As a huge fan of the Art Deco period that punctuated the U.S. in the late 20's and early 30's, I am thrilled to introduce you to the Hollywood Collection of fabrics by Highland Court.  This collection aptly blends the glamorous feeling of early Hollywood with architectural motifs and designs of the Art Deco era.  Each fabric and each collection series is cleverly named for famous Hollywood landmarks or actors.  Here is a preview:

Brown Derby.  The first series of fabrics is named after one of Hollywood's finest and most famous eateries.  It includes such wonderful patterns as Monroe Skin, a linen velvet; Bardot, a modern tweed and Greta, a stain silk with a plisse weave resembling a rose.

     Brown Derby:  Among the standouts in this collection is Giraffe and Toper, named after the famous movie    from 1937.

 

Beautiful bisque, crystal and champagne punctuate the Coconut Grove color book.  The Coconut Grove opened in the Ambassador Hotel in 1921 as the premier hotspot in Hollywood.  In 1931, the Oscar was first introduced to the world at the Coconut Grove.  Reynolds, is an Art Deco flame stitch and coordinates with Cole and Bardot.

     Coconut Grove patterns include fantastic Art Deco inspired selections such as Lombard, featuring curvy circles of silver and taupe silks and Leigh, a diamond-cut shimmering co-ordinate that has attitude.

 

Timeless, neutral grays comprise the aptly named Silver Screen.  Here we find screen greats such as Harlow, in shades of oyster and silver, rubbing elbows with Hutton Maze, a strong and bold geometric in silver and cream.

     The Silver Screen never sparkled as it does in this collection of metallics and grays.  Here De Mille, Sonia and Grant all are stars in the Hollywood Collection from Highland Court fabrics.

 

Film Noir, describes the genre of film born at the beginning of the 20th centruy and literally means "black film" and was coined by Frency film critics to describe the American crime and detective movies which featured dark, seductive themes and cahracters.  This book collection features such patterns as Giraffe, a burnout velvet animal pattern and Lalique, a silk/chenille pattern copied from an Art Deco vase.

     Here in the seductive character of Film Noir, we find Harlow in a tempting black and red Art Deco floral juxtaposed with Hope, a masculine, distinguished satin stripe.

 

Blue Room, finishes the Hollywood Collection with pale shades of aqua, tan and camel.  The real Blue Room is a turquoise and blue nightclub, which opened in Burbank in 1947.  This group features Fleur, a willow branch design with light aqua and pewter branches and silvery willow puffs.

     The Blue Room suite of fabrics feature such Hollywood notables as Harlow and Grant as they mingle with the Chevron patterned Evelyn, shown here in champagne.

 

We invite you to stop by our showrom and see all the stars in the Hollywood Collection.  During the month of September, we are offering 20% OFF any order from this collection.

 

See you on the red carpet!

 

 

As you are contemplating your next interior design project, whether it is a room makeover, a renovation or expansion or even a move to a new home, don’t forget your pets.  Our 4-legged pets (yes, I know some animals are 2 legged, 8-legged or no legs!) are just as much a part of our lives and thus our household as any other member.  So while you put hours of effort into finding just the right paint color or organizing your closets or selecting new furniture, don’t forget to put some effort into the comfort and care of your pets.

Today there are many stylish solutions to both the accommodations as well as the care of your pets.  I personally like to put at least one-handheld shower head and bar in a bath to make it easier to wash both small and large dogs.  Also in kitchens, using a standard pull-out trash bin as a dog food storage container is an easy idea to incorporate.  But today’s pooch or feline can have more than just adequate accommodations.  Here are just a few stylish sleeping solutions: 

Let’s not leave Pussy Galore out of the planning.  That same old piece of furniture can become repurposed litter box housing – how great is that!

In this contemporary setting the owners are ingenious with integrating the architecture of the room with catwalks (literally) that are functional as well as design relevant.  The idea of the bottom drawer being either a sleeping quarters or litter box house is again ingenious and easy to do.  (Yes, you do have to really like cats, but many of you do!!).

Finally, there are a few homeowners who do go a bit crazy and over the top.  Here are a couple of extreme ideas that make you wonder . . .

For more ideas and products for your pets check out www.denhaus.com , www.bitchnewyork.com , www.mycatsheaven.com ,  www.therefinedfeline.com .

A few weeks ago I finally got to take a mini-vacation:  you know, a vacation where you go somewhere for a few days and do nothing at all, but what you want, when you want.  No business, no clients, no kids – just a suitcase, a map (or GPS) and a plan.  Now, anyone who knows me knows that I don’t do vacations.  My last one, I believe, was 1986, so I was probably overdue.  So to give this whole “get-a-way-for-a-few days” a try, I planned a long weekend in Blue Ridge, GA.

Many of my clients had mentioned this little town to me as a great, close city – full of great shops, food and beautiful scenery.  And boy were they right.  I have never seen so many great shops within a few blocks of each other.  I stayed at a wonderful little resort, Whitepath Lodge, and after getting unpacked headed into downtown Blue Ridge, where all the action is.

Wine shops, art galleries, homemade candy stores, antique shops – you name it – they have it.    It reminds me of Frazier Avenue in Chattanooga but much larger and yet cozier at the same time.  You can park your car and spend the rest of the day walking from shop to shop.  While you’re there make sure and check out Out of the Blue Gourmet Living a fantastic wine and gourmet food store, Huck’s General Store  a throwback to the general store with items I promise you haven’t seen since you were a little kid, and High Country Art & Antique Art a wonderful art gallery representing artists from all over the U.S.

What I slowly discovered after a day of shopping and chatting, is that many of the shop owners either are from the Atlanta area and/or maintain other stores in Atlanta.  Trust me – this downtown is definitely worth the 1 ½ hour drive to get to.

And if you stay the night, you have to go to the Swann drive-in, one of the oldest and few remaining drive-in movie theatres left in Georgia.  This is just too fun!  Just open the sunroof, tune you radio to the right channel and you have the best seat in the house for watching current movies.

On your second day, you must stop by Mercier Orchards and go into their store.  About the same square footage as a standard Bi-Lo’s, this store features everything from hand-made chocolate truffles to over 40 types of relishes, to an incredible hot sauce section to outdoor items such as handmade birdfeeders and scented organic soaps,  If it is natural, from the earth – it is at Merciers.  Just make sure to get some homemade apple cookies and apple donuts on your way out of town.

Recently, while I attended the National Kitchen and Bath show (KBIS) in Chicago, I spent a day at the Chicago Merchandise Mart:  the epicenter of all great design in Chicago and the Midwest. 

And from my time there as well as at KBIS I have identified 5 trends that are here to stay well beyond 2010.

1. The Beverage Center.  A new feature in many kitchen designs is a dedicated beverage center.  This can be a barista’s dream with a coffee maker, Espresso machine capable of satisfying even the biggest java junkie.   To really be considered a true beverage center, no matter the beverages, there should be a place to store cups, stemware, as well as supporting items such as sugar and cream, tea bags and napkins. The beverage center makes efficient use of space and regulates specialty beverages to a functional space and out of the main cooking center of the kitchen.

2. Soft geometry.  Curves are back!  Whether it is a rounded end to a peninsula, a curved top armoire pantry piece, the bow front of a drawer, curves and radiuses are making the rounds (get it!?) in kitchen design.   Most cabinetry and appliances are square edged and angled.  Introducing just one radius, curved or round element in the space, really draws your attention to an element that “feels” natural yet spontaneous.  Even just adding a curved ventilation hood or round light fixtures can give a room interest and move the overall design towards the currently popular transitional, organic look designers are so loving right now.

3. Asian influence.  The global world we live in has made the world smaller and access to every corner of the planet is easy and this is influencing all aspects of design.  Asian motifs, materials and patterns are all hot in interior design – and kitchens are feeling it too!  Bamboo woods, exotic Asian inspired hardware, Shoji screen emulated sliding doors and the clean simplicity of Asian philosophy is being used in today’s trendiest kitchens.  Look for this merger of pure simplicity, mixed with Asian style elements to be a big factor in upcoming kitchen design.

4. Vibrant color.  As we find ourselves coming out of a deep recession and years of safe, predictable but ho-hum neutral colors, designers and consumers alike are ready for the optimistic and happy colors that have been missing for so long.  The newest kitchens feature bursts of color to shock and inspire the cook and guests.  It can be a colorful glass backsplash, a vibrant wall color, a saturated color quartz countertop or even a brightly colored painted cabinet:  a little color can go a long way to adding spice to your kitchen.  Look for bold colors to be a mainstay in kitchens well beyond 2011.

5. Quiet sophistication.  Finally, everywhere it is evident that glamour and elegance are major influences in kitchen design.  But today’s sophisticated kitchens are not over the top or over wrought.  It is a quiet refinement rather than a loud statement.  Look for top quality materials, as well as items normally reserved for other rooms of the home.  Enduring quality and classic detail is today’s style.  The touch of glamour comes from sparkle – whether it is glass, mirror, polished surfaces or semi-precious stones, today’s elegant kitchen harkens back to a simpler, yet highly refined time:  think 40’s Hollywood with a dash of the rat pack flavor.  Who says you can’t look sophisticated and cool while hanging out in the heat of the kitchen?

Well, hello again.  If you have noticed by the dates, it has been almost 2 months exactly since the last entry here.  Now I could make all kinds of excuses, pretend you don’t notice, or just fabricate that once I left my breakfast meeting with BLUM, that I got lost or was kidnapped, only to find my way back now.  Nice story . . .  but no.  All those people who waited to see if the economy would improve, the ones who said back in December and January, “we’ll get back to you soon”, well they all decided to come in during the past 8 weeks.  And while I love writing for this blog, the customers have to come first; but I promise not to abandon you again. So before we move forward let’s get back to KBIS and all the wonderful new trends, products and ideas that come forth when the worlds kitchen and bath product manufacturer merge with the industries leading designers and style makers.

From the show it is evident that the economy, for kitchen and bath design and products, is on its way back.  Companies are being cautious but innovative; practical but with panache.

I’d like to quickly mention 5 trends that I saw from the KBIS experience that point to where we are and where kitchen and baths are heading for 2011.      

1.      Water efficiency.  Everyone is jumping to make faucets, toilets and appliances more water efficient.  Just as the Energy Star program got a big push several years ago, the governments tighter restrictions of future water use has manufacturers clamoring for the new Water Sense program.  I was particularly impressed by TOTO’s lineup this year with its new Aquia wall-hung (yes, wall-hung) toilet using just .9 and 1.6 gallons per flush.  Here’s a toilet that saves space and water.  And in shower TOTO’s trilogy shower set features gorgeous clean looks and massaging handheld shower hear, but uses just 1.75 gallons per minute, that compares to 3 7 gallons for your older shower systems.

 

2.      Bronze is back.  Well, it never really left, but definitely you are seeing bronze finish hardware, plumbing fixtures and even appliances.  Top Knobs Hardware’s new Aspen Artisan Collection was stunning.  Satin nickel and chrome are still popular finishes but the warmth of bronze was red hot.

3.      A glass act.  Glass continues to sparkle and shine at this year’s show.  It reflects the trend for materials and design that is both traditional and contemporary.  This goes beyond glass mosaic tile backsplashes.  Think Glass, introduced even more fantastic options and even cabinetry featured un expected surprises by Rev-A-Shelf with its Curve system featuring the classic style of glass bottoms on its pull out shelves.  Glass is a material that just keeps reinventing and redefining itself:  from extra modern to classic elegance, glass is clearly a great choice for any kitchen or bath.

 

 4.      Rebirth of old standby. Maybe it is the economy or maybe the fact that the baby boomer generation is reaching retirement, but I saw a lot of old favorites re-invented!  Corian (you remember, the countertop everyone had to have in the 1980’s before they “invented” granite)  introduced a new line of metallics and even marble finishes that were just superb.  Laminates, both for countertops and even for cabinetry itself is back, bold and restyled for 2011.  Which just proves that products that have lasted this long deserve a second chance and a second glance.

5.      The outdoors is in!  Everywhere you turned was evidence that outdoor living - and that means outdoor cooking – is what is hot for 2010 and beyond.  Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet pizza oven was cool, sleek and mouth watering.  Eldorado Stone introduced its outdoor system which provides quicker, easier installation than regular stone and companies such as Danver, take a holistic approach providing everything you need for a dream outdoor kitchen – including the kitchen sink.

 

Next Blog:  Kitchen Design Trends for 2011 and beyond.

 

For my first day at the Kitchen & Bath International Show (KBIS), in Chicago, IL, I was invited to breakfast and meeting with Karl Ruedisser, CEO of BLUM, Inc., a leading international company of cabinetry organizational products and systems.  I was honored to be selected as one of a group of only 50 kitchen designers in America to serve on their design advisory board.  At this meeting, BLUM unveiled their new organizational system of products, which views the kitchen as a room of 5 zones and provides unique storage and organizational products for each zone. Click here to learn more about fantastic BLUM products available for your NEW kitchen or kitchen remodel.

 

So after a couple of hours of networking and meeting some of the best kitchen designers the United States has to offer, it was time to head over to McCormick Place to check out some of the thousands of vendors spread over a couple of million square feet.  I got to see the latest, greatest and coolest products for the kitchen and bath for 2010 and beyond!

I have recently been to two of design’s great yearly shows.  The Kitchen and Bath Show ( KBIS ) and the International High Point Furniture Market.  

 

First, I flew to Chicago, (one of my favorite cities), for four days to attend  KBIS and then returned home for 24 hours before driving 6 hours to spend 3 days in High Point, NC.

 

Over the next few weeks I want to share with you what I discovered and some of the emerging trends that I see coming in the near future.

 

The first thing I can say is, that with the economy “heating up,” many manufacturers are finally starting to show new and fresh products after 2-3 years of just trying to survive.  I saw evidence of this optimism practically everywhere I went.  Plus, truthfully, it is Spring and everything feels brighter and more hopeful in April.  

 

When I travel, I love to check out the local shops and Chicago has some of the coolest and greatest shopping anywhere. By pass the big chain stores and seek out the “one of a kind” place is my motto. 

 

Over the years of frequenting Chicago, I have found some wonderful places tucked away in the Andersonville area.

White Attic iis a bright, cheery shop filled with vintage furniture.  Owner, Terry Ledford, has found wonderful mid-century furniture and added fun and whimsy to them.  He has a line of full customized lamps and a real eye for classic, clean items.

Just down the street is Scout. This store is a favorite for those looking for quirky, industrial objects:  everything fun from old metal letters to vintage lamps from the public library.  Owner Larry Vodak,  has the knack for making every day items very special; very industrial chic.

Finally, Brimfield, is a feast for the eyes. Truly there is not more plaid in one area of the world than in this shop. Upon entering, you are transported back to a time when families took the “woody” station wagon, hooked up the AirStream trailer and spent a weekend camping.  The shop is brimming with everything woodsy, earthy and plaid.

Right in the city.  Check it out.

Next time:  What I found inside the Kitchen & Bath Show in Chicago.

I have just returned from the 2010 Kitchen and Bath International Show in Chicago, IL. KBIS is the largest gathering of products and innovations for the kitchen and bath industry in the world. For four days manufacturers, designers, and innovators in the kitchen and bath industry comes together to share and show the latest and greatest products that will be on the market in the next 12 months.  With over 3,000 exhibitors showing cabinetry, appliances, hardware and plumbing I got  great exposure to what new trends, colors, gadgets and creations for kitchens and baths we will see this year.  I’ll be reporting my findings, over the next few days, of what I believe to be the best options out there for anyone wanting a new or remodeled kitchen and bath.

 

For now, I am heading to High Point, NC for the International Home Furnishings Market which is the largest furniture and accessories industry trade show in the world attended by over 85,000 industry professionals. I will be seeing the most comprehensive product selection available and reporting back to you about the hottest trends this year for all the other rooms in your home. 

For this month’s issue of Chatter magazine I was interviewed for an article on kitchen design.  Check out the article at www.chatterchattanooga.com or pick up a copy of Chatter at a local news stand to find out what I believe are the 5 things you must consider before you embark on a kitchen remodel.  With careful planning and asking yourself the right questions, realizing the kitchen you want and can afford will be a breeze.

I am leaving for Chicago to attend the International Kitchen and Bath Show.  Watch for my next blog detailing all the hot new trends and products for your kitchen and bath.

The Tour du Jour was a great success!  We had 502 people come through our kitchen last Saturday.  

The Junior League of Chattanooga said it was one of their best attended tours ever and lots of money was raised for a very worthy cause.

 

After speaking to so many people, it is confirmed:  homeowners are ready to spend money again to have an updated, or in some cases brand new, kitchen.  They see it now as an investment and, if done correctly, it can add significant value to their home and immeasurable pleasure to the daily task of preparing and cooking meals.

 

So, for all of you that braved the beautiful weather to visit our kitchen, along with the others on the tour, thank you!  I hope you came away with lots of new ideas and motivation to start creating your dream kitchen.