Fresh Ideas for Summer
By
Jenny Fredette
Ryan Williams, of R.L. Williams Interior Design Center in downtown Apex, N.C., recently shared his insights on what’s hot in the design world. But before getting knee-deep in granite, embossed leathers, and brushed chrome hardware, he reminds homeowners to simply have fun. Creating a space that reflects your personality should be an enjoyable experience, and the result should leave your guests feeling relaxed and happy when they’re in your home.
 1. Mix it Up: Create Eclectic Combinations
Williams suggests expressing your creativity by choosing an eclectic mix of styles, materials, and accessories. Develop ways to incorporate traditional and contemporary elements into the same room. “For example,” Williams says, “you can achieve an eclectic look by mixing ‘old world’ items like a distressed console, a traditional work of art, or porcelain tiles with newer pieces such as modern furniture.” The variety adds interest and your guests’ eyes will delight as they dance across your strategic blend. You can even mix and match fabrics on one piece of furniture. Williams has created his own line of furniture, the R.L. Williams Furniture Collection, with custom arrangements of fabrics and trims. He’s also given homeowners more options by creating his own line of bed linens, sinks, and custom cabinetry.
2. “Green” is the New Black
The movement to be environmentally friendly has hit interior design. According to Williams, one way to be “green” in the design realm is to use natural materials to achieve a natural look. “Homeowners have so many new choices for their walls. Natural wall coverings, also called grass papers, are made of materials like bamboo, grass, paper, and cork. The patterns and textures are very different from anything we’ve seen before, and they create a wonderful effect.” Williams noted that another strategy for going green is simply to increase the presence of florals inside the home, whether natural or silk plants.
3. Colors Should Complement, Not Compete
Colors are design’s building blocks, and the ones you choose can be your home’s most charming feature or its biggest downfall. If your walls are painted in neutral colors, (which is a smart move that helps tremendously with resale) lean on accessories for kicking up the room’s color and excitement. Conversely, if you choose bright and bold wall colors, go with pillows, area rugs, and tabletop accessories in neutral colors. In general, aim for colors to complement each other rather than compete. This also applies to the house as a whole; rooms should flow into each other naturally, not switch abruptly from colorful and vibrant to subdued and calming. Recognizing the simple power of accessory colors will also help you make easy adjustments from one season to the next.
 4. Simple Is In (Was it Ever Out?)
With all this mixing, matching, and spicing up colors, it’s easy to miss design masterpiece and instead create a design mess. Remember that simplicity is beauty. Pick one great accessory, not eight. Use an exaggerated piece like an oversized dining table or a unique light fixture, but don’t crowd the room.
5. Be Sure to Listen to Your Own Sense of Style.
Let these broad design principles guide you, but always bring your own ideas to the project. Williams suggests looking in magazines for ideas. Bring any samples you can when visiting stores such as a picture, a pillow, art, or fabric that you plan to design around. Depending on how creative you get, you can end up with a newly-designed room or house that’s every bit as interesting and enjoyable as you are.
Jenny fredette is a Freelance Writer
|
Terms of Use | Privacy policy | About Us | Feedback | Contact Us | Publishing Opportunities