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My Take on SF Chronicle's Design Trends for 2010
Jan 11, 2010
Interior design trends are interesting (if sometimes painful) to watch. They tend to follow closely behind fashion trends, so sometimes you can see what's coming. The San Francisco Chronicle recently interviewed several interior designers about the trends they foresee becoming popular in 2010, along with a few they'd like to see go away.
Here's the list of what's to come. I think some of it has already been popular for a while, and others are simply classic ideas that many good designers keep as foundations of their style. Read the full article here.
- Texture: Shouldn't this always be a component in a good room design?
- Keeping it real: Forget faux-anything.
- Layered flooring: They're talking about multiple rugs. Sounds like a waste of money to me.
- Bolder design decisions: Trust your gut and go for it. I guess this will always work for some people, and never for others.
- Old is new again: Really? Vintage as a trend for 2010? I think it's been in for a very long time. The trick now is finding the real thing amongst so many repro products and trying not to cringe when your long-prized midcentury end table shows up on a shelf at Target for $49.99.
- Wallpapered ceilings: Might be fun for a while, but I don't see this catching on for practical reasons. It's bad enough stripping wallpaper off of walls.
- Artisanal goods: Designer Benjamin Dhong cites the interest in artisanal foods as evidence of this trend. But I think the very nature of artisanal (hand-crafted, often one-of-a-kind) items is that they are not trendy, but timeless and always add soul and personality to a room.
- The well-traveled look: Think Anthropologie. It's a cool look but difficult to pull off with authenticity unless you really are a world traveler.
- Purple- and grey-based palettes: Grey is definitely the neutral of choice for now, but I doubt it will ever look dated or trendy. It's a safe bet. Take color trends with a big grain of salt: Choose colors that work for you, regardless of their popularity at the moment.
- Mix it up: Another one that seems to have already made its imprint. This can make a room look less like a "style" and more like you.
This living room photo from Living Etc. demonstrates several of the trends mentioned in the SF Chronicle article: texture, keeping it real, old is new again, the well-traveled look, grey and purple, and mix it up. (I sort of doubt there's wallpaper on the ceiling.)
And here are seven trends the designers list as over & done:
- Antlers and animal skins
- TVs above fireplaces
- Home makeover shows that set unrealistic expectations
- Shallow sink basins
- A room full of repro designer furniture
- The phrase "man cave"
- Granite countertops
Want a room that's entirely you, designed according to your own personality instead of trends? I can help, no matter where you live. Check out my eDecor Plans. They are complete professional room design plans that you put together yourself, for a lot less than hiring an on-site interior designer. You can work at your own pace, as your time and budget allow.—Diane
TAGS: san francisco chronicle interior design decorating trends 2010 edecor edecorating e-decorating
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e-Decorating: Pros and Cons Laid Out in STIR Magazine
Nov 19, 2009
If you've been on the fence about having a room designed online, here's a good article that lays out the pros and cons. I believe a successful online room design hinges on clear, thorough communication and the use of tools to help clients visualize results, including the use of 3D renderings and actual paint chips and fabric samples whenever possible.
Will the end result be as good as if you work with an on-site designer? It very well could be. But that depends heavily on your ability and desire to put the plan into action yourself. Will it cost a lot less? Definitely. —Diane
Here's the article by Rachel Perls in Sherwin-Williams' STIR Magazine.
Find out more about my range of eDecor Services.
TAGS: edecorating e-decorating online decorating long-distance interior design
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NPR covers e-decorating!
Oct 24, 2009
Two pages from a 12-page eDecor Plan for a sustainable bedroom. Click to enlarge.
OK, so the bad news is, I didn't get interviewed for this spot on NPR despite my recent radio interview on WNEM in Saginaw. I guess Skye Rohde wasn't listening that day. ;) The good news is that the brief story paints a pretty picture of e-decorating, which is exactly what I do at Inspired Room Design, except I call it eDecor. If you're new to the concept, I thoroughly explain its benefits here on my site. And here is how it works at Inspired Room Design.
In this radio spot you'll hear from two other companies that offer eDecorating services. From what I've seen, everyone takes a different approach to it, and pricing varies widely. There's probably a perfect match out there for anyone interested in affordable decorating advice. Generally, the more you pay, the more detailed a plan you get and the easier it is to visualize your space. I think you'll see that I offer one of the most thorough plans for the price, and stylistically, I work very hard to understand clients' preferences and needs rather than creating a look that's my own signature. I give you all the information you need to carry out a design plan that reflects you.
Check out the radio spot, check out my competitors. eDecorating is catching on! —Diane
Want to see the full eDecor Plan for the sustainable bedroom shown above? Download the full PDF here.
TAGS: edecorating e-decorating edecor long-distance decorating affordable alternatives npr
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Newsflash: Not such a crazy idea after all.
Aug 28, 2009
This tiny master bedroom (roughly 10x10 feet, closet wall cut away for visibility) required more than just decorating— it's filled with space-planning solutions.
My friend Lissa tipped me off to this article that appeared in the New York Times last week. It's about how interior designers are finding the need to change the way they do business, to appeal to a market with shrinking budgets and an increasing hesitation to "sign on" with a big-name designer for a few years.
Inspired Room Design is based on that very concept. Whatever this idea comes to be known as (eDecor, e-Decorating, virtual room design, long-distance interior design), I'm already there! The idea is fresh and new, but it's gaining momentum, and if the personal responses I've received thus far are any indication, it has validity. People want problems solved and ideas generated. And then they want to spend most of their budget on quality pieces, not on markups and exorbitant fees.
Design for everyone! —Diane
Clearly, it's the wave of the future! :) Contact me about designing your room—anywhere. All you have to do is fill out my style questionnaire, take some photos and draw a rough floorplan. I'll make sure I understand your needs and preferences. About a week later, you'll have a complete plan for redesigning your room that fits your style and your budget. I can reuse pieces you already own or recommend a whole new plan. I can solve space problems and create a room that's more you than you could imagine yourself. Email me, or take a look at what I've done for other clients.
TAGS: edecor e-decorating online interior design long-distance room decorating affordable
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