Interior Design Trends - Spring 2013

The High Point Market in NC, the biggest Interior Design trade show, featuring spring trends, was held late April. One theme recurred over, and over - Black + White. 

Delighted with this continuing trend, you might call it my "signature palette" to which I add a metallic - or organic woods - or pops of bright color. It's sophisticated, elegant, and works with any style. 

Black + White + Chrome for kitchens is clean and

sophisticated. It works for traditional (right photo),

contemporary (below), and anything in between. 

Home living spaces look spacious, open and airy. I use Black + White when I want to feature a beautiful view, or to create a minimalist, clean-lined design scheme.

Black + White with organic wood to soften an interior.

Black + White with pops of color using furnishings and/or accessories.

The red rug below grounds the seating area of black egg chairs and flooring with white window frames.

There's much more on my web site. You're 

welcome to browse, post your comments and questions, and even make an appointment via email,

Skype, or schedule an in home or office consultation.

Email: robin@robinlechnerdesigns.com

Phone: 305.940.7892 or 631.848.8469

THE IDEAL CHAIR

BARCELONA CHAIR

More chairs are purchased during the process of furnishing a home than any other design element perhaps with the exception of light fixtures. Selecting the right chair for a specific setting or style can make or break a design scheme, or transform it from ordinary to extraordinary.

Chairs must be comfortable as well as beautiful, so buy the best quality you can afford. If you buy a trendy style or color don't spend a fortune because you’ll probably want to change it in a few years.

One size does not fit all. Balancing scale and proportion with

EGG CHAIR

a chair's surroundings is vital, but there are times when a bit of unpredictability and surprise enlivens and brings a space to life. The less expected, the more captivating. Even something as basic as a chair can serve as art as well as function as are the the classic Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona, the Egg, and Eero Saarinen's Tulip. 

There are four basic categories for chairs:

The cozy reading corner requires a roomy or overstuffed chaise or armchair and ottoman. The grouping should include a good reading lamp and an accent table for essentials. I prefer a floor lamp to leave more room on the table top for a mug of coffee and a book.

For dining, a high-backed upholstered chair at about a 105 degree angle allows guests tosettle back comfortably following a wonderful meal and enjoy great conversation. A wood frame keeps greasy fingers from soiling fabric.

A chair for the office should have an adjustable back so you can sit up or lean back for inspiration, adjustable seat and arm heights, and wheels for zipping around the room from computer to file cabinet.



Occasional chairs, partnered with a sofa, create a permanent conversation grouping, or more light weight arm chairs can be moved where needed.

There's much more to seeon my website. You're welcome to browse, post your comments and questions, and even make an appointment via email, Skype, or schedule an in home or office consultation. 

WORLD INTERIORS DAY

The International Federation of Interior Designers (IFI) and the global community commemorates Saturday, May 25, 2013, as World Interiors Day. It is an annual event designed to spotlight Interior Architecture/Design. The event actively engages professionals, national organizations, design enthusiasts and the general public to explore creativity, imagination, vision and passion in relation to the role of Interior Architecture/Design in society, culture and the future environments.

Robin Lechner Designs is delighted to announce a joint event with Decorative Crafts at DCOTA (Design Center of the Americas in Dania Beach, FL) to celebrate World Interiors Day. Members of the National Assoc. of Professional Women – Aventura Chapter and their guest are invited to tour some of the DCOTA showrooms with opportunities to purchase at a discount, and refreshments. This free event will take place on Thurs, May 30^th. 

To obtain tickets, visit the RobinLechner Designs website.

MOTHER'S DAY FROM AN INTERIOR DESIGNER'S PERSPECTIVE

MY MOTHER - MY BEST FRIEND + ME

Mother’s Day is nearly here – it’s a day for celebrating Motherhood – Mother’s, Grandmothers, Mothers-to-Be, Aunts…

I look at it as a day for celebrating all women who are important in our lives whether or not they’ve given birth to you or have given birth at all. Sometimes, we’re lucky to have a “second” Mom. All women are Mothers in some capacity – it’s in our nature to be nurturing.

Mother’s Day is a day to show your appreciation to a woman in your life whether a teacher, mentor, friend, or simply someone you admire.  

BUY SOMETHING FLORAL... LIKE A TOSS PILLOW!

Flowers, the traditional gift, are always an elegant choice, mirroring the beauty of the recipient.  A memorable gesture is to place them in an unusual recepticle...something that will be a lasting reminder of you like a beautiful vase or basket.


A toss pillow in a floral design or pattern is a wonderful alternative to a live floral arrangement

MISSONI POUF

I always like buying something for the home. What good Interior Designer wouldn’t? A gift for the home can be as personal as you’d like it to be… an engraved frame, for example. – Any there’s no concern about size.

What to choose? How about a personal-sized pouf or ottoman? Guaranteed, some-thing a beautful as this will have her putting her feet up for a well-earned rest while thanking you from the bottom of her heart.

The options are endless:

What’s her favorite color? The first hint is clothing. Are there colors she wears repeatedly? Handbags and shoes are dead giveaways.


If you’ve been to her home, you can get further leads from the interior decor. Update her collection of toss pillows with one or two with metallic trim for added sparkle, or introduce a new color for seasonal changes. Throws can be draped over a sofa arm, across the bottom of a bed, piled high for use on outdoor lounges.




And if you are a traditionalist and opt to buy flowers, purchase something beautiful to put 
them in.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

There's much more to see on my website. You're welcome to browse, post your comments and questions, and even make an appointment via email, phone, Skype, or schedule an in home or office consultation.

robin@robinlechnerdesigns.com

305-940-7892 or 631-848-8469

    

WHEN 'OLD' MEETS CONTEMPORARY

Although the contemporary design scheme remains a strong trend, there’s nothing like adding an oriental rug, antique (or good reproduction), or vintage piece to a setting to create a unique look that reflects your personality and makes your home unique and impressive. When “old” meets contemporary, stunning interior design statements emerge.

Alternately, what I call “store décor” is simple and easy to achieve. Visit an online retailer or store, and have one of their trained design consultants decorate your home. All the furnishings are commodities can be mixed and matched down to the last accessory, to achieve a lovely setting that looks like a page straight out of their catalog. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. What the result lacks, however, is individuality, freshness, and an expression of your own individuality and taste. It’s just not my style or preference. I wouldn’t like seeing everyone at a party wearing the same dress no matter what color shoes they wear.

When I design a space, I like to achieve something truly memorable and enjoyable. An

individual look requires risk-taking strategies that are well worth the effort. This is where the talents and skills of an interior designer are indispensable.

An interior designer is a creative individual with years of experience spent honing her craft.  Design schemes are not a simple collection of commodities, in the context of art, it’s a Rembrandt. Each brings a distinctive and exciting challenge with an opportunity to create something special for someone. We start with a basic design palette, and to it, add freshness and originality… plus something unexpected or with a bit of whimsy. Unpredictability brings a space to life. We go the extra mile to consider every distinguishing element of a home – its architecture, location, exposure, form, and function.

A room comes to life with a special wall covering…a rug pattern…a color… and most often with the addition of an exquisite piece of furniture. I hope you enjoy browsing through some of these exceptional pieces.

I feel you'll appreciate the value of this exceptional customer service, even if we cost a little more. (You generaly get what you pay for)

Join me for special event with the opportunity to purchase special pieces at a discount on May

30th at DCOTA (Design Center of the Americas) in Dania Beach, Florida. Details are available on my website.

All the pieces here are available at the Decorative Crafts showroom.

For more, check out my "Old Meets Contemporary" Idea Book on Houzz.com in the Robin Lechner Designs file.

There's much more to see on my website. You're welcome to browse, post your comments and questions, and even make an appointment via email, Skype, or schedule an in home or office consultation. www.interiordecoratingsouthflorida.com 

DESIGNING WITH TILE

With so many options for covering surfaces, selecting a product that’s beautiful, sustainable, and enhances a design scheme can be overwhelming. Innovations in tile production have poured into the market over the past years.

Not all tile is created equal. With so many options, it's important to be familiar with performance properties – or hire a designer who is. Selecting the right tile for a project keeps you from making expensive mistakes, lowers installation costs, and adds longevity to the finished product.

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Interior vertical areas that are dry or get occasionally wet, “high absorption” tiles with a greater than 7% water absorption should be used. The tiles are fired at low temperatures, and provide a variety of textures and colors. Best applications are walls. 

Dry interior floor areas are best suited for tiles with “moderate absorption” – 3%-7% water absorption. The lower the percentage, the more traffic can be handled.

For exterior as well as interior applications, “low absorption” tiles with a .5%-3% water absorption can be used. Tiles can tolerate occasional water penetration, and are recommended for bathrooms.

Porcelain is terminology given to tiles with .5% water absorption or less, and can withstand heavy traffic and tolerates submersion in water. Suitable for interior and exterior flooring that gets foot or vehicular traffic. It’s excellent for use in bathrooms and outdoor terraces.

Selecting the right tile for your project is essential for sustainable beauty and function. 

Need more information? 

Contact me through my website to post questions, comments, or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Data source: Tile of Spain