Vintage Industrial Design

by Karen Kerns

We are seeing along the Emerald Coast more and more design requests to create an interior which incorporates vintage industrial touches. Industrial… in a home… YES! If done the correct way with bringing in light colors and clean lines it can create an environment of rustic elegance. A big factor as to why this look has taken off is because clients are never a fan of walking into another persons home and seeing the same pieces they have. More often than not these vintage selections have history or a story behind them making them a conversation piece as well. We can’t forget the most important reason we love this style and that is how healthy it is for the environment!

When creating this type of design you will see the use of distressed woods and industrial inspired fixtures and furnishings. Natural iron finishes are often used on shelving and furniture legs or supports. Take a look at these examples…

Light fixture selections with this design style are often ones with exposed or caged bulbs. Clear blown glass is a favorite because each one is slightly different creating its own uniqueness.

Wood finishes on cabinetry and furnishing are left unstained and in their natural shape creating a very organic feel.

Tales from High Point

By Joey LaSalle 

As many of you know, I recently had the opportunity to scout an enormous variety of furnishings and decor at High Point market for Lovelace. As an Interior Designer,  market is the ultimate playground housing over 12.2 MILLION SQUARE FEET of showroom space.  In the myriads of concepts that are shown at the market, certain items emerge as a consistent thread through out.  Call them trends, fads, or fashions, as the largest market in the world, this is the origin of what everyone will be seeing showing up in stores, and inevitably homes over the next year.  Some of these will overlap into next year as well, but the TOP 4 UNIVERSAL TRENDS from the 2013 Market was 1.) Shagreen 2.) Geodes and 3.) Antlers  and 4.) Green!

1.) Shagreen Again: So many furniture companies are offering an assortment of wrapped casegoods. We saw an incredible amount of side tables, coffee tables, dressers, night stands and even entire dining tables wrapped in leather, linen, stainless, zinc, shagreen (sharkskin) or even burlap! You may not have paid attention to it before, but now you’ll definitely recognize just how much this trend is catching on.

2.) Rockin Geodes:  Stones like Blue Agate, Agastone, Angel Jasper & Malachite. Semi-Precious Stone was in every showroom whether it was being used as an accessory, artwork, for entire wall installations, or even furniture!

3.) Antlers….yes, Antlers: Real Antlers, Ceramic Antlers, Acrylic Antlers, Carved Antlers, Polycarbonate Antlers, Painted Antlers, Embroidered Antlers….in just about every single showroom there were antlers on walls, lamps and chandeliers, table top accessories and even in bedding and on pillows. Did I mention Antlers?

4.) It’s Still GREEN in 13!  The most universal color that has been a constant this year is Green!  Whether Emerald Green or Kelly Green, walls or upholstery, green is your color!