Showing posts with label accents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accents. Show all posts

Sunday, January 6, 2013

2013 trends

Hello dear readers,

After a little Holiday hiatus, during which I did NOT take any holidays, I am happy to be back to my blog.
I hope everyone had a great time during the Holidays and that 2013 will simply be a dashing one.

New Year, new beginnings, new resolutions, new projects, new home?

My first article of 2013 will talk about a few trends that I see being in the heart of new designs in 2013. For those thinking of renovating, acquiring a new home or perhaps just adding a new wall colour or decor, I bring 4 trends to watch out in 2013.

  • Natural Looking CaesarStone - “supernatural” collection

Quarts/Caesarstone countertops have been the top choice for new kitchens. It’s scratch, heat and stain resistant, making it the ideal choice for all kitchens.
Quartz/Caeserstone, however, is a man-made material using natural quartz, resin (for colour) and aggregates. It unfortunately lacks the luster and appeal of natural marble with all its veining and contrasts.

This new “supernatural” collection is the closest thing to the marble look in the caesarstone/quartz family. Making now possible to have a stunning marble looking countertop with the super properties of ceasarstone.

My favourite ones are:
Emperadoro


and Pietra Grey


  • “In” colours for 2013

So a few weeks ago, Pantone announced “Emerald” is the colour of the year for 2013.
I was not shocked, but pleasantly surprised, as I was seeing lots of blue and deep greens appearing on furniture, pillows and walls.
Here are 3 colours that I see coming out to play in 2013.

  1. Jadite - SW 6459 Sherwin Williams


  1. California Blue - 2060-20


  1. Newburg Green - HC-158 Benjamin Moore


  • Wall objects/sculpture

Art should be unique, personal and tell a story. It creates a focal point or complements a room.
This year, more than before, we are seeing a detachment from conventional framed prints, photographs and canvases and the return of sculptures or objects attached on a wall as Art.

The choices are endless, from window frames to metal and wood sculptures. Wall art is now all about objects, so creativity is the name of the game.

West Elm Wall Sculptures

Sea Urchins wall Art




  • Penny round tiles

Whether used on foyers, bathrooms or backsplash, penny round tiles are having a huge comeback. Reminiscent  of our own Dupont Subway station, these little round tiles allow you to have a curved and seemless transition from floor to wall, without a baseboard. Also, it’s very easy to create a “rug” effect on a floor, by only using the penny round tiles on a certain area of the floor.





And these are just a few quick trends I am forecasting for 2013.
Time will tell ;-)

Theo Flamenbaum
- Style + Function + Love + You -

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Eye catching Ikat

Hello dear readers,

Today I am doing an entry on a decorating trend that has swept the entire world. All showrooms have them: IKAT pattern pillows.



Ikat dying originated in Indonesia and means to "bind" or to "tie". It pretty much refers to a very ancient technique in dying the threads before they're woven to create a pattern. Its beginnings date from the pre-Columbian times and there are different variations all over the world.

Today's technology allowed us to recreate the "look" of the woven pattern using a simple dye technique. Now Ikat patterns are found on silks, cottons, linens, you name it.


So... how to use them?
The choices are endless and they're everywhere.
They allow you to work with ANY colour scheme and will instantly add visual interest with its geometric shapes and patterns.

  • Use them in groupings 
They are more effective and dramatic result if they're used in groups. The patterns can be the same or different, and the colours should complement each other.



  • As an identical set
for adding pattern to a monochromatic room, or for a more formal look




  • Mixing with solids/geometrics
For a juxtaposition/complementary function




Theo's picks:

Dwell Studio Ikat Citrine -

Anthropologie's Watercolor Ikat - 


Theo Flamenbaum
- Style + Function + Love + You -











Thursday, June 14, 2012

Theo's Top Summer must-haves

Summer is here and it's by far my favourite season.
Long days, ice cream, days on the island or the beach, tank tops and flip flops!
Also, every design/decor magazine last month, and this one, had their lists for Summer's favourites. What's in, what's to buy, what's hot. Well, after a lot of bed time reading and a lot of looking around, here it is: the first Theo's top must-haves for the Summer!

1- PEARL - Outdoors LED sphere lamp







They come in 4 colours and are waterproof, energy efficient, rechargeable and WIRELESS! (I loathe wires).
dimension: 9.8" diameter.  Only available through wholesalers.
Why I like it: because of the soft glow! and because it's wireless, again!

2- Lanterns

Ok, so if the Pearl is not your thing, if is is too modern, large lanterns with pillar candles are the way to go when adding a warm touch of lighting to your backyard, patio or balcony.
This season I am particularly fond of :
- West Elm's cute recycled glass ones for tea lights

cute and earthy

- Crate and Barrel traditional Brynn Lantern (for a pillar candles)

handsome and stylish

Whichever you prefer, make sure to also get some citronella tea candles to keep the bugs away from sunset to ...   sunrise?!

3- Geneva sound system

Because we are only humans and deserve a little "Bossa Nova" or a nice chill soundtrack when having our friends over for brunch of cocktails, right?!


Geneva has a stylish collection of speakers, my favourite is the walnut with a pedestal: 

They also come in red, white and black.

4- Outdoors fabric from the Windsor Smith Collection by Joanne Fabrics

This collection will add visual interest with its popping colours and bold graphics. Lots of geometric patterns and vivid colour schemes. 





Attention: Only available through designers.

5 - Bath & Body Works - Spearmint and Eucalyptus - Stress Relief collection 

Hmmm smells like Heaven! It's the freshest, most soothing scent for the body and home with the scented candles too.


Have a set of the hand soap and lotion in your powder room for your guests:

And finally, top it all off with a selfish treat and enjoy the sugar scrub in a cold-lukewarm rain shower :-) 


No, seriously! Go buy it!

Alright part 2:

6- Oversized/Tall planters and Herbs garden

I like them everywhere! Front door, backyear, or in a balcony.
Tall planters give a vertical application to space deprived or a a large one:



 It also creates a fresh and pleasant "vignette" for a front door or backyard door:





 Finally, in a back yard, it can delineate spaces:



West Elm had these lovely ones:



And I also particularly like the concrete ones as well  (available at most large nurseries, garden stores):


Not done yet!
Nothing is more lovely than a fresh herbs garden:
These modular planters are from Good Erdle and would be perfect for your basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley... you name it!

7- A cedar deck

Just the best wood (unless you have the cash to go with teak) for a deck. It's polished yet earthy and super easy to maintain!



And if you live in a condo, it's so much "cleaner" and sophisticated:



8- Acrylic glasses for outdoors

It's dish-washable and you can take on day trips/picnics too!
CB2 has a cute collection and is well priced too. Including Martini glasses, yumm!


9- Restoration Hardware Belvedere Outdoors Furniture collection



The pieces come in 3 different wood stains in teak and many fabrics to choose from.
Fabrics are sunlight and waterproof.




10- Fresh cut Summer Flowers

Embracing Summer's floral gifts, indulge in beautiful flower arrangements using the ones that bloom in the summer.

My faves:

White and pink lilies:

Golden Sunflowers:


Mauve Alliums:


That's it folks. I hope that you found some inspiration, ideas and good suggestions. Let me know which ones you will take up on and show me.
Have an amazing Summer :-)


Theo Flamenbaum
- Style + Function + Love + You -