Top Three Interior Design Trends For Spring 2012

• Spring is here - and with Spring comes the urge to clean, renew and refresh - not just your design - but your life. Certainly - you notice that when you change something in your interior - it effects your whole attitude. Things like clean, new sheets, a fresh coat of paint, a stunning new accent piece of furniture, or a brand new accessory - can truly change your whole environment, as well as how you feel about it.

This Spring, there's three things to keep in mind when making these little changes to your interior design - and they hold true if you're doing a complete remodel or redesign as well. We've simplified for you - the trends for Spring 2012.

1/ Add luxury - we're not asking you to purchase hugely expensive furniture and do a complete remodel. We're asking you to add something - one thing, even- expensive - somewhere in your design. And, to add something expensive doesn't mean you have to spend a ton of money. There are fantastic sales and specials in Dallas furniture showrooms, as well as sales at upscale department stores. Find ONE stunning accessory - a lamp, a small sculpture, new bedding, a set of pillows or a throw - and add it somewhere to your design.

2/ Natural Patterns - wall decals, patterned wallpaper, and nature patterns are all the rage. This trend is actually TWO trends we've rolled into one - bringing nature in, and using patterns on the walls.

3/ Old is new - anything vintage can be a new (but old) way to spice up your design. This trend is especially hot now, with your fixtures, handles, light fixtures and smaller accessories. Brushed metal, antiqued wood - anything that looks old can add a charming, rustic and romantic statement this Spring.

Interior Color Trend: Yellow and Gray

We've been seeing the marriage of yellow and gray quite a bit lately. Just Google "Yellow and Gray" - and you'll be inundated with images of bedrooms, bathrooms, apparel, wedding invitations, photos, and so much more - using this seemingly odd color pairing.

The bright, happy yellow alongside the darker slatey-grays are quite dramatic. And what's more, the yellow is quite feminine, while the gray is more masculine. This gender-blender color combo has potential for certain rooms that require gender neutral appeal, with something to make it 'pop'.

We might point out - that not every yellow seems to work. The lighter, brighter lemony yellows are better when they are used more sparingly and in conjunction with various shades of gray, as seen in the example above. All of the grays seem to work great - it's mostly the yellow that either makes or breaks it. Oh, and how much yellow is used.

Two of the colors from Pantone's Color Preview for Fall 2012 were Honey Gold and Titanium. What do you think of this combination?

Interior Design Color Trends For Fall 2012

The interior design world follows the fashion world to a certain point. Colors that we see on the runways, often translate to our living spaces season to season.

According the Pantone's Fall 2012 Color Report - the color of the year, Tangerine Tango - will still be in the mix. Similar in value are other brighter hues like Pink Flambe and Bright Chartreuse.

Other colors are quite muted, actually - and some beautiful neutral colors like French Roast, which is a nice smoky-brown, and Titanium - a mid-value gray, as well as Rose Smoke, which is a creamy light fleshtone type of color.

For some reason - lately, we've been seeing a lot of pairings of yellows & grays in various design circles - such as the Titanium and Honey Gold. We've seen this in fabrics, apparel - and here and there quite a bit lately.

COLOR TIP: Layering isn't just for apparel or accessories. It's also a great technique for color. It's always best to start with a base, and layer. This keeps it easier to update later on - especially when we're talking about paint on the walls, large panels of window treatments - which tend to be expensive to change out. Select a more neutral base, and accessorize with the colors that pop. They'll tie in your design nicely, add color and pizazz - and be easy to update season to season.

What are your favorite pairings? What do you think is the best base color?

John Richard - The Difference Is In The Details

At J. Douglas Design, we've been using John Richard furnishings, accents and home accessories in our designs for years. Often in combination with other manufacturers and brands, and many times exclusively in a layout from start to finish with the exception of a few items. John Richard's collections include inspirations from around the world, and for all style types.

We like to think of John Richard as our 'secret weapon' because many times, a simple accessory or individual piece of furniture from one of their exclusive collections of fine furnishings and accessories can be the glue that truly ties, or unites an interior design - and sets it apart for us, as interior design experts.

Every piece is hand-crafted, and stylish - with tasteful and timeless colors and patterns - that can blend and accentuate nearly any interior concept. What's best about John Richard, is that every season, they literally introduce thousands of new items - from upholstered furnishings, to accent mirrors, benches, lighting, botanicals and more.

We salute John Richard furniture for being such a big player in our game of design.

Hunger Games Interior Style

For those who are into the Hunger Games Trilogy, you know that the citizens in the Capitol sport serious style and unique looks such as pastel pink hair, tinted skin, distinctive tattoos and themes with their appearance. We love these creative human stylings, and the explosive colors and visuals of all the fashions.

People are already scrambling to try and 'get the look' - with leading designers like Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Jean-Paul Gautier and more. Check out Hunger Games Capitol Couture here. There's even a line of nail polish in honor of the hot new movie - "Capitol Colors" by China Glaze.

Of course, what we're more interested in - is how to deck out our digs like the retro-futuristic, super clean and super luxurious Capitol of Panem. We are 'Interior Stylists' after all here at J. Douglas Design. We are to Dallas interior design, as Cinna is to wearable fashion. And the palettes are very interesting too - lots of pastels and soft, muted colors - coupled with sleek silvers and bold golds.

Now that the story is being brought to the big screen, we're able to see more than the Capitol couture and fashion; we're able to see their interior design style!

Of course, the interior decor of the train was the first time we got to really see something spectacular, a decadently fashioned showplace in what appeared to be a whopping 700 square foot train car. Designs like this are in the details, such as the lighting - which either IS, or is VERY MUCH LIKE this chandelier from ELTE found in the background while Peeta stares out the window at the Capitol city.

Once the team arrived to their quarters in the Capitol of Panem, (which we cannot yet find pictures or references to) we were treated to sleek, clean modern architecture, with many retro-hip and chic details to remind us that what is once in fashion, ccan always come back - and that clean, minimalist style - goes with anything.

The transition to big screen was well for most readers of the series - who noticed that even in the Capitol, they brought nature indoors with plants, and holograms of the forest in Katniss' room - along with a super fun 'pelt' furry bedspread.

Here's hoping for more stills from the movie, so we can delve a bit more into the interior design style of the 'interior stylists' of Panem. Happy Hunger Games!

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