Spring Design Trends We're Loving

A new season brings new trends in the design space. We love these trends in home design that we are seeing everywhere - and we’re sharing how we’ve incorporated them into some of our recent designs.

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Texture

Texture, texture, texture. We love incorporating texture into our designs to create interest - even when it’s subtle, like this gorgeous bed. From the pillows to the cozy throw blanket, this bed is rich with mixed textures and we can’t get enough.

Feminine Colors

Pink is not just for little girls’ rooms anymore. Feminine colors like blush, lavender and pretty pastels are a major trend for spring, like this room we’ve dubbed the pink paradise.

Darker Kitchens or Kitchen Accents

For a while, the trend in kitchens was all white, all the time. We’re seeing more and more kitchens in darker shades - or with darker accents, like the countertops and rich floors in our client’s beautiful kitchen here.

Mix and Match Patterns

This is one trend we keep coming back to. The contrast between patterns in the same or complimentary color tones adds major interest to a room. We love how this bold wallpaper plays against the equally bold pattern of the arm chair in this cozy office nook!

Floral Fabrics and Wallpapers

This is not your grandmother’s floral - the new florals are bold, contrasting and make a big statement. We have a feeling this trend isn’t going anywhere.

Open Shelving

Oh, open shelving. We have to admit - this is not always the most practical of trends. But, we personally love how we have incorporated this trend for our clients here, without compromising all of their (more practical!) storage space.

What are some of your favorite design trends? We want to hear from you - what’s in, what’s out and what is next!

Partner Spotlight: Made Goods

photo provided by Made Goods

One of our favorite things about designing is all of the incredible partners we get to work with to make our clients’ dreams a reality. So we thought it fitting to start highlighting some of those partners, and share why, and how much, we adore them!

First up, we want to tell you all about Made Goods. Made Goods designs and produces luxury home furnishings for top-tier designers, boutique retail and 5-star hospitality. This isn’t your average furniture store!! In fact, they are a wholesale distributor, so you only get access to their pieces by working with a designer (like us!). Known as a destination for furniture, lighting, outdoor and decor, each Made Goods item is designed to be a special statement - both aesthetically beautiful and functional.

Below, we share some of the ways we’ve incorporated these gorgeous Made Goods pieces into our designs.

Chandelier by Made Goods

Chandelier by Made Goods

We love that their pieces use rare and unusual materials, many exclusive to Made Goods. The designs are statement pieces - looks that you would imagine to be custom and are totally unexpected.

Nightstands by Made Goods.

And since we always want to tailor our designs to our clients’ needs, we appreciate how the look of the line can transition from modern, contemporary, transitional and perhaps even traditional. They’re so thoughtful with their designs, and meticulous down to the the small curves and interesting hardware. It doesn’t hurt that their customer service is incredible - they truly cater to the design community.

White desk by Made Goods

White Bowl by Made Goods

Made Goods, we love working with you. Thank you for being a valued partner!

Outdoor Living: Everything You Need To Know

Being based in South Florida, we are all about outdoor living. We love creating a living area outdoors that transcends your typical backyard. So we wanted to share some of our favorite tips, tricks and the trends you should know about when it comes to outdoor design.

• First things first, choose comfortable, luxurious outdoor furniture. There is nothing more important in creating a livable space which is functional and fits your family’s needs. Seating should be well thought out in terms of your space plan and use.

• Color, color, color! We love the use of color outdoors. Colorful pillows can easily change the look based on the season, and adding colorful rugs and outdoor throws add polish. Don’t be afraid to pop your favorites outside - you can get away with bolder prints and shades here than you can inside.

• Create an inviting space for day + night - with the use of lighting and elements like a fire pit, lights strung above a gathering space and candle light from large LED candles and torches.

• Mixing materials works just like it does inside the house - add interest, texture and depth - concrete, natural wood, woven materials and metals can all be meshed outdoors.

• Be mindful of the effects of weather - metals should be powder-coated to protect from the elements (especially in South Florida!) and be sure to protect furniture when not in use by getting Sunbrella covers.

• Create an upscale feel with the use of tongue and groove on the ceiling, and add pretty melamine dishware, which has the same look as the delicate ceramic you use indoors.

• One of the biggest trends in outdoor decor is the use of art - don’t be afraid to integrate artwork in different forms in your outdoor space. Art is now available in finishes that can withstand the elements!

What is your favorite thing about the outdoor lifestyle? We’d love to hear!

All About Wallpaper

Wallpaper. What can we say? We can’t get enough. The verdict is in and bold wallpapers are back. We love that wallpaper is one of the hottest design trends this year. But to be honest, we never stopped incorporating wallpaper into our designs. It’s our favorite way to add texture, depth and personality to a space. The more you layer a room, the cozier it feels, and we are all about a cozy, inviting home.

Wallpaper has replaced the painted accent wall, so it can be used in any and EVERY room. We’ve even been known to put it on the ceiling - but some of our favorite and most common places to use it are the entry way, powder bathrooms, and bedrooms. 

Choosing the right wallpaper is important - so we couldn’t leave you without sharing some of the brands we trust!

• F. Schumacher and Co.

• Phillip Jeffries

• ROMO

• Thibaut

• Innovations

And here are some of our favorite examples of wallpaper done right in our designs:

Favorite Five

We know that when you start a design project, either on your own or with a professional, the options can be overwhelming. The team at AWD is all about helping you streamline and determine which direction is best for your lifestyle. But what about their faves?

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1. Decorative Mirrors - I love decorative mirrors! Hands down, the best way to bring more light into a dark or small space. Get design credit by adding an artistic frame.

2. Lighting, lighting, lighting – There is so much that can be done with lighting. My absolute favorite way to quickly transform a room is with beautiful light fixtures, whether mounted to the ceiling, wall or placed on the floor or a table. It’s the one quick way to get an instant lift.  I also love how lighting can create a scene and a mood - that’s why we always recommend Phillips hue lighting - you can change the tone to set a mood, automate your timing and activity, and really create a scene in your own home with the touch of your personal device. Genius!

3. Wall treatments – Whether paper, silk, wood paneling, tile, or fun paint applications, walls can become a room feature simply by highlighting them. It’s so simple, yet so often forgotten.

4. Custom Built-In Cabinetry –  The key word here is CUSTOM! You can turn a plain wall into a work of art by adding built-ins with lighting, wallpaper-lined backs, mixed materials…you name it, it can be done - and be one of a kind. Take a look at the effect this custom cabinetry had on this entryway below - now that is a before and after!

5. Large Format Tile – Dramatic floors are such a trend. Adding larger-sized tiles can really transform a space and give it a contemporary look. When you install this with a zero grout line, the result is a luxurious, clean feel.

We’re sold! How about you? We love hearing from you. What are the design elements you can’t live without?

4 Steps to Loving Your Space

Is it just us, or is just about everyone in the world caught up in this Marie Kondo frenzy? Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE her methods (and a good Netflix binge!), but sometimes, the intensity around her process makes us want to crawl under our desk and never come out!

So, we came up with some our favorite tips on how to love your space (and achieve that minimal, serene vibe we all long for) WITHOUT needing to carve out a week of your life to decide if your t-shirt from college still sparks joy :)

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1. Create Space - you’ll never create the zen-like atmosphere you crave with too much bulky furniture. Start by making small, easy changes that make a big impact. Instead of getting dining chairs with backs, get stools that can neatly tuck all the way under a table and leave more room for traffic, creating more open space. We love how these stools tuck under the console on one of our favorite design projects, below.

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2. Cohesiveness is KEY - We are all about pops of color, but keeping a neutral color palette throughout your space will create cohesiveness. This doesn’t mean everything has to be all white, or all matching - simply mix in different textures and tones to add depth and interest. We’re in love with this gorgeous kitchen in one of our clients’ homes that takes neutral to the next level.

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3. Cut the Cords - Loose cords from lamps, televisions and other equipment hanging around creates a messy look. Invest in cord organizers to keep errant cords out of sight, or use velcro to secure them to the back or underside of your furniture.

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4. Cultivate Comfort - You’re more likely to feel calm and serene in your home if it exudes a sense of comfort. Some of our favorite ways to cultivate comfort are to invest in oversized pillows, lots of green plants, and scented candles or diffusers. And of course, fresh flowers will brighten your space every time!

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What are some of your favorite ways to organize your space and create a home you love? We would love to hear them!

Holiday Entertaining Tips

One of our favorite things about this most wonderful time of the year? The parties, of course! We love holiday entertaining, but understand that throwing a festive fête can be overwhelming. We chatted with one of our clients, Angelika Stuart, on her tips for throwing a party to remember this holiday season:

• Stock the Bar - We’re going to go ahead and say that as long as the holiday bar is stocked (and looking oh-so-festive, like Angelika’s pictured above) your guests will be happy!

• Plan Ahead - Truth be told, we’re typically of the ‘find a great caterer’ mindset, but if you’re doing some serious cooking and baking for your party, we totally respect that! Just make sure to plan ahead and prep as much as you can in advance. Chopping, measuring, baking….the more prepared you are, the more smoothly things will run on the day of the party.

• Personalize It - consider a signature cocktail or incorporating a fun theme. Just keep it chic (no costumes) - allow the decor, food and drinks to do the talking when it comes to holiday themes.

• Great Entertainment - whether it be a fabulous playlist, a fun or quirky game, or even live music (give us a piano and some singers, like you’ll find at Angelika’s parties, and you won’t be able to get rid of us!) - but you always want your guests to feel entertained. Leave them talking about their fabulous night.

• Relax! - There’s nothing better than a welcoming host who is genuinely having fun at her own party! Put your guests at ease by keeping your cool. Remember, even if something goes wrong, this is why you stocked the bar! :)

Happy Holidays and happy entertaining, everyone!

Alicia's Design Must-Haves

We sat down with Alicia Weaver to get the scoop on the design elements she can’t live without. “There are so many things that can transform a space - from small accents to color to prints,” Alicia told us. Her general motto: go big or go home. We couldn’t agree more! Here’s her list of can’t-live-without design essentials:

• Large Coffee table books - The perfect accent. And, they’re just filled with pretty things!

• Large Artwork - One large piece can finish a room and become a focal point. It’s definitely a design must-have.

• Pretty Chandeliers - any and all! Lighting fixtures can completely transform a room and there is nothing like a beautiful chandelier.

• Lucite - whether it be a chair, tray or a piece of acrylic, I love adding lucite as an accent to any room.

• Animal print - When it comes to mixing and matching, animal hair is a no-brainer. Whether it’s hair on hide on a chair, or print on a pillow, a little animal print goes a long way.

• Wallpaper - I LOVE wallpaper!! Everywhere! Layering materials makes me happy, but it also makes for a fun and cozy home.

• Oversized lamps - Oversized lamps can make such a statement. I especially love large nightstand lamps. My personal lamps are a sea-foam blue ceramic with a 20” round shade.

• Throw Pillows - Adding or replacing throw pillows is an easy way to change a space and create new style when you’re in the mood for something new.

And her list goes on…from white towels to comfy sheets to real marble (somewhere, anywhere!), there are so many elements that make a house a (well-designed) home. What are your design must-haves? We’d love to hear from you!