What’s Hot and What’s NOT From The Minds and Mouths of Craig and Kendra

In the world of design there are so many trends that come and go.  My sister Kendra and I can be quite the Dynamic Duo and are often referred to as the “Donnie & Marie of Design.”  She’s a little bit country and I am a little bit rock and roll!  You can imagine when we put our head’s together and started talking about all of yesterday’s goods that need to go “Buh-Bye” the list became rather long.

At the top of my personal list: CORAL! Ugh!

I have been asking nicely for years, and ask again, please people NO MORE, send it back to the reef!  While you are at it, box up whatever Monkeys you have, let them be free already!

If you want a new furry creature it is the year of the rabbit (FYI) and they are ready to embrace their newfound place in your space.

Time to get back to America as the wedding is over!  This being said please rid yourself of the British flag draped items.  I admit I was on board, I loved the trend as well but use it as a token.

Diamond tufted sofas, DONE!  French lacquered mirrors need to stay “over there,” especially if they are resin framed, and I know they are!  One more thing, the French Dome Chair, Please go away!  This chair has been SOOOOO over done, it officially died when Ru Paul's Drag Race featured one in gold leather, BYE!!

Kendra’s top item to go: Cube Ottomans!  Kendra says, “I get it, they are easy and cheap, can be picked up almost anywhere for nothing but like halogen floor lamps- they need to be left out on the curb.

Try a new shape like a hexagon, a star or an emerald cut, ANYTHING, just stop being such a square!

Something I really pay attention to is what Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn are doing, why you ask?  Because once it is in Restoration or “The Barn,” It’s over Johnny! It is now being mass-produced and anyone, anywhere can open up their mailer magazine and order it.  Restoration Hardware single handedly ruined the French Industrial look for all of us. The diamond back tufted sofa and the dome chair (recently seen on Ru Pauls drag race in gold-‘nuff said) use to be so chic but they put it in overdrive and burned out the clutch.“

One thing Kendra and I both agree on is our love for Hollywood Noir. Don’t get this confused with Hollywood Regency, which, you will hate to hear it and won’t want to believe it but it is over, done, finito, goodbye.  Hollywood Noir is our new look. To us this embodies all things classic, timeless and fabulous in design.  Style your space with actual vintage studio lighting or large scale vintage movie posters that demand attention just like Joan Crawford did in the 30’s.

We are also loving the functionality and lines of modular furniture. Anything that can change itself to fit your needs is a plus in our swatch book! African textiles, natural woven window treatments, zebra prints on washed linens along with a hounds-tooth anything make a classical statement.

Last but not least let’s talk about colors. Orange and turquoise haven’t worn out their welcome in our showroom and that is fine with us, however, baby blue and chocolate should stay in the nursery. We are coming out of the “beige age” and our clients seem to be splashing a bit more color on their walls and furniture. Find your splash by playing with color on small items such as hand painted fabrics for pillows, lampshades and blankets and accessories that will stand the trend of time.

Stay tuned for the next blog where I will explain the difference between Hollywood Regency and Hollywood Noir.

Not Everything That Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!!

Kendra’s Blogging this week!

As an interior designer, my  favorite time of year is the International Furniture Show held at the extravagant World Market Center.  This is when designers and shop owners from all over the world travel  to Las Vegas to see what is hot and new in Home Furnishings.    

   WORLD MARKET CENTER-LAS VEGAS, NV.

Okay, okay so it helps it is in Las Vegas,  home of the jackpot party slot machine where you can put in a penny and leave with $900 (I was once so lucky!!!) or put in $900 and leave with a penny (no comment).

          This must have been a good run….

This is a trip my brother and design partner Craig and I make every year. Once we plan our trip and arrive in Vegas we instantly consume the desert air and the excitement of the sparkly city. We make our way to the hotel where we check in and vow to be in bed by 10pm so we can get up bright and early to make the best use of our day at the show. After a small donation to the hotel casino and one cocktail for good measure I make my way to my room and will myself to sleep. I seriously feel like a kid at Christmas, with anticipation of all the new furniture I will soon feast my eyes upon. I am sure somewhere Sarah Jessica Parker is willing herself to sleep in much the same manner in anticipation of Dior’s winter runway show.

The next day we are up and out!! With 3 buildings and 14 floors to each building we have to keep it moving to see it all, and I MUST see it all! Every year we find that gem, that new thing, that must have for our front window and this year was no different. Check out our find below.  We both agreed this fantastic piece of furniture was coming to Los Angeles where it would live at the CRAIG OLSEN showroom on La Brea.

Meet the Bergman sofa below in supple dove grey leather (with many custom leathers to choose from) shown in 3 ways:

Shown here as a 3 cushion 90” long Sofa. This sofa can work in so many different settings from Industrial to Classic.

Shown here as 3 chairs all in one!! Perfect for a family with kids where mom and dad are sick of hearing, “Moooom, her leg is touching my leg, her arm is touching my arm, she won’t scoot over!!!” As a mother, I have heard this sentence in every language possible!

               

Shown here as a small settee and a chair. Can’t you see this in a waiting room or an office?

Isn’t it fabulous?!  This sofa is so smart it can make itself a sofa, 3 chairs or a small settee with chair all in the flip of a small cushion, therefore making it the perfect piece for an office, a TV room, a formal living room, and with its masculine angles I can even see it in a man cave!

    To purchase one of these gems contact the CRAIG OLSEN showroom at 130 N. La Brea in Los Angeles or visit our website at http://www.craig-olsen.com/

 Stay tuned for the next blog which will be about Craig and Kendra's LIST of WHAT'S HOT and WHAT'S NOT in design today!