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Furniture Trends: Bursting with Shapely, Touchable Style

  • At July 10, 2018
  • By catherineschager
  • In Design Trends
  • 0

Whether your home is a stately lady, a modern sophisticate, or a trendy fashionista, the occasional update to her wardrobe can be just the thing to keep turning heads (including your own). Furniture is a keystone of your home’s apparel. Refurnishing an entire room? Adding one new statement piece? Here’s a look at the 2018 furniture trends igniting current home fashion with excitement:

Jewel Tones and Metallics
Jewel tones are very popular, including “Ultra Violet” Pantone’s dramatic Color of the Year. If you want a furniture piece that pops out in your design, 2018 is a good year to browse. Also popular are earth tones and neutrals. Metallic accents and mixed metals abound as well. They sparkle with the jewel tones or add the perfect touch of contrast to the lighter colors.

Lagerfield Seating from Christopher Guy


Lagerfield Seating from Christopher Guy

Bennetti Leather Metal Frame Chair from Crate and Barrel, Annecy Lamp from Christopher Guy, Jonathan Adler Rider Bench from Neiman Marcus


Bennetti Leather Metal Frame Chair from Crate and Barrel, Annecy Lamp from Christopher Guy, Jonathan Adler Rider Bench from Neiman Marcus

Embrace Those Curves (and every other shape)
Shapely furniture is all the rage with every shape imaginable (and some you might not have imagined).

  • Soft Curves and Rounded Edges
    The strongest trend is toward soft curves and rounded edges that seems to embrace you and wrap around to bring you in more intimate closeness with your seatmates.
    Courbe Settee from Christopher Guy, Lola Sofa from West Elm, Infiniti Curve Back Sofa from Crate and Barrel, Jumelle Seating from Christopher Guy

    Courbe Settee from Christopher Guy, Lola Sofa from West Elm, Infiniti Curve Back Sofa from Crate and Barrel, Jumelle Seating from Christopher Guy

  • Sculptural Silhouettes
    Sculptural furniture is another strong trend this year. Not as soft as the shapes above, but still graceful lines and curves in these distinct beauties.
    Vigne, Lucia Gauche Fan-Back and Josephine from Christopher Guy, Bugatti Home Bu Cobra Chair from Luxury Living Group, Niels Wing Glider from West Elm

    Vigne, Lucia Gauche Fan-Back and Josephine from Christopher Guy, Bugatti Home Bu Cobra Chair from Luxury Living Group, Niels Wing Glider from West Elm

  • Geometric Designs
    You’ll also find geometric designs galore, both in the shape of the furniture piece and in designs applied to or carved in the surface. Hexagons (also called honeycomb) are especially popular this year.
    Hexagon Garden Seat and Caracole Chair-ish Chair from Neiman Marcus, Trussardi Casa Tosco Table from Luxury Living Group


    Hexagon Garden Seat and Caracole Chair-ish Chair from Neiman Marcus, Trussardi Casa Tosco Table from Luxury Living Group

Touchable Textures
Textures from oh-so-touchable soft to coarse and nubby are popular too.

  • Velvet
    Velvet is most popular texture, often with a sheen, especially in the soft, round shapes. (Naturally! If you’re being hugged by your chair it should be as cuddly as possible.) Admit it, you kind of want to pet the top one don’t you? Adding throw pillows and throws with additional textures is on trend too.
    Haute House Varianne Curved Sectional Sofa and Tufted Cuddle Chair from Neiman Marcus, Robey Charcoal Velvet Curved Sofa from CB2


    Haute House Varianne Curved Sectional Sofa and Harper Tufted Cuddle Chair from Neiman Marcus, Robey Charcoal Velvet Curved Sofa from CB2

  • Mixed Feelings
    The first couch in this grouping is a mix of textures – smooth, supple leather seat, slightly nubby upholstery fabric with metal nail head trim, and pillows in a mix of textures that come with the set and all meant to appeal to your sense of touch. The Coronado Seagrass chair mixes rough natural fibers with smooth white teak. Mixed textures add depth and makes your room design pop as well as being a treat to your senses.
    Massoud Ivy Leather Seat Sofa, Spruce Swivel Chair and Old Hickory Tannery Sherwod Sheepskin Settee from Neiman Marcus, Coronado Seagrass Chair from Crate and Barrel


    Massoud Ivy Leather Seat Sofa, Spruce Swivel Chair and Old Hickory Tannery Sherwod Sheepskin Settee from Neiman Marcus, Coronado Seagrass Chair from Crate and Barrel

Au Naturel
Hand in hand with mixed textures, adding natural elements to your furniture is highly popular. Stone, wood, leather, fibers – all add more of that touchable depth we just discussed. They also blend with the popular Wabi Sabi trend, embracing the art of imperfection and respecting natural objects as they are, including asymmetry and roughness. If you go au naturel in 2018 you’ll be right on trend.

Marmo Table from Christopher Guy, Driftwood End Table from Crate and Barrel, Carlton Tufted Leather Ottoman from Neiman Marcus

Marmo Table from Christopher Guy, Driftwood End Table from Crate and Barrel, Carlton Tufted Leather Ottoman from Neiman Marcus

The Party’s Back Here!
Surprise detailed chair backs are quite popular too. Blogger and staging expert ‘The Decorologist’ creatively termed the trend “party-in-the-back” and you can see why.

Heritage Collection Annabelle Armchair from Luxury Living, Haute House Peacock Chair and Massoud Tahoe Accent Chair from Neiman Marcus, Roar + Rabbit Leather Swivel Chair from West Elm

Heritage Collection Annabelle Armchair from Luxury Living, Haute House Peacock Chair and Massoud Tahoe Accent Chair from Neiman Marcus, Roar + Rabbit Leather Swivel Chair from West Elm

A Touch of Glam
Whatever shape and texture your furniture, glam lighting is the “IN” accent. And just look at the geometric shapes, metallic accents, and natural accents to choose from! If you’re looking to add just a bit of the latest trends, you can likely find a lamp to fit your current room design.

Table Lamp Collection from West Elm, Ritz Paris Home Collection Bubbles Table Lamp from Luxury Living Group


Table Lamp Collection from West Elm, Ritz Paris Home Collection Bubbles Table Lamp from Luxury Living Group

A Smidgen of Spice
Let your inner eccentric play a little with a quirky accent or two and you’ll be right on trend.

Friendly Cats Salt and Pepper Shaker from West Elm, Filigree Lucanus Wall Lamp from Boco Do Lobo, Papier-Mâché Teardrop Sculpture from West Elm

Friendly Cats Salt and Pepper Shaker from West Elm, Filigree Lucanus Wall Lamp from Boco Do Lobo, Papier-Mâché Teardrop Sculpture from West Elm

Just remember the most important rule in furniture selection – comfort! Make sure you and your family will enjoy using the pieces you select above all style considerations. Check out our pinterest board for more examples of the current trends in furniture.

2018 Styles and Trends in Countertops and Accessories

  • At June 15, 2018
  • By catherineschager
  • In Design Trends
  • 0

Let’s talk countertops. Whether your kitchen is small and cozy or large enough to entertain a crowd and equipped enough make Emeril jealous, your countertops are center stage. They take up a lot of real estate and there’s no hiding them away in the cupboard when company comes, so your best bet is to make sure you love them. Here’s the fabulous news: if you prefer a sedate look, a well-chosen countertop style can blend quietly into your overall design; but if you’re looking for a design statement piece, nothing adds personality and pizzazz to a kitchen (or bathroom) like countertops! Of course, nothing gets as much wear and tear either, from food prep to entertaining to homework (need we mention science projects?) so homeowners often wisely choose a gorgeous workhorse, like granite or quartz. Read on for a quick rundown of the newest trends and styles we’re seeing in 2018.

Delightful Contemporary Update Countertop

Materials
While are many wonderful materials to choose from, some are more work than others. Marble and wood tend to stain and are more easily damaged. Soapstone is durable but has little variety. This keeps people coming back to our previously mentioned workhorses, granite and quartz. Both are excellent choices. Granite used to be the reigning champ because it can often be found in jumbo-sized slabs and can be found in many unique designs.

Recently, quartz has taken the lead. Advancements have produced new, jumbo slabs that have closed the size gap. Dozens of color, style, and design options are now available. Quartz countertops can look like marble, granite, or even wood or concrete. Quartz is easy to clean and maintain and it’s nearly as indestructible as granite. (Granite still takes the hottest temps better.) Quartz is non-porous, so it won’t soak up any sloshed morning java or the red wine you sip while making dinner. Since quartz is engineered, the patterns are consistent, a plus for some tastes. (Others prefer the imperfections and uniqueness of granite.) Lastly, quartz is easier to keep germ-free. All those lovely pores and imperfections in granite not only soak up stains, they can also harbor germs, requiring harsher cleaning agents. There’s no place for germs to burrow and grow inside quartz. (Did you know bacteria can double in number every 20 minutes? All it takes is one germy cell phone on the counter…)

Textures
Polished finishes are still the most popular, but textures like matte are gaining attention. For example, Silestone offers polished, suede, and volcano finishes (below). All are non-porous and smooth to the touch, but the textures can add character and help hide flaws and scratches.

Silestone textures (polished, suede, volcano)

Silestone textures (polished, suede, volcano)

Caesarstone US is on top of the rising “urban industrial” kitchen design trend with a line of rugged concrete look quartz options that simulate a weathered patina.

Caesarstone Metropolitan Collection

Caesarstone Metropolitan Collection

Colors
2018 said goodbye to bright colored countertops and welcomed in a neutral color trend. Grays, beiges and white are popular in a variety of more soothing patterns and natural stone looks. Here are a few neutral bathroom countertops our own clients have chosen with beautiful results.

LCO Misterio from Vicostone; Vista Blanco from Marble Emporius; Travertine look-alike quartz

LCO Misterio from Vicostone; Vista Blanco from Marble Emporius; Travertine look-alike quartz

Cambria USA has dozens of neutral quartz designs in their lineup, like these stunning examples:

Cambria Brittanicca Gold
Cambria Brittanicca Gold
Cambria Brittanicca Warm
Cambria Brittanicca Warm
Cambria Delgatie
Cambria Delgatie

Cambria Highgate
Cambria Highgate
Cambria Ironsbridge
Cambria Ironsbridge

Sinks
Composite sinks are gaining popularity in the kitchen and stone vessel sinks are being seen more and more in bathrooms. Aren’t these options from Stone Forest just lovely?

Stone Forest Carrara Milano Vessel sink
Stone Forest Carrara Milano Vessel sink
Stone Forest Onyx Wabi Vessel Sink
Stone Forest Onyx Wabi Vessel Sink
Stone Forest Onyx Wabi Vessel Sink
Stone Forest Onyx Wabi Vessel Sink

Faucets
Nickel and chrome finished faucets are still common choices, but brass finish is another growing trend. Whichever finish is chosen, faucet styles are trending toward either modern and streamlined or industrial and utilitarian, like the beautiful examples below.

Henry Faucet by Waterworks in Brass; NYC Apt of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen (Zillow listing)

Henry faucet by Waterworks in brass; NYC Apt of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen (Zillow listing)

Yaquina cross handle faucet from Rejuvenation  in brass finish

Yaquina cross handle faucet from Rejuvenation in brass finish

Tolson faucet from Rejuvenation in brass finish

Tolson faucet from Rejuvenation in brass finish

See more images from these current trends on our pinterest board. What do you think about the trends toward neutral, natural, modern and industrial?

Technology Meets Beauty in Motorized Window Treatments

  • At May 29, 2018
  • By catherineschager
  • In Design Trends, Great Interior Design Products
  • 2

What could be better than a gorgeous window treatment that works at the touch of a button? Or even integrates with your home assistant? In the early days of motorized window treatments, the options and styles were somewhat limited but today the limits are few. You can choose from many types of window treatments and the style choices are really blossoming as well!

Lutron Product Photography

They are so lovely and the technology so convenient that we asked Jarmila Singer of Sound Living to share her expertise in the field with us.

Can any window treatments be motorized?

Mostly, the category is roller shades, roman shades, tensioned shades (skylight) and draperies. There are also motorized wooden blinds and horizontal sheer shades.

Motorized Window Treatments Roller Shades
Motorized Window Treatments Drapes
Motorized Window Treatments Roman Shades5

Is there a weight maximum?

This varies depending upon the category. For draperies, it’s about 185 pounds. For shades, the restriction is not only weight but also roll diameter due to the thickness of the fabric. So, height is a restriction that is part of this equation.

How are they powered and how do they operate?

Power can be low voltage or line voltage. Sound Living only provides low voltage shades. The third category for power is actually battery-operated shades and they are quite popular!

Serena by Lutron battery housing
Serena by Lutron battery housing
Lutron Wall Station
Lutron Wall Station
Lutron remote control
Lutron remote control

Do they integrate with smart phones and tablets?

Yes

Are they noisy?

No! That’s the best feature of low voltage motors.

Are there other special features we should know about?

Yes, the Lutron shade motor provides IHA which is Intelligent Hembar Alignment. Basically this means that Lutron shades in the same room will move in perfect unison. Lutron is the only manufacturer that offers this important feature.

Why should clients be interested in motorized windows treatments?

Motorized window treatments provide convenience, luxury, solar protection, and privacy.

  • Convenience – control a large group of windows with one button, control all the shades in the home with one button, control hard to reach shades
  • Solar protection – art, furnishings, flooring
  • Room temperature control – especially for south and west exposures
  • Privacy – dressing, sleeping, TV viewing
Motorized Window Treatments Roman Shades3
Motorized Window Treatments Roman Shades4
Motorized Window Treatments Roman Shades

What makes Sound Living the best company to install motorized window treatments?

Sound Living provides the technical shade solution, the aesthetic shade solution, and complete installation and training of the client. All three aspects are critical to a successful project. Our hands-on process of working with the interior designer and home owner is what sets us apart. We view the aesthetic shade solution (fabric selection) as the most important part of the process.

How long has Sound Living been in business and what qualifications/certifications do you have?

Sound Living has been in business for 16 years and we are certified Lutron dealers for 12 years. We are also a certified dealer of motorized window treatments with Hartmann & Forbes and Conrad, utilizing Lutron motors.

Do the motors and other hardware come with a warranty or customer support?

Sound Living provides a 1-year warranty on labor and Lutron provides an 8-year warranty on its materials.

How would clients contact your company?

Please call us in our Highland Park office at 847.926.7034.

Sound Living is a boutique consultancy in Highland Park specializing in high-end residential technology. They carry Lutron motorized shades as well as lighting control systems and other home automation solutions. Jarmila Singer is the Vice President and co-owner with Gary Singer. She has worked with motorized window treatments for 12 of her 14 years with the company. She and the rest of the staff at Sound Living have invaluable experience in the field.

Thanks Jarmila! If you want to see more options in motorized window treatments, check out our pinterest board. Click on the youtube videos embedded below to see an overview of the Serena and Sivoia lines by Lutron.

Serena by Lutron

Sivoia by Lutron

Spa Retreat Master Bath

  • At May 14, 2018
  • By catherineschager
  • In Kitchen and Bath Design
  • 0

This was an unexpected update for my clients. They discovered they had a mold issue and had to rip down several walls. The client called me in a panic asking if I thought it made sense to just close it back up and keep it the way it was and then re-do down the line or remodel now. I suggested remodeling now instead of essentially doing it twice. We worked with mostly in-stock materials, although the splurges were the tub and the custom shower doors. We utilized the Siteline cabinetry line that I offer to keep costs down but still have great quality. The clients are thrilled with the outcome.

Spa Retreat Master Bath Blog

Check out our Spa Retreat Master Bath project on Houzz for more images and details on materials used.

Skip the Rules and Design a Bedroom for Better Sleep

  • At March 27, 2018
  • By catherineschager
  • In Tips and Advice
  • 2

Last week we talked about the importance of unplugging in this hectic world and brought you some of the best new freestanding tubs available for a good, hot soak. An even more important factor in your health and happiness is a good night’s sleep. Have you ever watch your pets plop down in a slice of sunshine, twist in some crazy contortion, and fall blissfully asleep as if that were most comfortable spot on earth? Ah, it be wonderful if truly restful sleep were that easy for us!

Sleeping cat sun

Restorative sleep (or any sleep at all) is a bit harder for us mere humans. Bedroom design can play an important role in achieving those essential hours of shut-eye. Read on for a guest article from the experts at Tuck Sleep with tips on designing your bedroom for a better sleep:

Skip the Rules and Design a Bedroom for Better Sleep

Design rules are there to enhance the look and appeal of a room, but sometimes they can get in the way of the room’s purpose. The bedroom needs to be your sleep sanctuary so you can get the full seven to eight hours of sleep you need to function at your best. It should be inviting, comfortable, and restful. With those design qualities in mind, you can incorporate elements that speak to your personal tastes and create your bedroom getaway.

Bring Nature Indoors

The color green has long been associated with a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Nowhere else do you see that more than in nature. Bringing natural elements into your bedroom can help it feel connected with the outdoors, but it’s free of bugs, rain, and more irritating natural occurrences. You don’t need to paint the room green, but use the color through plants or accessories.

Lavender and Jasmine

Houseplants like lavender and jasmine both give off scents known to cause a sense of relaxation. If you’re looking to improve the air quality in your bedroom, the snake plant releases oxygen at night when you need it most.

Live plants aren’t necessary to bring nature into your home. Raw wood planks on a wall, a tree stump transformed into a nightstand, or even photos of nature are enough to evoke calm in the mind and body. Incorporating these elements into your design can bring the sense of Zen you need to release stress after a long day.

Use Lighting Carefully

Light plays a pivotal role in the quality of your sleep. In fact, the body’s sleep-wake cycle is largely determined by exposure to sunlight. To keep your body’s natural cycles functioning correctly, you need to keep your bedroom dark at night. Blackout curtains or heavy drapes with blinds might be necessary to thwart light pollution or a bright moon, from disturbing your sleep.

Incandescent Bulbs Hanging

Light bulbs can impact your sleep as well. High-efficiency LED lights with their blue lights are similar enough to daylight to trick the brain into thinking it’s time to be awake. Keep these bulbs out of the bedroom and put them somewhere like an office or study area where daytime activities take place. Instead, opt for traditional incandescent bulbs that don’t affect your sleep. The light from a television or smartphone can have a similar effect on the brain. If at all possible, leave screens out of the bedroom.

Decorate for Comfort

Bedroom decor should be functional and attractive. Your body temperature changes during sleep. It drops as you enter the deep levels of REM sleep and rises towards morning when it’s time to wake up. Not only should you turn the temperature down at night, but try to use a bedspread that’s appropriate for the season.

Bedding Pillows White

Your bed, whether a fancy canopy bed or an air mattress, should be inviting and cozy. You can also add textiles to create the atmosphere you want. Rugs, plush throws, and pillows add warmth to the room while also absorbing sound. Keeping those echoes down makes the room feel more inviting and intimate and also prevents premature waking.

Tuck Sleep Logo small
Tuck Sleep is a community devoted to improving sleep hygiene, health and wellness through the creation and dissemination of comprehensive, unbiased, free web-based resources. Visit their website or facebook page for more information.

Our special thanks to our friends at Tuck Sleep for these great tips. Sweet dreams everyone!

Sleeping Child
images from pixabay.com

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