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Gray still a popular color palette

Gray still a popular color palette

I

n 2014, I reviewed some of that year's design trends, one of which was the color "gray." Well, two years later and it's still an IN color!

Back two years ago, I saw a kitchen with gray painted cabinets, which I thought seemed a little risky because gray will probably run its course. But frankly, I loved it!

Having a design roadmap of what needs to be done is one of my first priorities and often on my first meeting with a client I'll say to them "let's start a list."

– Davia Gallup, ASID


Restoration Hardware continues to be a driving force in design trends

I also mentioned some popular paint colors in last year's article which are still current and I would like to add these for 2015-16: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172, it's light gray with a hint of beige making it a great neutral, Restoration Hardware Graphite (medium gray) and Restoration Hardware Slatte Ardoise (bold gray). All colors, when paired with white such as Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW-7008 or Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-130 (two of my favorites), are a winning combination.

When discussing design trends, Restoration Hardware (RH) has been a driving force and continues to be this year. As someone said to me, "It seems we've all drank the Restoration Hardware kool-aid!" What is it about RH's distressed raw wood, metal and vintage industrial looks that has us all gaga? Or, their light fixtures, such as a crystal chandelier inside a metal birdcage? How they came up with that I don't know - but nonetheless we're all loving it. Their furniture, all grays of course and without pattern, is still a benchmark.

I wish I could answer what makes RH so influential. Maybe it's simply their catalogs (which weigh a ton) and seem to have been elevated to coffee table status. Where will design go next from the RH look is a question I'm asked frequently.

To answer design's next passage, perhaps analyzing how we relax at home may give us some answers. I recently put a sofa table behind a sectional sofa with three stools so family and friends could use their laptops and iPads. Some sofa tables even have built in outlets which is cool because I'm always in need of recharging one of my devices.

As a designer, I sell bed linens and am happy to see navy making a comeback this year. Here are photos of two bedroom makeovers I recently did. Note in both rooms, the large scale patterned fabric, which continues to be a popular trend.

Also, pictured is a master bath remodel I recently completely with white Carrara marble on the floors, walls, and in the shower. What a lux look!

As an experienced designer and space planner with 16 years in the field, my starting point on most design projects is to make sure the space is laid out correctly.

I specialize in remodels and computer-aided design (CAD) and believe wholeheartedly in my company's tag line "Good Design Begins With A Good Plan." Having a design roadmap of what needs to be done is one of my first priorities and often on my first meeting with a client I'll say to them "let's start a list."

Please check out the rest of my web site and Houzz (http://www.houzz.com) which showcase many projects I've had fun working on. From kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodels, to fireplace updates, to hanging art, selling window treatments to even including a tiny cat door to a litter box on blueprint drawings! I've had many enjoyable design challenges. If you'd like to see before and after photos of my local design projects, please "Like" my HomeFront Facebook page to receive monthly postings.

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