There are a few stand out trends in the design world that we should take a look at-one of them is clearly a great idea and one is a tried and true idea. I bought my first piece of Lucite almost twenty years ago-yikes really twenty years ago how can that be? I bought a couple of end tables, an ice bucket and a pair of lamps while attending the North Carolina International Furniture show. I still have them; they are timeless collector pieces that work in just about every decor.
Today top designers from New York to Istanbul to Paris are seeking our fabulous Lucite pieces to work into their clients rooms. Looking at the popularity of the ‘ghost chair’ and now all the knock off and similar versions of this piece that are available to us. Sam and I were working on a new restaurant design yesterday and she showed me a vintage suitcase encased in a Lucite box to use as a coffee table in the lounge-love love love it. Clear acrylic or Lucite is trendy, timeless and certainly fabulous- how can you bring it home?
I’m on the hunt for some Lucite easels to use in a living room to hold art as opposed to hanging it on the walls and am always seeking fabulous coffee tables that are ‘clearly’ well designed and visually demand less space because they are see-through. As with most design elements tread lighting one or two pieces of Lucite in a room is more than enough- too much of a good thing is simply too much. Hot with Lucite right now is a mixed marriage of Lucite and texture. Look for stools and benches that have a fabric or fur seat with Lucite legs.You guys know that I love to travel and some of my favorite destinations are in the Middle East. I enjoy that Arabic hospitality and I love the architecture, especially the Arabic patterns and motifs. How exciting it is that these motifs are providing the inspiration for some of the best designers and this year’s trendiest pieces. Look for Arabic inspired patterns and details to begin appearing on wallpaper, serving ware, lamp bases, textiles and even wall and floor tiles. Where to use it at home? Try wallpapering a powder room in a graphic print inspired by Arabic patterns or simply toss a couple of throw cushions with an Arabic motif on the sofa. Use a tray with a Arabic pattern on top of the bar. In the design year to follow you’ll have no trouble finding great pieces inspired by the Middle East. If you’re looking for a travel destination this fall consider a trip to Turkey, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman orQatar for research and bring home some authentic pieces that are spot on trend and besides you’ll have a fabulous holiday.
Great design is constantly evolving and are rooms should be designed to ‘roll’ with us and our lifestyles and personalities. Now that’s fabulous living!
THIS AND THAT
Searching for great coffee table books? When I travel I always look forward to museums and art galleries. Not only do we enjoy the artifacts and art but we love to shop the museum stores. These stores are great places to find amazing coffee table and library books that just aren’t available any where else. You can also find some one of a kind glasses and even jewelry- never avoid the ‘store’.
