Ask the Interior Design and Décor Expert

Design Board Definition

Ben — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:42:00 GMT

Question: What is an Interior Decorating Design Board?

Lisa: A design board is used to show the overall concept for a room or home. It will show colors for paint, fabric samples, finish samples for furniture, cabinetry styles, photos of pieces to be used or conceptual pictures of a room to show the proposed style.

Best Colors With Burgundy

Ben — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 12:40:00 GMT

Question: Which colors go best with a deep red/burgundy? This is our paint color on the walls which will stay and we want to have our furniture and everything else go with it.

Lisa: For a dramatic look you can pair various tones of burgundy from light to dark and mix with light color neutrals from off- white to beige. There will be a lot of contrast and drama mixing a light neutral with a strong, rich color.

Another idea is to use burgundy with other jewel tone colors like rich deep blues from turquiose/marine blue/navy and deep greens from dark lime to forest green. For a little added fun use a small touch of lime green or even bright red.

Current Interior Design Trends?

Ben — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:09:00 GMT

Question: What are some of the popular trends in interior decorating? I want to make changes to update my home.

Lisa: Jewel tone colors are hot right now - rich blues, greens, reds, golds along with purples from lavenders to eggplant to deep rich royal purples are all very fashionable.

Lucite which was very big back in the early 80's is back again in the form of furniture, most specifically accent pieces like chairs as well as cocktails tables and accent tables. They make a more traditional room look fresh and modern.

A lot of natural materials are being used like rattan for furniture, linen for fabrics, iron for tables and drapery rods. These types of materials can lend themselves from a very casual to a formal environment based on what you pair them with.

Mixing textures like linens, velvets, cottons, with irons, glass and wood makes for a most interesting environment.

Think about it before you invest too much in a trend. Updating with accessories and pillows is the best, most effective way to satisfy your desire for a trend that looks good to you right now until you see something later on which is the new, latest and greatest.