Lynn’s Design Tips

Trends for 2008

Back to Nature

Color trends will be softer and more subtle with an emphasis on nature. Palettes will be more relaxed tones, incorporating earthy tones with deep rich shades of chocolate brown, caramel and chestnut. Highly saturated colors will still be around but used more as accents in the overall color palette.

Going Green

Sensitive to Mother Earth and making efforts to “Go Green” are making a bigger impact in our world today and manufacturers in the design world and Distinctive Home Accents are responding with Eco-Friendly options whenever possible. Reeds, Bamboo, textiles, stone & hardwoods top the list.

Ethnic Influence

Ethnic trends in hand-crafted furniture and color palette will continue to influence furniture, accessories and overall design.

Artistic Mix

One of the hottest looks is the artistic & eclectic mix of incorporating a variety of items from different cultures.

Simple Yet Elegant

This is the mantra for 2008. The emphasis is on comfortable, elegant designs with clean lines.

Design 101

Eclectic Style

You don’t always have to stick to a particular style…that becomes predictable, formal and boring. “Matching” is a design mistake. What makes a home yours are the surprises mixed in…the funky twist of a leopard ottoman with your Grandmother’s recovered sofa in red, that quirky lamp that caught your eye on a trip to San Francisco. There are two secrets to mastering the mix – keep items at least two design periods apart & play up the contrast.

Edit, edit, edit

Surround yourself with the things that you truly love and get rid of the rest of it!

Keeping with the Season

Rotate the items on your mantel, the pillows and throws twice a year seasonally (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter) to keep the room fresh and interesting.

Quick Change

Change out the hardware and light fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms for a quick update. Mix in sexy stainless steel & glass accessories for sparkle.

Set the Mood

Use dimmers on all your light switches. This allows you to create any mood you’d like….not to mention avoiding the very bright light in the wee-hours!

Stylish Stash

Hide those necessary media center remotes in faux leather books or elegant ethnic lacquer boxes.

Simple & space-saving

Use ready-made curtains on simple rods mounted near the ceiling for a simple space saving headboard.