Robin's Design Concept for Spring 2016!

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

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

Warm Weather Living

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

Spring is one week away, and with all the amazing weather we’ve been having, our thoughts have already turned toward the outdoors. We are always looking for the newest thing, the latest trend, to add to our homes, to make them amazing, so that when your friends visit they will ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ with amazement.

The big thing now is your porch or patio. It’s no longer just a walkway in front, sometimes leading to the back door into the yard. Porches have become patios that are an extension of your living room; they’ve become a part of your house itself, sometimes through floor-to-ceiling walls that fold back like curtains to really open up your house.

But that’s only the beginning. Once you have your patio, it’s time to dress it up. I’m talking about fabulous furniture, pillows, and of course the right color scheme. People go so far as to have a full furniture set, complete with rug and side tables to hold your summer drinks.

A classic theme for your outdoor living space is Nautical; those navy and white stripes that are so reminiscent of a New England seaside town. Tropical and bright floral patterns are also a huge hit, with eye-catching colors; lime, orange, turquoise and hot pink are always favorites.

Then there is the deck itself. It’s the outdoor representation of your home, and you’ll want it to reflect your personality. Smoothly finished wood or rustic stone, your choices should seamlessly blend the inside of your home to the outside, making for the perfect entertaining experience this summer.

It’s time to get those ideas going, so things are ready when the warm weather really kicks in. And, as I always say folks, “Don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

The Jewelry of Your Home

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

The weather has been grey lately, and we are all looking for something to brighten up our lives, and homes, with. What better way than with color and pattern! There are lots of ways you can bring brightness to your home. Usually we think of a new wallcovering or throw pillows or furniture. But, what about your drapes; this can create a unique and interesting contrast when set against a textured wallcovering.

I’ve found two amazing designers who do just that. John Robshaw has a collection with Duralee that focuses on block-printed textiles and petite prints. His style is a casual bohemian taken from his travels and incorporates texture with pattern to create bold, contemporary designs.

Then there is Kim Parker. Parker has teamed up with Clarke & Clarke to create her Art Book Collection. Utilizing fashionable color such as violet and citron, Parker’s designs are enthusiastic, creative and daring styles. Whether the print is one color or a whole rainbow, the liveliness of Parker’s designs is sure to warm your home up.

But, drapes aren’t complete without the right accessory. Holdbacks, finials, brackets, endcaps and more. It’s about finding the right accessory that will not only compliment your drapes but will also bring your vision for the room to life. Sometimes wood is the way to go, other times it is crystal or metal. As every girl knows, accessories make the outfit, or in this case, your home. After all…they are the “jewelry of your draperies.”

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

Best,

Robin

Spice Up Those Walls!

Welcome Back Blog Readers!

With winter fully upon us, we are spending more time in our homes, thinking of things to do to occupy our time and minds. We spend some of that time staring at the walls. And no doubt, we’ve been thinking about how to spice up those walls for 2016. We all want to stay ahead of the curve, so let me share with you some of the trends for this year.

Florals; we tend to think it’s overused and been done too many times, but we always end up coming back to it. That’s what so great about them; they are versatile and can be created in so many designs and patterns that there is always something new. This year that variety goes from classic vintage designs to the more contemporary.

Another trend I’m really excited about is life-size art murals. Turning your walls into the art pieces themselves. We all want something interesting to look at on our walls, so why not make the walls themselves be that eye-catching thing. Plus, when your guests visit, you have a ready-made, easy conversation starter.

The next three are each on the more contemporary side, but can be infused with a classic flair as well. I’m talking about geometrics, natural materials, and the exotic. Yes, bold and daring and taking a risk. Geometrics, we all know what those are. Natural materials, such as metals, wood, brick, stone and more are making a smash this year with wallpapers that simulate their appearance and sometimes even their textures. And the exotic, if you haven’t guessed already, is about animal prints. Bringing it right to your home and giving it that wow factor you need.

All these trends, no matter which way you style them, will revitalize and bring energy to your home. It’s time to start designing, so come in now; and, as I always say, “don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin

Child's Play...

Welcome Back Blog Readers,

January is almost over and we are all starting to find our 2016 rhythm. It’s been cold and windy and bit snowy lately, and we all are looking for something to brighten our spirits. So, why not with new wallcoverings, for the family. It’s time to focus on the kids, because there is no doubt they are growing up fast, and you want their room to reflect that change.

Jane Churchill’s Get Happy collection have a contemporary style that utilizes rich colors, textures and bold designs and patterns, allowing you to create your own style and theme. Her Nursery Tales collection is pastel’s and light colors all the way, because when they are babies we want them to feel surrounded by a light atmosphere. Her Get Happy range is the next step, beginning to make use of those bold colors and designs she is known for, and is great for those early childhood years.

Sanderson also specializes in children’s wallcoverings, with their Abracazoo Wallpapers collection. With eleven different wallcoverings, Sanderson has created a world of wonder and magic to inspire a child’s mind when they play. Everything you could think of for nursery to early school age, themes range from classic to make-believe to contemporary.

These two are some of my favorites for children’s wallcoverings, for they always have a beat on exactly what will make you and the children happy. I just received new collections from both Jane Churchill and Sanderson, so stop by and take a look. And, as I always say, “don’t be afraid to decorate!”

Best,

Robin