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Defend the Trend: Have You Moved on From Mason Jars?

by Briana Mowrey June 14, 2013 15 Comments

BRIANA: If you’ve been holding your breath wondering when we were going to get around to Mason jars, stop waiting to exhale. Crafters and design bloggers have turned these practical vessels for food preservation into: vases, chandeliers, planters, cocktail glasses, candy jars, lanterns and the ingenious organizer shown here, amongst other things. But it’s that very versatility that puts the Mason jar in danger of Pinterest over-saturation, no? What are your thoughts on Mason jars and Mason jar crafts? Are they playful or played out?

Have you moved on from mason jars? Vote now on HGTV's Design Happens blog!

Photo: Lincoln Barbour

KELLEY: Considering I have the world’s largest Mason jar on my desk right now (sadly not filled with moonshine, but iced green tea), I’m going to have say I haven’t moved away from the trend. In fact, I’m smack in the middle of it. Though in the South, it was a trend that never went away – the rest of y’all are just catching up. [wink]

Are mason jars playful or played out? Vote now on HGTV's Design Happens blog!

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON MASON JARS? VOTE NOW!

Mood Board Monday: Flamingos

by Kayla Kitts June 10, 2013 12 Comments

I don’t know if you remember, but way back in January I went to the Atlanta Gift and Home Furnishings Market to spot design trends and meet with industry insiders. I mentioned the flamingo trend popping up (and not just in coastal-inspired interiors). Honestly, I forgot about this vibrant bird until just recently when warm weather and thoughts of the beach started infecting my mind. Now, I can’t help but think how cool one of these hot-pink creatures would look on a plain white canvas on my gray walls (inspiration, top-left). What do you think? Leave flamingos at the beach, or try them out indoors?

Come back every Monday for an inspirational mood board. Miss a day? See all the posts here.

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Modern Wallpaper Trends + 11 Prints to Try

by Liz Gray June 6, 2013 8 Comments

It’s no surprise that the modern wallpaper trend is still going strong: Wallpaper is a (relatively) simple and inexpensive update, and today’s patterns are a far cry from the ’80s florals and farm animal borders of the past. I got to see some of the newest playful patterns in person at the recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair. These are some of my favorite designers and patterns.

Retro Patterns From Dupenny Designs
From pinup girls to strongmen to jazz-era flappers, Dupenny Designs mixes retro artwork with cheeky humor to create wallpapers that are both fun and impactful thanks to their black-and-white designs. This bathroom-perfect paper is outfitted with groups of bathing-capped synchronized swimmers.

Splash Wallpaper by Dupenny Designs

Graphic Abstractions From Alyse Solomon
Artist Alyse Solomon starts her wallpaper design with photographs of everyday objects, then transforms them digitally into repeating abstractions. The results, like this pattern entitled “Acid Wash,” have a soothing kaleidoscope effect.

Acid Wash Wallpaper by Alyse Solomon

Bright, Large-Scale Florals From Camilla Meijer
The bold color combination of this iridescent floral print drew me into Camilla Meijer’s ICFF booth like a moth to the flame. Hand-drawn and hand-screenprinted in London, these bright, large-scale florals are perfect for a focal wall or a small powder room.

The English Garden Wallpaper by Camilla Meijer

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HGTV’s June Color of the Month: Battle of the Blues

by Liz Gray June 3, 2013 54 Comments

While our color of the month meetings can get a little contentious, occasionally the whole Design Happens team arrives with one hue on the brain. Maybe we were dreaming of upcoming beach vacations. Maybe we were ready for nautically-inspired fashion. Whatever the case, our June color meeting was all about ocean-inspired blues.

Paradise Blue and Navy Blue Room by Christopher Farr - HGTV Design Blog

Via Christopher Farr Cloth; Photo by Damian Russell for House & Garden

In the final vote, we had to choose between my classic Monaco Blue and this Caribbean-inspired Paradise Blue from online trend tracker and HGTV.com colleague Jill. Read on to find out which water-inspired color won out for June.

See HGTV’s June Color of the Month Choice

Defend the Trend: Does Concrete Furniture Leave You Cold?

by Briana Mowrey May 31, 2013 6 Comments

BRIANA: Concrete and faux concrete finishes have steadily been gaining popularity over the past year – Stylus recognized concrete as a High Point Trend, and Liz and I spotted these pieces at ICFF. But what do you think of the trend? Is the concrete look cool or does it leave you cold? Is it industrial chic or way too bleak?

Do you like the look of concrete? Vote now on HGTV's Design Happens blog!

BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN: I seldom use concrete due to its lead time and also the finish costs associated with getting it just right; however, when I opt for concrete, I think its success is all about juxtaposition. Usually, I’ll pair a concrete table with super textural seating, like boucle upholstery. Concrete also warms up a lot when it’s paired with wooden pieces, either with rustic or refined finishes. Dammit, all this talk of concrete now has me wanting to use it again.

MARIANNE: Brrrr. Way too cold for me. Concrete counters in a kitchen can work in a lot of spaces, but even that is not my style. Plus I would break all of my wine glasses.

SEE MORE CHATTER ABOUT CONCRETE AND CAST YOUR VOTE

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Daily Delight: IKEA’s Brand New Stockholm Collection

by Lili Zarghami May 29, 2013 3 Comments

All of the editors here on Design Happens have certain events they look forward to all year. For some of us, it’s KBIS or High Point. But for me, it’s hands-down the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair). Nothing gets me as excited as when I see what some of my favorite modern and contemporary designers have in store for the coming year. Making a big, green splash at this year’s fair is IKEA’s Stockholm collection. Take a look:

ikea stockholm furniture collection
Yep, that’s a green velvet sofa and I totally love it. The whole Stockholm collection seems a bit more refined and mature than IKEA collections we’ve seen in the past. It’s less dorm room and more urbane. Even still, a sofa that starts at $899 is pretty first-apartment friendly. What do you think? When this collection debuts in August 2013, will you be in line waiting for it?

Daily Delight: Kids Bedroom Pictures From Smart Home

by Grant Dudley May 28, 2013 16 Comments

–Alert! Alert! This Friday at 5pm/4c is the deadline to enter for a chance to win HGTV’s Smart Home 2013. Enter now, people!–

OK, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

In the kids’ bedroom interior designer Linda Woodrum broke free from the rules of understatement and high regency style. Kitschy, she says, is OK in a space that celebrates family, fun and a child’s first wide-eyed experience at the seashore. “The twin bedroom has great appeal for everyone. The skateboards over the twin beds speak to a young teen, but change those out and it becomes a guest room or a young child’s bedroom,” says Linda.

See even more images of the kids’ bedroom.

DESIGNER SPACES FROM LINDA WOODRUM >>

Daily Delight: Craftsman Tool Chest Nightstand

by Grant Dudley May 23, 2013 1 Comment

The unexpected adds a playful energy to a room. For his first home, designer Tommy Chambers adapted a Craftsman tool chest as a nightstand, building a simple alderwood base himself to raise it to a more convenient bedside level. “The splash of color is great,” he says, “and I love the nostalgic element of this common item from my childhood.”

EXTRA: LIVING LARGE IN A SMALL BEDROOM >>

Photo by David Phelps

Highlights From LEGENDS 2013

by Farima Alavi May 21, 2013 1 Comment

Designers and bloggers alike can agree that LEGENDS is the design event of the West Coast. Held May 8-10 at the La Cienega Design Quarter, the event brought design enthusiasts together for high-profile cocktail parties, book signings, showrooms and more. One of the most popular attractions was the window displays that selected designers created based on the theme, Time Capsule: The Past, Present and Future of Design. Social media ambassadors, Alissa Swedlow of Swedlow Design, Kelly Lee, founder and editor of Kelly Golightly, and Megan Arquette of Megan Arquette Design, give us the scoop on their favorite displays.

Alissa’s favorite display was by Tamara Kaye-Honey of House of Honey at the Waterworks showroom. “I wanted every item in that window to come live with me in my house, including the giant tassel,” she says.

Tamara Kaye-Honey's Window Design

Mary McDonald’s design for Dragonette Ltd. was Megan’s top pick. “Bringing in space travel — which at one time seemed so futuristic — and combining it with classic elements was a fun yet beautiful way to incorporate Mary’s signature style, while keeping with the theme,” Megan says.

Mary McDonald's Window Design

Kelly loved Designer Jeff Andrews’ display at the Downtown showroom because “it was simple, graphic, bold and impactful. Plus, I’m a sucker for black and white,” she says.

Jeff Andrews' Window Design

See More Window Designs

Mood Board Monday: Vintage Summer Inspiration

by Kayla Kitts May 20, 2013 3 Comments

I’ve found myself lost in one too many summer daydreams lately. As soon as warm weather arrives, I start yearning for the sand and water. Unfortunately, I wait and take my beach vacays once the dog days of summer have subsided a bit. When are you packing up and heading to the coast? Try not to make me too jealous.