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From the Desk of...

Tips from the Tastemakers

Design Ideas and Philosophies for 2020

We’re celebrating the start of 2020 with a gift – a collection of inspirational ideas and images to guide your interior projects this year.  (Plus, the more you read, the more you’ll find references to some of our favorite makers, designers and architects.)

Here’s the view into what’s on our designer minds and in store for our special clients this year…

#1 — To kick us off, we excitedly welcome back timeless, handcrafted techniques like caning to furnishings and our personal favorite – custom cabinetry.


We saw caning re-emerge as a material in furniture at Design Miami and have been using it in cabinetry design the past several months. To us, it represents an appreciation in elements woven by hand, and a renewed commitment to craft.

 

Who crafted this fab chair? It’s Kam Ce Kam’s Mera chair. Follow along @kamcekam.

 

#2 — We appreciate and work to craft interiors that use natural and planned lighting to sculpt a space. Sure, we appreciate bright white, naturally-lit interiors. But we also know that using contrast in light from room to room can set the mood, change the pace and ultimately transform a person’s experience.

Who designed this beautifully sculpted space? That would be the talented Kevin Dumais. Follow along at @dumais_inc.⠀⠀

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#3 —  In 2020 and beyond, know your maker. Consciously choose to buy fewer goods, enabling you to invest more in an original object, art or furniture piece for your home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And most importantly, get to know the maker who poured his/her heart and soul into that piece for you. The relationship you’ll have with their work and them will enrich your experience beyond any on-line/catalog purchase could attempt to. And, you’re helping to keep art and craft alive in America.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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By the way, we applaud our friends at @urbanelectricco for establishing The Makers Alliance – a platform of makers aligned to create individual and industry impact. Bravo, UE.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In 2020, consider supporting these makers we know and love… @tracygloverstudio @oandgstudio @clancy_designs @dunesandduchess @hwangbishopdesigns @jeffsoderbergh

 

#4 — Embrace antiques in your interior. They bring patina, celebrate the passage of time and ground a room with a sense of history. Plus – they are always in-stock.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How will you incorporate a favorite antique in 2020? If you’re like us, images like this one from Kate Watson-Smyth @mad_about_the_house will prompt you to peruse @1stdibs and @chairishco to find the perfect piece of history for your rooms. (And if you don’t yet have one of Kate’s books, be sure to snag one.) ⠀

 

#5 — We encourage you to get personal. Gone are the days of associating a home with it’s designer instead of the unique people who live there. Use your home as your canvas and complete it to suit you and the design for your life. When you do, you’ll be fostering your individuality and perhaps inspiring others to do the same.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This perfectly personal room was created by @beataheuman. If you don’t yet know her work, follow along to be wow’ed.

 

#6 — What’s on the horizon in the world of hard surfaces? We see marble and stone with strong veining and character up ahead. If you know us, you’re familiar with our stance on natural vs. manmade – natural stone always wins out for authenticity and character. And in 2020, we see stone with even more contrast, veining and movement coming our way.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thanks to our friends at @urbanelectricco for the great image and example of how classic marble adds the right dose of drama and natural appeal to a space.⠀⠀

 

#7 — There’s no better time to talk retail than the weekend. In 2020, we see well curated retail get re-appreciated. Retailers who endlessly search, procure, edit and curate a collection and then beautifully merchandise it in welcoming environments get high marks in our book. This old-fashioned merchant mentality is an enormous, on-going effort. And we all benefit from the inspiration they provide – and the in-stock goods available wrapped up in a positive experience.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Who created this amazing retail experience? That would be @jaysonhome in Chicago. New items for the home, antiques and even an in-store flower shop await. Road trip!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

#8 — Consider buying fewer, better pieces that will last a lifetime. Resist the urge to buy quickly for that occasion/party and instead, identify pieces that may be more of an investment in your longterm interior. Apply the same cost per use practice you do with fine pieces in your wardrobe, to your interior. You’ll appreciate the signature pieces you acquire over time that ultimately define your style.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Who designed this beautifully edited living room? That would be one of our favorites, Shawn Henderson. Follow along at @shawnhendersonnyc

 

#9 — We see traditional details returning to fine homes – in abundance and in layers. Rolled arms, skirted chairs, classic brass and the always-neutral Le Tigre pattern combine to make a room like this one from @sarahbartholomewdesign fresh, yet comforting.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you’re not a traditionalist, introduce a classic element or two in a single room to get you started. Watch how something you may have thought was too fussy bring a sense of welcome to a space that you didn’t know was missing.

 

And #10 on team taste’s design ideas and philosophies for 2020 is the sometimes unexpected use of pattern plays and color mash-ups in a room like this one.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Composing seemingly dissimilar but complementary colors and patterns in an interior is an art form and @katieridder does it beautifully, every time.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Be brave in your choices and combinations in 2020. Better yet, call us and we’ll help bring artful compositions to your rooms, to be enjoyed every day of the year.

 

Only the best,