“defend The Trend” | Design Happens

ALL POSTS TAGGED "[“defend the trend”]"

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

by Briana Mowrey June 14, 2013 11 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!

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

Defend the Trend: Do You Wig Out Over Wicker Furniture?

by Briana Mowrey May 10, 2013 9 Comments

BRIANA: Wicker furniture was big up until the late ’70s, and then it seemed to be relegated to the backyard. Now it’s making its way back indoors, too. (Peep this wicker headboard and bedside table. Double trouble!) Are you pro-wicker furniture or do you think all this rattan looks ratty? Talk to me, people.

FARIMA: I am pro-wicker! I admit, it looks pretty ratty in natural form, but it looks refreshing and springy with a coat of paint.

LILI: This is only okay in a sunroom. And maybe not even then. I think of the wicker patterns smashed into the backs of my thighs as a kid and shudder at the memory. Furniture should never hurt you!

MORE FIGHTING OVER WICKER FURNITURE

Defend the Trend: Do You Fawn Over Chevron?

by Briana Mowrey April 26, 2013 8 Comments

BRIANA: Chevron has long been on my list of trends to tackle, but I’m bringing it up now because I see signs of its reign starting to wane. Could straight stripes and punky polka dots be poised to take the throne once again? Or are you still a loyal subject of the zigzags? Discuss.

JESSICA: You know the seagulls from Finding Nemo? They were me – only instead of wailing “Mine!” I was screaming “Chevron!” in every single department store. But as time went on, I realized that chevron was just a novelty to me. I didn’t really love chevron – just the idea of it. All those crazy zigzags just aren’t stable enough for me at this time in my life. We’re on a break.

DAVID HAYNES: Just the idea of chevron? Jessica, that is deep. I’m going to have to think on this for a while.

LEANNE: Enough with those harsh zigzags. Make 2013 the Year of Sensuous, Life-Affirming Swirls. Like in this Gustav Klimt.

MORE SHOUTING ABOUT CHEVRON

Defend the Trend: Would You Fiddle Around With a Fiddle-Leaf Fig Tree?

by Briana Mowrey April 12, 2013 13 Comments

BRIANA: Even if you’re not a botanist, you may recognize the fiddle-leaf fig tree from its appearances in design magazine spreads and on blogs. Many, many design magazine spreads and blogs. Fiddle-leaf fig trees are basically the plant equivalent of that Cabinet of Natural Curiosities book, in that people staging spaces love to throw one in the mix. But does its ubiquity make it tired? Or is it just evidence that it looks good everywhere? Would you fiddle around with a fiddle-leaf fig tree in your home?

MARIANNE: Derp derp. Guilty as charged. I grew mine from a wee one-leafed seedling and it is basically my second child.

Do you love or hate fiddle leaf fig trees? Cast your vote now on HGTV's Design Happens blog!
MORE TRASH TALKIN’ ABOUT TREES

Defend the Trend: Are You Fascinated by Fascinators?

by Briana Mowrey March 29, 2013 6 Comments

BRIANA: Today’s topic is right in the middle of the Venn diagram that is design and fashion: Fascinators. They made splashy appearances at William & Kate’s royal wedding and the Design Happens crew spotted them all over Alt, so you know they’re hot with the design blogging set. They’re certainly attention-grabbing, but that can be a good thing or a bad thing. So, what do you think? Are fascinators fantastic or frightening?

LILI: People are doing this?

On purpose?

Defend the Trend: Are Black Walls Gorgeous or Too Goth?

by Briana Mowrey March 8, 2013 8 Comments

BRIANA: Black walls have been black sheep in the design world, but they’re starting to make some inroads, as this quote from a recent Boston Globe Magazine piece proves: “Black is definitely a trend,” says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams in Dallas. “People think it will close the room in, but it has the opposite effect.” This trend was suggested by our own Marianne Canada and the room image comes to us from designer/opinionated Defend the Trend contributor Brian Patrick Flynn, so I think I know what they’ll say, but maybe y’all will surprise me. Are black (and other super-dark) walls gorgeous or too goth for your taste?

LEANNE: Only cool if accented with black velvet paintings and vintage Jane’s Addiction album covers.

Defend the Trend: Do You Want to See More See-Through Furniture?

by Briana Mowrey February 15, 2013 10 Comments

BRIANA: The most recent issue of HGTV Magazine has a feature, “Yay or Nay?”, that asks 10 design experts what they think about decorating dos and don’ts. I loved it, natch, and there was even a little overlap with topics that I had queued up for Defend the Trend! See-through furniture, for example. If you were a voracious Domino reader back in the day (as I was), I’m pretty sure you lusted after a Ghost Chair. The trend seemed to be dormant for a bit, but I’ve noticed it returning to the scene. The design panel in HGTV Magazine gave it a “yay,” but what do you say? Is acrylic furniture clearly elegant or transparently tacky?

DEANNE REVEL: Love love love Lucite tables. They let you bring the funk in other areas like fixtures and textiles!

Defend the Trend: Are Balloons Fun or Overdone?

by Briana Mowrey February 1, 2013 6 Comments

BRIANA: Balloons seem to be everywhere these days. Design blogs, magazine shoots, entertaining spreads, even engagement photography. (Especially engagement photography.) It’s starting to feel a little bit like the movie Up out there. So, are balloons fun or overdone?

KELLY SMITH TRIMBLE: Saw this project on an event-planner-friend’s Pinterest board and thought it was cute for an outdoor party in cold climates:

Otherwise, balloons outdoors freak me out a little. They remind me of the 1982 World’s Fair when I tragically let go of my red balloon and, through tears, watched it float to heaven. Plus, they always end up getting popped and becoming litter.

Defend the Trend: What’s Up With All These Baby Heads?

by Briana Mowrey January 18, 2013 14 Comments

BRIANA: I usually strive for an air of impartiality in these intros, but I have to say straight out that I don’t understand the appeal of this trend AT ALL. However, several of you spotted it at High Point, so clearly it’s a thing! That’s right, I’m talking about baby heads.

baby heads at high point

I recently spotted this example on “Pinterest, You Are Drunk”, so at least someone else shares my sentiment about the phenomenon. But what do you think? Are baby heads sweet and offbeat or totally oddball?

MARIANNE: Ick. I don’t like dolls to begin with, so decorating with their eyeless, disembodied heads? No thank you.

KAYLA: This is my nightmare:

baby heads in a glass case