Spring 2012 Interior Design Color Spotlight

With color, whether in the fashion, art or interior design industry - Pantone is the king who calls the shots. Every year, and - every season - the company - (Pantone is also an icon and THE standard for color) sets the trends for popular hues.

For Spring 2012, we noticed that the palette for inspiration is much lighter and brighter - with only one darker-value color being on the chosen color chart. The deepest value color is Sodalite Blue, which is much like a navy blue. Even the earthy browns of Starfish and Driftwood (clearly sea-inspired - and even most of the Pantone-picked colors are quite beachy...) are still muted significantly, and will easily blend with the brighter colors in the selection. The brightest is a hot pink of sorts called Cabaret, and the color of the year - Tangerine Tango - which is a very nice, bright and happy red-strong orange.

The 'color of the year' - Tangerine Tango -is a very bright, happy color. But, it's not for everyone when it comes in your interior design. For one, it is not easily used with other colors - because when it is, there is a high probability of clash if you don't get the exact hue to accompany it. The other issue is that it is a very strong color, emotionally and quite literally - and can be overwhelming and too 'warm' when in a space that is covered in it. What might be easier - is to use it as an accent to really make your room pop. It's a color that we feel - you use IN your design; not AS your design.

We really love the other not-as-on-the-forefront colors in this 2012 Spring color collection - the seaside green and blues: Margarita and Cockatoo. Margarita is a soft, limey blue-based green (that has heavenly hints of gray) and Cockatoo reminds us of the rich Tiffany & Co. blue, that muted aqua that just screams high-end. The two even pair beautifully.

Need help with your colors? You've landed on the right blog. Contact award-winning Dallas interior designer J. Douglas Bradford for an expert opinion on your interior.

Brand Spotlight - Theodore Alexander

Founded by Englishman Paul Maitland Smith, Theodore Alexander has grown to become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in East Asia. The furniture reflects their passion for perfection and producing timeless pieces with their age-old crafting techniques. The true mastery of the art is apparent, and styles within the brand are quite vast. Out and about in Dallas? Take an opportunity to stop by the J. Douglas Design Dallas Furniture showroom - and you'll see these fine furnishings truly one of a kind.

The diversity of designer furniture available from Theodore Alexander varies from bedroom nightstands, to seating and accessories - to perhaps, an elegant living room armoire, each bringing a different personality and "feel" to the room or living space.

Part of the exclusive feel of Theodore Alexander furnishings can be credited to their use of the most unique and interesting materials to create beauty, as well as functionality. Theodore Alexander has established itself as having "eclectic, traditional and modern classical furniture". Stop by and experience for yourself, the traditional craftsmanship of all the distinctive brands offered at J. Douglas Design.

Mounting and Framing Options At J. Douglas Design

What's that? It's the Bronze Star - A U.S. Armed Forces individual military decoration and the fourth-highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. Honors such as these should be displayed with pride (and style!) as well as preserved for future generations to admire.

It was no surprise that we would want to really show this off with custom framing. For this piece, we decided to mount it on blue dupioni silk. It has been encased in a convenient, durable lucite case; the top lifts off for easy-access care to the medal and replacement of materials if necessary. You can take the medals out of the case whenever you need them. They are attached to the mounting board just like they would be on a uniform.

This also makes a great gift idea for our military honorees, or for anything really that you want to display and preserve. This and many other framing options available at J. Douglas Design.

Nominated - WFAA-List Best Of Dallas Furniture

We're thrilled to announce that we've been nominated a SECOND year for WFAA-List Best of Dallas - again in the category of BEST FURNITURE. It's no secret that we rock it in terms of fine furniture and furnishings in Dallas. We're the exclusive vendor for Marge Carson, and we carry several great brands like Christopher Guy, Maitland-Smith and more.

We need your help, though - to WIN FIRST PLACE AGAIN! Can we count on your vote? It only takes a minute, and we appreciate every vote! Tell your friends -
Click here to vote for J. Douglas Design - Best Furniture

Dining Through The Holidays

The dining space of any dwelling often represents the real heart of the home. Dining rooms bring together family and friends for sustenance, celebrations, and are a place or warmth and connection that nourish the body and the soul. The dining room is a unique place that reflects your family heritage, and makes new friends feel at home.

Choose your décor for this special space from the heart. You can create a warm, but fashionable room that invites and excites.

The dining table is the natural focal point of the dining area. You could choose from a world of shapes, styles, sizes and even materials when selecting your dining room table. Make use of fresh florals as your centerpiece for a stunning display of nature in all its elegance. For efficient use of space, and an extra-close dining experience, try replacing one side of your dining chairs with a bench. This ‘communal seating’ is a trick of the trade in the interior design world to add more space.

Lighting creates the ambiance for the room. Whether your space is filled with flecks of reflected light from a distinctive chandelier, or is less formally and more dimly lit by trendy wall sconces, your lighting can be flexible. Depending on your lifestyle, or the occasion – you might opt for the glow of an alabaster light or choose to make full use of natural light, if you have windows in your space.

Your furnishings, fabrics, accessories and lighting can transform your dining area season to season, reason to reason for a charmingly elegant space to gather.

Image from Christopher Guy (Dining Rendering) for more details on this collection click here or contact J. Douglas Design.

Brand Spotlight: Taylor King

There is nothing like coming home from a long day and relaxing in the place that you call “home”. Home is where you relax, enjoy life, family - and make memories. We all want furniture in our home that makes us feel warm, comfortable and welcomes others to our residence in style.

Taylor King Furniture is a leading brand for comfortable, durable, upholstered seating and other furniture for your interior spaces. From the luxurious feel of the fabrics, to the detail of the beautiful French nails - every piece is designed with beauty and comfort in mind.

Handmade with kiln-dried hardwood lumber and frame stock cut by hand – you simply won’t find better quality furniture than Taylor King.

J. Douglas Design is honored to be a retailer of this wonderfully-made designer furniture. The pieces are rich with color and texture, which adds to it's distinctive style, and has for years passed Mr. Bradford's discriminating selection process for his showroom. When picking our your furniture for your home or office make sure to visit the J. Douglas Design's showroom located in Dallas and see Taylor King furniture, and many other exclusive brands - and experience luxury at it’s best.

Ornamentation Isn't Just For Trees This Holiday

Decorating your living space, and especially your holiday table, for the holidays is important to your family tradition and holiday entertaining. Once the decor is in place, it's as easy as starting a roaring fire, turning on the White Christmas CD and commencing to making magnificent memories with your family traditions.

Follow these tips for adding spectacular stress-free seasonal sparkle to your home:

Keep your colors schemes simple. Choose your holiday colors, and then go with the flow. Holiday decorating isn’t about re-doing your living space every year, it’s about enhancing what you have, and adding special (and memorable) touches to your existing decor. It’s ok to mix colors in most cases, but keep in mind - for the holidays, you truly can never go wrong by decorating with gold and silver. Adding a metallic to your existing palette will add shine and sparkle; you know the old Christmas song... “silver and gold”? Get inspiration from it!

Decorate with candles, trees and ornaments throughout your spaces. Ornamentation isn't just for trees! Hang ornaments throughout your home, and decorate your tables with random ornaments and glass balls. Have little trees? Use them as centerpieces on your tables or place small trees in your hallways and on your porch. Take a old bowl and fill with beautiful vintage glass Christmas tree balls for a lovely addition to the table.

Whether you are beginning in a new place or continuing traditions in a home you have been in for years, it’s ok to change things up each year, add in some personality and make new, different memories each year.

Christmas Ornaments - Crate and Barrel