Going Global In Your Home Design

For 2011 trends in interior design - there has been a resurgence of interest in patterns and textures that have a global influence. Creating an atmosphere with taste of other cultures and a very unique style is easy, and each influence can have a different effect on your interior space.

A serene touch of Asian style, or South American flavor in a European home or maybe a 'Wild Wild West' theme in a beach vacation dwelling is possible without having to relocate to another country. You can have worldwide flair in your home, wherever you live.

New trends for furniture include rich, ethnic-inspired wood pieces and decorations. You can use wall hangings, antique blankets or other items made with luxurious and exotic textiles as well. Use these textiles to add pattern, texture, shape and definition to your walls or throw them casually over a sofa for a colorful accessory.

Moroccan and Indian items have been most popular and is always a bold, dynamic look. But, Aboriginal, Native American and African tribal patterns, including bold geometrics, are still front and center when used correctly. (in other words - never EVER go overboard with pattern. Use pattern to ACCENT your space, not DOMINATE it)

There is global influence of the color palettes across the world-mixing earth tones of browns, grays, and greens, with vibrant uplifting global accents of pinks, blues, oranges, yellows and purples. Rich jewel tones are the cornerstone of any global design and shows best on luxurious finishes and textiles like velvets and satins.

You can also add global intrigue by using souvenirs from world travel. Try using items from travels such as postcards, train tickets, jewelry picked up in a market, photos, coins or small paintings and have them assembled in a shadow box. Group your framed items so that they have a common denominator such as similar frames, a common color or related subjects. Each will have its own personality yet something in common that pulls the collection together. They will also look fantastic placed on a fireplace mantel, surrounded by travel books or hung on a wall with several other similar images.

Contact J. Douglas Designs Interior Design and Fine Furniture today to learn how we can utilize patterns and textures to bring a ‘global’ look to your interior space!

2011 Color Of The Year - HONEYSUCKLE

If you ask J. Douglas Designs where to get ideas and inspirations for color, you would soon learn about the Pantone FASHION + HOME Color System. Most interior decorators (and designers, painters or artists of other types) are VERY familiar with the Pantone color system, and we typically rely on Pantone’s trend predictions for color.

AND the PANTONE COLOR OF 2011 is… (drum roll...)

It's A Color for All Seasons
“Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it!”

Honeysuckle is an upbeat and dynamic shade of pink. It can provoke romance and glamour, and it is the color of love's first blush. Pink delivers feel-good emotion in the same way that a beautiful flower blooms, one layer at a time. Honeysuckle is a very versatile color that can fit into any room!

In a living room, subtle touches of pink in an otherwise neutrally hued room add flair. Using color in small doses keeps a formal room from feeling overwhelming. This bold color can wake up a white kitchen or it can bathe your entire kitchen in a warm, soft, relaxing light that creates warmth and coziness. And of course, this pinkish/red hue is perfect for any nursery or a fun, vibrant bathroom for a hip teenage girl.

Contact J. Douglas Designs today to learn more about how with our award-winning furniture and interior design experience - we can help you add a little pizazz to any area of your home - even just with the right color - to turn your space into the beautiful retreat you've been waiting for.

Looking To 2011 - Inspirations For New Year

It's time to get out the 'crystal ball of good taste' - and speculate on what the hot trends for interior design will be in 2011. But we don't have to use the crystal ball - actually. We already know what works: great hue choices that reflect your inner feelings and personality, ONLY the best and most unique furniture and home furnishings/pieces, and accessories (don't overdo accessories - careful!). Throw all these ingredients into your design-blender and voila! You've got a smoothie of a solid design. And what's best - it'll be a design that will work for YOU - for YEARS.

Still, there's speculation out there - such as that of imm cologne - interior design experts 'showcasing the interiors of the future'. They're European - and - we like Europe. We really like the 'deep thoughts' associated with their 2011 interior design trends. Of course - a huge influence is that of sustainability, as well as progress and innovation. They've dubbed "Emotional Austerity", "Surprising Empathy", "Re-Balancing" and "Transforming Perspectives" as the guiding principles for interior design next year - check it out it's fascinating!

If this is all to much for you, and you just want an exquisite interior space, then skip reading all this stuff, and call J. Douglas Bradford. He's your Dallas interior designer - and he also sells and designs with the finest furniture on the market.

Vote For J. Douglas Design - BEST FURNITURE

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We jumped this weekend to 4th place! THANK YOU for your support! Please share with all your friends and ask them to vote too! We need all we can get to win! For those of you who have not had a chance yet, you CAN help make J. Douglas Design #1 on WFAA-List Best of Dallas!

Please vote for us today (voting ends December 18th)- under category of FURNITURE! It only takes a minute. Also, join us on Facebook for updates!

It's all in the details @ J Douglas Designs!

What's in YOUR Living Room?

Is your living space a designer's showcase or a comfy memory-making retreat for your family?

Design elements are important throughout your home, but you also have to make room for functionality. Form is great but it's not worth much unless it functions in your favor!

Color and accent play a huge function in interior design. This year, there are lots of trends. But the one we like best of the Dallas interior design trends is 'glam and glitz' with lots of gold, crystal and other metallic accents. A fantastic decorative chandelier over the dining table (if your dining and living is combined) or a fabulous HUGE mirror with a gilded gesso frame can transform your space - from FRUMPY to FAB instantly. And - mirrors, lighting options - can add real function to your room - offering illusions of space and depth and actual lighting sources.

Muted colors are also a trend - softer versions of brighter counterparts and shades of gray are the current rage. All of the new 'muted' toned colors compliment each other relaxing and soft way and add a bit of elegance to your room.

Of course - the most function in your living space will come from finding flexible home furnishing options. Don't limit yourself to the same old 'couch + table' setup, and don't get something that is too big for the space (i.e. - a HUGE, COLOSSAL, COSMICALLY SIGNIFICANT SECTIONAL is not necessary for most homes). I nstead - opt for smaller pieces of high end furniture to give you flexibility and function at the same time. We are talking about about chairs, smaller love seats and ornate & decorative accent pieces that can be used in combination - and rearranged as necessary to freshen up your space.

Take a look at what's in YOUR living room. You might just be due for something new. Contact us at J. Douglas Design - Where Dallas Goes For Fine Furniture and Interior Design for your consultation today!

Traditional Holiday Décor with a Modern Flair

The holidays are full of traditions, from big family gatherings down to the simple pleasures like hot cocoa. When it seems like the whole world is in a festive mood, it's easy to get excited about checking off items on your traditional holiday to-do list, especially when it comes to decorating your home.

First, consider the overall decor or 'feel' you want to display. By combining modern design and classic traditions of holiday home decorating, your home can become memorable - inside and out. Think about color (rich shades of pumkin and spice!) and other things in nature that make one feel comfortable and warm for Fall and going into Winter.

Instead of a traditional straw cornucopia on the Thanksgiving table, perhaps a modern rendition of that piece made of aluminum window screen would be more at home in a contemporary setting. Country-style holiday decor may be more at home in a cottage-style interior, while sophisticated items may look best in a formal, traditional space. Matching the holiday accessories to the style of the interior decor is an important way to create a cohesive space, no matter the time of year.

If you're feeling bold, make your holiday decorations all about of-the-moment color and modern details. Snowy white branches are the perfect backdrop to make brightly colored glass bulbs and baubles really stand out. Go for colors like fuchsia, apple green, lemon yellow and turquoise. For an extra "wow" factor, use multicolored strands of lights that will play on the hues of your ornaments. Make your own tree skirt from brightly colored felt, and glue on small mirrors or silver-tone charms for extra sparkle.

If you’re home is rustic, go with rich woods, earth tones and, of course, splashes of brick red for an upscale-yet-casual look. Stringing your tree with white and gold lights will give it a warm glow; play on that ambience with raffia garland and ornaments made of natural materials. Hang cable-knit socks on the mantle for another touch of cozy luxury. The key to this look is that it is glowing, rather than shiny. Try wrapping gifts in brown kraft paper and adding pops of color with ribbon in colors that match your decor.

Whether it’s Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, there are many opportunities to display holiday decor in your interior design. While each holiday usually requires different color palettes and themes, be sure to use general holiday decorating guidelines to stay congruent with the current style of your existing interior. This can help any home look like it belongs in the pages of a magazine. If you would like to speak with one of our Dallas interior design specialists - be sure to visit our website and Dallas furniture showroom.

Happy Holidays!

November Spotlght - La Barge

With La Barge, it's all about the details. Or, more specifically - the accessories, finishes, and special touches in your home. Using only the most skilled artisans, La Barge home furnishings take inspiration from the finest pieces and treasures worldwide. If you are looking for that finishing touch for a space, or unique accent pieces - look no further than La Barge.

La Barge products are typically smaller pieces, or accents for your interior - such as mirrors, benches, occasional tables, wall decor, upholstery, and more. We've always been very choosy about the brands we carry - and chose only the best for our Dallas furniture showroom; La Barge certainly fits the bill.

Based in North Carolina, La Barge is a part of Furniture Brands International - a larger group of well-known furniture brands - such as Maitland-Smith, Drexel, Thomasville, and Lane - offering the public a wide range of products, styles and prices.