Guest Post: Oncoming Punk Trend in Fashion and Interiors

Happy Monday all! I am so excited to share my first ever guest post from my friend, Sarah Stacey, an Austin,Texas based interior designer. She is here today to share her insight on some up and coming trends in fashion and interiors. Enjoy!!

It is true that trends in interior design often come from trends in fashion. A trend I am seeing more and more on the runways is punk, and I am seeing it peek it's way through in interiors as well. This could be especially fun in rooms for teens and tweens.

Versace's Fall 2013 collection is very punk- with all of the plaid, shiny spiked metal studs and patent leather. Also, the spring 2013 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art PUNK: Chaos to Couture. This will be on view from May 9 through August 14, 2013, so if you happen to be in New York during this time, check it out- it should be a pretty fun exhibition. Even Harpers Bazaar lists punk style as one of the 13 Fashion and Style Trends of 2013.

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In interiors, I'm seeing it come through in small ways, like in the photo below. See the plaid ottoman, the black horn magnifying glass and the silver tray? That is punk.

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The style of this fabric by Richard Saja of Historically Inaccurate is obviously punk...the pastel mohawk actually glows in the dark! This fabric isn't new, but it is pretty amazing, so I had to share it with you.

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Here is a fabric combination I've put together that is very punk as well. It reminds me of a Betsey Johnson skirt I owned in college. I'm seeing this in an edgy teenager's room. The floral and houndstooth are both Designers Guild, the plaid wool is Ralph Lauren.

What do you think of the possible oncoming punk trend, both in fashion and in interior design??

My High Point Market Experience

I have finally settled back into my groove since returning from High Point! It's amazing how a few days out of the normal routine can wreak havoc on one's schedule.

My original intent with this post was to discuss up and coming industry trends and share pics of awesome new product. I just can't do it. The product, although great, seemed secondary this year. Honestly, the product is always there....great new designs and beautiful items to use in my projects when I return home. I have been attending market for just under twenty years now...wow!, that's shocking to say out loud, or even think to myself. At this stage in the game I have my go-to's for cool stuff- I am now looking for more....and I got it!

So, I think you get the idea that furniture market is literally building after building of home design products...furniture, mirrors, rugs, lighting, accessories, and on and on. But, there are also incredible lectures and seminars offered as well. I never take advantage of these, but this year I did. I'm so grateful I did, because I got so much more than usual out of this market.

My inspiration came from a handful of fabulous ladies. A huge "Thank You" goes out to Lisa Ferguson, Elaine Williamson, Kati Curtis, Lisa Kahn, and Jennifer Brouwer for their honesty and candor that helped inspire me and many others in the industry. You should check all of them out...they're pretty impressive!!

This year has been and will continue to be a year of incredible growth for me and my business. You will see many exciting things coming from me this year...can't wait to share them with you as they happen!!

Rather than focusing on individual products or companies I am just going to share a handful of the hundreds of photos I took at market. I want to impose more of the feeling of what it's like to be there. It's pretty great!

Be on the look out...I have a great guest post coming up this week on up and coming punk trends in fashion and interiors by my friend, Austin, Texas based interior designer Sarah Stacey.

Kitchen Before and After

It's time for some before and after pics!! I know you guys love those (so you tell me).

I originally talked about this project back in the holiday season when I posted before and afters of a lovely Warrenton family room. You can revisit it here. We have moved through the kitchen since then and can I tell you- the before and afters are such a difference!!

Here is where we started.

Yes, you have all pretty much seen this same kitchen in many, many houses...right??

We didn't have the money in the budget for a complete kitchen re-do, so we did the next best thing...painted those ugly, orange cabinets!! I have people ask me all the time if their kitchen cabinets can be painted...of course they can! And don't be shy- our look called for a light color, but you could really go crazy here and give your kitchen some major personality. Whatever fits your style.

Here's our kitchen now-

Doesn't' even look like the same house, right??

We changed the countertops to Carerra Marble, painted the cabinets a slight shade warmer than white and added pulls, replaced the backsplash with this awesome recycled blue glass tile, changed the lighting, and added window treatments.

Note the ceiling- we chose to be a little non-traditional and decided to use color on the ceiling rather than the walls.

My client LOVES coastal interiors...I think we nailed it!

This is the adjoining family room-

I'm loving the pops of orange and blue!!

This couple has the cutest 1 yr old little boy...we put a little nook behind the sectional just for him.

Here a few more accents in the space-

Feel free to drop us a note to see how we can help you transform your house!!

Photography by Jen Dowell.

2013 DC Design House

Last week I had the pleasure of walking through the newly-built 2013 DC Design House, located in the Wesley Heights area of DC.The 14,000 square ft home designed by GTM Architects is full of architectural detail and stunning design. If you're looking for something fun to do on a lovely spring day you should spend some time touring this fabulous home. And bonus.... this is the leading fundraising event for Children's National Medical Center- a beautiful excursion benefiting an extremely worthy cause!! The house opened to the public yesterday and will continue through May 12th. Go, go, go!!!!

Here's just a handful of the spaces you'll see- so much more to view in person.

Entry Garden by Amy Mills

Living Room design by Camille Saum

Library design by David Mitchell

Family Room design by Victoria Neale

Kitchen design by Jessica Parker of GTM Architects

Sitting Room design by Michael Hampton

Master Bedroom design by Susan M. Jamieson

Boy's Bedroom design by Regan Billingsley

Loft/Media Room design by Akseizer Design Group

Covered Terrace by Jen Chappell & Ken Berry of American Eye

**exterior photography by Ken Wyner
**interior photography by Angie Seckinger

 

A Life Outside

Today is my first day back to normal operations after a great spring break!! No travels for me this year, just lots of fun activities and local field trips with the kids.

It's so funny how the brain automatically switches into a different mode after Easter, which, btw- I hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

It's not that warm yet, but my mind is telling me it's time for outdoor functions and gatherings, sandals and sundresses, grilling and sipping cocktails outside. As I think about switching out my wardrobe, it hit me that this year I had planned to replace all of my outdoor cushions. Eeks...I needed to remember this sooner! To the top of the personal projects list it goes, so that I can be ready and able to hang outside as soon as the temps and weather permits.

Are your outdoor areas tip-top and ready to enjoy? If not, you better get on it!!

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