Pantone Color Institute, the renowned color management company, released not one but two colors for its 2021 color of the year choice.  It is only the second time Pantone has released two colors in its color of the year award history.  The two colors, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow, were chosen to be used together as an uplifting and enduring combination.

Ultimate Gray is a neutral color and is grounding enough to be used in larger spaces and as a primary wall color.  Illuminating Yellow is a bright and sunny shade that is an excellent choice for smaller areas and items such as kitchen island stools and dining chairs.  Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow both work well with light or dark wood finish.  The Pantone Color Institute suspects that Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow will show up in interior design, primarily in textiles and decorative accessories.  

Here are a few easy ideas for implementing this bold, intriguing color combination into your home decor.  

Kitchen

Gray is a timeless selection for kitchen color due to its being neutral and having a grounding effect on other colors. Ultimate Gray is no different.  It works perfectly for large spaces like walls or cabinetry.  Introduce Illuminating Yellow in smaller doses, using it on kitchen island stools or kitchen towels and dishcloths.  For a bolder, more stunning look, use the Illuminating Yellow on kitchen cabinets with the Ultimate Gray on the walls as a grounding backdrop.  Another way to use Illuminating Yellow in the kitchen is to find floor tiles that feature the sunny shade.  

Bathroom

Bathrooms are a great room choice for color experimentation because they are usually smaller, less frequently used areas of the home. Like the kitchen, using Ultimate Gray on the walls and Illuminating Yellow on the cabinets would create a dramatic and energizing bathroom space. Additionally, a small powder room would be a great area to reverse this design idea, using Illuminating Yellow as the primary wall color and the Ultimate Gray on the cabinetry.  Lastly, using a tile backsplash or flooring featuring Illuminating Yellow would also fit wonderfully in a bathroom or powder room.  

Living Room

Interior Designers and Instagram influencers have cautioned against using Illuminating Yellow in large doses, such as using it as a primary wall color in a large living room.  The shade affects lighting so that can cause issues with the atmosphere in the room.  However, the living room is a great area to add pops of the bright, sunny color through decorating with throw pillows, throw blankets, and even area rugs. These color pops will be grounded if used with Ultimate Gray as a primary color in the design.  

When you’re looking for more ways to incorporate color into your space, we’d love to help!

The start of a new year always brings with it anticipation for new and exciting trends in the world of design, and this year is no exception! We've been scouting out the best and brightest design ideas for 2021 and are ready to help you incorporate them into your home. Let's take a closer look at how to use a design trend that's about to sweep through stylish spaces this year: black frames.

Window Frames & Doorways

Using black to accentuate entranceways and window frames is a clean and sophisticated way to elevate your space this year. Almost any interior design style is compatible with the simplicity of a black-framed accent window or door, especially if the view beyond is inviting. Adjacent gardens or neighboring landscapes seem to be captured visually within these stark frames, creating a connection between the indoor atmosphere and the outdoor world. 

Creating Partitions

Another way to incorporate black frame design is with the clever use of partitions. Rather than dividing up a large room with an opaque screened room divider, consider the appeal of an open black-framed partition. This trend makes your divided room feel more spacious while maintaining a timeless sense of style. Black framed partitions can also be functional in the form of shelving or displaying art. 

A Trend for All Styles

 Another great reason black frames are a go-to trend for 2021 is because of its compatibility with a large variety of design styles. If your preferred style is contemporary, industrial, minimal, or modern, you can confidently incorporate black frame elements into your spaces. Black frames can also serve as a high contrast accent to almost any color palette. We recommend pairing black window and door frames with light-colored walls for maximum impact.

Whether you're redecorating a room for the new year or building your dream home from scratch, black frames in your design will be sure to enhance your interior spaces. That's why we're naming black frames a true trend to look for in 2021. We can't wait to help you explore the possibilities it presents!

From prehistoric rock art to the great Pablo Picasso, face line art has been here since the beginning of time. Millennials have embraced this ever-evolving art form, leading to its explosion all over the online world, and for good reason. This simple yet powerful source of artistic expression can fit into any design style. Integrating it into your home is simple—here are few ideas to get you started.

Wallpaper

For a bold statement—pick a wallpaper! The designs come in a wide range of colors, facial sizes, and styles that contribute to its overall feel. A soft dusty green, filling the empty space, will feel subtle and calm. A contrasting black and white design will be much louder. The right utilization of furniture will elevate the room and balance out the print. This will create a unique and interesting space that is fun to look at.

Artwork

From a single continuous line to a collection of faces, these prints come in an array of styles.  Some prints feel very modern and abstract, while others can feel quite soft and feminine. They are typically black and white, but not always. Pops of color can be a refreshing alternative and work wonderfully packed into a gallery wall or as a stand-alone feature.   

Decor

Home accessories are buzzing with these prints. From shower curtains to throw pillows to ceramics, you name it, and it's probably there. The key is picking one that speaks to you and rolling with it. This is not a trend you want repeating throughout the entirety of your home. Utilized modestly, you will have an interesting statement piece that can run the gamut of fun and quirky to a conveyor of strong emotion.

Face line art can be found in many mediums and can create a lot of power with a single line. There are tons of possibilities with this style – we'll always be here to help if you're stuck!

There is a kind of cozy charm found in small rooms. With the right decorations and furniture, any small space can be made into a comfortable nook that is perfect for a cup of coffee and a few good hours of reading.  However, when your "nook" is also where you live, the task of creating the illusion of space can feel daunting. 

The good news is, it's not impossible to make your small living space appear larger and more comfortable.  In fact, these four easy tricks will help you turn any room in the house from feeling like a cramped cupboard into a spacious getaway right in the middle of your home.

Light Cheerful Colors for Light Cheerful Rooms

Small spaces already tend to be full of shadows.  The easiest way to counter this is with light and bright colors. If this means a trip to the local hardware store for paint, then keep in mind that bright pastel colors can help reflect light on the walls of any room, thus creating the illusion of more area.  In spaces with large windows, cheerful pastel yellows and soft rose pinks might work well, as these colors easily reflect sunlight and help spread a warm sunny glow across open surfaces. 

However, in a room with less natural lighting, it might be wise to go with the soothing tones of a soft, cooling blue or a pastel green; these colors blend well with artificial light, especially when it comes to the new LED bulbs.  If you're having difficulty choosing which color to use, remember that white or a slight off-white is always a suitable choice and is easily dressed up with room decor.

The Right Curtains Can Go a Long Way

Many people use heavy or dark curtains in their bedrooms to help block out sunlight in the morning. If your bedroom is small, however, these same curtains can make the room feel stifling.  To counter this, try finding curtains with lighter colors.  White is ideal, as it goes with almost any color you might paint the walls. But if white doesn't work for you then go with some lighter coordinating tone that compliments your color scheme.  Also, don't leave the curtains closed during the day; tie them back so that sunlight can filter through the window.  The more natural light in a small space, the less small and more comfortable it will feel.

Just say "No" to Bulky Furniture

When you live in a small space, you quickly learn that less often means more.  In this case, less furniture bulk in the way means more room to spread out and enjoy life.  Big clunky recliners and heavy leather sofas are space-eaters.  Yes, of course they're comfortable, but they also take up a lot of room that could be better utilized, and as anyone who lives in a small place knows, any space that can be better utilized should be.  

If you're looking for new furniture to bring atmosphere to your small space without cluttering it up, why not try a sleek modern design in light or bright colors.  Remember, giving up bulk does not necessarily mean giving up comfort.  There are many furniture options out there that harmonize sleek design with comfortable living, like this lounge chair from our collection- it provides a stylishly comfortable look without taking up extra room, and its clean-cut style adds a modern yet welcoming flair.

Which brings us to our fourth trick…

Declutter Everything

The downside of living in a small space is that you don't have a lot of room to work with.  Too many objects lying around can make any room feel cluttered and tiny no matter how much you paint and adjust furniture.  However, the solution is as simple as a few hours of cleaning and organization.  If you keep the areas under and on top of tables, chairs, and couches open and free of clutter, you'll provide the eye with a clear line of sight along the floor and over the surfaces of furniture.  This adds to the illusion of space. 

Of course, doing this also means that you can't keep too many unnecessary possessions in your small space at one time.  Try to get rid of any old belongings that you don't have a use for anymore, and limit the number of new things you bring into your home.  Remember the saying "there's a place for everything and everything in its place." If you don't have a good place for it, then it probably should go.

Have fun turning your small spaces into fresh new get-aways the whole family can enjoy!  And remember, if you find yourself in need of a professional designer's help, you can always contact me here.

The bedroom is perhaps the most important room in the house, yet it often gets overlooked while you focus on the common areas of the home. It's time to put your beauty sleep first. Follow these simple steps to transform it into a luxurious retreat and recharge in the lap of luxury every night. 

1. Clear The Clutter

A messy room will never feel luxurious, so start by giving everything a place. Get creative with storage solutions, add shelving to your closet, and utilize the space under your bed to keep everything neat and tucked away. Use pretty trays to keep small belongings, such as jewelry and perfume, organized. 

2. Style The Bed

Every luxurious bedroom has a well-styled bed. Make it beautiful and inviting. A velvet tufted headboard is a lovely focal point that is also perfect for resting against. Invest in quality sheets, layer throws on blankets, and have a combination of pillows in varying patterns, sizes, and textures to complete the look.

3. Lighting

A variety of lighting is essential for the proper ambiance. Hang a statement light fixture for a stunning centerpiece, add bedside lamps or a pair of sconces for a decorative yet focused light, and finish it off with a row of soft flickering candles to enhance any mood. Use light bulbs that emit a soft glow and install a dimmer switch to truly control the brightness and your needs.

4. Create A Sitting Area

A sitting area exudes elegance. Depending on your space and lifestyle this can look very different. Try a long bench over a fluffy rug at the end of your bed, a club chair nestled in the corner with a small accent table for coffee and a book, or a pair of settees with an occasional table for an elaborate and defined space.

5. Floor-To-Ceiling Curtains

The right curtains will take your room from drab to fab. They should be hung high and wide. If the room has tall ceilings this is a great way to accentuate the height, and if the room has low ceilings this will draw the eye up creating the illusion of height. Either way, the room is given a feature making it feel polished and grand.

6. Fresh-Cut Flowers

The cherry on top of your luxurious bedroom— fresh cut flowers. Nothing beats the energy that greenery brings to a space and fresh-cut flowers have an allure that emits romance. Placed thoughtfully next to the bed or in the sitting area, you will have an instant mood booster. Pick a variety with a soft scent in a complementary color so you can enjoy their beauty from near and far. 

Small but intentional changes can make a big impact on the overall feel of your bedroom. Use these simple ideas to make your bedroom feel luxurious. You deserve it!

Texture is an important element of interior design that can help shift the mood of any space. Your living room can especially benefit from the addition of a few unexpected textures. From lightweight, airy textures (linen or cotton) to earthy and rustic textures (raw wood), there's something to fit every taste. 

That might seem overwhelming, but don't fret if you're at a loss for where to begin– we've covered the bases with a few suggestions to get you started. 

Blankets Are Not Just for Fall 

It's starting to heat up across the U.S., but that's no reason to forgo a blanket! Blasting the air conditioner indoors gets chilly, so be prepared with a swiss fox faux fur chevron throw. It's an effortless and cruelty-free way to add texture and a subtle pattern to your living room without overthinking it. 

Add Some Greenery to the Scenery

It's no secret that house plants can revitalize a room, but the right plants can also add an interesting texture to the mix. 

If your green thumb isn't particularly strong, try raising a snake plant– they add visual interest with minimal effort on your part, regardless of your gardening abilities. To add more visual interest, try adding a terra cotta planter to the mix.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Once you find a texture you love, it's tempting to go overboard and fill your space with that same texture repeatedly. However, resist the urge! There's plenty of textures to choose from, and they'll all help your unique space stand out in the best way possible. 

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At the end of the day, it's important to keep an open mind when it comes to textures in your living room (or any room, for that matter). Let your creativity be your guide– we'll always be here to help if you're stuck!

We all love the feeling of the beach. The warm sun, the sounds of the ocean, and the relaxing sensation that comes with every vacation. While going to the beach might not be an option right now, that doesn't mean you can't bring that fun in the sun beach feeling to your own home!

1. Get Outside With Your Furniture!

One of the best parts of the beach is sitting outside and feeling the warm sun on your skin. You might think that feeling is not achievable while stuck at home but it's closer than you think! The simplest way to get that feeling at home is to go outside.

Get that nice feeling of relaxing with a set of patio furniture and soak in the sun. Sunlight makes us happy, so don't leave that feeling for vacation. A nice set of patio furniture that lets you sit outside and enjoy the sun is a guaranteed way to lift your mood and bring that beach feeling right to you.

2. Add Pops of Color!

One of the standout features of the typical beach house is its use of color. Beach houses are famous for their over-exaggeration of beach themed furniture and decor. You can get that same feeling without the seashells taking over your living room. Try adding color into your house to get that fun aesthetic that comes with a trip to the ocean. You could paint a wall a bright new color, or you could get simple decor that gives your home a splash of color. Curtains or a fun new plant can bring that fun beach feeling right into your home.

3. Bring the Beach to Your Home!

Beach houses never let you forget you're at the beach. With wall art, seashells, and fish decor, you're constantly reminded of where you are. That's not the case at your home away from the sand. But you can still be reminded of the wonderful waves with your own decor Beach-themed wall art can be a great way to not only add color to your home but to bring the beach right to you. You may not be able to look out your window at the sandy shores but you can look at your new wall art and get that warm feeling all the same!

These are just a few ideas to bring new life into your home. Check out our blog for more ideas.

As the sun comes out and skies clear, it's time to transition your space for summer. With new trends in interior design coming and going each year, here are tried and true ways to redesign your home for summer that will never go out of style.

Lighten

Winter design is often associated with heavier fabrics and cozy, plush furnishings. Perhaps you have a woolen throw blanket on your couch or a thick shag carpet under your feet. While these features add a warm and cozy atmosphere during long winter nights, they can feel stifling in the summer. As you transition to the season, think about lighter textures in your design.

Woven rugs in natural fibers are a great way to lighten up your space. They tend to be thinner than regular carpets which makes them a great choice for the summer. These rugs also come in gorgeous colors and patterns, which can serve as a focal point in a room.

Consider replacing heavy furniture with lighter mid-century or modern style pieces. Replace an overstuffed armchair with a sleeker version that has wooden or metal legs to bring in natural elements into your space.

Brighten

Welcome summer by adding a splash of color to your interior. Muted winter grays and beiges can feel washed out in the summer, especially in a room without lots of natural light. Add a bright tapestry or artwork to a plain wall, or change out your muted throw pillow cases with bright yellow or electric blue ones. 

Add a decorative mirror to your wall to reflect more light and physically brighten up a room. Mirrors also give the illusion of more space, helping the room feel nice and airy.

Enliven 

Natural influences on interior design will never go out of style, especially in the summer. Having plants in your home is a great way to create a sense of calm and peace in your space. There are plenty of beautiful, hardy houseplants that are very hard to kill, but if you're still worried you can get fake plants that look just like the real thing. 

Vertical plants like the Fiddle Leaf Fig are perfect for entryways and living room corners. For a bushier plant, try out the Areca Palm, which thrives in bright spaces. These green plants will add a verdant touch to your summer decor.

We hope you enjoy transitioning your interior design to summer with these creative tips. Need the help of a professional designer to bring your vision together? Contact me here.

Life in quarantine can be challenging. Many of our usual avenues of communication are no longer viable and on top of that, we're all trapped inside our homes forced to examine the reality of the four walls surrounding us. And in some cases, our less than ideal interior design. But just because it's no longer safe to go outside and look, touch, and explore all of the latest design trends with an interior designer in person doesn't mean that all of your home design plans have to be put on hold.

In fact, now is the perfect time to work with an interior designer virtually!

One of the most important aspects of home design, and one of the most difficult aspects for interior designers, is crafting the perfect mix of trends, styles, and vibes to match the customer's desires for their home, something that we take seriously here at Ana Maria Designs. This relates to the paint color on the walls, the furniture in the room,  to even the throw pillows adorning the couch. And the easiest way to make sure that you get the best results, and that your interior designer brings your home to its full potential, is to have clear ideas about what you want.

Stuck inside our homes with what seems like limitless free time (outside of those pesky Zoom calls for work!) is the ideal time to clarify, compile, and create your vision for what you want your home to be. Draft some detailed emails, create a Pinterest board, hop online for a video call, or take advantage of our Design Your Own service.  Scroll through our project galleries and to find examples of rooms you love. Take the time to point out which aspects you enjoy, arrange a folder of concept pictures, furniture pieces that you love,  wall art that inspires you, and colors and fabrics that spark joy.

Ana Maria Designs is always happy to discuss your home design projects, even while in quarantine, so send us a note or book a call today.

None of us can travel right now, but that doesn't mean you can’t bring the feeling of travel into your home. Here are a few fun ways to use interior design to satisfy your wanderlust. 

Travel Souvenir Gallery Wall

Many of us have lovely travel mementos hidden away in our closets or drawers. A group of similar items would make a nice gallery wall. We're thinking of travel posters, foreign paper currency, photos from a single destination, maps, or travel postcards. It's helpful to consider the rest of your decor before you frame your souvenirs. Identical frames go well with modern or minimalist decor.  

World's Easiest Souvenir Display

Another way to show off those souvenirs is to arrange them on your coffee table. Then cover them with glass. Curating is the key to making this project successful. First, pick a theme or motif like "My Trip to Paris" or "Foreign Coins." Next, among your items that fit the theme, choose your best. Play with the arrangement to find the one you enjoy most.

Go DIY with Travel-Themed Fabric

Don't let the thought of DIY overwhelm you. DIY pillow and upholstery projects aren't complicated. And you don't need piles of fabric you've picked up at the world's most exotic locales. (If you have such fabric, that's great too.) You can easily order fabric with travel motifs or patterns inspired by traditional cultures online. Here are step-by-step tutorials for no-sew throw pillows and easy DIY upholstery. 

Global Basket Wall

You can put a travel twist on the basket wall trend. Displaying a collection of baskets from around the world is an option. We also like showing off a group of baskets from the same region. For inspiration, look online for traditional baskets made by artisans in places such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, or Zimbabwe.

We're not going to lie, we wish we could be on vacation right now. Somewhere warm, tropical, and beachy, where there isn't a load of laundry waiting to be done and dirty dishes left in the sink . . . but instead we're stuck at home. So in lieu of living a life of luxury at a tropical resort, here are three tips to help bring the resort to you.

1. Keep It Organized

One of the best aspects of resorts is the fact that you don't have to clean. There are no dirty clothes on the floor and the bed is always made when you come back from lounging at the pool. This is hard to imitate in real life without hired help, but one of the easiest things that you can do to mimic that resort lifestyle is keeping clutter out of the naked eye. It does wonders for the look of a room and helping to create that resort vibe, even if you're just shoving your television remotes and favorite throws into a cute basket. 

2. Embrace Simple Luxury

Resorts are expensive for a reason. And that is because they carefully curate every aspect of the experience, down to the fabric choices they shroud your room in. You can replicate this in your own home by working in quality fabrics and airy textures. Try adding in a faux fur throw pillow like this ivory one from Pier One.  Or working in some delicate eyelet curtains like this flowy cotton set from Anthropology.  By creating a mixture of elegant fabrics and textures in complementary colors it's easy to forget you're in your living room instead of on vacation.

3. Focus on the Light

Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it sunshine and natural light. Pretend you're on vacation by maximizing the natural light in your home. Focus on the rooms in your home with windows and try to work in lighter colors, bright whites, warm-toned ivory, creams, and soft tans. A brighter area rug like this Moroccan inspired area rug from West Elm can add an exotic twist as well as brighten up a darker floor, and your entire room, in one simple move. 

These are just a few ideas to help transform your home into your own personal resort but make sure to check out our other articles on our blog for more ideas!

Spring is in the air and with it comes a brand-new year of the latest design trends. Entering into a fresh decade, the 2020s seem poised to reinvigorate interior design with novel concepts, the continuation and acceleration of certain trends already seen in the last decade, and the revival of a few old classics. Without further ado, let's look at five stylish design trends which are dominating spring this year.

HOUSE PLANTS

Shocking to just about no one, the trend of merging nature and greenery into interior design is continuing this season. Both aesthetically pleasing and a functional way to improve air quality, houseplants are wonderful for adding a touch of color and nature.

For an environment where growing plants proves troublesome or sunlight is difficult to come by, artificial plants may prove a decent substitute. While considered a bit tacky by some and lacking the practical benefits of actual nature, artificial plants still provide an attractive and low-maintenance alternative to caring for living plants. Plus, as an added bonus, they don't die. However, either choice is sure to breathe new life into your home.

WOOD PANELING

Following the trend of incorporating nature into households, natural materials are also in vogue. Wood is perfect to fit the bill and has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the past few years. Once often dismissed as passé or vintage, wooden surfaces have come back in full force and one of the most stylish and popular design choices to incorporate this material is wood paneling.

Tastefully installed using narrow slats, wood paneling can be a lovely addition to an interior space. Particularly pleasing under warm temperature lighting, wood paneling imbues an otherwise sterile environment with a natural warmth and cozy aura.

INDOOR GARDENING

For those not content with simple houseplants, indoor gardening represents a very ambitious and modern take on the concept of indoor greenery. Going above and beyond simply placing a few pretty plants around the house, indoor gardening requires significant patience and care to ensure a tame and thriving green space. But for those who put in the effort, an indoor garden can provide a striking and lush contribution to any interior environment.

FLORAL DESIGNS

Written off decades ago as old-fashioned and out-dated, floral designs were long associated with your grandparent's aesthetic sensibilities. But as trends come and go, sometimes they come back around once more. Floral patterns are once again popular and stylish, returning both to fashion and interior design. Floral wallpaper has reemerged to become a sensible design choice. But for those still on the fence, don't worry. The floral wallpapers of 2020 are not all the same as those of 1920. Sophisticated 21st-century designs and cutting edge printing techniques have rendered the floral wallpapers of today far more crisp and vivid than was even imaginable just a few decades ago.

Current design trends emphasize a return to nature and the incorporation of natural beauty into indoor spaces and there's no time of year this trend is more coveted than spring. Embrace the celebration of life and bring natural beauty to your indoor spaces today!

Having a visually appealing office space in your home is so important. It allows your mind to think freely and creatively. You will spend hours in this space, so it is crucial that your work space matches the comfort and beauty of the rest of your home. Whether you have a desk in the corner or a completely separate room, here are four must-haves in any beautiful home office space:

1. Natural Light

Natural lighting just does something for our minds and bodies. There are multiple studies that praise the benefits of working in natural light. This article from the New York Times highlights how greater amounts of artificial light, rather than natural light, can lower productivity. So first things first, make sure your desk is positioned near a window that allows plenty of sunlight to come through.

2. Plenty of Color

Colorful spaces always draw our attention. A monochromatic space without any pops of color may stifle your creativity and can make you feel bored. To make your home office more visually appealing and thought- provoking, add some color. This does not mean you have to paint the walls! Find a poster, a painting, or a fabric canvas to hang on the walls. Play around with textures, too! A faux fur rug or a wooden sculpture on your desk may be exactly what your home office needs to keep those productive juices flowing. 

3. Methods of Organization

Keeping an organized space may not seem fun or creative, but it certainly will create a beautiful home office space. Just looking at a desk piled high with papers and junk can cause anxiety and make you feel overwhelmed, while an organized desk will save you time in looking for important papers or items. Plus, sitting at a clean desk will give you the freedom to think creatively, rather than being stressed about the stack of papers in front of you. This applies to your laptop or desktop as well! 

4. Lots of Life 

Add a few plants or even a small fish tank to your home office! Bringing the outdoors in is a great way to keep you from feeling like you are stuck inside. Afraid of your brown thumb? This article lists 30 easy houseplants that will be hard to kill and make a wonderful addition to your workspace. 

These are four simple ways you can create a beautiful home office space. Be sure to check out other articles on our blog for more inspiration!

Few things convey a sense of coziness like a rich wood floor that's steeped in character and history. While not everyone has the luxury of living with aged hardwood floors, adding touches of reclaimed wood to your decor can capture the same feeling of warmth.  

What Is Reclaimed Wood?

Reclaimed wood is high-quality wood recycled from places like old barns, factories, ships, or wine casks. This aged wood comes with a unique sense of the past and can be beautifully refinished. Utilizing reclaimed wood over new lumber has a monumental environmental impact. Reclaiming wood requires 11-13 times less energy and produces up to 470% less CO2 emissions than producing new lumber. For anyone who cares about the environment, reclaimed wood is an obvious choice in sustainable design.  

Incorporating Reclaimed Wood In Your Space

1. Kitchen Cabinetry

Reclaimed wood can look stunning accenting a kitchen in the form of a custom-built island. It’s also a timeless choice when refinished as cabinets.  

2. Beds

A metal and reclaimed wood bed offers a masculine touch without being overwhelming. The warm wood tones and solid construction center the space in a sense of stability.  

3. Floating Shelves

With styles ranging from farmhouse to industrial, reclaimed wood shelving provides extra storage for any space. Longer lengths can make beautiful substitutes for upper cabinets.  

4. Wall Art

There are all kinds of large-scale art pieces made from reclaimed wood. Depending on your room, you can find the perfect statement to fill a wall above your sofa or to accent a fireplace. Our favorites include this high contrast geometric hanging and this rustic mountain scene.  

5. Console or Media Tables

Living spaces benefit from gorgeous reclaimed wood tables. You can choose from industrial-rustic builds to mid-century modern-inspired pieces.  

If you want to imbue your space with a truly unique feel, reclaimed wood is what to look for. Upcycled old-growth wood is the most durable, strong, and stable lumber you can find. Each piece is like a time-capsule to the past with sustainability for future generations.  

One of the biggest (and most sophisticated!) trends of this year is jewel tones. Jewel tones are richly saturated colors reminiscent of your favorite gems. Think elegant, rich colors like deep garnet, a dark sapphire blue, a multi-dimensional golden, or a daring emerald. The simple addition of a piece of jewel-toned furniture in your next redesign can be a stylish and tasteful addition that has the potential to transform the entire space.

A Statement Piece

This mid-century style emerald sofa with cast brass legs from Anthropologie becomes the centerpiece of any room. The deep jewel-toned color and importance of this piece of furniture in the room make it eye-catching and dramatic. The addition of a statement piece like this sofa to your home is an easy way to convert any room into a more modern, sophisticated, and on-trend version of itself in one simple change.

An Edited Approach

Picking a single color and layering various textures, fabrics, and furniture in complementary hues such as in this striking living room featured in Architectural Digest's Clever makes this room feel effortlessly put together but still fresh and intimate. Pick your favorite jewel tone and layer it throughout the room. Nothing has to match, and in fact, this look works better when things don't match perfectly. Add a set of lounge chairs in a similar shade to your couch, find a rug in the same tone that brightens up the room, play with colorful coffee tables and prints on the walls. Once everything is there, it all comes together. 

Contrasting Colors

One of the best aspects of the 2020 jewel-toned trend is that it's easy to mix and match shades. Since all of the jewel tones are already in the same family you're free to pick multiple shades and mix and match. This minimal sitting room from Living Spaces features turquoise, sapphire, and ruby together, helping to make this clean and cosmopolitan room more fun. This fun sectional loveseat would work great with this rose quartz colored chair, add in a pop of navy with some fun velvet throw pillows and you have a tasteful yet lively design for any room.

2020 is the ideal time for a change and working jewel tones into your next redesign is a fun and easy way to do that.

In the pursuit of sophisticated design with visual interest, we find monochromatic color schemes. This trend offers the ease of built-in harmony and a distinction from the design trends of the past.  

 Evolution of Trends

With a style motto of "ultra neutral sophisticated boho California cool," the past decade highlighted beige, gray, and other pale colors. Monochrome spaces saw layers of neutrals and hygge-inspired minimalism. This contrasts with the warm colors and jewel-tones that are becoming popular today.

Marked by a post-recession mindset, the 2010’s focused on safe choices in color, pattern, and fabric. Now we have bolder choices like rich velvet and statement interior doors.  Neutrals are still appealing though, and many are choosing to stick with their soothing tones.

Getting Started With Color

When starting on a monochromatic space, choosing your base color is key. Once selected, everything else will come together seamlessly. While "monochrome" literally means "one color," monochromatic design uses variations of a base color to create interest and unity. Vibrant colors like Classic Blue offer a bolder visual impact than the neutral palettes of past years. Color theory is important to consider when deciding on your base color.

Limiting a space to one color scheme helps create a soothing environment. This is because the brain will have less stimulation to process. For the most part, cooler colors are relaxing while warm colors energize. The tone and value of each hue can affect this reaction.  

Key Color Terms

Color - also called hue, color refers to the appearance of an object based on how it reacts to light.

Value - describes how light or dark a color is.

Tint - adding white to a color to lighten its value.

Shade - adding black to a color to darken its value.

Tone - adding gray to a color to mute its value.  

Principles For Effective Design

When you are getting started with a monochromatic design, a small space is easiest. Bathrooms are perfect for this treatment as the limited palette will give it a Zen spa feeling.

To keep shades from blending together, layer textures and patterns. Sticking to one color keeps everything cohesive while giving you the freedom to experiment. Remember that white and black are values of any hue so these will always accent your space well.  

As you embrace the experience of working in monochrome you will fall in love with the elegant simplicity this trend offers.

In their 20th year of selecting the Color of the Year, Pantone offers something simple and elegant. As the shade of the sky as it fades to dusk, Classic Blue transcends the high-speed tech world we live in. It offers a solid serenity to soothe and relax. In our interior spaces, this means we can use the color to build cozy and comforting rooms.  

Find Balance

As a vibrant, primary color, Classic Blue is a bold hue that reads dark on walls and bright on textiles. Overusing the shade can feel intense so finding balance is key. A singular accent wall works well as a bold pop of color in a large space. Selecting a few smaller decor elements will tie the color into any scheme in an understated way.  

Small Yet Bold

Smaller spaces like hallways, bathrooms, or foyers are excellent areas to lean into Classic Blue. This darker shade can actually open a room up while drawing people in. It also makes a lovely backdrop for any accent pieces you bring in.  

Accessorize Wisely

If you are opting to use Classic Blue in your decor accessories, be sure to choose multiple pieces. A singular small item will look at odds if there are no other uses of the color. Instead, you want to tie the whole space together with repetition and variety.

You can achieve this unity by selecting artwork, rugs, or table decor that incorporate blue. Elago even offers tech gear in this sophisticated shade for subtle touches throughout your home.  

Utilize Texture

Classic Blue is the perfect color for developing a monochromatic palette. This rich shade has enough moodiness to keep a space interesting. Select a broad range of textures to build layers and depth. Luxury fabrics like velvet upholstered chairs will look stunning against an airier curtain of the same shade.  

As we enter a new era, returning to a classic color provides our homes and workspaces the stability we crave. Embracing Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue will keep your spaces fresh and relaxing in 2020.