3 Eco-Friendly Interior Design Ideas

For many people, finding new and effective ways to live an eco-friendly lifestyle is of the utmost importance. With issues surrounding global warming and energy efficiency on the news and in everyday conversation, living a greener life is becoming an ambition for more and more people across the world each year. Eco-chic is something many professional designers now positively promote within their work, so going environmentally friendly need not mean that you compromise on style.

1. Re-use, Recycle or Up-cycle

Before embarking on a radical new design for your chosen room, look at what does work already. If you have cabinets that do a perfectly good job, there is no need to rip them out simply to put up something similar in their place. Remove them, refresh them with a coat or two of paint that compliments your new color scheme and re-install them in a novel arrangement.

Up-cycling may be a trendy new word, but it isn't a trendy new practice. We humans have long been adherents to the depression era saying of 'use it up, where it out, make it do or do without!' If your furniture has good 'bones' consider a new layer of paint or new upholstery. A new look doesn't mean you have to actually buy all new everything. It's better for the environment if you don't!

2. Sustainable Furniture 

If you do decide to go new, consider reclaimed wood, bamboo or other eco-friendly materials. Looks wise, sustainable furniture spans everything from big, chunky pieces to sleek, contemporary designs. If you live a larger area like the DFW metroplex, you can find local artisans and craftspeople who will build what you want, from the material you want, making your eco-friendly piece something you can love through your lifetime.

3. Sustainable Flooring 

Some flooring materials just aren't very environmentally-friendly. Flooring manufacturers are stepping up to meet the sustainability challenge and we are now seeing a vast array of eco-friendly flooring products on the market. Bamboo and cork are some of the better flooring choices. Flooring made of anything that lasts a long time, can be reused and is rapidly renewable will not harm the environment as much as something that will sit in a landfill for hundreds and thousands of years.

When moving toward a more eco-friendly interior design, the important thing is to do your homework and work with a reputable interior designer.

The Fashion World Inspires Interior Design

The world of interior design has always been influenced by the runways; we see inspirations from the Spring and Fall fashion shows finding their way to interior spaces very soon after their debut.   As early as only five years ago, the lag from season to showroom would be months and years. But with the increase of social media and the instantaneous sharing and immediately availability of styles, colors and designs - this gap is closing rapidly resulting in a instant merge of the minds when it comes to incorporating trends together.

Over the last two years or so, we've seen a huge decrease in the amount of time it takes for the collection and designer to translate their hits and misses from the runway to the reporters, photographers and bloggers who share these things with the world.  Smart and ambitious interior designers are always waiting in the wings to pull ideas into their furniture showrooms and home designs.

You will see color trends, patterns, textures and 'styles' that grace the fashion shows shining in the homes of those with savvy interior designers.  So if you want to know what the hottest home trends will be - watch for Fashion Week and designer collection trends on the runways to get a great idea of what you could do in your own home to keep up with the latest and greatest in interior design. 

Surpassing The Ceiling Of Your Designs

Regardless of your interior design style, or taste - everyone wants that extra special touch in their space, that special something that sets their design apart from other homes or interiors. Whether it's a home, an office - having a unique or ornate ceiling treatment can truly enhance your design; in ways that no piece of furniture or paint color can.  When in the midst of an interior design, most people are so worried about colors, home furnishings, home accessories and all things 'eye level' that they forget to look up.  In nearly any space, the height of the ceiling makes  a HUGE impact on the 'feel' and 'spatial' elegance that's at the core of any room. 

Contact us today for an exclusive consultation with the premier Dallas interior design firm.

Interior Design Ceilings Gallery from Dalia Sadany

Plywood On The Inside - Design Using Plywood

Ever thought of using plywood in your interior design? It's inexpensive and can be found at Home Depot.  Right. It's not something we'd have come up with either.  Sure, there's plywood in some furniture, or under or 'inside' certain arrangements - but on the walls, floor and in the design or furniture facing - ? No. In fact, we had to see this to believe it. But believe it: because it's beautiful.

In this Toyko designer's home, concrete is used in conjunction with plywood for an ultra-minimal look and feel with a clean, fresh feel to it.

Turns out, you can use plywood just about anywhere - floors, ceilings, paneling - and there are treatments to seal it. It's the natural color of plywood that make it unique; it's light coloration and subtle grain.

It doesn't have the thickness, durability or 'rich' feel that deeper, heavier woods have - but if minimal and modern is your style, and you're looking for some great ideas not to break the budget - we think these are some great ideas and inspirations with plywood.

For the full article on Design Milk, click here.

Visual Impact - Stunning Exterior Designs

Outdoor living spaces are all the rage, and we stumbled across a sleek, usable outdoor space on Freshome.com recently that we wanted to share.

It's an ambitious design achieved; simple, and modern with a beautiful minimal mix of elements - water, stone, metal and wood.

Credit for the design goes to Dutch studio Centric Design Group in the Netherlands, who visualized and brought to fruition this exquisite outdoor design living area to the owners of a coastal villa in The Netherlands.  The exterior space offers a nice swimming area, with a fountain as well as a jacuzzi/whirlpool/hottub and shower area, with a mix of medium and greenery for artistic value.

The blue water of the pool provides a pop of color; but in a way inspired by nature. Coupled with the greens, browns and grays - it's a usable space and entertaining area that delights and invigorates visitors.




For the full article and more photos on Freshome, click here.

The Small Things In Interior Design That Count

J. Douglas Design is known as Dallas Premier Interior Design Firm and provider of the most unique and interesting pieces for your home. It's the small things that really count in your interior design - special, hand-picked home accessories you can't find anywhere else.

With the most exclusive brands of interior furnishings and accessories - and over 30 years of experience and the artistic skill to create an elegant space - we can suggestions for furniture selection, placement, color & texture and accessories to maximize use of your space based on your vision.

We only hand select the finest brands, the best quality and most unique pieces for our showroom and to use in our interior design.

J. Douglas Design is Dallas' exclusive retailer of Marge Carson fine home furnishings.

if you find a particular piece in any of the collections that you are interested in, please give us a call. We will be happy to assist you with a special order.

Russian Architecture & Design "Patchwork" Style

We were reading along Freshhome's blog  - and noticed several interesting shapes, patterns and inspirations for interior design. Since I am a Dallas, Texas interior designer - I've not really seen anything like this around here - so felt it worth writing a quick blog post about.  This naturally appealing and minimal architecture and interior decor in Russia caught my eye.

From the blog: 

Peter Kostelov envisioned "Volga House", a modern residence with intriguing wooden features, located in Konakovsky District, Tverskaya region, Russia. The design of the house is derived from the characteristics of other traditional dwellings in the area and showcases an interesting “”patchwork” look. Wooden planks trimmed unconventionally overlap to create a very original facade. The architects explain that the project was inspired by the Soviet era style, when private house construction industry used to be rundown and backward”. 

The exterior of course, is quite exquisite actually, with it's detailed craftsmanship and huge attention to detail. I think I am in love with the wood & metal feel, and sheer creativity of it.

But it's the interior that really caught my eye - because of the useful use of space and efficient 'applicable' items - bookshelves, lighting - all arranged in a way that would stylishly meet the needs of any artistic homeowner.  Luckily - creating a 'useful' space is one of a few strong growing interior design trends 2013.

For the full article, visit the Freshhome blog.