Black & White - The New Black?

From Designers Guild.

It's a new fashion season. I was just at a cocktail party and an acquaintance asked if what's hot in interiors follows what's hot in dress fashion. The answer is a definate YES! She had just gotten back from the South of France and said that black and white was everywhere! And now we're seeing black and white coming back in interiors - but with a twist. Note the large patterns - no small sedate checks and toiles this year. It's bold and graphic! I was reading Vogue on-line and they are showcasing a trend of oversize clothing as well. I think this is showing up in the big bold patterns in interiors as well. A sampling of what's hot right now:

Designers Guild

And because I just love Paris - a classic photograph of the Eiffel Tower taken from the Trocodero. Note the iron work on the doors. Do the big, bold patterns feel familiar? Nothing is ever new - just re-interpretations of what has come before.
This and other prints available here.

POLL: Dating & Decor: Are you IN or OUT?

I'm taking a poll on what men and women like, or hate, about their dates homes. If you, or someone you know is single (or very recently married), I'd love to hear your stories and comments about what has turned you off, or on, in the home of the opposite sex. Please post below, or email me directly at lindamerrill@chameleon-interiors.com.

Art Sale - September 1-31

Visit my Artselect site for great savings on art prints, photography, canvas art and mirros.

The British are coming!

And none too soon, I might add. Venerable British design house Osborne & Little has debuted it's latest collection. And let me say, wow. The colors and rich textures are just fabulous!
One might assume that a company that has been around a long time might get stodgy. But this line show's that Osborne & Little remain forward thinking, while still maintaining a link to classical stylings of the past.

Color, Color Everywhere!

I just received some fabulous information from one of my suppliers about new products from England's Designers Guild. And boy, the word from across the pond is all about color! From fabrics to bedding to accessories, Designers Guild has it all. Including the most adorable baby and children's items I've seen in a long time.

My love affair with painted furniture.

Well, I just love, love painted furniture. Depending on the style it can look old world or old comfy grandma. Either way, it can be perfect. Perfect to keep a high end interior from looking too stuffy and hands off or to add elegance to your first apartment or cabin in the woods. One thing I particularly like about painted furniture is how well it goes with other mediums, such as stained woods or metals. If you have an oak bedroom set (for instance) and need a night stand, a painted piece will fit in nicely - adding contrast, without looking mismatched. Grange from France is one of my favorite furniture companies. From elegant mahagonies and cherry's to painted Louis styles - they have it all!

Roche Bobois, another French company, is well known in the states for it's contemporary furniture line. But, they also have a very traditional and charming line called Les Provinciales. Here is a lovely example of a painted coctail table and how well it fits into a luxurious environment.

Potterybarn is also showing painted pieces in different colors. They are more on the cottagy/cabin look - but still, an easy way to add elegance to a simpler design scheme.

More Marimekko from Scandinavian Design

Fabric: Kuusama. Can't you just see this fabric in a sunroom or little girls room? Feminine and cheery, but not saccharine.

Kaiku shower curtain - what a fabulous looking shower curtain. No need for major renovations with this piece of art hanging up!

Fabric: Unikko in Red. This fabric comes in several colorways - perfect for keeping the winter doldrums away! (and they have a lot of practice in Scandanavia!)

Fabric: Iso Satakieli - use it on a bed, or on the wall as art!

Elokuu fabric - Yellow/green. Soft and lovely, this fabric would be perfect on a bed, on a window or on the wall.

All available from Scandanavian Design Center.

Scandinavian Design Center: Marimekko fabrics

One of the coolest textile lines going is Marimekko fabrics. Based in Finland, this 50+year old design company's products show up regularly on television and movie sets when set designers want to convey a cool, sophisticated, "in-the-know" look for a charachter. Think Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City". I think that Merimekko fabrics were used on her window treatments. Subtle and sophisticated, yet fun and hip. This can be a hard combination to pull off - in both a charachter and a textile design. Above are some products available from the ultra-hip "Scandinavian Design Center" in Sweden. They have a great website and ship internationally.