Btween Trends

Birds of a Feather Flock Together at least at the NYIGF

btweenspaces — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:45:54 +0000

Flown in straight from Europe it seems that this market’s show theme is Feather Mania. If it has not been in your daughter’s hair as an extension, it has been plucked straight from an exotic peacock, ostrich or neighborly rooster. Feathers have hit the home market this season in runway style. Whether this trend has shown up tribal, French or stark modern (did I say mad?) it is a hard one to resist. I have been a feather fan since I was a little girl and this fad has tickled me young again. Fancy these favorite home finds:

Couture Dreams: A new line at the NYIGF showcasing the Chi Chi Petal tablecloth.
Grace and Blake: Feathered Chandelier. I MUST have this for my master bedroom.

Dransfield and Ross: Ostrich pillow
Pluma Cubic: Rooster Feather Floor Lamp

and last but not least, the most original. The Solitaire Punkah. If you have never heard of a Punkah it is the Hindi word for Fan. Oliver Kessler’s interpretation of the extinct Punkah Fan now motorized and customizable for your space. You have got to check out this You Tube Video it gave me a good laugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFhvTTiSSWk

Perfectly Coueffed

btweenspaces — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:42:19 +0000

I have been meaning to get to my blog for months with one simple mission at hand, to rave about a new product line called “Couef” by Jamie Schactel. I first saw Jamie’s perfectly Coiffed, Couefs at the New York Gift Show. Her show space was jamming with excited buyers who all had to have one of Jamie Schactel’s multi-functional, aesthetically beautiful poufs. I love these little ottomans. Not only for their pure ingenuity and design appeal but because a designer designed these. As a designer, my first reaction I have to admit was a pang of jealously. (How did she do it? Why didn’t I think of that? Felllow designers, I am sure you can all relate). But once past the intitial envy my emotions turned to pure support. It’s one thing to develop something for namesake but another to create something that is so flawless that even another designer has to have it. Kudos to Jamie Schactel for creating the perfect Couef. Find it at www.couef.com

Discriminating Teens and Tweens Take a Look at These Finds

btweenspaces — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 00:30:31 +0000

As a designer who specializes in the teen space, the unique and different can be hard to find. The teen market is savvier than ever – ”The Wall Street Journal’” recently published “Make Room for Junior Decorators” http://on.wsj.com/hT42zV a lifestyle article supporting the growing demands of teen decorators. I am in the process of working on two boys’ tween bedrooms and both of the boys I am working with have very definite color and furniture opinions. One wants orange and the other red. One hates brown and the other feels like his room is a cavern and both want to make a statement with their newly redesigned big boy spaces. As the tastes of teens and tweens have become very discriminating, I have compiled some of my most recent favorite finds at affordable prices. Take a peek and happy room redo’s:

Desig- Legacy.com Rebecca Plotnick under $50

Kartell Lights $149 www.neenaslighting.com Marshmallow Bench $749

James Rocker EQ3.com $499 Loopy Loo Shade Puremodern.com $48

Ottoman Delights

btweenspaces — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:24:37 +0000

I have been meaning to post about my finds from High Point Market but have to say I was slightly under impressed as a whole. The Rough Luxe trend is still going strong and it seems like the British Invasion is marching along. Throw a little Belgium in the mix and that defines my High Point vantage point. So this post is not macro but micro. A snapshot of my petite finds these ottomans and stools are simply delightful:

Groovy Stuff Design Legacy

Adrianna Shamaris Grace and Blake

Pantone Spring Color Trend 2011

btweenspaces — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:10:30 +0000

How about that- very little gray! Happy to see cheerful colors emerging again. Honeysuckle is predicted to be the color of the year. Last year it was turquoise. Sorry folks, hard to see the titles. Enlarge on your screen if you can.

Follow the Brown Bus…and shop like a decorator

btweenspaces — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:42:33 +0000

Follow the Brown Bus - an exciting ride that will show you how to shop like a decorator. In my neck of the woods I caravan to local design sample sales, new stores, and warehouses. Local here is the tri-state area so my coverage includes NJ, NY, CT and even PA. The next trip is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 24th to the Jonathan Adler Warehouse Sale. If you would like to shop with me email kbwolf@btweenspaces.com. If you know of a sale or event please post a comment.

Industry Spotlight…Guildmaster

btweenspaces — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 05:18:11 +0000

I am starting this new category – “Industry Spotlight”. An inside look at hot products from hip wholesalers. If you are not in the trade, this will be a great resource for you to see boutique lines with interesting product. As a practicing designer what you will find in the weeks and months to come are the products that I love and can hopefully find a home for whether it is for my client or your house. I hope you enjoy.

Guildmaster – a very innovative manufacturer with a wide array of Country Casual, French Reproduction and imported designs. Last year they were renowned for their well priced burlap upholstery. This year their new rattan seating collection is fun and fresh. Take a look at a few of my faves:

From the Birds to Butterflies – A New Sign of Life in the Design Industry?

btweenspaces — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 04:37:45 +0000

As a former trends forecaster I am always looking for the next hot motif or symbol. In the past two years the home decor industry has seen every bird species emblazoned on pillows, prints, and porcelain. Plucked from our skies, the owl, peacock, dove, eagle have made their way into our homes whether you like it or not. I have never been a huge bird lover but this insidious trend has even made a nest in my heart.

Just as I was learning to accept the flock of birds that hit the home scene, I started to notice a small flutter emerge in hotels, showrooms and some design lines. Quietly, the butterfly seems to have emerged from its cocoon and is sitting on our sills waiting to replace the stale bird motif. The master of change and adaptability, mystery, exotic beauty and understated elegance – a sign of renewal in the design industry after years of a long and lifeless journey to escape the cold economic climate.

Thank you butterfly, we are ready for you.

Encore/Wynn Hotel Lobby Showroom in Atlanta Mart

Randy Barker Art Bloom Wallpaper

Love It! Literally, for your Teen Room

btweenspaces — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:19:35 +0000

Love was in the air at the Atlanta Gift Show or maybe I was feeling a little cold in the 3 austere office buidlings home to the myriad of giftable vendors. But, these kitschy items found in GA and elsewhere will take your room from PB Teen ordinary to extraordinary. Check out my finds:

Elite Floor Pillows Attitudes Bunching Ottomans

Three Hands Bling Love Sign Delia’s Denim Heart Pillow

Btween Browns – Choose the Yummiest Chocolate Winner

btweenspaces — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:56:00 +0000

This post is an ironic one since my married last name is Brown. Luckily, any indecision I might have about the color does not apply to my husband or his family.

Recently I swatched my client’s wall with a series of Benjamin Moore Brown selections. A few choices were safety colors (softer and not too dark) and the rest, rich, bold statements. I have been working on this client’s living room for months. She was my first official customer and the original plan was to paint the room chocolate brown. In other words the entire room’s furnishings were planned with this idea in mind. Fast forward to the actual day of painting and of course panic sets in. (I think for us both).

She asks – Can I live with walls this dark? Is this too daring? What if I get sick of it? And I ask to myself, ”am I making a mistake?” But then, “Eureka”! From 6 similar selections of a sea of brown, the right one spoke the language of color. It has depth, body, neutrality, and richness. Can you guess which brownI think is the yummiest chocolate of all?