Norwalk The Furniture Idea
INTERIORS
Living by Design
With so many homes on the market and so much competition for every sale, the design of a home’s interior space is more important than ever. Colors, furnishings and accessories can either inspire a buyer—or not.
"Interior design, without a doubt, makes a difference in the perceived value of a home and how well it sells," says Donna Kuldau of Norwalk The Furniture Idea. "The idea is to make a home feel as natural and comfortable as possible."
Indeed, whether the goal is putting a home on the market or not, comfort and substance are what homeowners tend to fall back on when selecting furnishings and accessories for their living spaces.
And even though popular design styles run the gamut from vintage to contemporary and everything in between, designers are still relying on classic elements to soften the mood and combine the variety of elements.
According to designer Rita Scholz of Amelia Interior Design, interiors remembered from a more stable environment become very important when the economy is tight.
"A sense of tradition tends to tie today’s mix of styles together, giving people the option of modernizing their homes without necessarily sacrificing the furnishings they already own, " Scholz notes.
We asked a panel of three top designers in Northeast Florida—Kuldau, Scholz and Glenda Wann of Glenda Wann Interiors—to share their predictions of what to look for during the coming year and to reveal what inspires their best work.
Here’s what our panelists, all allied members of the Florida North chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), had to say:
What are some interior design trends that you predict for the upcoming year?
Scholz:
Green design is becoming stronger among state-licensed interior designers, who are required to take 20 continuing-education hours every two years.I’ve noticed many choosing to take classes such as "Green Design: Sustainability in Design and Environmental Issues," which discuss solutions for incorporating green practices into the market.
The October design market in High Point, N.C., had a lot of environmentally-friendly furniture and accessories on display, indicating that these products are becoming more commonly available. Look for the prices of these materials to become more competitive as they catch on.
Wann:
The market seems to be moving in a more contemporary direction, but styles continue to be varied. Retro, Art Nouveau and Scandinavian designs have all made reappearances.In flooring choices, a preference for tile is still strong. There are many options, from terrazzo and travertine to tiles from Europe.
I’m also glad to see lighting getting the attention it deserves from designers and homeowners. When used properly, lamps and lighting add a lot of sparkle and reflection to any design palette.
Kuldau:
I agree that there’s a huge movement in the furniture industry towards green.In materials, renewable resources such as bamboo and fast-growing, exotic woods are strong, as well as soy-based materials for things like cushions that traditionally have been made of petroleum-based materials. These are better for the environment, last longer and aren’t flammable.
The green technology alternatives in design are still a bit more expensive, but at some point prices will begin to come down. There are plenty of ways, however, that you can get green design in your home and not break the bank.
One other noticeable trend is what I call the "luxe" movement. Glamour is really hot right now and is being seen in polished velvet fabrics with lots of sheen, satins, metallic threads and metallic leathers. I’ve even seen patent leather chairs with silver nailheads—a truly fashion-drive item.
Everything in interiors has been understated for a while, and people desire a return to a dressier and more glitzy feel.
What are the latest popular colors in the design market, and is there a new color or colors emerging in 2008?
Scholz:
Because of the continued interest in green design, colors are more reflective of nature. But there’s also a marked use of strong colors to create an element of contrast in designs.Earthy tones, shown in browns, greens, grays and oysters, are hot colors in new products. I’ve also noticed that the glitz of metallic is being woven into fabrics and used as trimmings.
In the counter movement of warm color ranges, orangey reds, pinkish reds and rust are being used in combination with saturated teal shades.
Wann:
Based on fabrics and wall coverings that are being showcased in new collections and at design markets, chocolate brown and mocha are being paired with plentiful spa blue or acid-green accents. This is a different variation of the brown/blue pairing that we’ve been seeing for the last couple of years.For those who prefer primary shades, coral reds, terra cotta and black-and-white graphics are also in high demand.
Kuldau:
Black-and-white is really, really hot, and we’re seeing a lot of patterns like damask, houndstooth and graphics in materials.Shades of green are continuing to be popular, following the trend of returning to nature. People are very interested in bringing the outdoors into their homes.
Brown is also a hot color, and has become the new neutral. You typically see it paired with such accent colors as teal or even various shades of orange.
People are using other neutrals in their home as well, but usually with a lot of texture—different weaves and materials—and always paired with a stronger accent color.
How about the hot accessories— and do you have a favorite?
Scholz:
The latest accessories that have drawn a lot of attention are reflective, opulent and draw on the bygone days of Hollywood.Chandeliers, crystal and even candled wall sconces—people are really enjoying dressing up their homes with glitz and with lots of reflection to bring in brightness and light.
The use of organic accessories is also increasing. One of my favorites is wooden bowls or stools, called wabi-sabi, that are displayed like pieces of art. These are designed to showcase beauty within their natural imperfections.
Nature-based accessories such as these go hand-in-hand with the popularity of green design.
Wann:
Contemporary accessories are very hot right now. Clear art glass sculpture brings light and smoothness to a room, while vibrant colored glass sculptures are warming up neutral and earth-toned walls.Designers are showing large-scale vases in metallic finishes such as bronze, nickel, copper and gold-glazed porcelain.
Kuldau:
My absolute favorite accessories are lamps. I tell my clients that a lamp is like jewelry for your home, and the days of having basic lamps in a house are over.There are a huge variety of lamps available, and many are being designed by very creative artists using mirrored glass, simple crystals, interesting colorations and whimsical embellishments. You can really make a statement in a home with how you use lamps.
Another interesting trend in accessories is the Asian feng shui influence. I’ve seen statues, candles and fragrances used in a way that show people are truly making their home a haven.
Are there any unusual design challenges in today’s new homes?
Scholz:
One of the most difficult arrangements to work with is a room with few square feet and very high ceilings. The height space in the room demands large-scale furniture, but there’s simply not enough room on the floor to allow this.So, we’ve dealt with this problem by creating an optical illusion. For example, using a sofa and chairs with thicker-than-normal cushioning and high backs gives the impression of a larger scale.
Height in a room also provides an opportunity for large, colorful and textured wall hangings, which helps the room not feel so disproportionate.
Wann:
The extremely high ceilings in new construction can make most furniture look like it belongs in a dollhouse.To counterbalance this, we use sofas and chairs with high backs and add architectural detailing to the walls. It’s important to bring the rooms down to a human scale.
Another challenge is fitting newer TVs into existing bookcases or armoires. I’ve been called in to perform re-dos on furniture for several clients. There are a lot of new furniture designs on the market to accommodate flat-screen plasma models.
Kuldau:
The most unusual design challenge today can be summed up in two letters—TV.Televisions, especially the prevalent flat-screen models, are hugely important in people’s lives. And the newer, bigger ones don’t work with standard built-in or wall entertainment centers. We have had a lot more requests lately for custom-designed furniture to accommodate flat-screen TVs.
I’ve also had to get creative in room arranging when there are multiple focal points. For example, many homeowners want the furniture to face the TV, but they might also have a fireplace and a large window with a golf course view.
Swivel furniture has become more popular for this reason, and I often float furniture in a room so it’s not always against the walls.
Taking into consideration the challenging real estate market of today, how big an influence does interior design have on the sale of a home?
Scholz:
Homeowners want to buy pieces and accessories that make them feel good, but they can also be overwhelmed by the wide mix of design styles available. Traditional elements are always popular because they tie everything together.And since the purchase of homes has reached a competitive stage, people know that they need to consider resale impact when the design is being planned.
Obviously, the more professional these interiors are functionally and aesthetically, the better they’ll be able to compete in today’s real estate market.
Wann:
Homeowners have been catching on to what builders have known for years—attractively furnished models sell homes. We’ve been seeing more and more home staging as the housing market has become more competitive.Simply put, whether it is a new home or a resale, it’s important to clear out the clutter and present a home in its best light.
Kuldau:
If the interior design of a home is well done, it can absolutely help with home sales. Conversely, if it’s poorly done, it can have a negative effect.When we stage a home for a sale or decorate a model, we always try to make it seem as spacious and well-lit as possible. And we stick with basic colors with appealing accents. I just decorated a model home in black-and-white with an accent of apple green.
The object if you want to sell a home is to make the house feel completely natural, like you could move in and feel comfortable right away.