2013 Fall fashion color trends

2013 Fall color trends

It is the time of year when the days get shorter, a cold breeze is in the air and fall fashion trends emerge.  The Pantone 2013 fall color trends are a great tool to reference when you are wanting to add some fresh colors to your wardrobe.

  This fall the color trends are a mix of different emotions.  The deep colors that is typical of fall create a sophisticated feeling.  The bright pink, orange, and red create a very vivid and lively feeling.  Unique shades of green carry from the spring/summer but are less bright which is refreshing for the fall and creates variety.  The purple and orange deepen from spring and the neutrals this fall get deeper with a great balance of warm and cool with the use of grey and brown.

Below are the summaries for the Pantone Fall 2013 color trends and a link to the full article.

Pantone Fall 2013 Fashion color trend link

Fall Fashion Trends:

I truly love fall and enjoy reading my Vogue and InStyle September issues.  Below are some fall fashion trends I am seeing.

• Menswear
• Use of hounds tooth, plaid, herringbone, structured jackets and tailored pants. 
• Men's style shoes 
• Floral prints
• Animal prints
• Stripes
• Houndstooth 
• Graphic patterns
• Leather jackets, skirts and pants
• Simple elegant design with lots of structure and very little details
• Plaid - Which is influenced by the 90's coming back in style
• Deep wine pants, sweaters and accessories
• Large statement necklaces with lots of sparkle and mixing of gold, silver and gunmetal
• Larger sweaters with skinny jeans and pants
• Fuller skirts
• Lace
• Bright winter coats
• Cap-toe shoes
• Strappy boots
• Ankle strap shoes
• Stacked heels

My favorite fall trend is the menswear trend and houndstooth.  I bought a houndstooth jacket and I can't wait to wear it with my wine colored skinny pants.

Have fun adding some new fall items into your wardrobe and most importantly, stay true to your own style.   Embrace the trends that are your, push yourself a little to try something new, and find clothes that flatters your figure.

What are your favorite fall color trend and fashion trends?

Principles of Design - Variety

Principles of Design - Variety

The last principle of design is variety.  Variety means "to change the character" of a design element to make it different.  Variety is the complement to the design principle unity and it is needed to create visual interest in a space.

Without unity, a space will feel chaotic and without variety the space will feel dull and uninteresting.  Good interior design is achieved through the balance of unity and variety (which is easier said than done).  The design elements need to be similar enough so we perceive them to belong together in the space and be different enough to be interesting.



The image above is a great example of variety.  The picture frames are all very different but have some similar colors and shapes used in the design.  Also they are all hung at in a uniformed line to create unity.

Variety can be created by the following elements:

• Line (thickness, thinness, value, angle, length)
• Shape ( size, color, orientation)
• Color (hue, value, saturation)
• Value (darkness, lightness, contrast)
• Texture (rough, smooth)

An effective way to use unity and variety in a design is by creating variations on a theme/concept.  A designer can repeat an element throughout the design to create the balance of variety and unity.

I hope you enjoyed the blog posts about the principles of design.  I have one more element of design I will write about and then fall color trends.

Let me know if you have any topics you want to learn more about.

References:

1. Kilmer, Rosemary & Kilmer W. Otie (1992). Designing Interiors. Orlando, FL.  Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. pp 121

Principle of Design - Harmony

Principle of Design - Harmony

One of the last design principles is Harmony.  It works very closely with unity.

Harmony is created when all of the elements in a space work together to create a unified design.  Harmony creates a sense of restfulness.  It can be be done by using one color, use of similar forms that might be different shape, size or texture.

In the picture above I have created harmony with the decoration on the wood floating shelves.  The objects are different shapes and sizes but they are the same color and laid out in a symmetrical way to create harmony.

Harmony is a the principle that brings things together and complements each other.
It can be achieved in many ways and another example is through repetition and rhythm.

Repetition reemphasizes visual items and connecting parts and creating an area of attention.

I have moved into my new house two months ago and have been using unity and harmony to finish the last interior design in my home.  It has been really fun seeing how things come together.

Let me know how you have used harmony in your designs.

References:

1. Kilmer, Rosemary & Kilmer W. Otie (1992). Designing Interiors. Orlando, FL.  Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. pp 121

So what design style are you? part 2

So what design style are you?  
Part 2

This post explores 3 more designs style to help you find what interior design style best represents you.  There are so many different styles it is important to understand the differences so you can find the style for you.

Houzz.com has a great series of design styles so here is part 2 of what design style are you.


So you style is French Country

French Country is a design style that is very feminine and is a great mix of old world and effortless sophistication.

If you like gently weathered furniture, using vintage decor that is passed down through your generations, use of fresh flowers and floral patterns, layers of fabric and warm whites this is your style.

It is very timeless and very goes out of style.

So your style is Eclectic

Eclectic design is the perfect mix and match of the styles that best represents you.  If you like a few different styles and want to combine them to make it your own then you love Eclectic design.

It is the balance of using unique decor methodical mismatching, layering textures and the use of the unexpected accent to make your home one of a kind.

So your style is Rustic

Rustic design is creating a more cabin charm with rough unpolished wood with a more masculine feel.

If you like to use organic forms, weathered materials, repurposed vintage objects in your home, and warm earth tones this is the style for you.

I have really enjoyed learning more about the many different design styles.  As I keep reading about the different styles, I see many of my friends style become defined for me.

Let me know what you think so far and what style are you?

So what design style are you? -part 1

So what design style are you?
Have you ever wondered what interior design style best represents you?  There are so many different styles it is important to understand the differences so you can find the style for you.

There is no wrong answer so I recommend learning about the different styles to help you design your home so it is a reflection of your person style.  I love using houzz.com for this since they have so many great images and articles to help you understand what style you like.


I found some 14 great articles on this topic at houzz.com.  Below are some of the links to articles to help you find the right style for you.

So Your Style Is Midcentury Modern

Midcentury modern's emphasis on simple details, clean lines, natural materials and a seamless flow between indoors and out.  

If you like use of lots of natural materials in your home with simple details, lighting to be a statement piece, Iconic furniture, sleek kitchens, and neutral colors with a pop of a bright accent color you will like Midcentury modern design.

So Your Style Is Traditional

Traditional decorating has thrived for so long because of its promises warmth and welcome, and it delivers. Refined furnishings, symmetry  mannerly textiles, dignified colors and a sense of order make this beloved style easy to live with.  

If you like symmetry, soft curves, simple calm colors, rick wood, use of molding and detailed trim, exotic rugs, floral patterns, and love old furniture you will like traditional design.

So Your Style Is Transitional

Transitional style is a blend of the comfort and warmth of traditional design with the clean profiles and understated colors of the contemporary design.  It is  Gracious, streamlined spaces that radiate harmony. It's about meeting in the middle of the two other styles.  

If you like two toned color pallets, simple silhouettes, neutral flooring, spaces of calm, crisp lines, and minimum accents than you will like transitional design.

So Your Style Is Contemporary

Contemporary design is what is  here and now. 

Today's trend is to be styles as less is more: smooth profiles instead of ornamentation, solid or subtly patterned fabrics in lieu of colorful prints, minimal accessories rather than big collections. 

What is the difference with contemporary and modern design?  Below is another great houzz.com article noting the differences.

What is the difference between modern & contemporary design link

If you like open floor plans, shine, high impact furniture, and being very in the moment this might be the perfect style for you.

I will post more design styles in part 2 -4 where I will share more great articles on French Country, Rustic, Arts & Crafts and Eclectic styles.  

Principles of Design - Scale

Principles of Design- Scale
One of the last principles of design to write about is scale.  Scale is closely related to proportion except that scale is primarily viewed as a relative standard or measure outside of an object related to some constant unit.

In interior design, scale is sued as a way to compare the size of an object or an interior.  The photo is a great example of of how the little girl shows you how large the door really is.  If she was not there you might not be able to tell how large of a door that really is.

I just finished building my house and I noticed while in 2D the kitchen and family rooms felt good sized but I was concerned they would be too small.

Until the house was complete and we moved physical items into the house to give the rooms scale, it allowed me to see that the rooms were large enough and maybe could have been designed a little smaller.

Scale is a balancing act and hard to grasp it until the space is in 3D.

Scale can refer to small or diminutive as well as to large /grand size.  Models of interiors are made smaller to help designers get a better idea of how the space will look in three dimension before it is built.  We use computer modeling tools today which are all drawn is a scale (typically 1/8") to help with the design process.

References:

1. Kilmer, Rosemary & Kilmer W. Otie (1992). Designing Interiors. Orlando, FL.  Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. pp 120

Principles of Design - Proportion

Principle of Design - Proportion
 The next principle of design to write about is proportion.  This principle is closely associated with scale because they both express concepts of relative size and magnitude.

Proportion is defined as the relationship of the parts to one another or to the whole.  Scale refers to the size of a item in relation or comparison to another item.  Proportion is thought of as the relationship of parts contained  within an object.

Proportion can be expressed as matters of width in relation to length with which designers seek to balance the parts to one another to create an aesthetic composition.

The Greeks create the basic principle of proportion when they developed the ""golden rectangle" which is a ration of two parts to three.  The golden rectangle represents the division of a form or line in which the side of the smaller portion in relation to the larger is identical, as the side of the larger part is to the whole object.  This idea is that the division of a line between one third and one half of its length which produces a pleasing proportion to the eye.

The photo above of Frank Gehry's AGO shows the curved wood divided in 3 thirds to create a very proportionate design as the wood bends up the side of the building.


The image to the right shows how the stairs have a yellow paint line on the top third of the step.  It creates a pleasing proposition of the steps and a beautiful pattern as you look up the stairs.





References:

1. Kilmer, Rosemary & Kilmer W. Otie (1992). Designing Interiors. Orlando, FL.  Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. pp 119-120