roomplanners magazine - may '10

top fashion trends for home

check out these

cool new products

roomplanners

this year’s most beautiful

new furniture collections

www.roomplanners.com

MAY 2010

the style issue

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new styles for a new decade If a room re-do is on your to-do list this year, count yourself lucky!

This year’s new home furnishings promise to be the most exciting we’ve

seen in awhile.

In fact, so many compelling new products inspired us to create an entire

style issue around the most beautiful new furniture collections of 2010.

As far as we know, it’s the first of kind. But our Style Issue is unique for

another reason too.

For the first time in a long time, no single

style trend is leading the way. We’re free

today to use our location, our favorite

vacation destination or even our personality

as a catalyst for our home’s style.

A wider variety of furniture styles is

making that easier to do. Vintage finishes are

becoming as plentiful as polished, glamorous

ones. Hefty, masculine looks are balancing

unabashedly feminine looks. A trend to con-

temporary styles is mixing with a trend to

more historical references. And some these

trends are even combining in a single room!

With the housing market showing signs of life, there’s a new energy to

lighten up, freshen up and mix up furniture designs. Maybe it’s a hope that

the worst is behind us, maybe it’s the energy we feel at the start of a new

decade. Whatever it is... get set for some head-turning home fashions as

we head deeper into the 21st century.

Enjoy!

about roomplanners.com

Roomplanners.com is devoted to making professional quality interior design easier and more

affordable. We invite you to visit out web site

to browse hundreds of rooms for ideas, or to take our survey to

identify your environmental

personality profile. We offer a

variety of free home decorating articles, including room critiques, product reviews, cooking and

kitchen ideas.

Our RoomCues™ offer concise,

practical guidance and inspiration on how to pull together a specific look you love.

You’ll find us online at:

www.roomplanners.com.

twitter.com/loreenepp

on the cover

Light, chunky woods, natural-looking fabrics and quiet colors come together in Forecast, an

understated collection that

illustrates the new mix of casual and contemporary styling.

Pennsylvania House is a 120-

year old supplier of traditional and transitional furniture using

predominantly solid woods.

Loreen Epp President, RoomPlanners Inc.

All written information herein is copyright ©2010 Room Planners Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copy-right may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without written permission from Room Planners Inc..


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escape...

roomplanners +

Daylight rejuvenates and

heals. Sheer or translucent curtains diffuse light rather than blocking it. Light or white walls recreate daylight,

while mirrors and mirrored finishes double the amount of natural light in a room...

especially when placed next to windows and chandeliers!

A perfect home no longer

needs perfectly matched, new or polished furniture Time-worn finishes, uneven, natural weaves and unmatched accent

pieces make us more relaxed, connect us to nature and invite us to experiment without regret.

Think how good it feels to

walk barefoot in the sand. Creating similar sensory experiences at home means choosing textures that beg us

to touch them and feel good when we do… a wooly rug next to the bed, hand-scraped

or waxed table tops, carved bed posts or nubby fabrics.

We’ve become a nation of busy bodies. As nine to

five become 24/7, our homes are fast becoming one

of the few places we can disconnect from the world.

So how can you create a sanctuary, or private haven, in your own home? Start by taking a look at your home in a new way. Look for ways to relax or unwind in comfortable, unexpected places. At the same time, look for ways to re-energize in open, well-lit places. The perfect private haven balances intimate, private spaces with head-clearing open spaces infused with natural light. You’ll know if your home is haven-worthy if you can achieve each of these 5 private haven benefits in each room!

retreat...

sanctuary

get comfortable

reach out and touch something

A change is as good as a rest,

even at home. Leaning a picture against the wall, mixing two wood finishes in the same room, using mismatched

chairs around a table or add-ing a bar cabinet or chair in the bedroom feels fresh and new.

see things in a new way

= ideas you can use

make your home into your own private haven

embrace the imperfect

Getting comfortable at home means finding plenty of places to

kick off our shoes and settle in. Adding upholstered chairs around a dinner table invites us to linger for hours. Adding extra bed pillows helps us sleep better. Choosing weathered furniture finishes or organic colors inspires a feeling of quiet calm.

Sanctuary, by Hooker Furniture

lighten up


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For 2010 and beyond, expect to see more real, raw and natural furniture finishes and materials.

From weathered, hand-waxed or reclaimed woods to matt, nubby linens to hammered metals... we’re moving toward high-touch, irregular, aged and imperfect surfaces. The trend reflects our ongoing fascination with one-of-a-kind flea market finds, a

trends

2010

home

touch wood… and more more casual lifestyle and an appreciation for products that look planet-friendly or recycled.

Below. Vintage Patina

Round Table, Bernhardt

Furniture. Right. Grand

Bergere Chair, Century

Furniture.

We scoured the recent furniture markets to cull together the big ideas

inspiring furniture and home decor. Here’s what we found...

simplicity, hand-crafting, nature and subtle references to the past

dominate this year’s home furnishing trends


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It’s hard to beat industrial furniture for its efficient, straightforward design. The clean lines of shelving, draft-ing stools and work tables

recall old city factories, art studios and lofts. Industrial motifs are inspiring furniture for any room, but the look is retro and warmed up with aged metals, chunky wood in whiskey barrel, bucket or waxed finishes and hefty cross

In a world that feels chaotic, loud or way too busy, a hotel or resort-inspired style seems the perfect way to make our

home feel like an oasis of calm. Hotel and spa-styled furniture is drawing on contemporary lines, natural materials and Japanese influences. Clean, low and horizontal, it simulates the calming effects of the

horizon line. Natural tex-

tures and light woods in dry, matte finishes seem to bring the outdoors in… and a lack of ornament creates the

look and feel of quiet.

After nearly 300 hundred years spent taking struc-ture away from furniture to make it more elegant and lightweight, it seems

we’re adding some of it back, with inspiration from furniture designed prior to the 18th century. Carved, turned or heavy low stretchers in rich wood finishes are being attached to legs or central braces. The look is heavy,

weighty, masculine and reassuring… perfect with

Above. Side Table and Bookcase, Palecek,

Right. Great Rooms Entertainment Console

with Bookcases, Universal Furniture.

Left. Ocean Club chair, Lexington Furniture. Right. Outside-In desk,

Schnadig International Corporation.

Clockwise from top

left. Swirl Wall Décor,

Palacek. / Monterey

Buffet with Stone Top,

Bernhardt Furniture. /

Adrianna Modular

Sectional, Bernhardt

Interiors.

hefty leathers, jacquards and nail studs, or updated with faux suede for a more contemporary look.

braces. The look is retro, reliable, masculine and versatile.

beefed up

pedal to the metal

like a day at the spa


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Our desire to recycle, shop at flea markets, be unique or live with less decorating rules is increasing interest in one-of-a-kind , collector-

inspired items. This collector trend is less about owning a precious 18th century antique as it is about owning unique, single accent pieces imbued with history, character or an interesting story behind its acquisition. An aged finish

or unique feature alone can

Mixing and matching fabrics and styles in our home isn’t a new idea. But that doesn't make it any easier to pull off!

Professionally-designed coordinates have always been popular, but they’re getting more interesting... especially in living rooms, where matching sets are being re-thought. The love-seat is being inspired by the settee; a non-matching,

wood-framed seat that doesn’t match the sofa. It’s

Not to be outdone by the trend to more masculine, pre-18th century looks, the trend to unbridled glamour shows no sign of letting up.

The look is undeniably French-inspired, reflecting updated 18th century rococo

and baroque influences mixed

with 20th century art deco.

Button tufting and gilded, silver or mirrored finishes add dressy opulence, but may be

Pre-mixed sofa and chairs styles and patterns. Kincaid Furniture

Above. Signatures, Stanley Furniture. Right. Mendocino Settee, Century Furniture.

Left. Capiz Shell Chest, Hooker Furniture. Above. Sanctuary console with antique mirror and gold, Hooker Furniture.

also giving way to chairs with patterns and styles that complement rather than coordinate with the sofa and each other.

make them conversation-worthy. Contrasting plain and fancy materials and textures makes it easier to mix unique items.

mixed with weathered woods, antiquing effects, or chic, neutral colors for a more relaxed look.

a bit of bling

single… and happy

cool and collected


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The first of its kind, our list of 2010’s Most Beautiful New Furniture Collections covers a range of styles and prices. But a common

thread runs through all our top picks… a blend of stylishness, quality and timelessness; the ultimate keys to great design. So how did we pick the most beautiful furniture collections from millions of square feet of supplier

showrooms and hundreds of new furniture introduc-tions in a single year? It wasn’t easy. Especially this year. We were thrilled to find more variety and

fewer run-of-the-mill products coming to a furniture store near you. But that just made our job more difficult. Our plan of

attack? Use three criteria to pick the best of the best. First, we looked for furniture collections that stopped us in our tracks. From among the dozens, even hundreds of new collections launched the past year, our top picks

had to be eye-popping. We wanted to be caught off-guard with something fresh and beautiful. Second, the furniture had to have a story; something

that made it relevant to to-day… a reflection of our values, a commitment to quality or the environment, or a unique idea that

suggested a bigger or growing trend. Finally, the furniture had to be timeless. None of us buy furniture often enough to merit a trendy purchase that will time-warp our homes. We insisted on collections with longevity… a unique

style with lasting power. We also wanted to bring together a range of styles… something to suit a variety of tastes, including yours. We hope we succeeded!

the 10 most beautiful

collections furniture

of 2010


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Forecast is made of solid white oak, with a natural woodstone

finish in a dry, low sheen. Oil-bronzed hardware adds a warm

but understated accent. Square legs and chunky tops mix with x-shaped metal stretchers

A series of basic cases create versatile storage pieces for an

evolving household. A drawer chest that once served as a night stand can move to the nursery to store baby blankets, or to the family room to corral games and remote controls.

This handsome collection was one of the freshest, most stylish things we’d seen in a while. Its unique design is modern and metro

on one hand; warm and familiar on the other. We liked the spare lines, industrial motifs, matte, low-sheen wood finish and all that solid wood.. in a lighter color! Forecast, by Pennsylvania

House, was designed around stacking and bunch-ing pieces. Multiple combi-

nations of metal bases and white oak door and drawer chests were designed to of-fer storage versatility. Forecast will be in stores this

summer. www.pennsylvaniahouse.com

forecast

finally; after a decade of dark furniture finishes … a shift to lighter ones.


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The collection’s finishes are relaxed and weathered. A warm saddle finish mixes with a distressed white crackle finish with a rub

-through slate color below, or a taupe-gray driftwood color is

applied to textured surfaces. Antique pewter finishes comple-

ment a soft color palette, along with burnished stainless steel

tabletops. Natural linen and Merino wool mix with vintage document designs. Relaxed cushioning, slip-cover tailoring and decorative nail trim mix with woven cane and rush seating.

bay

dr

Still in a love affair with the movie set of It’s Complicated

(Universal Pictures, 2009), we were thrilled to see a style that perfectly captured the movie’s casual elegance

and relaxed comfort. Twilight Bay, by Lexington

Furniture, shows its roots in ‘French laundry’ style. The look originated in Europe when worn hopsack was applied to carved wood frames using exposed nail head trim. Motifs and words were often stenciled onto the cloth. Updated for

today, the look blends unique and sophisticated finishes, replicating the pat-ina acquired through gentle use, not just the passage of time. Twilight Bay will be in stores

this fall. www.lexingtonfurniture.com

sophisticated French country styling meets American casual.

twilight


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Cathedral cherry veneers mix with rustic maple, mahogany and mindi solids. Finishes include a dark mink finish with charcoal

highlights and a distressed saddle finish. Select accent pieces

feature a chisel technique and hand-rubbing over a rustic tobacco

finish or a lighter driftwood finish. The collection recalls authen-

tic craftsman style with its exposed dovetail joints, posts that

come through the tops of cases, stretcher motifs, hammered metal accents, industrial hardware and leather details.

There’s no denying that craftsman style is still an American favorite; make that the American favorite.

But even this old reliable was in need of a little

updating. At a time when we’re all ready for a little more honesty and a little less excess, that update couldn’t have come at a better time. Modern Craftsman, by

Stanley Furniture, is built on the simple idea that craftsmanship you can see is a style unto itself. It

showcases how an artisan would build a piece of furniture, recalling mission and arts-and-crafts design movements, where wood itself was integral to a product’s style and appeal. Modern Craftsman will be in

stores this spring.

www.stanleyfurniture.com

the structure is the design; craftsman style is updated for today

modern craftsman


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Mahogany veneers mix with rosewood, tulipwood and ebony inlays. A rich brown mahogany finish with minimal distressing

looks rich next to black Nero marble, antique mirrored doors and sable-colored faux crocodile leather on accent mirrors.

Solid brass hardware is hand-cast, using the age-old ‘lost wax

casting’ process used to create fine jewelry. We liked the over-sized door knocker and lion head ring pulls. Seating is deeper and more comfortable than most British antiques.

row

From Chippendale chairs to button-tufted chesterfields that get better with age, the lasting appeal of English furniture is impressive. This

updated version of classic British design reminded us why we still love traditional design... and why it’s far from becoming obsolete in a contemporary design world. Regents Row, by Lexington

Furniture, showcases the exceptional tailoring the English are famous for.

Sumptuous seating, deep-tufted leather frames and carved wood silhouettes mix with velvets, silks, tap-estries and exotic animal patterns. The detail is rich, the scale is contemporary. Regents Row will be in stores

this fall.

www.lexingtonfurniture.com

British styling is updated with sleeker finishes and deeper proportions.

regents


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Finish options range from dune and beach to ebony, along with

accent pieces in copper, silver leaf, gold and mirrored finishes.

Casual textures are grayed down, planked, sanded and full of character. The collection combines serene style with elements

sanctuary

Inspired as much by bold, historic details as it is by relaxed, weathered finishes, this collection inspires us to look at

antique furniture in a more casual way. Seems old-looking furniture looks more comfortable when it doesn’t look too precious to use. Sanctuary, by Hooker

Furniture, isn’t easily categorized into one style. Though the collection recalls classic designs of

Italy, Portugal and England, it’s updated with seven, weather-worn casual finish selections and an array of eclectic furniture inspired by coastal homes, cottages, villas and penthouse suites! Sanctuary will be in stores this

summer.

www.hookerfurniture.com

antiques no longer have to be old, but they do need to look unique and well-used

of ‘bling’ with the lustrous metallic accent finishes. Strong

graphic elements include classical cross motifs and stylized fretwork motifs. A large selection of chairs are easy to mix and match with their grayed-down colors and quiet textures.


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The collection features walnut veneers, inlaid with intricate

scrollwork and maple and ebony borders on many case tops. Silver leaf or mirrored accents are applied to shapely accent pieces, while elegant dining chairs are decorated with floral and

vine in optional finishes. Jessica McClintock is well-known for

her romantic style and stylish prom dresses and bridal gowns. Her signature style is seen in the Victorian-inspired details, serpentine shapes and curved fronts or base rails on many pieces.

We’ve flirted with bold new interpretations of 18th century European furniture the past years. But this unique collection offers

both bold and subdued ways to freshen up historic designs. It offers another new twist on traditional design, without being so over-the-top that we wouldn’t actually put it in our homes! Jessica McClintock Couture,

by American Drew, is rich in rococo-inspired carvings

of shells, leaves, vines, flowers, scrolls, lace and ribbons. It’s also pretty hard to miss all those rococo-inspired curves! Many chairs and accent pieces are finished with a unique mink finish that’s wool waxed to add depth and softness. Jessica McClintock Couture will

be in stores this summer.

www.americandrew.com

couture Jessica McClintock

elegant details and new furniture finishes make for an elegant, unabashedly romantic look.


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tribeca

Despite its smaller scale, there’s no lack of sophistica-tion in this chic collection. At a time when we all need more calm and quiet in our

lives, restrained, pared-back furniture seems capable of lifting us from a world of chaos. Tribeca, by Century Furniture,

is a lesson in controlled design and understated elegance. Fitting too, at a time when opulence and showy wealthy seem to be taking a back seat to serenity

and balance. The collection’s pieces are scaled back and clean–lined. Solid colors, quiet textures and barely-there curves are designed for smaller homes and personal spaces that reflect a chang-ing social consciousness. Tribeca will be in stores this fall.

www.centuryfurniture.com

American walnut in a soft, hand-rubbed brown finish looks chic

and graceful. Walnut’s straight, controlled grain pattern makes it a favorite for simple, refrained designs. Hammered silver is a unique choice for hardware; it’s understated without loosing its

sophistication. Graceful saber legs on the dining table mix with

forties-style French chairs. Storage pieces have a unique shadow-box molding silhouette and dark and light contrasts always feel modern, clean and fresh.

smaller, less showy homes make restrained design fitting and timely.


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The slightly distressed saddle brown finish on this casually rustic

group suits mango wood’s warm, lively grain. Burnished metal

knobs replace wood knobs for an updated look. A collection of beds include a variety of under-bed storage options. Straight-

forward lines and gently worn edges suggest that this furniture

has been in the family for years… and has become valued as much for its practical, utilitarian and reliable qualities as for its timeless, familiar style.

We thought fast-growing mango wood was the perfect choice for this casual collection.. not just because mango wood is one of the

most sustainable wood choices available, but because the collection’s styling is environmentally conscious too. Such warm, transitional style won’t need replacing anytime soon! In fact, when it comes to this collection’s style, don’t let the word country fool

you. Cross Country, by

aspenhome, would be

equally at home in the city or country. With its mix of clean lines and worn edges, we’d classify it as an urban country… a transitional look that can be dressed up or down. Cross Country will be in stores

this summer.

www.aspenhome.net

country

sustainable wood works well on a sustainable style.

cross


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Hickory veneers are finished in a sun-drenched Bali finish; a

medium sienna coloration. Mixed with woven and split rattan,

crushed bamboo, polished travertine, decorative metal and etched glass, the collection is complex in its rich detail and

mixed media, but elegant and quiet in its simplicity. An Asian

aesthetic dominates, seen in long, horizontal lines contrasted with vertical elements to create balance. The unique geometric patterns resemble a Japanese shoji screen.

club

For about the price of a family vacation to the Pacific islands, this exotic collection will let you live with resort style at home every

day! Island living has always been about creating a soothing, soulful retreat at home, but Ocean Club, by

Lexington Furniture, offers a more contemporary alternative to traditional tropical island styles and includes a distinctly Asian vibe. Its inspiration is the resort side of the island,

where aromatherapy candles replace tiki torches and infinity pools, and a concierge replaces the floating bar. Ocean Club will be in stores this

fall.

www.lexingtonfurniture.com

don’t sweat the budget; vacationing at home can feel like you’re somewhere else entirely.

ocean


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Heavily distressed, weathered oak wood, sun-washed graphics

and old luggage labels are key to this collection’s casual look. Storage pieces are inspired by trunks that have been around the world. Dark bronze hardware is inspired by large, rustic bolts.

Colors are muted colors and stone-washed cotton canvas creates

an aged, faded and laid-back look. Lofts and beds include canvas tent extensions, privacy curtains, memo boards, under-bed storage drawers and padded back rests.

It’s tough not to want to be a kid again with a laid-back beach shack collection like this one. It takes us straight to beach with its mix of

faded canvas sailcloth and worn wood. SpongeBob Surf Club, a new

Nickelodeon™ kids furniture collection by Lea Furniture, is inspired by a casual, southern Califor-nia 60’s surf style. Natural materials and casual, pre-worn finishes evoke a care-free SpongeBob who does-

n’t take life too seriously, loves the west coast vibe and is always in search of the perfect wave… or a cool place to chill for awhile. SpongeBob Surf Club will be in

stores this fall.

www.leafurniture.com

a beach shack vibe combines a laid-back attitude with natural, faded materials

spongebob

surf club


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check out these

cool new products

Tall ceilings require tall furniture. An oversized wall unit offers the scale needed in larger rooms. Napa Grand Wall. www.aspenhome.net

The perfect piece for tight space. This 12” deep console fits narrow halls, entries and dining rooms. Sanctuary Console Table. www.hookerfurniture.com

The breast cancer awareness ribbon inspired this collection of chairs, tables, vanities and credenzas that use the ribbon as its central design motif. Ten percent of the sale of each piece goes to cancer research. Alyce Collection. www.theplattcollections.com

One of a variety of Nickelodeon-themed lofts and kids bedrooms. Nickelodeon, TweenNick Collection. www.leafurniture.com

A lighted, mirrored cabinet conceals and organizes bar-ware. Available in white or aubergine. Diamond Bar Cabinet. www.theplattcolections.com

A canvas chair with a side and zippered front pocket let kids keep things close at hand. SpongeBob Surf Club. www.leafurniture.com

An antique feed sack chair features favorite phrases… a hot trend inspired by French laundry style stenciling. Grand Bergere. www.centuryfurniture.com

High tech meets artful with this easel-inspired TV stand in hickory veneers. www.universalfurniture.com Who says stackable chairs

can’t be fashionable? Left, the lacy Lovie Chair. Above, the

shapely Lettie chair.

www.gotoeurostyle.com


roomplanners magazine - may '10

Documents

new styles

new decade

new energy

years new home furnishings

cool new products

compelling new products

new mix of casual

single room