write injuries in dust, benefits in marble.

taking a page from the books of italy, it should come as no surprise that the newest design craze can be accounted as one of my favorites. featured first at the salone del mobile in milan (milan design week), marble made an appearance through nearly every accessory. from clocks, fabrics, tabletops, lighting and stationary, the material can be spotted nearly everywhere. its luxurious qualities bring back the classical sculptures that once covered the sceneries of italy, into a now contemporary context. the marble finish quickly spread into the stockholm furniture fair, london design festival and now into companies all across north america.

the finish being seen at the highest form of popularity is one derived from tuscany’s pure white/grey carrara marble, fitting to the word’s greek derivative meaning ''a snow white and spotless stone.'' not only does the material express a beautiful aesthetic appeal, but it also allows for minimal environmental impact, making it an extremely sustainable product, encouraging those to make the investment into its pricey cost.

its elegance is best highlighted when placed with accents of wood, leather and various chrome finishes (including copper and steel). bringing marble pieces into the home, places a sense of higher class living into the interior while also utilizing its versatile abilities.

unbeknownst to most, the world is completely controlled by a single pipe smoking rabbit.

well, i think that rabbit blew his smoke right into the newest design trend. smoky glass has become the latest modern comeback. opting for a mysterious and intriguing sight, the use of smoky glass creates contrast between masculine and feminine features crafting an intimate feel. the throwback to the sultry time of the 70’s focuses on the use of a clear material with a translucent effect to provide exposure with a hidden quality, eluding to extreme sex appeal.

the key to creating a modern appearance is to draw on glass with a soft grey tints. previously, the trend was seen in tints of green and yellow, which often appeared as dirty rather than contemporary. additionally, featuring the glass in contrast to chrome or matte finishes, such as a stark white or flat black, the smoked glass piece is able to stand as a focal point of a room, attracting the attention of the viewer.

the trend is typically spotted in lighting accessories yet has recently been utilized in forms of lucite available in tables, chairs, door knobs, vases and even smoked mirrors. these dramatic accessories provide a smooth transition into fall by emphasizing deeper tones.

as someone who wishes she was born in the 70’s, i love the idea of anything associated making a comeback. i hope this trend continues on the rise and throws in a little “peace & love.”

call it old fashioned.

remember those images of the nuclear family, with a mom, perfectly curled hair, sporting a floral dress, standing amongst pastel shades in the family kitchen? what ever happened to those 50’s novelty stoves and fridges in soft hues of yellow, green, turquoise, blue and pink? would you be surprised to hear they were on the turn for comeback?

the “atomic age” colors are on the rise yet again with modern brands like smeg and big chill bringing the style back. both companies aim to create “colorful, retro-style appliances that fit in perfectly with modern design.” these quaint appliances were originally brought about as a way of recovery into joyful tones while families lived through world war II. the cheery colors were acceptable as kitchens were a separate part of the home and colored appliances and even cabinets were never perceived as overwhelming. as time progressed, kitchen hues became more neutral due to the changing landscape and increasing size of the home. the kitchen became more of a focus and appliances became more like furniture and thus needed to be more elegant and blending.

however, smeg and big chill have begun to restore the revolution. with big chill advertising a “retro fridge combining the iconic look of a 50’s style vintage refrigerator with the amenities of contemporary appliances” and smeg pushing forth “vibrant colors, rounded curves and smooth lines,” their retro appliances (including refrigerators, dishwashers, toasters, blenders, kettles and stand mixers) “truly embody the glamour and form of the 1950’s.” they aim to make the 50’s style are more than just an icon and more of a lifestyle. combining the pastel tones with neutral hues, they create a calming atmosphere with a spark of color to add visual interest. they have allowed the kitchen to once again be utilized as an artistic palette, incorporating color into the space.

be sure to keep an eye out for these “retro” kitchens and don’t be surprised if you find yourself loving the trend too.

nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.

the whimsical words of winnie the pooh have now become the essence of design, on display in london’s legendary covent garden. located on the west end of london, covent garden’s south hall market has been selected as the focus of french artist, charles pétillon’s latest and greatest exhibition to fill the 19^th-century building with 100, 000 white balloons.

floating below the glass and steel ceiling, the balloons create the imagery of dreamy clouds, pulsing with light like a beating heart. the piece, titled heartbeat, begins the london design festival, running from september 19-27. the balloons will glow for one week before, to ready the audience for the event.

covent garden itself sits as an open air gallery to showcase pieces from up and coming innovative designers. specifically, the designers selected consist of those who can integrate their work with the building and environment, perfectly fitting for the photographer and visual artist, pétillon. 

known for using white balloons in his pieces in an attempt to alter the perspective of the way people view things and places, pétillon speaks of this piece stating, “the market building was the beating heart of this area. with heartbeat i’m connecting its past with the present to allow visitors to reexamine its role at the heart of london’s life.”

in my opinion, his piece offers one of the most delicate and intriguing ways to create visual interest in an interior. his work does so in such a simple yet striking manner, that he compels the audience to look up, an action often forgotten when entering a new interior. his vision is one to be admired and what i too hope to achieve one day as a designer.

all that glitters is gold.

september 10-17. a week that changes the lives of many. a week that redefines the sights to be seen around the world. a week that can turn amateurs into legends and define a generation. mercedes-benz fashion week.

with these dates quickly approaching, the world begins to wonder what they can expect to walk across the runaways of tahari, burberry, yvs, marc jacobs and many more. but what people fail to realize is that this week influences so much more than just fashion. clothing itself is just its basis. the designs seen translate into shoes, jewelry, home accessories and the ever important interior design. this is where i come in.

as a rising interior designer, my focus remains on what trends are coming, going and flash in front of the consumer’s face like a diamond among dirt. the month of september has strung in on the dynamics of warm metal tones. recently on trend metallics can be seen as an added spark to the home. the various possibilities of this are not only demonstrated in color options (consisting of copper, gold, silver, rose gold and bronze) but also in how the metallic is utilized. whether it be through a simple lamp, wall design or piece of art, the possibilities are limitless. in fact, interiors with the most visual interest, can even be seen mixing the metals, adding a layered mix of cool and warm tones into the overall space.

the key to utilizing these tones is to use metals with a low shine. by using a low shine, the dreaded time warp back to the 90’s is easily avoided and a subtle but striking vintage touch is added. by incorporating this trend into ones home, an industrial finish bridges the gap between high fashion and modern living.

overall, what i’m strongly advising to my reading population of what will most likely be one (hi mom), in these last final days before the newest trends hit the market, bring in a splash of metal into your home. you’ll add visual interest to the atmosphere and be the fashion envy among your guests.