Color Trends 2012: Jump into Spring with Color

With the Spring season just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about those design trends that are welcoming to the warmer weather, and bring the outdoors in.  This years trends include lots of bold colors, prints, and vibrant statements.  Here are some great products available from various nation wide retail shops to give your space a face lift without having to make too many permanent changes.

The Overdyed Terai Chair by Anthropologie  is priced from around $200 each, is a great piece, and there are four great colors to choose from, including Orange, Purple, Turquoise, and Citrine. 

Also from Anthropologie, the Orlina Bedding Set  features bold colors and prints, including some lovely floral print that are perfect for this years trends.  This set starts at $58 to $368

The Zing Green Table Lamp by Crate and Barrell shows a great pop of a bright green color  that will work as a great accent piece.  This lamp is priced from about $80.  

The Iznik Dhurrie are great area rugs available from West Elm feature a Turkish Tile Motif into a modern latticework made of wool and cotton.  There are multiple sizes and colors available, and start at around $50 

These great lanterns and serving ware available from Pier One Imports are great indoor and outdoor products to add some color to your existing space.  

More tableware from Pier One Imports

Color Trends in Purple

I do love me some good purple interiors.  Here are some items to give you inspiration, and get you started with your new purple space.   In it's darker form, this royal color is rich and dramatic, and add's a luxurious feel to any space.   Purple can be an excellent accent color, and can give your color scheme depth.  Lighter shades of purple can bring the same qualities of rest and relaxation as various shades of blue, and won't result in a cold or chilly feel as blue can.  Complimentary color to purple is orange, however analogous colors include Blue and Red. 

The Rosette Quilt by Anthropologie in Purple is a beautifully crafted and a great look for your space.  Priced from $248  This quilt has other available colors and accessories for mixing and matching. 

The Vintage Flock Purple Wallpaper by Graham & Brown starts at $85/roll and features a classic touch and a modern twist.  This product is also available in five other colors.   

BEHR Ultra Exotic Purple #660B-7 is a great dark purple to use as the main color, or an accent color in your space. 

Another color from BEHR Ultra, Purple Cream #670C-3 

Orchids are always a great way to add pop's of color, if your not fully committed to painting the room. 

The DECOLAV Translucense Above-Counter Round Glass Vessel Sink is more than just a vessel lavatory, it's a conversation starter.  Priced from $367

Now we can't forget lighting.  This 1-Light Pendant by Illumine in Brushed Nickle with Purple Swirl Glass is a great accent to a kitchen or any other space. 

Big Box Design Services

Many designers in the industry often talk poorly about big box design services, like Home Depot and Lowe's.  While yes, many times you have a store or location where the design services aren't taken seriously, and the staffing isn't supported, but many times these designers are fully capable.  When selecting a designer, or doing your foot work, it is always best to take advantage of the free design services, just to see if what you want is doable.  Here are some tips when looking for any designer, whether it's an independent, or in a large retail chain:

1. Are they experienced?  Many designers from both backgrounds are experienced.  I would be a little shy if the designer was just put in the position from a cashier or another department, however other designers have been there for 10+ years and are Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers from the NKBA, the same certification program available to independent designers.  
2. References and Referrals?  If your neighbor has a stunning kitchen designed by an independent designer, and your other neighbor has the bathroom of your dreams, designed by a big box designer, then why not interview and meet with both?  Your relationship with your designer is just as important as their experience.  
3. Portfolio:  A portfolio is the showcase o the ideas and product the designer can generate.  If you want something "Outside the Box" but your budget can't afford an independent designer, then find a designer in the big box that has that outside of the box thinking, and the portfolio to prove it.  

Remember, many independent designers started out in the big box.  Especially in today's economy, staying put in a retail design setting is much easier for someone than trying to step out on their own and making the transition from employee to small business owner, or making the transition from a guaranteed paycheck to commission only.  Your designer is your friend, no matter where their actual paycheck comes from.  

The Tiled Fireplace

While trying to find a new home, I keep seeing a white painted fireplaces in many of the homes.  There isn't anything wrong with a white painted fireplace, as long as it's maintained, and kept clean.  Many that I have seen have been used a lot, and not cleaned, so the white paint has black soot above the fireplace.  One of the houses I have an offer on has one of these fireplaces, and I have decided that a great alternative to the white paint, is to tile the fireplace.

This diagram from This Old House shows any DIYer how to tile over their own existing fireplace in order to create their own updated and modern fireplace.  

This fireplace showcases a natural slate tile installed by Rey Brenes of Creative Tiling in San Diego, California.  This style of installation as well as this particular tile can compliment both modern decor as well as something more rustic.     

This stainless steel mosaic tile is a great addition to a fire place as well.  It highly modernizes the design, and gives a great contemporary update to the space.  

This lovely design was installed by T.C. Tile and Stone Services in California, shows how you can take a  brick fireplace and create a new focal point in your room with tile. 

A beautiful glass mosaic tiled fireplace by DIY Network's  Home Crashers. 

Note: I will be sure to put up pictures of my fireplace once I get it done.  Now that you realize that tiling a fireplace is easy, and easy to do on your own, fee free to take some inspiration, and update your own space.  

Finishing with Moldings

Some of my clients don't realize that the finalizing touch on cabinets includes moldings.  Especially when bringing your cabinetry all the way up to the ceiling, molding is an important aspect, and finishes off the space.  Another great place for molding is under the cabinetry, used to hide under cabinet lighting, as well as a finished product. Other places that molding and accents are great for is under the cabinets, using decorative toe kick moldings, as well as decorative legs, corbels, and feet.  

This crown molding by Kraftmaid Cabinetry is a simple installation that finishes off wall cabinets nicely.  You can even place a small insert into this molding, such as a rope molding, dentil, egg and dart, etc.  

This lovely design by Mitre Contracting Inc. shows a rope molding paired with a classic crown molding design, as well as a decorative on-lay over the hood.  On-lays are great for adding interest to a focal point like over the range hood, as well as over the sink or refrigerator.  

This toe space molding by Vigilant Inc. is a great way to finish off the back of an island, or even an entertainment center or other furniture style pieces.  

This under-cabinet molding hides any under-cabinet lighting, as well as finishes off the bottom of the  cabinetry, and this style of molding can also hide the not so pretty bottom of the cabinets.  

And this design, also by Kraftmaid, shows both a decorative toe kick molding and a decorative foot under the cabinet.  

Even if the budget is limited, most moldings aren't going to push you over the top.  When comparing a kitchen with and with out molding, side by side, it's agreed by all of my clients, that the kitchen really does look better with molding.  Even if the budget is tight, a single molding is much better than no molding at all.