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Archive for the ‘Green Building’ Category

The Top Five Interior Design Trends of 2011-2012

Friday, April 8th, 2011

For the past six months, I’ve been traveling the country giving presentations at trade shows and design centers on luxury green living and signing my book Green Interior Design . I’ve seen five trends stand out more than any others and here they are.

1. GREEN DESIGN GONE HEALTHY

The emphasis on green continues to gain momentum. While most people are well aware of the built environment’s impact on our planet, less is known about how it relates to human health. It’s hard to believe that the indoors are more polluted than the outdoors. But they are and we spend 90% of our time inside. In fact, the EPA currently lists indoor air pollution among the top five environmental health concerns.

Expect to see more prominence put on home design features that can help improve indoor air quality. For instance, windows, when positioned positioned and operating properly, allow for naturally occurring cross currents of air that result in proper ventilation of indoor spaces. I highly suggest opening your windows and vacuuming at least once a day. For those of you who do not employ a full time cleaning crew, check out I Robot’s Roomba.

2. THE GENTLEMAN’S LOUNGE

Leathers, tweeds, flannels and other menswear inspired fabrics are popping up all over furniture. Icons of high style like Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani and Andrew Morgan have turned their attention to interiors. Everything from master bedrooms, media room and living rooms, both indoors and out will be dominated by fabrics traditionally seen on Saville Row. The look evokes a sense of luxury embodied by a life well traveled, a meal savored, a professional respected and a bed never empty. It’s a style that wears well on both male and female, allowing the occupant to invite elegance and permanence into their interior spaces.

In residential and hospitality expect to see tweeds in camel and cigar browns; hound’s tooth checks in black, green, red and blue; richly hued plum and tangerine silk paisleys and sultry shades of grey pinstriped, flannel wools. And peacock- that male struttin’ bird will be seen everywhere for some time to come.

3. AMERICANA SUPPORTING MADE IN AMERICA

Thirty years of sending our manufacturing overseas has culminated in jobs lost forever and a nation left wondering where it all went wrong. Consequently the “Made In America” label has a brand new cache. People are finding strength in returning to American values and traditions, whether its comfort food , an old pair of Levi’s or the design of their homes. At Sotheby’s and Christie’s for example, American antique furniture and objects of art recently sold for record high prices. Manufactures who produce locally like Milgard Windows have been high on the must have lists of my clients. American handmade accessory items are also in demand like Cheryl Sheehan’s gorgeous table toppers.

Consumers want quality products that support the stability of our communities, states and nation. Expect to see red, white and blue in every room in the home.

4. SMALLER SPACES, QUALITY MATERIALS DOING MORE WITH LESS

Gone are the days of cheaply produced mega mansions. Today design is about smaller, well planned spaces made with quality materials that will last a lifetime. Dollars are being focused on fewer, but higher end products and materials. These new products have a common thread in the sensuality of their composition, an almost handcrafted feel.

Expect to see a re-connection with nature, more wood and metal in design. Because interior spaces are being made smaller, there will be an explosion in the design of well adorned outdoor rooms that visually create a large living space.

5. TECHNOLOGY WITH GREATER PURPOSE- FOCUS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, DURABILITY AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Technology and beauty haven’t always gone hand in hand, but in today’s Apple infused world of style and function, it is now more expected than ever-even in home design. Cutting edge technology is enabling design oriented manufacturers such as Creation Baumann to produce stylish products that are also durable and easy to use. The company recently updated its technology in its century old mills to transform polyester into dreamy silk like fabrics that don’t compromise indoor air quality, produce little waste in manufacturing and are machine washable. New technology such as the Smart Touch lock is fusing style and performance. The exclusive design from Milgard makes windows much easier to use as we age and was the first window manufacturer to receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation.

Expect to see more attention put on products and home improvements that offer more style, performance and comfort. The retirement of the Baby Boomers, in particular, has made Universal Design one of the most important areas in design.

That’s the top five as I see them. And trust me, I’ve seen it all this year!

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Tags: andrew morgan, Apple, Architecture, ASID, Aspen, austin, Award Winning, baby boomers, Bath, Boca Raton, Brand Ambassador, california interior designer, Celebrity Interior Designer, cheryl sheehan, chrisites, Commercial, Construction, Contractor, creation baumann, Custom Furniture, dallas, Decor, Decorating, Design, Expert, Expert Witness, famous interior designer, Furniture Rentals, giorgio armani, green, HGTV, Home, home design, home remodeling, Host, houston, i robot roomba, Interior Decorator, interior design, interior design expert witness, Interior Designers, kitchen, La Quinta, LEED, los angeles interior designer, Miami, milgard windows, new york, Orange County Interior Designer, Palm Beach, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, ralph lauren, Rancho Santa Fe, Remodel, Renovate, Residential, saville row, sothebys, Space Planning, Spokesperson, Staging, sustainable, top five design trends of 2011- 2012, Top Interior Designer, universal design
Posted in Architecture and Design, Green Building, Green Living, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Green Remodeling Review

Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Barry Katz was kind enough to send me a copy of his new book. Being a recently selected as a member of the ASID National Sustainable Council, one of our first assignments was to update the bibliography. The book couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Practical Green Remodeling extensively covers areas like insulation, ventilation and alternative energy systems. Filled with plenty of eye candy and pictures of Americana style homes, it’s easy (and fun) to read in an afternoon. If you’re just beginning your journey to the green side of home remodeling, get up to speed quickly with this power trio: Green Interior Design by Lori Dennis, Practical Green Remodeling by Barry Katz and REGREEN, a joint effort of ASID and the USGBC. You’ll gain a vocabulary and grasp of the industry that would make Ed Begley Jr. proud.

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Tags: ASID National Sustainable Council, ASID REGREEN, Barry Katz, ed begley jr, Green interior Design Lori Dennis, green remodeling, ReGreen, USGBC
Posted in Architecture and Design, Books, Green Building, Green Living, Interior Designers | No Comments »

Green Surprises in Santa Monica

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Earlier this week I went to an event at Epoxy Green featuring the latest in fully electric cars and product displays of materials that rival anything available at Ann Sacks. Sasha, the owner, has really nailed ”glamorous green”. My favorite was the collection of pearly laminates that are applied as tile. It reminded me of the sublime Maya Romanoff wallcover introduced at Donghia a few years back- only it’s eco friendly, made of recycled content.

I also liked the bamboo wall tile, applied horizontally with a chocolately grout, featuring the material in an entirely new light- mod and sultry. I’ve been weary about using bamboo because it’s become known as ”a cheap flooring solution” . Haven’t seen a comeback this noteworthy since John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.

In the “I’m not sure if I like it, but it sure is interesting category” was Richlite’s recycled paper counter tops.

In a word -unbelievable. How can paper be durable enough for a counter top. They claim it can. Has anyone used it? I’d love to know.

Also impressive were two of the fully electric cars on the front patio. Although pretty to see, Tesla models run at about $150,000… not really a solution for most of us. But there was a BMWish looking model with a $30,000 price tag (after the gov rebate of $10Gs) , evidence that we are getting closer to ending dependence on fossil fuels for transportation.

Later I headed over to Santa Monica Place to see what ripping off the roof would do to the shopping center. My first high school job was in this mall (at the GAP) and it was always dark, dreary and cramped. Post remodel and sans roof: I witnessed loads of natural light and an abundance of fresh, ocean air, green roof tops, a showcase of recycled fashions from Otis students and plenty of people from the community and beyond enjoying the open air space and comfortable seating next to a fountain in the courtyard. In a word- wow.