By Nancy Robinson & Julie M. Smith, Nine Muses Media
08/18/2009
The home furnishings industry celebrates the importance, beauty and unlimited possibilities of home with the launch of National Home Furnishings Month next month. The goal: to help you visualize and explore the possibilities of your dream home, whether it’s a chic pied de terre filled with ultra sophisticated furnishings or a simple country farmhouse that beckons you to slow down and savor the moment. Of course, even the proverbial farmhouse would be incomplete today without the appropriate technology, and there’s plenty of innovative furniture to accommodate that as well.
Calm Yourself
Living with a neutral interior palette is like being enveloped by a cloud. Get the look by blanketing rooms in the softest neutral shades: cream, mocha and, most especially (and perhaps surprisingly), gray. A dash of a neutral metallic accent, such as silver, adds a welcome sparkle…it’s like sunlight peeking through the clouds. Bolier & Co’s interior (featuring Star chest, table and chairs) shows how it’s done. http://www.bolierco.com
Ethnic Inspiration
Far-reaching global influences are no longer far flung. Ethnic-inspired fabrics are turning up all over in American homes. In fact, the organic patterns, vibrant color palettes and handcrafted looks create an aura of sophisticated warmth. What to look for: motifs inspired by traditional African design; susani patterns from Central Asia; ikats and batiks from Indonesia; and handblocked woodprints from India. Kaisai Cloth (shown) is from the Icon Collection, a fall launch by Larry Laslo Designs for Robert Allen. http://www.robertallendesign.com
Modern Country
Modern Country home furnishings offer an updated edge to a style segment that sometimes gets a bad rap. Modern Country is still ageless and exudes a comforting charm. But it takes imperfection—natural finishes, heavily distressed surfaces and reclaimed woods—to new heights. Add rattan, wicker and other natural textures, like you see in this Regina-Andrew Design interior, and the look goes from farmhouse to loft with great ease. http://www.reginaandrew.com
Power Play
Smaller, lighter and better performance are important purchase considerations when buying a new laptop. The same things matter when buying home office furniture. In fact, as laptops become the most popular home computing choice among consumers, so, too, have writing tables and petite desks moved to the fore. Unlike their executive suite predecessors, these modestly scaled workstations don’t take up an entire room. Instead, they slip easily into most interior, as shown here by aspenhome’s Origins laptop desk. Upgrade to the newest model: opt for pullout mouse trays, integrated charging stations and optional hutches. http://www.aspenhome.net
Seeing Black and White
The go-to item in your closet may be the little black (or white, depending on season) dress. In home furnishings, it’s the combination of the two that offers the most impact. It’s twice the look in one great product, and it never goes out of style. Amity Home’s Côte de Rhône bedding ensemble offers an arresting floral interpretation, and look for this decorating duo in window treatments, wallpaper and upholstery fabric.
