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This year one unexpected but hot trend is gray. Gray is making a triumphant return as a wall color, giving people an alternative to tried-and-true beige. It’s said that this moody hue  gains popularity in times of war and turmoil.  That’s a bit of a downer, however.

Ann McGuire, Valspar color consultant and lead designer of Beehive Studios in Pennsylvania says,  ”Gray feels fresh because it’s soft and cool.

Gray offers great support for fun, vibrant colors, such as yellows (this year’s popular accent color), purples (next year’s color) and even teals. It’s a sweet pairing with geranium pink or warm lilac for a girl’s bedroom, and it can be a sophisticated backdrop for shiny surfaces such as mirrors and art glass.

Think of grays as silvers, crystals and ice,” McGuire said. “Grays can be sad if you think of them as the color of battleships or the basement.”

Tags: color, design, interiors, paint
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William Kennedy, an art loving client and Facebook friend, recently shared his favorite photos of 2008. When I saw this image I was thrilled. You see, I love textiles in general and rugs in particular. When I discuss custom rugs with my clients I am eager to share how the process of rug making works and the design opportunities.  Sharing this photo of the natural dye pigments is an opportunity to show the beginning of the process. 

Necessary of course are  the sheep, llamas and alpacas who add the wool to combine with the dyes for yarn.  The yarns unite the artisan weaver and the designer to create motifs for the myriad designs.  Subtle variations in colors in combination with intricate designs result in richly vivid details. The themes and images deliver a treasured rug to be shared for generations.  

All the dye options you see in the photo are natural. Dyes like those shown in the photo are used by Peruvians to make textiles, belts, ponchos and wall hangings as well as rugs. Central to the heritage and customs of Peru are weaving and everyone weaves in Peru. The designs pass from generation to generation along with the techniques.  Thus rug and textile making is preserved for the future.

William, his wife and two sons, explored South America and this photo was taken in Peru. I asked William and his family to comment about their insights from visiting Peru and seeing the textile process. I hope you will enjoy hearing  their first hand impressions. 

Next, I asked  Brad Andonian, of Pande Cameron in Seattle  to join in as a guest blogger. Brad represents the third generation of family ownership of this highly regarded rug importer. With locations in Seattle and Bellevue, Pande Cameron proudly serves metro Seattle as a leading resource for fine imported rugs.

Tags: Area Rugs, artisans, color, customs, decorating, heritage, interior design, interiors, natural, peru, Textiles, wool
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Recently I spoke to three 30 year olds about purchasing furniture.  One shared that he went to a consignment shop with success for many items.  My daughter needs lots of items from upholstery to wood pieces and wants to be  responsibly green so she searches online for used furniture near her home. After my post on Heath Ceramics, Alek commented and I investigated her blog.  She shared her favorite furniture that she moved from Paris to Seattle. Her proximity to great flea markets in Paris places her in an enviable position.

So where am I going with this post? I want to provide some considerations about purchasing new or used furniture and I hope to receive some comments from readers.

On a personal level as an interior designer, I advocate for furnishings made in the United States and share information with clients about where products originate. The closer the manufacturing source to Seattle, the better to reduce environmental impact.

The percentage of furniture produced and imported into the United States is much greater than most people realize. Confusing this issue is furniture that is ‘finished’ in the United States vs. manufactured. 

To save dollars and reduce environmental impact I encourage a search of auction houses or consignment stores. This is a smart idea for wood furniture and wood framed chairs since you can touch, see and sit.

Used Upholstery Issues

About the evaluation part, upholstery is tricky.  The expensive parts of re-upholstery are the labor and fabric, especially on pieces like sectionals and sofas which use 10 to 20 yards of fabric or more. Here are some questions to ask:

• Is the original  a quality product?
• Are there cracks in the frame; are the cushions ‘dead’?
• How are the springs, or webbing?
• What will replacement fabric and labor cost?

If the outcome of this evaluation results in a nay, there are alternative options.  Contact an interior designer for critical advice about style, suitable fabric, size, and overall construction considerations and order. Or purchase from a local manufacturer. Use a recommended, professional upholsterer to build the frame and upholster a sofa, sectional or chair. There is no long distance shipment. You can also observe the progress and develop a relationship with the upholsterer.

Please share your comments and suggestions. 

Tags: cost to reupholster, decorating, interior design, interiors, investment, new furniture, reupholster, Seattle, used furniture
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Over 40 years ago, Edith Heath founded her company and dedicated herself to the craft of ceramics and the skill of the artisan.  As testimony to her  design sense – many of her pieces live in the permanent collections of museums such as the MOMA in New York City.

Heath  products are made in the Sausalito, CA  factory combining a mechanized process with hand craftsmanship to obtain the highest quality product.

For the fortunate in Los Angeles, Heath opened a store on Beverly Blvd in December, 2008. http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/seeing-things-heath-comes-to-los-angeles/

Tags: artisan, ceramic, collect, design, interiors, LA
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In a previous post I discussed how Fashion Week influences color themes in interiors. Then, I took a walk to shop for produce at Pike’s Market.  Since I live and work in the Pacific Northwest the farmer’s markets with vibrant fruits, vegetables and flowers add bursts of color. They also allow an opportunity to imagine and select colors via a variety of garden gifts.  In the open market purple eggplants combine with golden squash; red peppers with nectarines and peaches.  You get the picture. What a way to learn about pairing colors! I love the bouquets of flowers assembled by the women selling flowers at Pike’s Market.  Each season brings a fresh interpretation to the hues seen in selections for furnishings, fabrics, bedding, carpet, rugs and of course paints. And each season fresh produce offers inspiration.

Recently in STIR magazine for Sherwin Williams, Lauren Makk of the Learning Channel, commented, “When it comes to regional color schemes, colors are driven by three factors: architecture, nature and the people who enrich the culture.”  I love the traditional colors of New England derived from documentary fabrics and historical influences.  When you open an issue of Veranda you see the deep burgundy reds, navy blue, and complementary greens.  Benjamin Moore has a wonderful representation from the Historical Collection to use for projects involving architectural elements of columns, Colonial and Georgian furnishings.

Moving Southeast and on to the Florida Coast, the colors are increasingly vibrant and mingled with the ocean blue, corals, softer greens, tropical oranges and sunshine yellows.  In the South history calls forth richer, deep hues similar to those of New England.  In the center of the United States where all four seasons occur and indoor activities occupy many months, the warm colors invite people to linger and colors literally provide a sense of heat.

The Southwest reflects the historical Hispanic and Native American traditions.  Old World architecture embraces colors of terra cotta, brick red, coppery gold and rich chocolate brown.  Not surprising Southern California pumps up the intensity with limes, rose pinks, and tangerine-orange yellows.

Back in the Pacific Northwest and during and after the vegetable harvest, neutrals form the background for walls and furnishings.  Just like that colorful arrangement of fresh produce bursts of color accent interiors and furnishings.  Warm tans, reds, greens enter inside our homes complementing the abundant green of the landscape. 

Tags: color, culture, design, fruits, garden, interiors, Pike's Market, Seattle, vegetables
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