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.