Inspired Design Notes

Dallas Market Trends 2010

 
 

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of market is seeing what is trending in and out.  The Belgian look has become very dominant since last year.  Its influence has been seen in the shelter magazines for most of last year.  This style can be dressed up or down depending on your lifestyle and has a much lighter feel than some of the trends from the last few years.  I know I have felt the need to ‘lighten up’ my surroundings after the last year.  Even the styles with darker palettes, such as Mediterranean are seeing a shift towards a lighter palette.  One of the aspects I particularly like about the Belgian is how found, collected, and heirloom accessories and furniture can be used in the mix.  Emerging from this look is another which is being called Farmhouse Country.  With a soft palette of pastels verging on lighter midtones, it is fresh, lighter in feel, incorporates many of the icons of American style design, and is a great way to update your current look.  Fitting in with both of these looks are the two colors most dominant at market – blues in the aqua range and pinks flushed with lavender and gray.  Gray is the predominant neutral, and while it has a history of being considered drab, boring and sometimes cold, it is now richer, more exciting and often warmer because of hints of color being added.  As a floral designer, green is considered a neutral because Mother Nature uses it as a backdrop for her beautiful flowers, and therefore from my perspective green, in one of its myriad shades is a neutral that can be blended into any palette.  In interiors however, it is treated as part of the color harmony and therefore should be mentioned as one of the dominant colors at market.  Still extremely popular in all of the yellow-green shades, it has also taken on the blue side of the color wheel and is prominent in every hue and shade of blue-green as it reaches toward the aquas previously mentioned.

    We were delighted to find a new lamp resource that gives home decor a new uplift.  Decorated with crystals, jewels, flowers, braids and ribbons, each lamp has a personality of its own.  Watch for their arrival in March.

Dallas Market Trends January 2010

        Animal prints are still very visible in both apparel and home décor, however they are generally a bit more subtle than in the past, and are often mixed with other finishes and materials.  There is a cross-pollination occurring between contemporary and traditional features within individual accessories and furnishings, which softens the contemporary aspect and gives the traditional a clean, updated feel.  Natural, organic materials and objects are more and more prevalent, used either to soften the hard edges of urban statements or as stand alone features.   Mixing the natural elements into our décor is a reminder that we live in a fragile ecosystem for which we are the caretakers.  Which leads to the eco-friendly products that are becoming a mainstay - whether recycled, reused, and/or renewed all kinds of things are being created for home décor that are environmentally-friendly in production and use.   

      As with styles of décor and other trends, we have become a very global community, with easy access to everything, and it has made it possible to find a trend to parallel almost anything we want to create.  It is exciting and liberating to be in a time when the choices we make for our homes, reflecting our own personal style can follow the trends so easily.  For most of us, creating an eclectic mix of what we cherish and brings joy into our lives is what is most important and with a little bit of tweaking, it can be right on trend.

Dallas Market Trends - Christmas 2010

Wow! We recently got back from the Dallas market where we were focused on purchasing product for Holiday Magic - crazy that we prepare for the fourth quarter all but three months during the summer.  It is always fun to see what is new and find out if the product we need to create the themes we have planned is available.  This year was completely opposite of last – there were so many new products that we came home with four more themes than we went to market with, and two more trees than last year.

This is definitely the year of tradition, which is no surprise when reflecting on the difficulties our nation felt last year.  Red and green were the dominant colors, religious icons were prevalent, fairies were relegated to the forest (we did find some hiding for all the fairy collectors) as angels took over, and Santa has taken back the spotlight from the snowmen.  Of the figures not specifically associated with Christmas, the deer was by far the most popular.  From traditional to contemporary it is available in every color and finish imaginable – and we bought a multitude for the store because they were so irresistible.  Whimsy is very popular, again showing our need to experience a lighter side, and whimsical figures of all kinds can be found, particularly in the pet arena which we will feature again this year. 

Our looks for this year are varied, but a few of my favorites are the Mary Englebreit tree, a red, green and black look we are calling American Christmas featuring Jane Seymour’s art, and the entry tree which will be festooned with all shades of burgundy, pink and violet, covered in flowers and the perfect backdrop to the angels which will be flying everywhere.  We also have plans to incorporate natural shells into one of the looks, and doing an encore is the fabulous line of realistic stuffed animals that lived on the woodland tree last year.  Of course there will be no shortage of birds, butterflies and bugs, and Mark Roberts has created lots of new elves which will have a tree to themselves this year.  I could go on and on….. it may sound like a bit of an illness to some, but I can’t wait to start Christmas! 

          

Fall Open House/Celebrating 100 Years

Two-thousand-and-six was a very busy year for us.  We began the restoration of the Kraft in January which took us nine months, and then in three short weeks moved the House of Design to our new location.  We have much to celebrate this year.  On September 25^th and 26^th our Annual Harvest Open House will honor the 100^th anniversary of Red Bluff’s, Kraft Memorial Free Library building.  Elizabeth Kraft entrusted it to the city in 1909 and it remained an important part of the community for many decades.  If only it could talk – the stories we have heard from visitors!  It was the gathering place for many.  Used not only for reading, education, and enlightenment, but it also served as a place to meet with friends, play sports on the lawn, and for some the hand rail was even used as a kind of jungle gym!  I’ve heard from more than a few visitors that it was a way to get away from home, and mom.  One just told her you were going to the library - which was true – hooked up with your friends and headed downtown.  It was also a place where children waited for parents to get off work, retired folks enjoyed the paper, and others buried themselves in the stacks of books. 

It is unfortunate that the library was moved from this grand building, but it is our good fortune to be its  guardians.  In celebrating 100 years we have created a written and pictorial story for our web site, of the restoration, as well as history of the Kraft family who were its benefactors.  We hope you will come visit us September 25^th or 26^th for our Harvest Open House where we will have the story boards of the restoration, music, and complimentary refreshments.  We would love to hear your stories of the library. 

P.S.  The elves are just weeks away from starting set-up for our fifteenth season of  Holiday Magic, which is shaping up to be our best one yet.  Mark your calendar for November 5^th when the sights, scents, tastes and sounds of the festivities begin! 

For more information about the restoration, Kraft family  and the Kraft building, please visit our web site:
www.shophouseofdesign.com

A Gift from the Kraft Family

History and time unfortunately have a way of letting us forget about people and things.  I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Walton about the Kraft Memorial Free Library and Mr. Walton’s great, great Grandparents, Herbert and Elizabeth Kraft.  The Kraft family’s philanthropy was extremely generous to Red Bluff.  Mr. Kraft was a self made man, landing in Red Bluff in 1852 with $2.50 to his name.   He had apprenticed as a tinsmith with his later to be, father-in-law in Louisville, Kentucky.  With that skill, hard work, great intelligence, and integrity he segued his few dollars into a financial empire, operated from the heart of Red Bluff.

 

The great great-Grandson, Herbert Kraft Walton shared some of the family stories and history with me.  He related a picture of a couple who adored one another.  When looking at the magnificent library Elizabeth had built in memory of her husband it is not hard to believe.  Mr. Kraft went back to Louisville, Kentucky and while he was there, on his 30^th birthday, married Elizabeth Kreuth on March 15, 1861.  At just 18 years old, she packed her belongings and left for California with her new husband the day after they were married.  What incredible courage, faith and trust she had in her partner.  They traveled by train, stagecoach and perhaps ferry to reach Red Bluff where Mr. Kraft had a home being built for his new bride.  The Kraft family gave much to Red Bluff and although the library has since moved, the beautiful building Elizabeth had built is still part of Red Bluff’s heritage.

 

The building has 1908 carved in the pediment and dedication stone, however, the actual completion and ceremonies entrusting the library to the community took place on May 24, 1909.  We are celebrating the first 100 years of the Kraft building on September 25 and 26 as part of our annual fall harvest open house.  It is with heartfelt thanks that we acknowledge all those who helped bring the Kraft back to life, and all of you who have supported House of Design and the Kraft, keeping us a part of the community.

For more information about the restoration, Kraft family and the Kraft building please visit our web site www.shophouseofdesign.com.

Amaryllis - The Gift that Keeps on Giving

One of my favorite catalogs arrived a couple weeks ago; John Scheepers, Inc., Beauty from Bulbs.  It is filled with beautiful bulbs just waiting for me to choose.  I hardly know where to start – tulips, Narcissus, Amaryllis, or the very special little species bulbs, and let’s not forget the lilies.  You see what I mean…. the list goes on.  I know if I will just take one day during the fall to get them in the ground I will be treated to a spring filled with indescribable beauty.  But I digress.  In the back of the catalog are the pictures and listings for all the Amaryllis bulbs.  The gargantuan bulbs that produce the same kind of flower.  Blooming just about eight to ten weeks after they are potted, depending on the indoor environment, their spectacular display can be loosely scheduled to suit your own.  And, a green thumb isn’t even necessary for growing these beauties. 

 Second only to their fabulous show during the dreary days of winter, is the fact that in our area they can be happily grown outdoors.  After mine have finished blooming and I know we are past freezing temperatures, because their foliage will freeze I plant them in an area where they will be protected from the afternoon sun.  I amend the soil with plenty of organic material and give them lots of room to grow.  After a few years your one bulb will have multiplied dramatically, producing many stems topped with gigantic blossoms for one of the most incredible floral displays your garden will ever have from such a small plant. 

(If you don’t feel like watering we have absolutely gorgeous botanical Amaryllis that will fool most people and require no attention, except an occasional dusting.)

 

                                  

   

New Shower

I recently moved and found myself with a shower that is fairly spacious, but what it doesn’t have, that my previous shower had, is a built-in seat.  I realize this is a small inconvenience in the scope of things – however, all our women readers will understand the issue of wanting something to set their foot on.  At 54 years of age, the soap dish which is five plus feet off the floor seems like a bit of a reach – at least most mornings!  A few mornings of standing like a flamingo and I started looking for another solution, as retiling the shower was certainly not an option.  Wanting something waterproof I spotted one of the Chinese stools at the store.  Perfect height, even for sitting on, and it won’t mildew.  I coated the bottom of it with mildew-resistant caulking so it wouldn’t scratch the tile, slip or mildew, and voila’ – I have the perfect seat for my shower.  I even thought the cute little elephant stand we have at the store would add a bit of whimsy to a shower.  How fun for guests when they open the shower curtain or door.  It would certainly make me smile every morning – but then there are those that would say I have a bit of a quirky mind.

House of Design's Girls Night Out Party

   We had a great time at our first Girls Night Out Party.  Almost everyone who came chose to get a make over from the very talented Elizabeth and Toni from Eclipse Salon.  They created new looks for all with their new line of Stript Mineral Makeup, showing us how to enhance our natural beauty. Tom Schmidt  Redding’s Master Photographer joined us to take pictures of everyone for MySpace, Facebook, eharmony, or just for fun.  Tom has a true gift for making people comfortable in front of the camera, so getting your picture taken is nothing but fun.  Doreen and Linda from California Kitchen and Company provided delectable appetizers and wine, adding the finishing touch to our evening. Listening to the comments I realized, it seems to be somewhat universal that, sadly, most of us have a rather poor self image – and very few feel photogenic.  After the make-overs, and a glass of wine, everyone was ready to get in front of the camera and had a great time being teased into a smile by Tom. 

If you haven’t tried the wines from One Maple Winery stop by California Kitchen.  They poured the White Merlot last night, which I have to admit, I didn’t think I would care for, but I was surprised - it was excellent and I highly recommend it. The label descripbes it; starting with an oak aroma, it “reflects hints of strawberry and melons….pairing well with salads and other light summer foods” – the perfect wine for the warm summer evenings in Red Bluff. They also served a Ringtail Petite Sirah which is “deeply silky textured... and a long finish of black currant”.  What I like best is that they recommend it paired with chocolate (red meat for the non-chocoholics) – my kind of wine.  And if you haven’t heard about their dips for appetizers, check out the “Dip Sticks” – what a great idea.  Sour cream or olive oil and the contents of one of these oversize straws and voila - a very tasty dipping sauce – no fuss, no mess! I’m told they are also great for sandwich spreads and meat rubs, which sounds good to me.  I like easy.

 

We are planning another Ladies Night at House of Design for December, so if you missed this one, join us for a fabulously fun time in December when we party again!

 

 

  

 

Fascinating Flower Containers and Vases

     A fascination for the history of floral design began my collection of vases.  Anytime I pull one out of the cupboard I can’t help but think of the hundreds of flowers it must have held over the decades, and in some cases spanning three centuries. My career started with owning a full service flower shop. Although I immensely value faux flowers, which I work with daily, my passion for fresh flowers and the gardens in which they grow remains.  And so, even though you will find any number of faux designs in my home, there are almost always fresh flowers.

    Flower vases come in all configurations, the only requirement is, if used for fresh flowers they hold water.  Some of the historical names for vases include epergnes, tulipierres (spelled tulipieres by the French, also called a pyramid or pagoda vase), tazza or centerpiece, five-finger vases, two-handled flower pots, compotes, flower bottles, bricks, fans, urns, cachepots, trumpet vases, tuzzie-muzzie (tussie-mussie) holders and garnitures.  With fascinating histories, one of the most notable attributes of many, is their combination of form and function, having been designed specifically to display flowers.

    With our love of flowers, both fresh and faux we carry a wide selection of containers for floral designs.  From historical to contemporary, we try to provide as many styles as possible.  On our website www.shophouseofdesign.com you will find a more in-depth look at the categories of containers and ways you can work with them to create beautiful designs for your home.

The Kraft Gardens at House of Design

The gardens are so beautiful at this time of year.  Every week, at times every day, there is something new springing up and blooming.  We have been blessed with on and off rains and cloudy days this spring, which brings the most incredible light – painter’s light.  The colors are so vivid the flowers almost seem fluorescent.  I take pictures every few days, because as Pam says, it is such a short time we have to enjoy them, creating a record at least makes us think we have captured the moment for a bit longer.  

    Fall is such a busy time of year, especially at the store when we are in the throes of getting ready for Holiday Magic – many years I haven’t gotten to it, but the last couple I have been successfully determined to get bulbs in the ground.  Come spring I am so glad I made the effort because each year we have new flowers that spring forth, unannounced, adding another element of beauty to the gardens.  And each year, they have multiplied and grown bigger, creating an even more stunning display. 
    My favorite this year, if it is even possible to have one, is the Japanese Iris.  It has produced four flushes of blooms, every one as spectacular as the last.  Growing right behind it, what is now a small patch of brilliant orange tiger lilies provides the yang for the yin.  I can’t wait till next year when they are an even bigger patch.  Although I can’t really choose which color harmony is my favorite, I have to say that the complements of blue and orange are right at the top – happy and calm, bright and cool – and since it is Mother Nature’s favorite I am in good company.
    Hercules bloomed this year for the first time since we moved him.  Although his smell is only pleasant to the dogs, his charm is undeniable.  Actually, I guess we will need to start naming his progeny because he shared three blooms with us – not nearly as big as they will be in another year or two, but we were happy.
    The deodar cedar and olive have gotten so much bigger that the picnic tables are in shade most of the time now.  So, even though the weather is warming, they provide a wonderful place to sit and visit or eat lunch.  Our gardens are for everyone and it brings us great pleasure to see people enjoying them.  Please, bring a box lunch and visit soon. www.shophouseofdesign.com