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An emerging trend in home furnishings design, according to High Point Market’s recently released Fall Fashion Trends report, is “Art Gallery.” HPMA explains it this way, “Art has always inspired, but today’s interpretations feature grand works directly on the furnishings themselves.
What we found interesting was that these new designs aren’t limited to looks worthy of the old masters, but include modern art and expressionism. The HPMA report included two chests, one classic from Modern History and one modern from Steven Shell. We were intrigued so we dug a bit further and discovered that both companies have created several other chests that fit into the “Art Gallery” category of emerging trends spotlighted in the Fall Fashion Report.
We hope you enjoy a peek into “Art Gallery” trend as seen in beautifully designed painted chests:
MODERN HISTORY is a fine furniture collection by Yorkshire House. The chests we’ve chosen to showcase here a combination of what the company calls High Design, plus historical style and artistic detail.
Modern History Decorated Venetian Chest (Credit)
Modern History Japanned Concave Night Chest (Credit)
Steven Shell specializes in hand-painted eclectic furniture designed across the historical period spectrum. Their collections which the company calls ranges include names from Archaeologists to Discovery and Voyager—giving clues to what each collection offers.
Steven Shell Roman Cabinet (Credit)
Steven Shell Florence Comode (Credit)
Steven Shell 3 Drawer Bombe’ Chest (Credit)
Steven Shell Olivia Bedside Cabinet (Credit)
Steven Shell Paule Marrot Piaf Dresser (Credit)
The ceiling, at times forgotten in modern design, was an architectural element which received as much consideration as the walls and floors in elaborately decorated interiors of the past. Substantial crown molding paired with ceiling murals, medallions and domes were common and gave the crowning touch to an elegant room.
In today’s homes, we are seeing a trend reverting back to the ceiling once again being addressed in bold and dramatic ways. Interior designers, architects and home builders alike are using a design element that produces a big impact–the dome. A dome draws the eye upwards and gives a sense of completeness to all styles of décor.
While often a structural element included in the initial blueprints of a residence, domes are also created through the illusion of the tromp l’oeil technique. This technique tricks the eye into believing that an architectural element is real. For example, the in this elevator oculus dome mural below by Imago Dei artists was achieved with trompe l’oeil and gives one a sense of looking up into a jungle sky.
Another tromp l’oeil ceiling dome project was initiated by Michelle McManus of By Design Interiors. She knows the significance of a tromp l’oeil l dome in the overall design of a home. She worked with Imago Dei on a dome mural for a Houston area couple. The canvas was an 18’ diameter, 60’ circumference ceiling dome in the grand foyer. The outcome was a breathtaking view of 3-D carved stone surrounding several angels outfitted in royal finery glorifying God. Note that all the dimensional reliefs are created with paint. There is no architectural moulding on this entire mural.
Whether achieved by tromp l’oeil or as an actual structural element, the dome is giving way to a new standard of homes in which every possible surface is being used to create a more whole design. Today’s ceilings are a large canvas just waiting to become a resplendent work of art for which trompe l’oeil domes prove the perfect median.
There is a world of color out there, and that also sums up the color trend for 2009: Going Global. Palettes feature this global concept include colors that evoke travel to exotic places, rich in texture, involving all the senses, and also embrace nature and natural tones of sand and stone. (Insets in this article demonstrate how Imago Dei treatments are right in line with current trends that leave lasting impressions.)
Experts in interiors have many similarities in their palette choices. However, they all agree, the stand out color for 2009 is yellow, particularly a rich golden yellow. Yellow is a color long associated with embracing opposing concepts and qualities like oriental and occidental, contemporary and traditional, spiritual and intellectual. It is a color that transcends national cultures and preferences in its ability to communicate optimism, respect, radiance and well-being. Color psychologists associate yellow with forward thinking and communication and for this reason is highl
y suitable for schools, libraries and other institutions of learning and study. People who favor yellow in psychological tests are found to be creative, inspirational and intellectual. According to Sherwin-Williams, the bold,saturated hues that have dominated palettes for the past few seasons are yielding to more complex, toned-down shades. And the new neutral is gray, ranging from warm to cool tones and including metallics and minerals. it can relax and cool down an interior, but can also carry a chic and contemporary vibe. Gray plays well in both residential and commercial spaces. Sherwin-Williams color forecast organized by color families. A free color deck is available here.
Dupont’s site created their color report in conjunction with Global Color Research, a London firm, and came up with four trends: Oxygen, bright, clean and calm pastels that rejuvenate Desert, muted natural tones, minerals and blue sky Relic, vintage and modern contrast using a wine country palette with tarnished metals Jungle, a sensitive investigation of the exotic using foliage tones with bright accents. Dupont also offers a Color Trends brochure with a click from this page.
Pantone Home+Interiors 2009 preview video is worth watching. It descriptively lists eight trendy palettes including Wine Country with taupe, olive and (duh) wine; Wanderings include dijon yellow, mystic gray and rose. Honesty has tender greens, tans, unbleached white; Discerning Tastes mixes crystal, metallic silver & gold and sumptuous surfaces; Reveries relaxes with lilac, mauve, purple and lavender. The Solar Energy palette employs mandarin, gold, red, gray and yellow greens; Breathe Easy with cool blues, crisp white, muted greens, blue-violet; Animate with color clashes of red, vibrant blues and apricot.
Benjamin Moore Director of Color, Doty Horn worked for two years to identify the trends for 2009. In her article she believes the real trend is personalization, people choosing for themselves what they are emotionally attracted to. The four main trends she has identified are Raw, minimal and neutral; Urban Silence, city grays mixed with organic greens and rusts; Simplexity, complex blends that bend the boundaries of hues; and Private Identity, bright, bold and unexpected.
Denise Turner of
Colorturners has some simple yet very timely comments for interior colors for 2009. Visit here for her color insights.
Color trends are not set by grad students throwing darts at a fan deck of color swatches. Years of research and tidy sums of money go into compiling color forecasts, but when all is said and done, It’s up to you to personalize your own space with the colors that inspire and comfort you. You can travel the world of color, but there’s no place like home to enjoy it.
