Although Kit Chua and her husband had lived in their Chicago home for several years, shed never set up her home office properly. Once the pandemic hit, and Ms. Chua, an education consultant, was forced to work from home, where her husband was also working and their two daughters, ages 9 and 12, were engaged in remote school, it became clear that she needed a viable office setup.

When Ms. Chua, 46, hired interior designer Alice Benjamin to help design her office last spring, she realized that there were other spaces in the home that also needed attention. Our living and dining room had become the kids space over the years, says Ms. Chua. It can be pretty stressful to have the biggest and best space in your home filled with kids stuff especially during a pandemic. Ms. Benjamin created a plan in which the tucked-away family room was transformed into a study and hang-out zone for the girls while the dining and living room got a dramatic refresh. The overall project cost roughly $250,000.

Ms. Benjamin took cues from commercial workspaces for the design of the girls area where she incorporated rectangular booths fitted with cushions. The kids each have one where they can stretch out or sit up and do their schoolwork at writing desks positioned in front, says Ms. Benjamin. Sconces illuminate the cocoon-like booths and charging stations ensure there is always a spot to plug in. Colorful cubbies nailed to the wall provide storage and the walls are covered in cloud wallpaper.

In the living room, a movie screen and projector were installed along with a custom sectional. We werent a big TV-watching family before Covid, says Ms. Chua. But now that we have such a nice screen, we watch a lot of shows and movies all together. Additionally, Ms. Chuas Peloton software hooks up to the projector and while in quarantine during the colder months, the family has been doing yoga. When the kids are home for remote school and I need to be their P.E. teacher, we do dance cardio, she says.

Ms. Chua says her office, equipped with a desk at which she can either sit or stand, is now her dream space. It has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a sliding ladder. To expand the workspace, Ms. Benjamin transformed the adjacent room into a room where Ms. Chua participates in podcasts and video conferences. Dry-erase paint turned the walls into a blank canvas that she uses to map out ideas; the girls also enjoy writing on the walls and doing school projects at the adjustable table in the room where they can spin on swivel stools.

Excerpt from:
These Families Are Stuck at Home During Covid, but Have Plenty of Places to Go - The Wall Street Journal

Gingham suddenly got a whole lot more stylish. This season, we need to re-evaluate everything we think we know about this quaint chequerboard pattern as it moves from our grandmas table cloth to the forefront of our homes.

Yes, your old-school summer uniform really is one of the biggest interior design trendsof the year.

What are the reasons behind ginghams increasing desirability? The pandemic may have to answer to this trend, just like many of the nostalgic crazes to emerge during the current lockdown. The craving for check comes as homeowners look for ways to inject elements of a rural escape into their homes, and the pining for natural charm will only grow as spring arrives.

The success of Netflix series, The Queens Gambit, may have also had an impact on the patterns return, as fans look for ways to pay homage to fictional chess champion Beth Harmon through their interiors.

(Image credit: Arlo & Jacob)

London-based furniture suppliers, Arlo & Jacob, have notably jumped on the trend, and have recently released a gingham collection which could sit comfortably in any modern home, as their Buying and Merchandising Manager, Laura Barnard, shared: Gingham is a very confident upholstery choice, and rather than being too frilly its bringing attention to an interior.

If you are still not convinced that weve reached the end of ginghams frilly days, luxury interior designer Rebecca Hughes, Founder of Rebecca Hughes Interiors, further emphasized the versatility of this ever-enduring pattern.

She explained: Gingham is a big interior trend and personally I love how this simple pattern can change an interior scheme. Although gingham is nostalgic and traditional to many, it certainly doesnt have to be confined to country homes.

(Image credit: Arlo & Jacob)

The great thing about this timeless print is that it enhances almost any interior,' the designer continued. 'Whether it be a simple lampshade, a ruffle trim cushion, or an upholstered chair, with the right choice of color, size of the pattern, and style, these beautiful checks will suit both classic or contemporary settings.'

Meanwhile, Ceraudo - the furniture brand who were one of the first to use lacquer before it became a trend - have added ruffles to their brand new gingham chair designs.

Chairs, from 1360, Ceraudo

(Image credit: Ceraudo)

Alternatively, designer Sarah Peake, of the London-based Studio Peake also suggests interpreting gingham into your home through your curtains.

'One of my favorite places to use gingham in projects is on curtain linings,' she explains. 'If curtain linings are seen from outside through the window, it is lovely to use a contrast lining for that element of surprise, and ginghams work well with most patterns.'

Curious as to which other crazes are taking over our homes during this year? Read how 1970s inspired interiors are the retro fuelled trend taking over our homes this year.

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This old-fashioned pattern is set to be one of the biggest interior trends this year - interior designers can't get enough of it - LivingEtc

Erin Hiemstra's cozy home office is a lesson in functional and stylish small-space design. The creative behind Apartment 34 transformed a snug 10-x-10-foot accessory dwelling unit in her backyard into her dream home office when the pandemic hit. We added the ADU to our yard months before quarantine, and I'm so thankful we did! she shares. I couldn't wait to create an elevated escape, especially as the rest of the house devolved into chaosit's not easy to get work done with a kindergartener.

She worked with California Closets to create a custom built-in desk that optimized the limited floor space, and had room leftover for a meditation corner. She went with gray herringbone floors from Cle Tile, a soft Roman Clay treatment on the walls for a texturized, plaster-like finish, and a dark, moody color palette for a modern and minimal look. I breathe a sigh of gratitude every time I step in here, she adds. I love that I can display my favorite treasures, and my husband is happy that my magazine collection is out of the house.

To re-create the look at home, Hiemstra swears by three design tips: Select a spot with great natural light to improve focus, invest in a comfortable chair, and carve out space for pieces that inspire you. It can be a gorgeous desk lamp, a plant, artwork, a mood boardjust something that makes you smile.

Interior designer Shea McGee is all about function when designing a spaceespecially something as utilitarian as a home office. I always start by asking myself, How can I make this space as functional as possible? In her book, a comfortable chair, spacious desk, plenty of storage, and some degree of separation from the rest of your home are the building blocks of a successful home office.

Having a designated office or desk is important so that on some level, you can still leave work at the end of the day, she notes. If you're working with a multiuse space like a kitchen table or closet, she recommends investing in a comfy chair and adding luxe touches like a candle or flowers to make the space feel intentional.

As for home office design, McGee always aims to create an organized, relaxing atmosphere that's conducive to productivity. In her husband Syd's home office, for example, she went with a coat of calming navy paint, plenty of built-in storage, and personal touches like artwork, books, and greenery.

Read the rest here:
How to Create a Chic and Functional Home Office, According to Interior Designers - Glamour

The aircraft had its roots not in commercial aviation, but in the military. In the 1960s, the U.S. Air Force sought to develop a large plane for cargo and troop transport, and it tapped into the expertise of aerospace companies, including Boeing, to develop one. While Boeing didnt win the contractit ultimately went to Lockheed Martin for the C-5 Galaxythe company was able to take its technological research and transform it into the 747.

Under the leadership of engineer Joe Sutter, a team of Incredibles, as they became known, worked at lightning speed with a paltry budget to build the plane in 29 months. At the time, Boeing directed the majority of its resources to other crucial projects, including NASAs Apollo missions and the development of a supersonic transport, or SST, which was supposed to be the future of passenger air travel. (Only two SSTs ever ended up entering service: the Concorde and the Tupolev Tu-144, while Boeings funding was cut, thus ending the program.)

Boeings mock-up for the Tiger Lounge, complete with the 747s iconic spiral staircase.

The 747 was originally designed to ferry passengers for just a few years, as Boeings SST was being finalized, before being converted into a cargo carrier. And it was that cargo purpose that led to the aircrafts defining exterior design element: her hump. The best way to load freight onto an airplane is straight down the length of the fuselage. They thought the best way to do this with the 747 is to have a nose that tilts up, says Lombardi. Well, if you do that on a conventional airplane, the flight deck is right there in the way. So the way to fix that is to put the flight deck up on top of the fuselage.

And thus the hump came to be, which in itself led to another key design feature aboard the aircraftthis one on the interior. Due to aerodynamics, the hump had to be extended behind the cockpit, leaving an empty space. Pan Am founder and aviation giant Juan Trippe, who had ordered the first 25 747s for his airline in 1966, can be credited with defining that space. Boeing said, Well, we could use it as a crew rest area, and Juan Trippe immediately said, Oh, no, thatll be our first-class lounge, says commercial aviation historian Shea Oakley.

Qantass Captain Cook Lounge for first-class passengers.

Read the original here:
How the Boeing 747 Changed the Way Airplanes Are Designed - Architectural Digest

W

hen a couple contacted fashion designer-turned-interiors guru Matthew Williamson on Instagram recently, they hoped hed settle a disagreement about which lampshades to choose for their bedside tables.

They were coming at it from the wrong angle, I said lets talk about the floor first is it concrete? Is it wooden? I cant help you pick lampshades if I dont know what the foundations of the room are, says Williamson.

Fortunately the couple, who certainly got more help than theyd bargained for that day, loved the idea.

Lamp from collaboration with Pooki, lampshades 70, lamps from 180

The floor informs the bed, you work up and over the room, he tells me on a call from his home in the mountains of northern Mallorca, where he has spent most of the past year with his partner, Joseph Velosa, and their five-year-old daughter, Skye.

Williamson describes designing his own homes as well as a traditional stone-walled house in Dei, he also has an apartment in a grand Victorian building in Belsize Park and the homes of clients much in the way youd tackle a painting.

His vast overestimation of the laymans painting skills aside, he speaks of painting the background first: the walls, the floor and the ceiling in a room design, or the shell.

It sounds elementary but people miss that trick, he says. Thats the first step, its madness to buy cushions before you consider the background.

Matthew Williamsons collaboration with Pooki on display in his Deia home

Big-ticket items such as the bed and the dining table, are the middle ground, then the details follow: The petals, the flowers, the eye colour, these are your cushions, your mirrors and your lamps.

And its Williamsons own pivot from fashion to interior design and now shoppable homewares the details that is affirming his brand as a household name. Once the fashion favourite of A-listers and friends including Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, Williamson is bringing all his products to one, curated platform (matthewwilliamson.com).

From 12 notebooks in a Persian design-inspired paisley pattern, to a newly launched decorative furniture collection with Roome London in which bespoke dressing screens and sideboards are priced from 5,500, the products cover eight categories from lighting to rugs and cater for all budgets.

You could always buy wallpaper [I designed] through Osborne & Little, and you could buy stationery, he says. I wanted to put it under one roof rather than it being fractured, a one-stop shop to see my whole universe of design.

Lamps from collaboration with Pooki

And theres plenty more to come, says Williamson, who turns 50 in October. The antique section of the online store is growing and he hopes to create a gallery wall of artwork soon, so well get to see those painting skills in action.

Hes also a guest judge on the new eight-part Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr and Michelle Ogundehin.

Were all at home now, weve all got to the same place that home is not just a place to sleep and wake up in it counts far more than ever before, he says.

Even if youre not interested in design, you probably now need a table thats not just a dining table, it also needs to be a school for children or a place to work.

While fashion was my chosen subject, Ive always been fascinated by interior design, homes and how people live. This is really the icing on the cake.

Interior Design Masters airs on BBC Two on Tuesdays at 8pm

Read more:
Matthew Williamson on his new curated interior design platform - Evening Standard

Sage-green bedding is a soothing trend.

Andra DelMonico, interior designer of Next Luxury, told Insider that this color bedding is gaining popularity.

"Sage green is calming, soft, and sophisticated," DelMonico said. "It's the grown-up version of your basic green."

Try pairing sage bedding with other soft colors such as pale yellow, cream, or pastel pink. The hue also works on other bedroom textiles, like throw pillows and upholstery.

Canopy bed frames add drama.

Dramatic bedroom designs are trending, and nothing makes a statement quite like a canopy bed frame.

"Having a canopy in your bedroom can give your room an elegant feel," DelMonico said. "Iron canopies, in particular, are stylish while still allowing for plenty of light."

DelMonico suggested that if you do opt for an iron alternative, you should add white bedding for a strong contrast and a clean, modern aesthetic.

Vintage screens can be practical and beautiful.

Screens are perfect for dividing a space, adding privacy, and dampening sound, and vintage options are particularly having a decor moment.

"These screens can give a bedroom a sense of old-world style while also separating spaces, which will be invaluable in 2021," DelMonico said.

You can use a screen to hide a bedroom desk or lean it behind your bed for a unique headboard.

Peel-and-stick murals are a nondestructive way to decorate.

Michelle Harrison-McAllister of Michelle Harrison Design told Insider that this simple addition is a rising trend.

"Peel-and-stick murals are a popular bedroom statement right now," Harrison-McAllister said. "We're even seeing this trend extend up toward the ceiling."

Temporary decals and wallpaper are also ideal for children's bedrooms or rented homes where decor may need to be swapped out.

Natural textures are expected to be in for 2021.

Kobi Karp, principal interior designer at Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, told Insider that this upcoming season's bedroom styles will heavily feature natural pieces.

"Using earthy hues and textures allows bedrooms to feel like comforting, safe spaces for those seeking to escape from the outside world," Karp said.

Fabrics like linen and cotton are good bedding options, and rattan, wood, or wicker furniture evokes a natural vibe.

On the other hand, matching bedding may soon look dated.

The time has come to consider ditching the one-color bedspread, pillows, and draperies.

"The matching bedding trend is over," Harrison-McAllister said. "Personalizing the bedroom has become more important in recent years."

Instead of buying a bedroom-in-a-bag set, try decorating your space with several different complementary textures and colors.

Industrial pieces can often look cold.

Stripped-back industrial designs have been going strong for years, but the raw edges and hard, metal finishes of this style are moving out of fashion.

"Bedrooms are meant to feel warm and inviting, and industrial finishes tend to feel sterile and cold," Karp said.

Industrial-design elements like Edison bulbs and concrete may give way to plush fabrics and furniture with rounded corners.

Matching bedside-table lamps are seemingly done for now.

Matching nightstand lamps have been a classic addition for years, but the trend for clear surfaces may be sweeping them away.

"Wall sconces are a great way to achieve the same feel of nightstand-table lamps, but in a cleaner and less cluttered way," Harrison-McAllister said.

If you're not quite ready to ditch your bedside lamp, you can downsize to a smaller, dimmer option to help clear space on your nightstand and create a more restful bedroom environment.

Read the original here:
Interior designers share 5 bedroom trends that'll be huge this year, and 5 on their way out - Insider - Insider

AS WE CLOSE in on a year of living claustrophobically, Americans continue to look for strategies that can quiet the jittersand dont involve thousands of calories. One solution: calming decor. To help you out, we asked hundreds of designers what they consider the most soothing interior paint colors.

Nature-inspired palettes of pale blue and olive green were mentioned often. Notably absent? Pigments such as fire-engine red and neon green, which the experts view as invigorating at best and anxiety-inducing at worst. "As a rule of thumb, the more saturated and pigmented the color, the more it is associated with excitement and stimulation," explained Palo Alto, Calif., architect Mary Maydan.

Here are the four specific paint colors that were most frequently cited by our expert panel, followed by four hues that designers generally agreed jangle the nerves.

THE MOST-PACIFYING PIGMENTS

Borrowed Light No. 235

Shades that call to mind sea and sky work on us like an aesthetic chill pill. "These colors connect us to the natural world, which does wonders for our stress levels," said New York designer Ariel Okin, who singled out Borrowed Light. Chicago designer Kelly Hurliman said of the hue, "It feels as though it has been magically mixed with sunlight." From $110 a gallon, farrow-ball.com

More:How to Design a Stylish TV Room

Alabaster OC-129

"Relaxing at the spa." So Brooklyn designer Shelby Girard described the mood this white evokes, especially when paired with natural materials like rattan and jute, she said. The hue never reads yellow or pink, said New York designer Nate Berkus. "Alabaster is a chalky, warm, almost plaster-like white," he said. "I like an environment that is a study in neutrals, which Ive always found soothing and peaceful." $80 a gallon, benjaminmoore.com

Graceland

Bringing natural tones indoors "plays to our most primal inner senses," said Barrington, Ill., designer Katie Wozniak of shades on the green spectrum. Portolas Graceland is a pleasantly muddy and muted green that Los Angeles designer Erick Garcia calls "earthy." He would use it in a bedroom, living room or master bedroom. "It has a sense of peace and optimism." From $64 a gallon, portolapaints.com

Shark PPG1006-2

Philadelphia designer Joe Berkowitz compares Shark to a cloudy day that mellows the psyche. The light gray shade with brown undertones is "easy on the eyes." Kara Mann used Shark in a clients bedroom. "It works with both warm and cool tones," said the Chicago designer, "but what makes it soothing is the way it subtly changes throughout the days light." From $36 a gallon, ppgpaints.com

THE MOST-DISCONCERTING COLORS

From Penta:Wine Picks to Get Through Winter

Orange

While pretty poolside, the bright and bold citrus-y hues we embrace on tropical vacations translate poorly into paint colors at home, said New York designer Mikel Welch. "Orange tones on entire walls typically have a florescent quality that burns the eye, so to speak," he said. "The effect is similar to staring at the sun." Jean Stoffer, a designer in Grand Rapids, Mich., refers to these tones as "huge punctuation marks of color." Punctuation should not be huge.

Red

Why do we often see bright red dcor in fast-dining establishments, la McDonalds? Because the business model relies upon our not wanting to hang around, explained Los Angeles designer Kevin Isbell. "Red packs a fiery punch that makes it difficult to relax," he said. New York designer Rayman Boozer finds bright red hues vibrant and exciting but also challenging to incorporate into a soothing design. "It is a great color for lipstick but not my pick for relaxing home dcor," he said.

More:Curating Your Kitchen With Open Shelving

Hot Pink

Color-loving San Francisco designer Homan Rajai describes pigments such as fuchsia as "aggressive, graphic and blunt." Primary and non-complex colors, like those in a 12-pack of Crayola markers, will always read as least-soothing, confirmed Atlanta designer Lauren Lowe. Said Ms. Maydan, "Being surrounded by colors like this for too long can actually heighten stress and anxiety."

Vivid Yellow

In a space meant to soothe, aggressive yellows will accomplish the opposite. "For me, a bright yellow is very stimulating," said Chicago interior designer Alexandra Kaehler. "Its exciting in a powder room or closet that you dont necessarily visit for a respite. It just doesnt offer that calming effect." And steer totally clear of yellows of an acidic or highlighter-like nature, which Los Angeles designer Greg Roth describes as having an "energy and buzz to them that works great for motivating the troops or getting you up and dancing but, for getting ready for bed, maybe not so much."

The Wall Street Journal is not compensated by retailers listed in its articles as outlets for products. Listed retailers frequently are not the sole retail outlets.

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The Mostand LeastSoothing Paint Colors, According to Interior Design Pros - Mansion Global

A single scented candle might not change the world, but it might change the way you feel about being cooped up for the past year. And adding some bright yellow patterned throw pillows to your living room/home gym/office/day care space might not erase the fact that its freezing and dreary outside, but maybe you can trick your brain into thinking your home is a cozy and romantic oasis, instead of the same walls youve been staring at since last winter. Winter can be rough under the best of circumstances, but after a year of redesigning and rethinking our homes for efficiency, being stuck inside may feel like more of a bummer than usual. Now that you've got your home office all set, here are some expert suggestions on how to upgrade your home to improve your mood.

Paint is the first line of defense, says Iantha Carley, a D.C.-based designer who mixes timeless pieces with a little bit of whimsy. Like many people, she moved her office home in 2020, so she had plenty of time to look around and notice what was, and wasnt, working. This is a good time to reevaluate how youre living, she says, recommending lighter wall colors that brighten the space, with furnishings or accents in autumnal colors. I love rusts and oranges and greens, she says. Bright walls dont mean stark white. Ivory or bone or muted grays can be a softer way to elevate the mood of a room, and trick your mind into thinking its not 32 degrees outside.

Like Iantha, Los Angelesbased designer and Mass Studio owner Safura Salek got rid of her office in 2020 and brought everything home to her apartment. I had to reconfigure my space to allow for a cleaner, more simplified office area, she says. Her walls were already light and bright, but she added more mirrors to reflect that light and open things up. She also detoxified the space, getting rid of excess clutter, and created a respite area to contrast with her work area. You can throw nice, colorful pillows on the floor or put a chair next to a window with a lamp for reading or listening to music or just looking outside and taking a break, she says.

When youre finished creating your nook for recharging, you can always switch up the art on your walls to give your eyes and your brain something new to stare at while youre waiting for the next Zoom to begin. Iantha had several of her old design school projects framed, and Safura says that adding some colorful wallpaper is a simple way to inject whimsey into a room, plus its something you can do yourself. Hints of bright colors make you feel less depressed to be locked down, she says.

Besides decluttering and brightening the space, New Yorkbased designer Charlie Ferrer suggests what he calls seasonal intervention candles. Splurging on some gorgeous scents is a solid way to bring some coziness and romance to a room without breaking the bank. After all, a nice candle is cheaper than a full-on reno. Charlie is partial to scents from brands like Mad et Len or Perfumer H. You can mix scents to create complex smells that signal to your brain that youre home, he says. The scent becomes a marker of home.

Charlie also loves a big vessel jam-packed with roses in the middle of winter, and the older the roses get, the better. I love it when roses are on their last legs, and theyre open and poetic and the petals are falling off. It makes me happy. If roses arent your thing, he suggests bright peonies or ranunculus as a simple mood lifter, especially around Valentines Day.

You can also add some softer lighting by changing out bulbs (Iantha likes Philips Hue bulbs and Safura recommends 2700-Kelvin LED lighting), or throw up sheer, diaphanous curtains for some winter romance. The light play as the sun passes through is beautiful, Charlie says. It also creates beautiful textures at night. Lighting is key when it comes to mood, and using floor or table lamps instead of harsher overhead lights is a good move. If you have any fluorescent lighting, get it the hell out of your space, Safura says. It makes everything look ugly. Especially on Zoom; we cant have that.

Whether you purge your fluorescents or simply add some new art or an antique lamp, small changes can help shake that feeling that the winter days are endless, and short, and cold. If you add personal and unique touches, says Charlie, Youre going to be a lot happier. One can never have enough candles or art, especially in a COVID winter.

Read the original here:
Interior Design Tips to Help Brighten Up Your Space and Mood - Architectural Digest

Everybody who is anybody is head to toe in brown this season. From Alexa Chung to Bella Hadid, the most admired stylish symbols of SS21 are glazing the streets with every combination of this tanned and tawny color. Though, as some of our most admired interior designers argue, why should street style have all the fun? It's time we bring this underrated color into our homes.

If you want to understand the true power of brown, then firstly, remember this: even the acclaimed advocate of vibrant colors, Eva Sonaike is a self-proclaimed lover of brown. In fact, despite its neutral connotations, her home is a haven of brown furniture, which she uses to compliment her kaleidoscopic decor.

'I am an ambassador for color but love to integrate brown though selected furniture pieces,' Eva confessed. 'I have a large antique French wooden dining table, which is surrounded by bright orange, upholstered mid-century chairs. The brown brings a sense of calm and tranquility into the vibrant space.'

If youre inspired by Evas combination of shades, you can learn how to choose cool color combinations for your home.'

(Image credit: Wallpaper, New Bond Street in Hide 97 per roll, Wall: Chocolate Colour 124 48.50 for 2.5L Absolute Matt Emulsion, Fireplace: True Taupe 240 68 for 2.5L Intelligent Eggshell by Little Greene.)

Just as wearing brown takes a little more planning and coordination, brown decor requires preparation. As the interior designer, Minnie Kemp, explains, the key is not to overly satisfy your desire for darker decor.

'Flourless smooth chocolate cake, deep nutty brown hues of heaven, served with a dusting of powdered sugar, almost impossible to enjoy just one slice. Just like using the color brown in an interior space, practice restraint, resist the temptation to overindulge as you will end up being sick. Nobody wants Bruce Bogtrotter round for afternoon tea.'

Minnie continues: 'Personally, I like to keep my brown's natural. Wycliffe Stutchbury's studies in the narrative beauty of wood, hanging on the wall, David Krynauw Haywire lighting in Wenge or copper finish over the dining table, which is, of course, Maarten Baas, Sculpt Veneer Table in Walnut Veneer.

(Image credit: Upper Wall, Light Bronze Green 123 and Highlight Stripe, Nether Red 315 in Intelligent Matt Emulsion 53 for 2.5L and Splashback, Elysian Ground 320 in Intelligent Eggshell 68 for 2.5L by Little Greene. )

A solid natural finish grounds a space and gives one a sense of calm. Especially in these times of isolation, it brings the outside indoors. For upholstery: C&C Milano 'Miguel' in Chocolate or biscuit, this is soft yet hard-wearing, and sumptuous perfect for a sofa or a big cozy armchair,' Minnie shared, before adding:

'The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the color brown is a contrasting happy blue. Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen are the masters of this combination; just feast your eyes upon the spare bedroom in their Sussex farmhouse, delicate details and small servings of nut brittle, a small taste that always leaves one wanting more.'

(Image credit: Upper Wall, Light Bronze Green 123 and Highlight Stripe, Nether Red 315 in Intelligent Matt Emulsion 53 for 2.5L and Splashback, Elysian Ground 320 in Intelligent Eggshell 68 for 2.5L by Little Greene. )

Furthermore, if anybody knows about discovering the precise balance of brown in your home, it is the luxury paint company, Little Greene, who have a selection of pristine browns amid their current color collection. This is, however, unsurprising, when you also consider the calming qualities of brown, at a time when we all look to unwind in the homes we rarely leave. As Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene, emphasizes:

'It's not just warm neutrals that create a sense of calm and comfort; darker shades have a soothing quality too. Sumptuous, deep brown colors provide a luxurious, nurturing feel, emulating a sense of intimacy and creating a sanctuary. Using deep, dark shades in living spaces creates a dramatic, intimate, and cocooning feel. Dark colors like 'Elysian Ground' and' Scullery' make a real statement when used all-over, as they have an innate warmth that creates a space inviting and enveloping without feeling heavy and imposing.'

(Image credit: Walls: Chocolate Colour 124 in Intelligent Matt Emulsion 53 for 2.5L, Woodwork: Chocolate Colour 124 in Intelligent Eggshell 68 for 2.5L by Little Greene.)

'If you're looking to incorporate brown alongside a more neutral palette consider creating a focal point through color blocking using neutrals to frame bolder,; she adds. 'Consider deeper browns or pair woodwork in 'Chocolate Color' with a deep green such as 'Dark Brunswick Green' to create a real design statement.'

Looking for more ways to make your home a more tranquil, neutral sanctuary? Browse our 27 stylish ideas for a calm and restful bedroom scheme.

See the article here:
Interior designers reveal why brown is the color you need to bring into your home this year - LivingEtc

Looking to become a professional designer? As with any higher education decision, you always want to do your researchespecially if you already know what field you want to go into. If you have your sights set on a career in interior design, there are plenty of stellar schools to choose from. Here are some of the best ones to consider in the United Statesmany of which are recognized by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), meaning they meet the highest standards for interior design education.

As a university thats completely dedicated to interior design, NYSID is committed to an education focused on innovative, immersive, and transformative spaces. It offers CIDA-accredited undergraduate programs that blend an interior design curriculum with the liberal arts. Graduate programs allow those with their bachelors degree in interior design or architecture to specialize in areas like lighting or sustainability. Its Manhattan location allows for easy access to internships and making professional connections through the school's vast network.

Standout graduates include Rose Tarlow.

From architecture and design for sustainability to art history and animation, this southern school offers a range of art and design-based programs. The CIDA-accredited interior design program allows students to explore a wide range of career paths. They learn "to maximize health, wellness, style, and sustainable practices across corporate, residential, retail, and hospitality design," according to the school's website. SCAD is also ideal for students who want to focus on interior design while engaging with other creative fields through the more than 75 minors or certificates the university offers. Bonus: The Georgia school has campuses in Atlanta and Lacoste, France for those who want to start the program in one place and finish in another.

Standout graduates include Christian Sottile.

Recognized as one of the top-ranked schools for architecture and interior design, George Washington University prides itself on its ability to help students make connections and land jobs. The Washington, D.C-based school offers students opportunities for cross-collaboration, letting them work on studio projects to design new spaces across the university. The school's interior architecture program is CIDA-accredited. The school describes the program as one that fosters "creativity and pushes the boundaries of design with an emphasis on conceptual thinking and the design process."

Standout graduates include Brittany Watson Jepsen.

Syracuses environmental and interior design program focuses on challenging and rethinking the built environment. Located in upstate New York, the CIDA-accredited program centers on promoting positive change through design in a constantly evolving global context. Students explore the art and architecture of environmental design and work with faculty in a studio setting thats similar to operating in a professional office. Mixed with a broad liberal arts education, students are taught sustainable design practices, an understanding of the business of design, and to value the concerns of people.

Standout graduates include Thom Filicia and Ian Schrager.

In 1906, Parsons launched the very first interior design curriculum in the U.S. The famed school in New York City takes a research-oriented approach to designing physical spaces. Students work in small groups to design a range of interiors, and graduates leave ready to enter the workforcewhether its to join an established architecture studio or open their own design practice. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) and offers a range of career focuses including set design, consulting, sustainable design, historic preservation, and more.

Standout graduates include Jamie Drake and Albert Hadley.

The interior architecture program at RISD centers on the reuse and alteration of existing buildings. Students learn how to recommend design modifications and renovations that breathe new life into interior structures through an understanding of buildings from the inside out. A vast range of approaches are exploredincluding domestic, retail design, theater/production design, and conservationin a studio setting. The four-year program requires students to take a foundational year that involves drawing, design, art history, literature, and spacial dynamics courses. To graduate, students complete a final studio project that shows the major concepts theyve learned and expertise in their chosen specialization.

Standout graduates include Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia.

At FIT, the CIDA-accredited interior design program emphasizes practical skills students need to get design projects done. It combines the history and theory of interior design with hands-on studios to ensure students graduate with the ability to envision stunning spaces and know how to build them. Students are taught by and collaborate with design experts in New York City. With sustainability and user safety at the forefront, students learn all about drafting techniques, computer modeling, lighting, and materials and methods. A great deal of spaces are coveredincluding residences, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, historic settings, hospitals, and supportive housing.

Standout graduates include Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller.

The University of Cincinnatis interior design program teaches students problem-solving and formal design skills along with essential historical and technical knowledge. The five-year program in Ohio includes a required co-op with firms from all over the world. It's CIDA-accredited and has strong links to the schools architecture program with the first three semesters of both featuring a common curriculum.

Standout graduates include Eva Maddox and Kevin Roche.

The design an environmental analysis program at Cornell is centered around design innovation and strategy, sustainable futures, and health and well-being. In the STEM-certified, CIDA-accredited programlocated in Ithaca, New Yorkstudents take common foundation classes and build their expertise with a number of courses from within the schools College of Human Ecology. The curriculum combines studio-based training, field experience, and applied research to give students a substantive design education.

Standout graduates include Art Gensler.

At Kansas State University, the interior design program centers on how interior environments affect well-being. In it, students explore human ecological theory, design theory, and interior design practice. K-State prides itself on being the only four-year interior design program in Kansas thats CIDA-accredited. Its graduates go on to work in multidisciplinary offices on planning and design teams. Others go in a more specialized direction with a career in lighting, kitchen and bath design, or residential design.

Standout graduates include Jo Staffelbach Heinz.

Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University boasts an interior design program with a focus on sustainability, professional preparation, human experience, and exploring the uses of materials. It combines interior design with art, art history, and general education requirements. Students engage in problem-solving design studios and cooperative employment throughout the four-year program thats both CIDA and NASAD-accredited.

Standout graduates include Douglas Ellington and Maxfield Parrish.

With a reputation as one of the best art schools in the country, Pratt Institute also boasts a CIDA-accredited interior design program. Based in Brooklyn, the program centers on what the school describes as deep philosophical and theoretical explorations to produce varied aesthetic expressions, while considering ethical responsibility and practical applications in line with professional standards. Students must create a professional portfolio and thesis in order to graduate.

Standout graduates include Annabelle Selldorf and Peter Zumthor.

Auburns CIDA-accredited interior design program emphasizes critical and creative thinking. The Alabama-based program prepares emerging professionals to find and organize information, solve problems, relate to people, uncover needs, and ultimately shape the environment to enhance the quality of life. It includes design studios and foundational business coursework. Plus, the school encourages students to create a professional portfolio before graduating.

Standout graduates include Ashley Gilbreath.

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13 of the Best Schools for an Interior Design Education - HouseBeautiful.com