A little Zen

It's February and spring fever is in the air.  Atmosphere lighting and a little pampering help get us through the last of winter.  Days are getting longer so take advantage of special lighting before the activities of summer take over.  Settle in guilt free.  Dore Shaw. Interior Designer.

Brick Walls



Brick Wall in Kitchens.  Consider adding a full brick wall brick instead of just a backsplash to upgrade your kitchen.  A little Industrial flair wakens up the home.    And down the road, don't be afraid to paint that brick White.

THREE DESIGNER TRENDS 2014

1.  Merging Indoors & Out

You’ll be wondering whether you’re indoor’s or out with this trend, where we’ll see more designers and manufacturers creating outdoor designs for inside the house.  Not only that, we’ll see bespoke designs using extravagant ideas which’ll literally cause a ‘wow’ reaction to guests.  Again, a trend which I’ve seen at November’s Grand Designs Live show which I hadn’t seen as much in previous years.  You’ll be so confused come Spring, you’ll be lugging in a few of those deck chairs in your garden and arranging them in your living room.

An extravagant example of bringing the outdoors within.

2.  Ethnic Prints

Ethnic fabrics, upholstery and prints look like they will be a popular trend this year.  Adding a fresh pizazz to your home from far off exotic lands can break up boring bland interiors and if authentic, can be fantastic conversational pieces.  So if you see a cushion, print or covering which is oozing with culture this year; don’t shy away.

Ethnic designs on pillows bringing the couch to life.

3.  Fiber-art & Macramé

Inexpensive and accessible to most, as long as you can find a supplier,  fiber-art and macramé is arty, creative and takes the edge off of plain walls and rooms.  It’s definitely a micro trend at the moment, but should continue to snowball over the next couple of years.  It can be used instead of fine art, expensive wall paper and other more expensive wall pieces, and it’s for these reasons why I and many other designers believe this will be a successful, growing trend in 2014.

Red macramé chair adding a striking edge

Beige: Works but waning in pizazz.

For the Love of Kitchens

 

It's been a busy design year and kitchen designs demand extra TLC.  This year I've designed three kitchens. Here is the first of the three and I believe, well worth the wait.  Happy Fall everyone.  Yes, my fascination with grey continues.

Outdoor Spaces

The sky is your ceiling but the ground can be reclaimed barn wood.  Enjoy your Labor Day and get ready for Fall.  Dore Shaw Interiors.

 

Redefining the Workspace

 

 

I think it's a good idea in today's functional world to keep the desks (if you insist on having one) at work. And  to remember, work is best when it doesn't feel or look like work.  Creative space.  At home any space can be turned into a functioning office.  A home office shouldn't stand out, it should blend in with your personality and lifestyle (although I reccommend more than a corner on the couch).  Try a sofa table against a wall or wide shelf hung at counter height, even a side table with open space underneath makes a great portable work station.  Find a nook and make it function.  Dore Shaw

 

Instant Office

 

I purchased this Sauder Computer Armoire for a client who doesn't like to use a laptop AND  and didn't want to limit her room to a traditional office.  This Sauder Armoire is the perfect solution. It's a  compact mini office camoflaged as a beautiful cabinet and even has an open top shelf for decorative items.  We skipped the typical office chair and instead added an accent chair that duos as a reading nook when she's not in front of the computer.   Stay tuned photos of the final transformation.  Dore.