Texture Wallcovering in Practical Form

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

I hope that all of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family!

Today I would like to talk about a new concept that has recently evolved with one of the wallpaper manufacturers that I have worked with over several years, York Wallcovering. I have been waiting a long time for one of my vendors to come up with a washable textured wallpaper that does not look like a dentist’s office or a hotel lobby, and they have! This new collection just arrived in my store, and is by one of my most favorite designers, Candice Olson. The name of this wallpaper collection is called Moonstruck.

A fine collection of vinyl textured wallpaper that encompasses tone-on-tone geometrics with a contemporary flair. These designs are easy to live with because they are in my opinion, timeless. Because this collection is made of a lightweight vinyl, they are washable and the seams do not panel like in a natural grass cloth wallcovering. What’s also exciting is the fact that these wallpapers are fabric backed and removes easily if you decide to change your wallpaper in the future. I’ve also found while working with my clients that this new collection coordinates with any fabric you put with it or any furniture style.

So folks, stop in and take a look! Let me clue you in, my fellow decorating aficionados, wallpaper is in, and it’s now user-friendly.

So, as I always say folks, don’t be afraid to decorate!

Best always and Happy Holidays!

Robin

Keeping Your Holidays Simple and Elegant

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

The Holiday Season is upon us. As we all know, it’s important to be organized and have a nice presentation of your home for family and guests. The mood is everything. Here is my personal outline for getting ready for the Holidays.

First is the guest room. I find it is most important to replace mismatched bedding, update with new pillows and add welcoming cozy comforters. A few simple touches is all it takes to make your guests feel part of your home.

Next on my outline is the guest bathroom. Change out the towels with fluffy white ones for a spa-like feeling. Then add scented soaps and candles to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Another highlight should be your family table. The best place to start is with the tableware and place settings; I always like to start with white china as it’s a simple touch and enhances the presentation of the food. Add in some inherited crystal or silver serving pieces that have been passed down through the generations. It will add to the history and fine memories of loved ones that are no longer with you.

The Holidays are about coming together, and nothing says that more than your home during this season. With a little love and attention, you’ll set the stage just right and memories will be made.

Enjoy your Holidays, and as I always say, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin 

My Day at The Boston Design Center

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

My day at The Boston Design Center where I visited the new Cowtan & Tout showroom and had the opportunity to view all the new, exciting fabric and wallcovering collections! Visit The Four Walls to inspire your pre-holiday home redesign.

"It's a great day" at the Phillip Jeffries showroom visiting my dear friend Jill. The selection of the grasscloth and texture wallcovering was quite impressive for the upcoming season!

"Going Green!" - 2016 Color Trend - Emerald Green

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

Being in the wallcovering and the interior design field, I’ve been noticing recently a large amount of the color emerald green introduced in all the new designer wallpaper and fabrics. I, as a May baby, have always been partial to this color as the Emerald is my birthstone. It represents nature and is a powerful color because it makes a daring design statement. Emerald green never goes out of style, and it fuses well with almost any pastel. I have also noticed this color hue has made its way into the fall season with regards to the fashion industry; this particular shade looks well on any lady wearing this powerful and rich color. So, a suggestion; "go green" in your fashion and with your home decor.

And, as I always say, folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

Decorating with Faux Bois

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

Lately I have been noticing in the new wallcovering collections the look of Faux Bois. Its meaning is "false wood." This rustic look seems to be quite the design trend inside the home. I find it a fabulous way of bringing the natural outside beauty into one’s living space. Thibaut, an upscale wallcovering company introduced this look in their latest collection, Texture Resource IV with a pattern called Eastwood. A varied collection of wood grain in nine different color ways. How fabulous for one wall in a family room or as an accent wall in an informal hallway!

Not only is the tree grain motif appearing in wallcovering, it appears in furniture, fabric and home accessories.

You don’t have to be a lumberjack to enjoy the idea of a Faux Bois motif. And, as I always say folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

In The Navy!

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

               

With the winding down of summer in a few weeks, I always try to hold onto my great summer experiences with some fabulous nautical elements that can carry me through the year. Maybe it’s because of my passion for sailing that I have always tried to incorporate a nautical theme, for they are a classic in the home. They can be used naturally in your family’s beach cottage, or in spots not by the ocean. For example, in a boy’s bedroom incorporating striped wallpaper or in a guest bedroom, and maybe the use of some toss pillows in a family room, paired with an interesting fabric.

               

The color navy is a great classic, that, when paired with white, makes any room crisp and clean. And did you know, the color term ‘navy’ comes from the uniforms worn by the British Navy back in the 19^th century.

              

So folks, bring in a nautical theme in your decor, it’s fun, sophisticated, and brings the outside in! Enjoy the rest of the summer, and, as I always say, ‘Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

               

Robin

"Getting Trim"

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

For today’s design blog we will be talking about “getting trim.” No, folks, we will not be talking about how to get thin or your workout or weight-loss routine. We will be discussing paint color that is ideal for woodwork, chair rails and baseboards.

My choice as an interior designer and wallcovering expert has always been white; yes, just plain white! Be it an off-white or a grey white which always appears crisp and clean looking. The reason is simple. Whether you paint or wallpaper, a crisp white or off-white paint trim sets off wallcovering and any wall paint color. By using a contrasting color trim just seems to be too busy and calls attention to too many details in your living space. Also, a color trim choice will lock you in when you are choosing fabrics or floor coverings. It just simply makes the living space too busy and complicated.

White trim is a classic choice, and goes with traditional decor or a contemporary theme. If you take a look in most design magazines you will find that white trim is favored by my fellow interior designers.

So folks, if you want to keep your home up to date, choose white trim. And, as I always say, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

To Upholster or Not To Upholster...That is the Question.

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To upholster or not to upholster? That is the question…

As an interior designer and owner of the Four Walls Wallpaper Studio, I am asked by my clients quite often, is it worthwhile to reupholster a sofa, or dining room chairs or any piece of furniture in the home for that matter. Unfortunately we are seeing more low-end furniture that is being fabricated with inferior materials, and not to mention toxic chemicals that are being applied in the seat cushion stuffing. When reupholstering a quality piece of furniture that is either one you’ve purchased through an interior designer or inherited from your family, it is in my opinion the best option to reupholster it. The reason why I feel this way, is the mere fact that the framework used is better quality and more concern is placed in the construction and quality of the wood accents used on the arms and legs of chairs and sofas. I have recently been involved in the redesign of a client’s living room where I had suggested reupholstering two Bergere chairs of excellent framework, which I like to call “good bones!” I suggested to my client to use a contemporary, hip, bohemian Ikat as the fabric choice. The end result gave my client a unique look that can’t be replicated in today’s furniture market!

So readers, when you’re visiting family and they want to give you a piece of their old furniture, don’t say no, look at it from a different design perspective. Older is sometimes better!

And, as I always say folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

A "Light" Subject

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

For today’s blog we will discussing LED lighting. Lighting is a design element that I have had extensive experience with in my years of interior design. It is both a commercial and home element that is most important and often overlooked by consumers. According to a recent study by the American Institute of Architects, LED lighting is leading the growth and demand for both kitchen and bathroom features in the American home. And unlike many design trends the switch to LED lighting is not slowing down any time soon, as both my colleagues and I agree.

As a matter of fact, LED sales have doubled in the last two years, and I can see why as a great number of my clients have requested that I specify energy efficient lighting to their closets, shelves in their study’s and stairways. This has been a must with the restaurant interiors that I have been involved with most recently. LED lighting has become important in outdoor spaces such as its use on decks and walkways.

Being both an interior designer and the owner of a wallcovering and fabric studio in Newton Mass, the real reason LED lighting is so important to me is the fact of the CRI/Color Rendering Index, which enhances the true color tonality of wallcoverings and fabrics. I won’t bore you on the different levels between warm and cool tones I promise! So with all these fabulous advancements with LEDs let’s shed more “light” on your world. And as I always say folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

Robin's Design Concept for Spring 2016!

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There’s an exciting new design feeling for Spring of 2016. This concept seems to be the trend for my clients needs. The “old design concept” was filling a room with a lot of accessories and too much over-scaled furniture. Now it’s simple, friendly and serene. The new designer fabric choices are more durable and user-friendly. That’s not to say that it sacrifices look, by any means. More linens, chenille’s, and crushed velvet blends have taken a forefront.

Window treatments have a strong emphasis on straight panels with more of a tailored edge. Roman shades have been the number one choice for my current projects. When it comes to the wallcovering, deep tones such as grays and blues, incorporating the use of grass cloth or a very high-end vinyl texture from England and Italy were favored. This concept allows my clients to utilize their personal elements such as their area rugs in the design plan. The spring colors for 2016 have been neutrals paired with jewel tones, such as grays and milky blues with purples, lilacs and corals.

Each of the interior design projects that I’ve been involved with recently have one important design philosophy; the rooms are functional, lived-in and represent my clients’ personal taste. More of the emphasis is placed on the comfort and enjoyment of the owners of the home, their family and the welcoming of their guests. In conclusion, a room should feel well-designed but not be afraid to be used, and it is my belief that the overall look should appear that the interior of the home reflect my clients personality and not my own. There is a right and wrong within a client’s taste, that has been my design standard for over thirty years. As I always say folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best always,

Robin

A Four Walls Favorite - The Pierre Frey Design House

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

We are always looking for good quality items and experiences, in everything from our food choices, travel and the interior of our homes. Pierre Frey is one of the most original and unique design houses I have had the pleasure of working with. They recently came out with two new wallcovering books, Foxtrot and Jungle, which I have just received in my wallpaper & design studio.

Pierre Frey’s designs are always interesting and unique. Foxtrot is the modern and contemporary take on classic twentieth designs, recalling a bygone era of freshness, luxury and elegance. Frey looks back to a classic time to bring you the essence of those years in contemporary décor. The design Erevan is a soft floral motif in a gentle geometrical pattern that is appealing to the eye and classical. Darius is a more geometrical take on a classic floral, recalling the idea of a child’s kaleidoscope.

Jungle is the second book by Pierre Frey that Four Walls has just received. This collection is a journey into the colorful and brilliant world of dreams and imagination, with inspiration taken from the vibrant world of South America. Otomi is reminiscent of the flowers and birds adorning the Amazon. Kipling recalls the richness of the thick forests of the Equator where every step is a new discovery.

Pierre Frey takes concepts and reinvents them into new and exciting visions for us to experience and immerse ourselves in. His designs fill our hearts and minds with wonder and creativity. With wallpaper as famous as Pierre Frey, it WILL take over the conversation with guests in your home!

So, as I always say, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

No More ... the Forgotten Room.

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

Recently in the interior design industry, powder rooms and bathrooms have become a large focus, primarily because of the variety of decorative tile options now available. Flooring classics such as marble and granite give a timeless quality. Cabinetry are now being crafted as pieces of custom designer furniture. These rooms express the same amount of importance as any other room in your home, mainly because clients are spending large dollars on decorative hardware and appointments. As far as shower curtains go, all are being made with custom designer fabrics, mainly because there are not as many stunning ready-made options. When it comes to the wallcovering selections, they’re no longer the typical ‘shell and fish’ choices!

Today there’s much more variety of design and texture to show off your individual style that one would never have expected to be considered. The main design objective that I personally notice when helping my clients with their re-design of their powder room and bathrooms is that they’re not afraid to give these spaces a ‘wow’ factor. The more original the space, the more fun we’ll both have in the creation and end result!

So, as I always folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin