2019 Interior Design Trends from Highpoint Market
Highpoint Market is a trade show for the interior design industry held in Highpoint, North Carolina. We go almost every year for many reasons: to see what’s new in our industry, to meet with our vendors, to find new vendors, and to gain inspiration from our peers. This year, our newest designer, Haley, went for the first time. For her it was particularly important to meet with our current vendors, to see and touch the products we sell so she can better advise our clients. Experiencing quality craftsmanship, engineering, styling and finishes is very different than hearing about it.
In terms of inspiration, our team saw many current and emerging interior design trends:
We have written about this interior design trend previously, however, this look has fully taken hold of interior spaces. Essentially what this style means is fewer layers within a design. Neutral colors, furniture, and rugs are placed, then pillows and accessories are layered on top much more lightly than we have been used to seeing. However, this simple look is not boring. High contrast is brought in through texture and natural elements.
Speaking of texture, we are seeing it used much more to bring depth to this more modern design. Click here to read more about this trend. At Highpoint many vignettes went beyond nubby fabrics, bringing in natural fibers like wicker, rattan, and caning.
Although creams, whites and greys are at the heart of minimalist design, we are seeing them paired with dark accent colors like dark navy and charcoal. Saturated neutrals are also being used, such as emerald greens and mauvy/grayish-toned purples. However, the contrast is used to support an overall soft look rather than shocking the eye.
Florals are being added to create a whimsical or moody aesthetic in interiors. Very dramatic and dark floral fabrics, as well as tone on tone flower arrangements and greenery were prevalent at Highpoint. Inside plants are a big trend again. Along with fresh flowers, they bring another texture and color layer to the neutral tones of modern-leaning design.
The use of large graphic and geometric wallpaper is continuing to grow. Some designs have repeats so large that they come in mural panels instead of rolls! Designers are using it as an accent in bathrooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms.
Being among our industry peers is always an invigorating experience for us. However, while it is important for us to monitor the trends, our goal with every design is to achieve the style and functionality our clients are looking for. Then we can add bits of “what’s popular now” as needed to ensure the final design is current yet lasting.
Interior Design Trends: Using Texture for Visual Interest
The modern-leaning look we are seeing in interior design trends these days uses a lot of neutral color palettes to help set the minimalist style. However, this clean look can end up looking flat if not well implemented. Rather than using pops of color to add visual interest and depth, interior designers are bringing in lots of texture. Soft elements like fabrics, wall coverings and rugs are just the beginning. Hard surfaces are getting in on the texture bandwagon too. For example, designers are suggesting more than just high shine countertops; homeowners are going for suede, matte, or honed finishes too. Depth also qualifies as texture; for example, backsplash tile crafted with a three-dimensional element can bring architectural interest to a sleek-lined kitchen. Texture is even making its way to light fixtures. We are seeing a lot of natural woven materials such as wicker and rattan from lighting manufacturers.
If you are inclined toward modern styling, don’t forget to bring in textural elements to keep your space from feeling cold and flat. Let us know if you have questions on how to implement this interior design trend into your home. Send us an email or give us a call at 317-253-8986.
Mid-Level Interior Design Services: Design Plan for Furnishings
Interior Design is not a one-style-fits-all type of business. At Hoskins Interior Design, we work with many types of clients; from those who are looking for a bit of advice to help them make better decisions to those who are building a completely new home or remodel and need help along every step. In between those two needs are clients who want to create a new look in particular spaces of their home through furniture, rugs, accessories, etc. For them we have created our Design Plan for Furnishings Services.
DESIGN PLAN FOR FURNISHINGS / SCOPE OF SERVICES
Step 1: Initial On-Site Meeting
Like all of our design projects, we begin a furnishings project by helping our clients uncover the design concept they are aspiring to. We begin with a meeting at the space we will be designing for. Pictures are an important tool for sharing information, but experiencing the 3-dimensional space is key to providing the appropriate context for design. We need to see the rest of the home and how it will relate to the room we are working in. We also take our own photographs and measurements (or review the architectural plans). It is also at this meeting that we interview our clients, assessing their design goals and specific style and functionality needs. They leave this meeting with homework – to collect images that show elements of design or styles they are hoping to bring into their home. Houzz Ideabooks, Pinterest boards or even a folder of printed pictures will suffice. Modern style means different things to different people. Through imagery, we create a shared design vocabulary and therefore are more easily able to get everyone on the same page.
Step 2: Create Design Concept Imagery
The goal of step two is to develop mutually agreed upon design concept images to ensure the information we collected in Step One is leading us in the right direction. Many times we are working with a couple that has different styles. We are able to find designs they have common, allowing their home to suit each of them. It is here that we also educate our clients about the design elements that both work in their space and meet their goals. Good design is not just buying what you like and placing it. Whatever you bring in is part of the overall home and must flow appropriately. By creating a shared design concept, we are able to marry what already exists to the new style that everyone supports.
Step 3: Create Scaled Furniture Plan Options
All of the legwork we did in step one fully forms here in step four. Experiencing the space (or reviewing the plans) allows us to get a feel for “what it needs”. Are there existing focal points or architectural oddities that affect symmetry and balance? Where are the windows or pathways to other rooms? It is here where the experience and knowledge of an interior designer become crucial to the success of a design plan. We take what we know from our clients’ home and apply the tricks of the trade to create stylish furniture plan options that are also functional and appropriate to the space and the goal. There may be furniture layouts they may not have thought of or little details that elevate the design. Our furniture plan options show examples as well as the size and scale of each piece.
Step 4: Create Digital Mood Boards
Now that we have narrowed down our clients’ tastes and needs, we develop mood boards for the space. These tools consist of images that depict the style, fabrics, finishes, colors, textures, etc. that support the desired look and functionality. Details like wood legs on a sofa, open arms on a chair, tufted or skirted upholstery, throw pillow textures, side table scale, etc. are also all noted. Feedback from our clients then moves us to the next step.
Step 5: Provide Final Furniture Plan
After design direction and furniture plan are approved, we provide specific furniture recommendations including dimensions, style of upholstery, finishes, etc. Our goal is to give our clients the tools to purchase what they need on their own while minimizing mistakes. Furniture requires a large investment so buying right the first time saves money and frustration. From our plan, our clients are able to shop with the confidence that they will achieve the look they desire. We also offer the option of purchasing pieces through Hoskins Interior Design.
There are many ways to include an interior designer in your home projects. Whether you need a bit of design advice, help with furnishings, or guidance through every step of a large project, Hoskins Interior Design can help. Send us an email or give us a call at 317.253.8986.
