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Designer Chic Upholstered Wall Panels
February 2009 Design Newsletter
Welcome to our February 2009 Newsletter from Wall Huggers
In this issue we will discuss, Create An Idea Book
With the New Year, we often want to make some changes to our homes, but not necessarily start over. There are so
many ways to add a fresh perspective. Why not create your very own Idea Book of decorating photos and ideas that
inspire you.
I often suggest starting an Idea Book by reflecting on what your home means to you. Our homes are places to:
To get started, find objects, fabric swatches, and photos of homes, rooms, and decorating styles that complement
your thinking. Make notes on what makes these styles so appealing. Is it the colours, patterns, fabrics, or furnishings
that draw you to them?
Then, choose a small notebook or journal. Compile your photos, notes, fabric swatches and colour chips into an Idea
Book. Keep it with you, and add to it as you shop, read, garden, or travel. You can then infuse ideas from your book
into your home anytime you're inspired.
Infuse 2009's Newest Home Trends
I thought I’d give you a few ideas and maybe some inspiration for the New Year from two of the newest design trends.
The first is fresh Scandinavian/Nordic design. This is a beautiful, simple, light feel with natural elements and
uncluttered spaces. The next is a New Bohemian style. This feels much lighter and fresher in color than previous
Bohemian styles. Prints, patterns, colours and textures collide to give this style its wonderful whimsical charm.
Naturally Nordic
Colours
A great look this winter season that brings to mind the soft tranquil colours of a warm Scandinavian home. The minty
fresh colours are as light as the new fallen snow, reflecting light to brighten long dark winter days.
Look for textiles and finishes that conjure up colours such as Scandinavian blue, minty mauve, soft sage, dove grey,
restful rose, mellow mocha. I call them ice cream colours... soft, relaxing and reviving, and fat free.
Use these creamy colours on walls, drapery, bedding, bath towels, rugs, accent pillows, etc., and pair them with lots of
winter white, cream and natural elements. Then, just curl up beside the fireplace and wait for the spring thaw.
Prints and Patterns
Scandinavian style doesn't have to be strictly traditional. Solids, simple patterns, and stripes are intrinsic to this style,
but there's a more contemporary vibe as well.
You'll see transitional/retro styling with geometrics and stripes teamed with terrific textures... tempting, isn't it? Don't
forget the large–scale contemporary botanicals with color jumping off a field of white.
Fabulous Furnishings
Scandinavian furnishings are a smorgasbord of design. Traditional furnishings are characterized by the use of light
woods and natural grain, whitewashed, hand painted or stenciled with simple carved details.
Contemporary design has sleek clean lines with little or no ornamentation, and medium to light colored woods. I think
we all have a piece of retro Danish Modern somewhere in our home. Artisans abound when appointing a room. Look
for anything handmade like hammered materials, marble effects, frosted and etched glass, inlays of mother of pearl,
laser cuts, perforation or beautiful porcelain. Keep the décor simple, elegant, and restrained. It's a hallmark from the
"land of the midnight sun."
Textiles & Treatments
Look for soft cotton sateen mixed with silk, in bedding you won't want to get out of. Also, iridescent blends or cotton
voile for a bit of luxury in the lair.
You'll want to layer on the layers. Think of a chic hotel – the bed of your dreams. Show off those beautiful sheets. Turn
them down over a duvet, comforter, or quilt, as well as a coordinating blanket or two. Add a contrasting throw at the
foot of the bed.
Mound up those pillows with shams, and throw pillows. This is the place to pamper yourself. Contrast textures and
patterns to shake up the room. Mix matte fabrics with shiny, traditional embroidery with contemporary geometrics, or
faux fur with shiny silk. This really gives an "edge" to the space.
Bodacious Bohemian
Colours
Colours for the new Bohemian style run the gamut from yesterday's deep and sultry, to a new fresh, lighter mid-toned
pastel range. They are softer with an infusion of brighter tones and glitzy metallics. Sooo BoHo chic. Look for colours
in all shades of rose pink, lilting lilac and lavender, robin's egg blue, mellow yellow, passion peach, pear, garden green
and metallic gold, silver and champagne. Like a bowl of sugared gumdrops – sweet and sassy! Patterns appear on
tinted pastel backgrounds. Try tone on tones, and contrasting colours. Stay in that light, tinted colour range (also
called colour "value") and they will all work together.
Prints and Patterns
Bohemian style is all about mixing. Use large scale flowers, chrysanthemums, peonies, and roses on updated chintz
fabrics.
Try a riotous mix of patterns, like paisley, florals, Asian medallions, chinoiserie, lacey prints, birds and butterflies mixed
with retro graphics and more florals. It's definitely an eclectic and collected look. Vary the size and scale of your prints
and patterns and you'll have a successful mixing of this style.
Fabulous Furnishings
Look for furnishings that are carved and distressed with hand-rubbed finishes. Large scale hand-painted motifs on
chests, screens or headboards. Traditional or cottage style chairs and benches. Darker finishes. Antiques, Victorian,
East Indian or Asian styles. Any aged and ornate piece will add to the atmosphere. Adorned mirrors, upholstered
headboards, embroidered lampshades with intricate bases, ornate chandeliers, carved Indian screens, footstools and
poufs.
There’s more. Elaborate candlesticks, mismatched china and tea sets, exotic lanterns, milk glass and pottery, fringed
throws laid over a sofa, handkerchiefs over lamps (do not leave unattended), old postcards tucked in a mirror frame,
lots of plants and flowers. You get the idea. More is more with BoHo. The actual term for Bohemian is a gypsy phrase
meaning “Good Home.
Textiles & Treatments
Mix until your heart’s content. That’s the name of the game with this style. Chintz, cotton sateen, silky shiny blends,
lace, eyelet, quilts. A potpourri of all things wonderful.
Some decorative fabric applications would be ribbons, embroidery, beading, pleating, smocking, crewel, crochet, and
appliqué. Again, take your pick, add a little or a lot. It all adds to the character and charm of this style.
Remember, Bohemian style is a combination of old and new, using lush textures, pretty patterns, and a bit of whimsy
to celebrate the gypsy in all of us.
I hope that we have inspired to get collecting those pictures, colour chips, fabric swatches and plan ahead for the
great changes you will make in this coming year.
Happy Decorating!
Welcome to our February 2009 Newsletter from Wall Huggers
In this issue we will discuss, Create An Idea Book
With the New Year, we often want to make some changes to our homes, but not necessarily start over. There are so
many ways to add a fresh perspective. Why not create your very own Idea Book of decorating photos and ideas that
inspire you.
I often suggest starting an Idea Book by reflecting on what your home means to you. Our homes are places to:
- Find refuge
- Retreat to
- Rest and relax
- Renew and refresh
- Reflect on our lives
- Remember our past
- Rediscover ourselves
- Reconnect with family and friends
- Redream our future
- Redesign and redecorate our environment for the comfort and joy of ourselves or our families.
To get started, find objects, fabric swatches, and photos of homes, rooms, and decorating styles that complement
your thinking. Make notes on what makes these styles so appealing. Is it the colours, patterns, fabrics, or furnishings
that draw you to them?
Then, choose a small notebook or journal. Compile your photos, notes, fabric swatches and colour chips into an Idea
Book. Keep it with you, and add to it as you shop, read, garden, or travel. You can then infuse ideas from your book
into your home anytime you're inspired.
Infuse 2009's Newest Home Trends
I thought I’d give you a few ideas and maybe some inspiration for the New Year from two of the newest design trends.
The first is fresh Scandinavian/Nordic design. This is a beautiful, simple, light feel with natural elements and
uncluttered spaces. The next is a New Bohemian style. This feels much lighter and fresher in color than previous
Bohemian styles. Prints, patterns, colours and textures collide to give this style its wonderful whimsical charm.
Naturally Nordic
Colours
A great look this winter season that brings to mind the soft tranquil colours of a warm Scandinavian home. The minty
fresh colours are as light as the new fallen snow, reflecting light to brighten long dark winter days.
Look for textiles and finishes that conjure up colours such as Scandinavian blue, minty mauve, soft sage, dove grey,
restful rose, mellow mocha. I call them ice cream colours... soft, relaxing and reviving, and fat free.
Use these creamy colours on walls, drapery, bedding, bath towels, rugs, accent pillows, etc., and pair them with lots of
winter white, cream and natural elements. Then, just curl up beside the fireplace and wait for the spring thaw.
Prints and Patterns
Scandinavian style doesn't have to be strictly traditional. Solids, simple patterns, and stripes are intrinsic to this style,
but there's a more contemporary vibe as well.
You'll see transitional/retro styling with geometrics and stripes teamed with terrific textures... tempting, isn't it? Don't
forget the large–scale contemporary botanicals with color jumping off a field of white.
Fabulous Furnishings
Scandinavian furnishings are a smorgasbord of design. Traditional furnishings are characterized by the use of light
woods and natural grain, whitewashed, hand painted or stenciled with simple carved details.
Contemporary design has sleek clean lines with little or no ornamentation, and medium to light colored woods. I think
we all have a piece of retro Danish Modern somewhere in our home. Artisans abound when appointing a room. Look
for anything handmade like hammered materials, marble effects, frosted and etched glass, inlays of mother of pearl,
laser cuts, perforation or beautiful porcelain. Keep the décor simple, elegant, and restrained. It's a hallmark from the
"land of the midnight sun."
Textiles & Treatments
Look for soft cotton sateen mixed with silk, in bedding you won't want to get out of. Also, iridescent blends or cotton
voile for a bit of luxury in the lair.
You'll want to layer on the layers. Think of a chic hotel – the bed of your dreams. Show off those beautiful sheets. Turn
them down over a duvet, comforter, or quilt, as well as a coordinating blanket or two. Add a contrasting throw at the
foot of the bed.
Mound up those pillows with shams, and throw pillows. This is the place to pamper yourself. Contrast textures and
patterns to shake up the room. Mix matte fabrics with shiny, traditional embroidery with contemporary geometrics, or
faux fur with shiny silk. This really gives an "edge" to the space.
Bodacious Bohemian
Colours
Colours for the new Bohemian style run the gamut from yesterday's deep and sultry, to a new fresh, lighter mid-toned
pastel range. They are softer with an infusion of brighter tones and glitzy metallics. Sooo BoHo chic. Look for colours
in all shades of rose pink, lilting lilac and lavender, robin's egg blue, mellow yellow, passion peach, pear, garden green
and metallic gold, silver and champagne. Like a bowl of sugared gumdrops – sweet and sassy! Patterns appear on
tinted pastel backgrounds. Try tone on tones, and contrasting colours. Stay in that light, tinted colour range (also
called colour "value") and they will all work together.
Prints and Patterns
Bohemian style is all about mixing. Use large scale flowers, chrysanthemums, peonies, and roses on updated chintz
fabrics.
Try a riotous mix of patterns, like paisley, florals, Asian medallions, chinoiserie, lacey prints, birds and butterflies mixed
with retro graphics and more florals. It's definitely an eclectic and collected look. Vary the size and scale of your prints
and patterns and you'll have a successful mixing of this style.
Fabulous Furnishings
Look for furnishings that are carved and distressed with hand-rubbed finishes. Large scale hand-painted motifs on
chests, screens or headboards. Traditional or cottage style chairs and benches. Darker finishes. Antiques, Victorian,
East Indian or Asian styles. Any aged and ornate piece will add to the atmosphere. Adorned mirrors, upholstered
headboards, embroidered lampshades with intricate bases, ornate chandeliers, carved Indian screens, footstools and
poufs.
There’s more. Elaborate candlesticks, mismatched china and tea sets, exotic lanterns, milk glass and pottery, fringed
throws laid over a sofa, handkerchiefs over lamps (do not leave unattended), old postcards tucked in a mirror frame,
lots of plants and flowers. You get the idea. More is more with BoHo. The actual term for Bohemian is a gypsy phrase
meaning “Good Home.
Textiles & Treatments
Mix until your heart’s content. That’s the name of the game with this style. Chintz, cotton sateen, silky shiny blends,
lace, eyelet, quilts. A potpourri of all things wonderful.
Some decorative fabric applications would be ribbons, embroidery, beading, pleating, smocking, crewel, crochet, and
appliqué. Again, take your pick, add a little or a lot. It all adds to the character and charm of this style.
Remember, Bohemian style is a combination of old and new, using lush textures, pretty patterns, and a bit of whimsy
to celebrate the gypsy in all of us.
I hope that we have inspired to get collecting those pictures, colour chips, fabric swatches and plan ahead for the
great changes you will make in this coming year.
Happy Decorating!
Please feel free to pass this information along to your friends and family members to also help them with their interior décor projects. We also invite you to browse our website. We have a great selection of upholstered wall panels that can work in any decor. We welcome your comments and suggestions and hope that you enjoy this great summer season. Regards, Connie Beland / Owner If you enjoyed receiving our Design Newsletter or special offer notices, please tell your friends and co-workers. They can sign up by sending a blank email to: optin@upholsteredwallhuggers.com or by visiting our website and submitting their information online. Be sure to whitelist our websites above Upholsteredwallhuggers.com to make sure your copy does not get thrown in your junk mail folder. |
