Design Happens

This week, it’s all about making the classics cool. A centuries-old fabric gets spotlighted in modern design, wood gets an update and comes out looking fabulous, and some genius designers produce a furniture line for those of us who believe that traditional design has a place in the modern world. Read on for more classic makeovers: From Design Sponge Online

It seems that every spring, some slightly-obscure print comes into vogue and never looks back. This spring, the “it” print is ikat. Ikat is a textile marked by the use of resist dying, where the dye is prevented from reaching all of the cloth, resulting in dyed patterns (think tie-dye). Ikat has had a slow build to the top of spring’s must-have list. It was featured in the pages of Elle Decor and on the shelves of Target in 2008 and 2009, but now I’m seeing it everywhere. The thing I love most about ikat is its cultural ubiquity. Variations of the bright pattern are seen throughout the world. Check out these eye-catching ikat pieces:

From Halcy on House Design

From Lotus Haus

From Katy Elliott

If ikat is the “it” print, then wood is the “it” material. House Beautiful recently did an entire issue devoted to the most basic of building materials and they aren’t the only one’s digging the natural look. Check out these clever ways with wood:

From Oh Joy!

From Pillarbox Post

From So Haute!

That beautiful wood room with the dark blue couch is from the hip furnishing line, The New Traditionalists. I’ve fallen in love with the crisp lines and exquisite attention to detail put into the pieces. The New Traditionalists’ home page says, “If you believe that traditional and cool are not mutually exclusive, you are one of the new traditionalists.” Finally, a furniture line of for people like me. Here are some more luscious looks from The New Traditionalists:

 Both From So Haute!