Design Style

Clients sometimes ask our design professionals what their personal interior design style preference is. The answer is most likely something along the lines of “it’s your preference that is important.” Learning about different design styles is important for learning about your own taste but for now we’ll present a primer on the playfulness of Postmodernism.

Postmodernism

For making your own statement, for asserting your own individuality, for adding personal creativity, for being a bit rebellious—there’s no style like Postmodernism. The Museum of Modern Art describes Postmodernism as “a reaction against modernism. It is less a cohesive movement than an approach and attitude toward art, culture, and society. Its main characteristics include anti-authoritarianism, or refusal to recognize the authority of any single design style or definition of what art should be; and the collapsing of the distinction between high culture and mass or popular culture, and between art and everyday life. Postmodern art and architecture can be also characterized by a deliberate use of earlier styles and conventions, and an eclectic mixing of different artistic and popular styles and mediums.”

Flexibility

For some of us, it’s no surprise that Postmodern design philosophy arose in the 1960s, a time when parts of society increasingly challenged authority. Architects, designers and other creative types were bucking rigid modern functionalism in favor of flexible living spaces reflecting owners’ personalities. A usual goal of Postmodern interior design is to create a space that is truly unique.

Furnishings used in Postmodernism are limited only by one’s imagination and ability to find the unusual. An interior designer, of course, can help with that. Our access to resources is quite extensive.

This is your opportunity to playfully mix materials, colors, textures and sometimes even unconventional art and furniture. Designers love to help clients find that one “statement piece” that really sets a room apart. With Postmodern design, the entire room makes a statement. A bold one.

Be Creative

Such creativity can be applied to any room. In a living room, for example, use a mix of vintage and modern furniture. Add bold, colorful rugs with geometric patterns. Accessorize with a combination of high-end art and playful décor items.

In the kitchen: Make your foundation brightly colored cabinets paired with stainless steel appliances. Open shelving will allow you to display an eclectic mix of dishware. Unique backsplashes with bold patterns can also add personality.

In a bedroom: Combine classic with contemporary furniture. An unusually shaped headboard with a bold color can make a striking statement. Top it off with layers of bedding in different patterns and textures.

Don’t forget the bathroom: It’s a wonderful space for very bold wallpaper or tiles with geometric or floral patterns. Mingling retro and modern fixtures can be fun, especially with colorful faucets. Clinch the look with quirky accessories like an uncommonly shaped mirror.

If challenging traditional design norms and prioritizing individuality and creativity sounds like you, work with GOLSON DESIGNS. We can help you include elements of surprise and humor in your home.

Contact us or call (407) 902-3011 today

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Biophilic interior design, where nature and natural elements take center stage in our homes and workplaces, is the leading trend we’ve seen at the recent High Point N.C. Home Furnishings Market. It’s about connecting people and nature within the home environment. Biophilic design elements play a therapeutic role as they are thought of as calming, uplifting, and anxiety-reducing. Designs should include hues that mimic natural occurrences by bringing nature into the home. This can be in the form of rounded walls, curved furniture, skylights, natural elements and colors.

Biophilic uses outdoor inspirations as gigantic mood boards that allow you to select from a multitude of colors, materials, shapes, and patterns. Think lush plants, warm wood, cool stone, and water and light features. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also has been proven to boost our moods, increase productivity, and reduce stress levels.

Nature’s calming influence

The emphasis on Biophilic is based on the growing appreciation for nature and its calming influence on our lives. People are seeking more comfort and coziness at home in the form of painted nooks, moody wallpaper, warm wood tones, and rich, colorful upholstery. There is a rise of soft, warm nuances that are spirit-lifting and dopamine-enhancing. We want spaces that bring nostalgic moments to mind, fond recollections from our past that elicit a sense of warmth, comfort, and longing.

A symphony of color

We are seeing a cheerful bouquet of colors which will continue. Blues and greens, of course, are obvious colors for connecting with nature. Adding to those two popular colors are pink and yellow undertones. For a calming, relaxed, and welcoming interior, earthy or nature-inspired tones are taking over. Hues such as ochre, tan, taupe, light pinks, and light greys are taking over bedroom and dining room schemes.

Classic floral and lattice patterns are mingled with textural solids and delicate small-scale patterns for ease of layering. The color palettes explore a variety of inviting tones including buttercup yellows, corals, sage greens, clean blues, and earthy neutrals.

If you are looking for a Biophilic color palette try out Sherwin Williams’s collection: Emerald Designer Editionor Behr’s BioNature Collection

More emphasis on details

Intricate details enhance a room and make it utterly unique and interesting. They are indicators of quality, identity, functionality, and care. They tell stories and create memories. Like jewelry for your wardrobe, intricate details are the final piece of a room’s design. There is a definite trend to focus more on detail in selecting furnishings.

Texture also adds detail to a room’s design. In fabrics we see mohair, dimensional and mixed yarn boucle to add a softer personality to the design. There is also continued interest in Chenille, and shearling. In metals, we see burnished bronze and brown-based metals versus yellow or silver -based metals. In ironworks, there is a more hand-forged look. In stone, a more honed feeling, with softer raw edges. In wood, there continues to be raised grains and wire-bushed looks which creates a feeling of being close to the material. In natural materials, there is a move from split rattan to rush weaving and rush seating. In glass, we are seeing more ombre’, some opalescence, and more color. Tinted, milked frosted, and ombre are the story whether through urns and vases or tabletop.

Soft lines and more farmhouse

This year, designers and homeowners alike are leaning toward furniture and home elements that embrace soft lines. Spaces continue to have curvilinear shapes and a cocooning environment. In a turbulent world, we look for our homes to be our safe-haven or refuge. Cozy, comfortable living rooms or family rooms are on trend. Curved lines represent the fluid movement of water. Furniture designers have spotted the opportunity to bring people back together; a curved sofa, for example, can do that.

Yes, Farmhouse Design is still popular.

Today’s farmhouse design takes the comfortable, relaxed farmhouse style and adds modern touches such as smooth lines, glossy accents, and neutral color schemes. It’s less rustic, more sophisticated and uses contemporary design elements like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and sleek lighting. It is often characterized by using natural materials, such as wood, stone, and metal, as well as vintage and distressed furniture.

The key to these trends is the focus on calm, comfort, and connection.

If you’re interested in incorporating Biophilic design into your home, we are here to help!

Contact us or call (407) 902-3011.

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Get ready with a trumpet fanfare! The Pantone Color of the Year for 2024 is …

PEACH FUZZ. Yes, Peach Fuzz it is. Pantone 13—1023

“In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.” That’s from Leatrice Eiseman, executive director, Pantone Color Institute

Peach Fuzz, claims the Pantone website, “captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul.”

Hotel lobby courtesy of Pantone.

While Pantone may be THE Color of the Year, there are others.

Benjamin Moore

Our partner Benjamin Moore has proclaimed Blue Nova as its 2024 Color of the Year, described as “violet and blue coming together in an elevated, sumptuous hue.”

Blue Nova by Benjamin Moore.

Add these paint manufacturer’s 2024 picks to the kaleidoscope

• Persimmon by HGTV Home & Sherwin-Williams
• Ironside by Dutch Boy
• Cracked Pepper by Behr
• Renew Blue by Valspar
• Limitless by Glidden
• Upward by Sherwin-Williams

Cracked Pepper by Behr.

How did all this start anyway?

We found an article at ArchitecturalDigest.com titled Here’s How Color of the Year Mania Came to Be.

“In the 1957 romantic comedy Funny Face, Kay Thompson — playing a larger-than-life fashion editor inspired by Diana Vreeland–leads a musical number in which she marshals her staff (and presumably the world at large) to “think pink!” Bolts of Pepto Bismol–colored fabric unfurl across her carpeted office floor as she tells her junior editors to “bury the beige.” As it turns out, Funny Face was right on schedule. In real life, pink was all the rage, dousing everything from a 1957 Ford Thunderbird to a 1957 RCA Whirlpool electric range. The parallel underscored a uniquely 20th-century phenomenon—that colors themselves could have moments.”

Isn’t that funny since this is still the season of Barbie pink?

More from that article: “It can be tempting to think of color trends mere whim, or—when a trend really takes off—as a lucky stroke of creative genius. But as that other esteemed fictional fashion editor, Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, famously schooled her hapless assistant Andy, the colors of consumer products are never an accident. They are deliberately chosen, work their way through retail networks high and low, and end up tinting the wardrobes of even those who claim to be indifferent to fashion.”

The Pantone Color System has been the standard for color matching since 1963. In 1999, the Pantone Color Institute created the Pantone Color of the Year educational program to engage the design community and color enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around color. The Pantone website states: “We wanted to draw attention to the relationship between culture and color. We wanted to highlight to our audience how what is taking place in our global culture is expressed and reflected through the language of color. This thought process rings just as true today as it did back in 1999. That’s one of the major reasons why, each year, so many around the world look forward to our Pantone Color of the Year announcement.”

Pantone may not have been the first, though. Pratt & Lambert, a paint manufacturer geared to the interior design market, claims their program dates to 1996.

How does all this help you?

First: It does stimulate some fun conversation and debate, even if it’s only about: How in the world do they come up with those names?

Second: It fosters creativity. Most of us don’t want to be boring with our interiors. Colors of the year make us think beyond the basic red, blue, yellow, green, or black and white, or even beige.

Third: It helps us learn about different paint brands and what they offer.

Renew blue by Valspar.

Color plays an important role in how interior decorating affects mental health. Color moves us. Color can set a mood and create a conversation. The website colorpsychology.org puts it this way: “It can excite or soothe your mood, raise or lower your blood pressure, even whet your appetite! Whether it’s innate or learned, it’s undeniable that color has a vital impact on how we go about our lives.”

So take your pick and make 2024 more colorful. If you would like help from our color consultants contact us or call (407) 902-3011.

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In the world of fashion, the iconic black dress donned by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” remains etched in our collective memory as an epitome of sophistication and grace. Just as various James Bonds have defined black-tie attire, it begs the question: which actor wore it best? The allure of black transcends mere clothing; it is a hue that has intrigued scholars of both fashion and color, revealing its multifaceted symbolic meanings, from austerity and virtue to wealth, sophistication, eroticism, mourning, and even a hint of intrigue and darkness, as noted in a recent Harvard Crimson article.

A TIMELESS CLASSIC

Today, we see black emerging as a timeless classic, radiating sophistication and elegance. Picture this: walking into a room where black has been thoughtfully incorporated feels much like making a grand entrance in the perfect black ensemble. It exudes an air of opulence, inviting admiration and intrigue.

A TRANSFORMATIVE COLOR

Black is a transformative color; it can be that dramatic focal point your space craves. A single carefully chosen piece of furniture, a set of luxurious window treatments, or a collection of exquisite accessories can elevate your interior design. The expert touch lies in harmoniously weaving black into the tapestry of your space, perhaps complemented by accents of opulent gold. This harmonious pairing will undoubtedly elicit gasps of awe and appreciation from your guests.

EMBRACE GEOMETRICS

But why stop there? Imagine adorning your walls with black and embracing geometric shapes and metallic tones through exquisite wallpapers. From tween rooms that give them confidence for the next stage in life to sophisticated primary bedrooms that exude a sense of calm and luxury, black-infused wallpapers can become the magnetic center of your space.

BALANCE IS KEY

As in all things design, balance is key. Decorating with black doesn’t mean surrendering to a somber or stark ambiance. Quite the contrary, when artfully combined with other colors and textures, black can transform your living space into a stylish, inviting haven. It’s about striking that perfect equilibrium, just like crafting a memorable outfit that leaves an indelible impression.

If you’re ready to explore the world of interior design with black as your muse, we invite you to embark on this journey with us. Our team of skilled professionals at [BUSINESS] is ready to guide you through the art of infusing sophistication and elegance into your home with the timeless power of black. Together, we’ll unveil the exquisite potential that the color black holds in the realm of interior design. Elevate your space, and let’s paint a masterpiece with the art of black.

Call GOLSON DESIGNS at (407) 902-3011 and find out more.

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SHERWIN-WILLIAMS Color Palettes for 2023

Are you thinking about a new look for the new year for any of your rooms? If so, we have some new color ideas for you to consider. Sherwin-Williams introduced four new color palettes for 2023 at October’s High Point, N.C. home furnishings market. Keep reading to see how Sherwin-Williams combines 40 different colors into these palettes.

There is increasing emphasis on how interior decorating affects mental health and color plays an important role in that. Color moves us. Color can set a mood, and create a conversation. The website colorpsychology.org puts it this way: “It can excite or soothe your mood, raise or lower your blood pressure, and even whet your appetite! Whether it’s innate or learned, it’s undeniable that color has a vital impact on how we go about our lives.”

The 2023 color palettes are intended to emphasize “what is ours, who we are,” said Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing. “The four new palettes remind us of the connection to the earth beneath our feet, the enduring beauty of ancient practices, the warmth of true compassion, the daily joys that make our world so wonderful.

BIOME

The first palette introduced is called Biome — described as helping us “seek perfect balance with the existing, ever-changing ecosystem.” We can “preserve peace in an atmosphere of delicate mushroom taupe, lichen gray, rich earth tones, and the colors of our sky’s cloud canopy.”

Biome’s colors are: Urbane Bronze, Shiitake, Threshold Taupe, Antler Velvet, Redwood Medium Brown, Mount Etna, White Resin, Evergreen Fog, Hamburg Gray, and Silvermist.

LORE

The Lore palette is inspired by “the call to create that is woven into the fiber of our being, present in the very air we breathe, binding us together in a community of makers that spans centuries and crosses cultures.” These colors urge us to “reconnect with an intricate mix of ancient reds, powdery pastels, and bevy of bejeweled tones — and embrace the transformative power of passionate creativity.”

Lore’s colors are Wallflower, Studio Mauve, Carnelian, Toile Red, Serape, Dhurrie Beige, Pediment, Mineral Gray, Blue Peacock, and Nugget.

NEXUS

The theme of Nexus is “our communal well-being.” These colors from Sherwin-Williams can remind us of “a quiet place of healing, a realm where the energy we give is returned to us tenfold, where the warmth of loving kindness reminds us of what it feels like to come home.”

The colors of Nexus “enkindle a sense of support and serenity with a potter’s palette of natural clays and sunbaked desert sands.” They are Lei Flower, Reddened Earth, Redend Point, Likeable Sand, Kestrel White, Foothills, Chatura Gray, Cool Beige, Malted Milk, and Emerging Taupe.

ORIGIN

The Origin palette is about “mapping our inner world.” The Sherwin-Williams color team suggests that “to chart a path through the wild and wonderful landscape of our lives, we begin within. By layering our fondest memories and future hopes, we create vibrancy and joy in the present moment.”

Recharge with Origin’s colors that keep making a comeback — free-spirited brights, magnetic deeps, and a whisper of restful neutrals such as Fabulous Grape, Peppery, Goldfish, Chartreuse, Kale Green, Pure White, Skyline Steel, Homestead Brown, Black Magic, and Indigo.

Are you ready to try some 2023 color combinations in your home? Get painting or contact Golson Designs or call  (407) 902-3011 if you’re looking to redo your whole room.

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