Today, this trend continues with colorful geometrics and solid fabrics to allow us to instantly create “pop” in a room. We see this trend continuing through 2012.

Kravet fabrics

5. Sustainability is still a key consideration in many purchasing decisions. It’s now easier than ever to adapt a healthier and earth-friendly lifestyle with the ever-growing product choices. Lighting is perhaps the most innovative of all the home furnishing segments and a full line of decorative LED lights/lamps are hitting the marketplace. As manufacturing has increased to meet consumer demand, price points are now more favorable. Look for even more fashion-forward styles to be introduced in upcoming years.

Left: House of Troy / Right: Holtkoetter

As compared with the traditional 60watt or 75 watt bulb, these dimmable LEDs operate on 3.5 watts! Now, that’s innovation!

October 27, 1946 – December 12, 2011

The winter holiday season is my favorite time of year. No other time allows us to be as creative as possible and throw practicality to the wind. I’ve always dressed my home with two trees, one themed (that changes annually), and one “family” tree that is adorned with all of our mismatched ornaments acquired over the years, my children’s home-made ornaments (that the dog hasn’t eaten), and little keepsakes from our travels. It’s anything but “professional” but is the more sentimental tree of the two that are erected every year.

With all that said, I have spent plenty of time in “twinkle-light purgatory” trying to coax strings of lights to work. Decorating for the holidays can be a double edged sword. Here are some tips I’ve developed to help me keep my sanity and reserve my energies for more creative outlets.

Christmas tree with oversized ornaments via Better Homes and Gardens

1. Say farewell to Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree and embrace the artificial tree! I know traditionalists long for the scent of a real tree (I use real evergreen boughs and garlands to get the scent), and don’t mind the dropped pine needles clogging up their vacuum bags, and dismiss the fire hazard of stringing lights on kindling. A good quality artificial tree allows us to create professionally decorated trees (they can take the weight real trees can’t), and make the best use of whatever space we’re trying to fill (thin trees, exact height.) Frontgate.com offers a nice selection of artificial trees, and they also offer storage bags for the trees to keep them safe until the next year. I’ve found Costco also carries a nice, though limited, selection .

I’ve come to appreciate the unlit tree choosing to string my own lights. While 1,000 bulbs on a tree is truly a sight to behold, incandescent strings are only made to accommodate a certain number of burnt out bulbs before the entire string fails. You can maintain your own bulbs, or string over burnt out lights (thereby saving our landfill). The new LED pre-lit trees are fabulous, but you will pay a bit more upfront. It’s well worth the investment over the long run and will save you hours of aggravation over dysfunctional lights.

2. Take the time to “fluff” your artificial tree prior to loading on the ornaments. No one likes an obviously “fake” tree, and nothing screams fake like a tree that looks like it just came out of a box.

3. Don’t buy a tree too big for the room.
The top of the tree should sit at least 12” below the ceiling. Nothing is more awkward than a tree that’s hugging the ceiling or is overflowing from its assigned corner.

Glittery picks from West Elm

4. Pick a theme! I find craft stores the most inspirational place to come up with a “theme.” This year, my theme is “Partridge in a Pear Tree” which was inspired by some pheasant feather picks, and pear cornucopia swags. I paired them with a bird (which I hide daily and has become my children’s mission to find).

5. Get crafty I LOVE picks!! It’s such an easy and affordable way to fill a tree. Always buy more than you think you’ll need. Stores like Michaels offer a wonderful selection of picks, artificial flowers, and sprays to adorn your tree with.

Amaryllis holiday bulb from Calyx Flowers and White Narcissus photo by Jonathan Buckley

6. Consider amaryllis and white narcissus to the more commonplace poinsettias. They’re both very easy to grow, will last through the entire holiday season, and will fill your home with a perfumey scent.

An oldie-but-a-goodie when it comes to seating is the ever popular Klismos Chair. Dating back to Ancient Greece, this elegant chair has lasted the test of time due to its clean, classic lines. It is an unforgettable statement piece, especially when placed in any of our clients’ homes.

Above from left to right: Neirman Weeks painted Klismos, Hollywood Klismos, and a Walnut Klismos.

Its original design of a curved top back and long saber legs has been constructed mostly of wood up until the present.

Designers and manufacturers alike have worked tirelessly to ensure that the Klismos will forever be a classic and a suitable addition to any room decor. Hand painted detail applied to the wood is an option as well as eliminating the wood frame and using metal.

Klismos-style chairs by Jonathan Burden in an Elle Decor feature

My personal favorite is to keep the Klismos true to it’s original design by using all wood. My two top picks: Walnut or Mahogany. There are several options for wood. A favorite as of late has been to use rattan. This style brings a bit more texture and dimension to the design.

A Klismos-inspired chair from our own portfolio

Of course any designer will tell you that a piece of furniture is most successful when you pay attention to the details. I like to upholster the seat as well as the curved back with a fabric that is current, fresh and absolutely jaw-dropping. My fabric “du mois” (of the month) just so happens to be an unexpected combination of a textured faux leather like a chocolate crocodile naugahyde or a show-stopping lime snakeskin. I also prefer to accent my Klismos with nailhead trim.

An Elle Decor showhouse featuring Ironies chairs

For a chair that is forever En Vogue, try incorporating a Klismos into your home design. It is ideal for dining, perfect as an accent or simply place it with the intent of having it be a conversation piece. Your friends and family will leave your home and share with their friends just how cutting edge you are! Offered at various price points, there is a perfect Klismos out there for you.

Do you have a Klismos in your home? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

BATHTUBS

The right bathtub can transform your bathroom from an afterthought to a palace of luxury, not to mention, increase the value of your home. Sure, not everyone needs a home theater and hydrotherapy jets with their bathing experience (see the La Scala Whirlpool), but how about a contemporary freestanding tub? Here’s our rundown of the latest and greatest bathing vessels on the market.

Blu BathWorks freestanding tub

Many of our clients want a freestanding tub, but have little space in their bathrooms. This pick (above) is perfect for them! It’s made from quartzite, which gives it a stone-like feeling, and it comes in a range of colors. Very cool.

Michael S Smith tub for Kallista (via Elle Decor)

This Kallista tub looks like an updated version of the classic clawfoot. It’s made with gel coat construction and has an asymmetry that we love.

Starck X by Philippe Starck for Duravit

We are drooling over this minimalist Philippe Starck tub. This one’s a great pick for homeowners looking to make their tub a focal point.

The Details:
When choosing a tub, you should think about not just the shape and style, but also the materials that will fit best in your own home. Bathtubs are made out of fiberglass, acrylic, plastic, enameled steel, and cast iron. Continue reading for more info on these materials.

Acrylic is a highly durable, low-maintenance material. It heats up and cools down quickly, retains color and luster longer, and costs more than other materials.

Fiberglass tubs are often called Gel Coat because they feature a coating of shiny material on the surface. Gel Coat tubs are lightweight, yet strong, and can retain color with a little work on your end.

Plastic is super flexible and can be molded into any shape. It insulates well and is a lightweight option. Be careful with cleaners though, as this material is not as durable as others.

Enameled Steel is your least expensive option. These tubs are coated with porcelain enamel, but not great insulators and are prone to chipping.

Cast Iron tubs keep water warm longer, but weigh a lot (350 – 500lbs). They are more durable than enameled steel.

An outdoor showroom by Restoration Hardware

As we incorporate more of these rooms into our interior designs, we can’t help noticing how fun they are to create. Indoor/outdoor fabrics and rugs are one of the fastest growing segments in the textiles industry. Choosing the perfect textiles for your outdoor room gives you plenty of freedom to add your own personal style.

Images credits – Top: Kravet Fabrics, bottom left: Vermont Castings, bottom right: Restoration Hardware

Built in fireplaces and BBQs define outdoor living and there are plenty of options to choose from. And don’t forget outdoor lighting! You can keep it simple or go crazy with the latest and greatest – no need to stick to the standard post lamps. Some indoor fixtures may not hold up when exposed to the elements, however, most often this is not an issue when the space is covered or protected.

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's outdoor room via Architectural Digest

We’ll leave you with this dramatic video for the elegant opus lava heaters.

ThinkGlass countertop by Mailhot

Glass countertops are the new ‘it’ product of the interior design industry and one of our favorite new trends. The familiar material is making an appearance in designer showrooms and modern homes. The beauty and luminescence of glass adds an intrigue and sophistication that you simply can’t achieve with granite. Glass isn’t just for tiles anymore!

A glass countertop gets installed in a recent Ambiance project

Glass is actually quite durable – when thicker than 1.5″ it’s as strong as any stone or manmade material. It’s also easy to clean, heat-resistant, stain-free, and highly customizable. With today’s LED lighting solutions, a world of opportunities exist for creative under-counter lighting. In addition, you can choose from an array of textures and colors to further customize your countertops.

An artistic glass countertop by Mailhot

The chic, clean look of glass is perfect for modern bathrooms. The following images are from our own portfolio:

Going Green

For the eco-conscious home owners, there are many recycled glass options available. Vetrazzo is one of the leading producers of recycled glass surfaces. They offer colorful and durable options, made from various materials.

Have you experimented with glass in your own home? Tell us your thoughts on this new trend in the comments below!