Define your Distinct Design Style II

After perusing the four styles discussed last week (Traditional, Transitional, Contemporary and Eclectic), you may have noticed that your Distinct Design style was not included. Don’t despair! Our breakdown of design styles continues! Below are three additional design styles and one may be yours… and if not, check back next week for more interior design looks.

Art Deco

Your style is grounded in geometry (ex. Fan motif), your color palette is based on black and metallics but is highlighted with rich hues like red. This is a theatrical style, which is why the look is right at home in today’s media and theatre rooms. This glam style is always fun and makes your home a favorite for entertaining! (photo of interior by Douglas Dolezal courtesy HGTV)



Hollywood Regency

The theme is luxury and your over-the-top style just oozes glamour! Designers pioneered this glitzy style in 1930s Hollywood but it has grown in popularity over the past couple of years. And who wouldn’t love the rich fabrics, posh accessories, and glittering crystal chandeliers of your decidedly luxe look? Don’t forget your high gloss lacquered furniture and fabulous mirrored pieces. It just wouldn’t be Hollywood Regency without them! (photo from "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day")



Mission Style (Arts and Crafts)
Your favorite piece of furniture was handcrafted by a local artisan and sits cozily in the warmth of your living room. Dark woods are accompanied by deep reds, yellows and oranges. You shy away from anything ornate and are drawn to clean lines, tectonic designs, and straightforward materials. Stained glass is an important feature of the Mission Style. Your glass is most likely abstract in style and glows with deep earth tones. (photo courtesy www.artisticlicense.org)

The 2008 Color 'Cast!

Welcome to the maiden posting of the Laura U Blog! My mission is to create a space for inspiring design discussion and ideas that are a natural extension of the Laura U Collection. The Collection focuses on one-of-a-kind finds for your home, local flavors in art and singular artisinal furnishings.

As 2007 draws to a close designers of both interiors and fashion look to the color forecast for 2008. What better way to ring in the new blog, and the new year, than with a new color 'cast? One of the key components in design is COLOR and here I will focus on the hippest of the current color combos.

Taking cues from both Pantone View Color Planner and Sherwin Williams Color Forecast, I have pulled together three palates that will transition us stylishly into 2008!

Happy New Year!

Laura U

Color Story 1: the Sophisticate

Peach, Black, Gold.

This dewy look is absolutley timeless.

To acheive the poised nature of this scene, use a fleshy peach on your walls and accent with a crisp white trim. I often use black on base and crown mouldings, but only when a bold statement is in order. The designer of this space keeps the backdrop consistent by continuing the same color on the walls and window coverings. Then he pops the look with a wide drapery flange in black. Hardware, mirrors and furnishings in gold are classically current.

C1: Peach - "Fragile Beauty" from Sherwin Williams is a fresh tone from their 2008 Concepts in Color collection.

C2: Black - When I use black paint I use Sherwin Williams "Tricorn Black."

C3: Gold - The Triton shell from Bungalow 5 design group makes an assertive statement.

Color Story 2: the Romantic

rosy brown, purple, pewter & gold.

This combination is very boudoir. I love the glam feel of the deep purple with mirror and metallics. Try a mix of mink, bold purple and a pinch of burgundy for good measure.

In this scene the mirrored chest from Century Furniture grounds the room with a beautifully crafted metal base in a pewter finish.

Gold is very now and works perfectly when paired with pewter tones.

C1: Rosy brown - try this subdued shade from Sherwin Williams: "Dutch Cocao."

C2: Pewter wallcovering (like Gracie "Pewter Leaf" available to-the-trade) is gorgeous when installed in a barrel vault ceiling and uplit.

C3(s): Deep purple and burgundy - Stop by Laura U Collection to see the newest pillow collection from Ankasa. The Arabian Nights pillows mingle purple, burgundy, pewter and gold.

Color Story 3: the Dramatist

green, cream, gold (yet again)

How fabulous is this decaying and startling green? I am in love with the idea of painting a wall and it's baroque mouldings a fantastically flat green. I am not sure this will work for everyone; in fact, I am sure it will not work for many. Maybe we can all begin with a small, verdant accessory!

Down the rabbit hole anyone?

C1: The Spring-leaf green walls and mouldings will be the only sound you need in this room.

C2: A lovely, cream, tone-on-tone carpet will quiet the noise and compliment your look.

C3: Again with the gold - I love the Weathered Pearl finish from Century Furniture. It is available on all of their chairs. Visit Laura U Collection and http://www.centuryfurniture.com/.

***Please send us your favorite interior looks! Let us know where you love to shop in Houston and elsewhere!

Check Back for a photoshoot with Whitney Casey in her home designed by Laura U!"

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