Now that spring has begun to usher in warmer temperatures, it’s time for spring cleaning, yard work and outdoor living. This month, we want to introduce the 2015 design trends that we are seeing in the industry (some of them might surprise you!). We are also encouraging all of our clients to donate or recycle their bigger items that aren’t making the cut this season. There are so many people who are in need of second hand furniture and household items. We hope you are enjoying the warm weather. And, we want to remind you to begin thinking about your Fall projects and to give us a call if you want to start planning. Hard to believe it, but now is the time!

 

Outdoor Living

We are all enjoying spending more and more time outdoors. Our clients are transforming their properties into ideal outdoor living spaces with fire pits, fire places, hammocks, large open grassy areas, pools, tree houses and built in cooking areas. We are also seeing builders increase property values by adding roofs over patios to allow outside seating when it’s raining, include ceiling fans for hot days and building in overhead lights for casual evenings. All of these features create a continuity between the house and the yard.

Level Entry Showers 

Also popular lately are accessible showers in the master suite. This is called Universal Design and allows easy access to bathing for the disabled or the elderly whether you have someone living in the house who is in need of this or have guests visiting. We also block out space for grab bars so they can be installed in the future if they aren’t needed now. This also allows for a really clean, sleek design for the master shower.

 

Study, Den and Office Spaces

Many houses have a formal living room built in, but they hardly get used. With the trend of open design, our clients are asking for a quiet space that they can close off for privacy. We have begun to use those formal living rooms as this quiet, peaceful space by adding walls and doors to close it in for an in house retreat.

 

Material Selections

White, Clean and Bright

Currently, everything is white with white stone, white bathrooms and white kitchens. Making way for color palettes that compliment the white kitchens and baths with the fabrics, patterns and design elements that add pops of color. This results in a style that is very clean yet creates an overall eclectic feel to the room.

 

Wood Textures

Following with the relaxed palette of white surfaces, we are seeing a trend in adding texture by using combinations of painted wood, wood stains and painted finishes together. Weathered wood finishes and subtle or medium value textures are in.

 

Color for the year = Marsala. 

Photo: Pantone.com
Colors that are trending are more eclectic. They aren’t quite as heavy as the Moroccan styles, but pull from tapestry styles and patterns. Complimentary colors are green, taupe and gray. We are seeing white walls and the utilization of more textures in fabrics within spaces. Architecture remains simple with wood floors but we are seeing more patterns such as oriental rugs. We are also seeing combinations of paint and stains but incorporating more eclectic design, style and pieces of furniture.

Glass and Shiny Finishes

Glass and shiny finishes are transitioning out to really emphasize old brass and blue. Bronze and brushed nickel are sticking around, but we are seeing designers shy away from the traditional darker bronze or brass finishes. Most surprising are the blue tones that are making a comeback.

Color Palettes

We are seeing the following build in popularity right now:

• Cool and warm grays
• Green
• Turquoise
• Blue
• Navy