top: Complementi Giorno uses beach colors with casual elegance for an inviting, airy
setting that draws friends and family alike to the dining area.
bottom: Lingotto from Leif Petersen, Inc. shows the use of multi-function space with
striking contemporary designs in white and brown.
from page 1
The Dining-in Experience
The dining area has long been one of the most important rooms in the home. A
gathering place for family and friends, the dining table is where we share good
food and good company and create fond memories. Whether traditional or
contemporary, the setting must be inviting and comfortable as well as
functional.
It must have a certain energy and vibe that makes us want to be there. When a
room feels good, it causes us to feel good emotionally.
When furnishing the dining area, consider what it will be used for—family, company or an office that can quickly be changed back to a dining room
when needed. Do you want a warm and cozy environment or a trendy and modern
space? How many people will occupy the space? Are there small children to
consider? The furniture must be aesthetically pleasing and functional. Buy what
works, looks and feels best in your space.
Color Trends
Color trends for 2009 vary widely from primary colors to muted tones. Classic
pairings of white with black and red in contemporary furnishings signal a
melding of styles to fit the modern homeowner. Varied shades of yellow, from
Citron to Dijon Mustard are expected to become more prominent. Mimosa was named
as Pantone
’s color of the year because of its happy, feel-good appeal.
“Yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as
humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,
” said color forecaster Leatrice Eiseman. “Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and
innovation.
”
Light finishes in beach tones combined with casual design can create a tranquil
feeling and turn an everyday dining area into an in-home retreat. Design savvy
consumers are also using red accent pieces to add year-around warmth and color
to a room. Another popular color in wood furniture this year is wenge, a
dark, grayish brown with copper accents.
Designers Go Green
“Green” and “recycled” are recurring buzzwords at this year’s market. Designers are meeting the demands of customers by using sustainable
materials, versatility in utility and a unique combination of eco-friendly
products.
Instead of depleting shrinking forests, many designers are using reclaimed
lumber to create craftsman furn- iture. Others are looking toward easily
replenished trees and plants such as hemp, bamboo, rattan, acacia and teak to
provide building materials. Surface materials also have a new look. A
varnished solid front is often combined with a veneered body or panels. Acrylic
panels encase leaves, beach grass and other plants and are appliqu
éd to doors or partitions.
If you are “nesting in” until you see how the economy shapes up, this is a great time to update your
home and surroundings. Before you buy, heed the words of Giorgio Armani,
couturier and furniture designer, who says that a subtle richness, not obvious
beauty, is most important in modern furniture design.
•
There’s a Magic in What They Can Do
Dunn’s Designs
Everyone needs “their favorite chair.” A place where you can just be comfortable. Dunn’s Designs has a variety of sofas and chairs to choose from that will make you
smile the whole time you
’re relaxing or entertaining or doing whatever you want to do. Dunn’s Designs—there’s magic in what they can do for your home.
21931 Katy Freeway (I-10 & Mason – Jason’s Deli Center); 281-392-3505.
A Truly Unique Home Decor Store
the design firm
The Design Firm can be considered one of the top home decor sites as well as a
truly unique home decor store. From over 900 manufacturers worldwide, room
settings have been painstakingly created and accessorized
—European Traditional to Modern and Contemporary.
An unusually high level of creativity and a skillful approach to each client’s property has been the reason so many homeowners have been so delighted with
their new living environments from The Design Firm.
Island Tops, Mantles, Tables & More
Hawkins Furniture
Proof that handcrafting is not a lost art in Texas can be found at Hawkins
Furniture Company. Mesmerize your family and friends with
heirlooms made from hand selected rich, strong grains of pecan, mesquite, long-leaf pine
and black walnut. Custom orders for new or replacement island tops, dining
tables and more are welcome.
Plantation Furniture
Plantation Furniture offers the furniture that busy families are looking for,
mostly casual traditional styles at affordable prices. Everything you need to
furnish your home can be found in one location. They have been taking care of
families for over 25 years, and since they are family owned and operated they
give you the personalized attention you want.
1247 FM 359; 281-341-7788.
Fort Bend Publishing Group 2008
Katy Lifestyles & Homes features homes,
people and upscale lifestyles.
Katy Lifestyles & Homes April 2009
