Behind The Design

How both Mars and Venus can love a room

2007-01-16T15:22:00.000-06:00

The Country Bar (#107-05-SAND) from the Maison Provence collection by French Heritage has beautiful, feminine curves and a charming finish, along with masculine proportions. It also provides a clever disguise for a very functional bar interior.

Will men ever appreciate the function of a toss pillow? Will women understand the appeal of a chair with built-in cup holders? Can we all just get along?

There was a time when design decisions were "woman’s work." No more! I’m finding that when my design client is a couple, the man has just as much to say about style as his partner. What changed? Women are now an integral part of the workplace and men are discovering their sensitive side. Couples are inspired by watching HGTV together. Time is at a premium for both and that makes sharing the design decisions highly desirable.

Vanguard’s V298-S sofa has two toned java and chocolate brown leather for that manly look, while the curved English arm and rolled camel back provide feminine appeal. Detailed with brass nailheads, it’s manly, yes, but she’ll like it too.

As a designer, one of my biggest challenges is acting as counselor and negotiator between the male and female of the household. The difficulty is classic Mars vs. Venus. Men are driven by function and practicality. Women are driven by emotional reaction and beauty.

Most men look at furniture and think, "What does it do?" Women, on the other hand, want the room to feel good. Understanding the priorities of each will help you help them create the perfect space.

From a design standpoint, masculine is interpreted as large scale, straight lines, bold structure and materials with inherent interest, such as wood graining or an exotic place of origin. Feminine is recognizable by curved lines, delicate proportions, embellished detailing and touchy-feely fabrics. Both want high quality and good value, but each weighs the importance differently.

Paulette and Perceval are companion tables from Italmond that demonstrate how a piece can be adapted for a masculine or feminine character. The galaxy granite top and antique gold leaf finish are gender neutral, so we can rely on the base for definition.

The most successful solutions find common ground, with a touch of compromise. Furniture and rooms with favorite elements for each individual will satisfy both. One key to success is careful attention to the scale of the furniture. His bold leather sofa does not go next to her delicate tea table.

Another approach is to place her favorite robin’s-egg blue washed finish on his Chippendale secretary, resulting in a gender-neutral piece. Take a look at the typical hot buttons for each sex, then add your client’s personal preferences and you have a mix-and-match list for building their personal look.

Hot buttons for men
Function
Clean, straight lines
Leather and firm fabrics
Bold patterns or solids
High quality
Easy access
Details inherrent in material

Hot buttons for women
Beauty
Romantic, curved lines
Silk and touchable fabrics
Delicate patterns and sheen
Good value
Hidden function
Embellished applied details

Juxtaposition of masculine and feminine features will bring a room into balance and creates a wonderful relationship, for both the room and the people living in it. With a little give and take, everyone can live happily ever after.

The era of smart furniture dawns

2006-12-21T15:22:00.000-06:00

Today's consumer wants everything in the home to make life more convenient, so it's not enough for furniture simply to sit there and look pretty.

Our furniture needs to be smart.

In the early 1990s, the National Homebuilders Assn. sponsored Smart House technology and its application to new homes. The "Smart" movement encourages linking information between the environment, home systems and people in order to respond to and even anticipate our needs. Computer technology, which constantly gets better, is obviously a key element here.

The auto industry has been a leader, with cruise control, global positioning systems and memory seat settings now common options. Lexus has just introduced a car that will parallel park itself. That may not be the most demanding task we face, but this surely rates high on the scale of cool.

When we don't have time to take care of ourselves, wouldn't it be nice to have your bathtub take care of you? A store near me demonstrates tubs and showers that work with the touch of a button. The UltraBain tub will fill itself to the proper level with the desired water temperature, remember your preferred wave action for massage and emit the proper light for chromatherapy. Once you've achieved total serenity, just towel off while the tub blows itself dry. That’s pretty cool too!

We are beginning to see home entertainment furniture that incorporates technology. For instance, Ferguson Copeland is offering its Electronic Infrared System that can operate eight electronic devices from one universal remote. The cabinet doors can remain closed — no clutter in sight! — while you focus on that big screen.

Entertainment provides hours of at-home escape, and now a chair from Empower Technologies offers total immersion. It's the first chair to integrate iPod docking, surround sound, and DVD, music and video game systems. No wonder the chair won the Consumer Electronics Assn.'s 2007 Innovations Award

Furniture that supports our technology is convenient and makes sense. The Taos end table by Peters-Revington has a built-in charging station to accommodate your iPod, Blackberry and cell phone, storing them for care-free take-off in the morning without a tangle of wires.

How smart can our furniture become? Wouldn't it be wonderful if your favorite lounge chair sensed your coming home and molded itself to caress your body? Of greater significance, what if a bed could monitor the temperature and breathing of our children and elderly?

Now's the time for furniture designers and marketers to start brainstorming ... and get smart.

Adding that special touch of glamour

2006-12-21T15:35:00.000-06:00

Whether inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood or the lifestyles of the rich and famous, there is a popular movement towards adding glamour to everyday life. Forget the "latte factor," with financial gurus encouraging us to save our daily coffee allowance in order to add $1,000 a year to our savings account. The mentality now is that it's well worth $1,000 to feel special every single day of the year.

This philosophy is being embraced by the furniture and design communities. You can't open a shelter magazine or turn a corner at the High Point Market without seeing a touch of glamour. We no longer have to live vicariously through TV coverage of celebrity homes. Glamorous touches are now within reach and can be mixed and matched to add charm and elegance to all of our customer's current décor.

Glamour is not about price. It's about feeling important and unique. Exquisite details like the following will satisfy our customers craving for the extraordinary:

Touch me fabrics and textures are highly desirable. Buttery soft leathers and plush, deep-pile velvets involve the senses and give physical comfort which says, "I'm worth it!”
Luster and a shimmer of light that catches the eye is a nice surprise. Mirrored furniture, precious metal inserts, iridescent fibers and exaggerated jewelry embellishments cause us to stop and appreciate the beauty.
Personalization with engraved or embroidered initials will transform a pretty piece into a valued family heirloom. Such custom touches guarantee exclusivity.
Fine furniture with classic appeal will be appreciated and cherished over the years. Donald Trump says, "No matter how rich you are, no one wants to waste a million dollars."

But people will invest in their future family legend.

The human touch in a design makes it clear the creator loved the process. Hand carvings in wood, meticulously matched grain, dressmaker details and embroidered patterns contribute to the overall enchantment of a piece.It's all about the unexpected fine points which add elegance to a room. The perfectly glamorous life may be just a fantasy for most of us, but it's so much fun to add an occasional touch that will allow us to dream!

As a designer, I’ve been asked for Meg Ryan's "You...

2006-09-19T09:42:00.000-05:00

As a designer, I’ve been asked for Meg Ryan's "You’ve Got Mail" lace curtains, Diane Lane's "Under the Tuscan Sun" dining table and Diane Keaton's "Something’s Gotta Give" Hamptons beach house. It's obvious we relate to the movies. We laugh, we cry and we see most of life's dilemmas solved in 120 minutes or less. No wonder we're charmed by movie sets. What better scenery for our own personal journey? We can dream of living happily ever after in that "Down With Love" mechanical sofa that turns into a bed.

Diane Keaton's character Erica from "Something’s Gotta Give" would be right at home on this Tulane Settee S882-ST from Kravet’s Smartline collection. Pale upholstery with just a hint of blue trim is a perfect way to create a Hamptons beach house effect.

The first film to affect style dramatically during my design career was the first "Home Alone" movie, which exposed audiences to the entire home's traditional interior. This was always a popular style. Then, almost overnight, it was jewel tones and Queen Anne legs for everyone! Often, designers of movie sets bring cutting-edge furnishings to the masses. The exposure reinforces a budding trend and can help it really take hold. It's no coincidence the craze for Tuscan interiors corresponds with the popularity of “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Even in the knock-down, drag-out fight scene in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," we were treated to the most sophisticated silk upholstery in the background. Yes, we’re all familiar with today's modern furniture, but here we saw it combined beautifully in a traditional, very livable home (at least until it was blown up!).

Drexel Heritage's "Under the Tuscan Sun" line was inspired by author Francis Mayes' book and the movie of the same name. The Tavola table 111-669 provides the perfect spot for family and friends to gather and celebrate life.

Already I am seeing an increased interest in South Beach style, beautifully illustrated by the modern, white oceanfront home in "Miami Vice." And although the two "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies are pure fantasy, they clearly play into the 2007 trend forecast for furniture, which sees the Spanish influence becoming more desirable.

Fremarc's Barcelona Collection neatly captures the Spanish influence associated with "Pirates of the Caribbean." The 14301 chair would be at home in your personal captain's quarters.

The "Miami Vice" movie is exposing South Beach style to the entire country. The My Pod 490 chair from Carter is a fashion-forward statement that Paris Hilton — yes, that Paris Hilton! — selected for her new Florida nightclub.

Combine our admiration of chic movie interiors and the psychological connections we all have with our homes, and it's the perfect opportunity for retailers and designers to show consumers how furniture can enhance their personal style. Setting the stage in your showroom with props, ticket stubs and movie posters will help shoppers identify and relate to the most timely movie fashions.

Imagine using the latest blockbuster movie to predict — and profit from — the next design and furniture trend! While you contemplate that possibility, it's time for me to pull out the newspaper’s movie section, put my feet up on my "Must Love Dogs" ottoman and check out the new releases!

Building on the intrigue of exotic places

2006-08-23T14:12:00.000-05:00

World travel is having a significant influence on home design trends. Vacations are becoming more sophisticated, revolving around heritage, culture and history. Travelers are following in the footsteps of their ancestors or exploring exotic locations for a distinctive experience.

Excursions to distant lands reveal captivating architecture, furnishings and materials. When there is no opportunity to travel, escape fantasies are fueled by Internet connections. This exposure to a multicultural world is inspiring the consumer to be bold and try something new at home.

Western European design influences have been evident for years, and re-creating the mood of an English estate or a French country retreat remains popular. In addition to these fashion statements, we can look to emerging travel hot spots for new design ideas.

The American Society of Travel Agents says Italy surpassed Mexico last year as the most popular international travel destination. This is sure to rekindle interest in styles from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods. Customers will be shopping for the feel of architectural grandeur seen in palazzos de aristocrazia. This translates into large-scale furniture that features three-dimensional carvings and frescoed finishes. One of these pieces instantly becomes the focal point of any room.

Spain is becoming the new Tuscany for travel. Separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees Mountains, Spanish and Portuguese style was heavily influenced by Moroccan and East Indian cultures. Today’s furniture features the complicated, geometricalshaped carvings of historic wood panels. The heavy proportions have more appeal when embellished with characteristic ironwork. This style brings even the most expansive space into livable scale.

In 2008, the Olympics will be held in Beijing. This is sure to reawaken interest in Oriental décor, which has been dormant for the past decade. This time around, don’t look for lacquered finishes. The appeal will be in a more primitive form featuring hand painting that replicates ancient artistry. Mandarin red and intricate latticework are features that make these pieces the perfect accent to a room.

With growing global awareness, consumers are interested in styles influenced by eccentric destinations. Exotic woods from Africa in organic forms will become popular as primitive accents in the home. Scandinavian-inspired furniture strikes the perfect balance between modern and traditional interiors for a clean, fresh look. Japan is contributing a serene simplicity with its linear, low-profile furniture.

Acknowledging the country of origin and informing the consumer is a sure way for a store to add value to its merchandise. Furniture vignettes can provide a mini escape, with well-placed maps and guidebooks that encourage conversation and create involvement. What better way to intrigue — and capture — your customers?

Your store can ride the next hot color wave

2006-08-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

Color is the No. 1 way to attract your customer’s attention. The ability to recognize and display the next hot color trend can mean big business. Fortunately, research by key players in the color game is available to guide us.

Pantone, a global authority on color, issues forecasts for the home furnishing industry. Lisa Herbert, executive vice president, says a consortium of designers from around the world meet in Europe twice a year to share observations. “We absorb like a sponge, using their collective knowledge,” she said. “The resulting Pantone forecast is rich in diversity.”

The paint industry also prepares annual reports on color. This year, the Sherwin-Williams palette tells a cultural story. Their 2007 forecast seeks to reconcile our high-tech present with the allure of our handcrafted past.

After studying numerous color reports, I’ve grouped the most frequently recurring colors into a 2007 Color Key with four categories. Note that it’s not always a particular color, but the mood it achieves, that creates a recognizable trend.

Green and Grounded

2006-08-04T11:24:00.000-05:00

The acceptance of sustainable design is behind this grouping. Natural and recycled materials often result in an earthy mix of comfort colors that will wrap you up like a cashmere blanket.

Urban Sophisticates

2006-08-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

A sea of white accented with a single color suggests chic formality and is driven by big-city dwellers. Often this palette includes metallic or luminescent finishes for added dimension.

Serenity Now

2006-08-04T11:27:00.000-05:00

An understated, elegant spectrum of colors suggests a calmer pace. Spirituality and personal pampering inspire this palette. Flow is critical, with no jarring contrasts to disturb the peace.

Global Escapes

2006-08-04T11:18:00.000-05:00

Travel to distant lands is revealing exotic textiles in saturated, clean colors. Exposure to a multicultural world inspires us to be bold and take color risks.

Products are already available in tabletop, accessories and textiles that will provide some of the ingredients for color-based retail displays. Blending the new color trends with existing display furniture is easy if you remember a few simple guidelines:

Introduce the most daring trend colors with paint as a backdrop for your merchandise. It’s a good value and easy to change when new trends surface.
Large, long-term displays can be done in neutrals that will compliment the trends. When showing a stain finish, specify complimentary undertones. This year, that’s going to be a darker, browned-out stain.
When ordering furniture, be sure to include colors that are on trend. You need to make a commitment in order to make an impression. Remember that a trend is not a fad. A trend has a shelf life of three to five years. It’s worth the investment.

Retailers are perfectly positioned to inform the consumer of the latest colors. Highlighting a trend, even if only in a vignette at the front of the store, attracts attention. Show customers that you can supply what they need to bring the new colors home.

From couture runways to retailers' floors

2006-06-26T12:29:00.000-05:00

“The details are not the details. They make the design”
-- Charles Eames

In fashion, it’s the details that take a classic silhouette from good to great. We absorb the finer points, even when we are not aware of it. Our brain quickly calculates the value added by every additional tuck of fabric or jeweled embellishment. We see luxury, innovation, and exclusivity then decide we are worth it!

Fashion in furniture and clothing has never been so interrelated. Trends that used to filter into our industry over the course of years are now being translated within months. The most current contributing factors to furniture design are being picked up from the couture design houses.

When asked where his company is looking for design inspiration, Bob Maricich, President & CEO of Century Furniture, noted that handbag design is going to be a key influence. I think we can safely generalize to include all accessories. Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik are now household names.

This season Chanel ties it all together with bows and ribbons on everything from headbands to handbags. Kravet Furniture hits the trends with tufting, pleats and bow ties on their Ariel Headboard and Rye chair.

Shell charms, corals and inlays fresh from the sea are popular for necklaces, rings and even dangling from shoes. These nuggets are used in polished or natural form. Currey & Company connects us by encrusting a chandelier with seashells, while multiple pieces from Maitland-Smith have a distinctive flair from rich hued shell inlay.

Exotic skins like Crocodile, Lizard and Python, real or embossed in leather, are accenting the hottest runway handbags and heels. The Safari Collection from Laneventure has captured the mood perfectly with the Raymond Waites sofa. Not only do you see stitching, studs and croc leather, but actual Saddle Bags are attached to the sides! How very Prada of them!

Runway trends can seem short-lived, but in reality fashionable accessories turn into classics. Watch out for these details to identify the keepers!

Fashion details that make a difference...

2006-06-26T08:33:00.000-05:00

Ribbons & bows
Dangling charms
Crystals & rhinestones
Tufting & pleating
Saddle stitching & grommets
Studs & buckles
Seashells

Perfect with Daquiris and Coladas

2006-05-31T12:45:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Brown Jordan – Harmony full-circle chaise

Why I like it
A party waiting to happen! This stunning focal piece reminds me of the aft deck on a SeaRay in Saugatuck. It can be configured as a modern-day tête-à-tête or family friendly snack stop. Accessorize with umbrella drinks.

How to sell it
You have the option of separating, uniting and propping the circle segments to suit your mood. The exposed support system has a modern edge. An optional woven skirt transforms this into a traditional piece. A one-piece answer to outside comfort.

Monkeys and Toasted Eggshells for Functional Opulence

2006-05-04T09:50:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Maitland-Smith – Eggshell inlaid lantern chandelier

Why I like it
The structure of this fixture is physically massive, yet translucent, providing ideal visual balance for a room with volume. The monkeys are just plain fun!

How to sell it
The story is amazing, so, retailers, make sure you tell it to your customers. The shades are made in Vietnam from eggshells buried in beach sand and toasted to the perfect color. This fixture captures a new trend that we call Functional Opulence. I'll talk more about this in future posts.

Afternoon Delight

2006-05-31T12:43:00.000-05:00

What I saw
David Francis Furniture – Sandpiper daybed

Why I like it
Let’s bring back the sleeping porch! Just add sheer curtains blowing in the breeze for the perfect afternoon getaway. Inviting and shapely, this multiple-personality piece can be used as a sofa, a window bench, or a bridge piece connecting two seating areas.

How to sell it
Made from lampacancy, a wildly abundant grasslike substance from Southeast Asia, is a socially concious choice as well as a versatile solution for space planning.

Catch Some Zs on Ergonomic Sculpture

2006-05-31T12:40:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Janus et Cie – Dedon leaf chaise by Frank Ligthart

Why I like it
A sleek silhouette to use against plush greenery. Taking its inspiration from organic forms, this chaise acts as sculpture as well as a resting place. The gentle back swoop is ergonomically designed for ease in reading or taking in the view.

How to sell it
Hand-woven synthetic fiber is smooth to the touch and virtually maintenance free. Integrally colored, it is inherently resistant to environmental conditions such as ultraviolet light and the growth of microorganisms. Fibers cover a rust-proof, powder-coated aluminum frame for lasting durability.

Summertime: When the Living is Easy

2006-05-31T12:37:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Beachfront Furniture – Cape Cod Adirondack chair

Why I like it
The rustic charm of an Adirondack resort has been updated with brilliant colors like Mango and Bahama Blue. Reminiscent of the fashionable Gatsby-era destination, these chairs embody summers leisurely pace and can be colorfully clustered across the lawn.

How to sell it
High-density plastic has fade-resistant color throughout each board. This sturdy classic can withstand chlorine, salt water and the harshest of winters. Stainless-steel hardware with Xylan coating eliminates maintenance, so there’s more time to mingle.

Modern, Versitile Comfort

2006-05-04T09:31:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Laneventure – Celine sofa

Why I like it
Simplicity and the relaxing curvilinear lines make this the perfect solution for a room that wants to be comforting while modern.

How to sell it
The single seat cushion is low maintenance, especially in active households, since there are fewer crevices for crumbs. Worked up in a deep blue-violet fabric, this would be completely user friendly. The option of playing it in a cooltoned pewter or pale mint makes it suitable for the most sophisticated interior.

Designers Sleep to Dream

2006-05-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Century – Grand Palai bed

Why I like it
European flair is now available in 67 finish options, a designer’s dream come true!

How to sell it
Who wouldn’t want to fall asleep dreaming of their escape to a grand chateau?

The Onyx Empire

2006-05-04T09:33:00.000-05:00

What I saw
Maitland-Smith – Onyx table

Why I like it
Onyx can be the most dramatic of natural materials when paired with under-lighting. It was prominent this year at the International Marmomacc Stone Show in Verona, Italy, creating excitement in furniture and flooring uses.

How to sell it
Stone is the most sophisticated of natural materials, providing luxury and durability. The Empire style is fitting for the most classic rooms, and also can be the contrasting accent in a modern interior.