It’s getting cold outside. In fact, it snowed in Boston already (isn’t it illegal for it to snow before Halloween?) This is the time of year where staying in bed just feels like the right thing to do.

So, just how can wooden tones, soft neutrals and warm autumnal colours combine to make you feel like getting out of bed on those cold mornings we know are coming (and to some, already here)?

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Warm colors (oranges, reds, yellows) and natural textures bring warmth to a space. Wooden bathroom furniture is a really practical way to add a natural texture. Bathroom furniture is both useful and aesthetically pleasing. It provides you with a coordinated finish as well as plenty of storage space – meaning your surfaces will no longer be littered with everyday essentials!

Solid wood, freestanding bathroom furniture could be perfect for a traditional home, while a more contemporary space would be served well by some wood veneered, wall hung cabinets and vanity units. The natural wooden tones of your bathroom cabinets will reflect the hues of autumn and give your room a warm glow for the winter to come too.

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Think about your flooring early on. You’ll want something that feels and looks warm, and you’ll need to lay the floor before you install your bathroom furniture and sanitaryware. While you can’t use real wood flooring without risking water-based catastrophe in the future, you can think about opting for waterproof wood-effect flooring. Many of these flooring styles are beautifully produced and incredibly realistic looking; they also have the advantage of being far warmer underfoot than tile. If you do plan to install underfloor heating, you may prefer the look of a tile floor – in which case, adding rugs can soften the appearance of the tile and warm it to the touch on those occasions when your underfloor heating is off.

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The decor of your walls should complement your furniture and your flooring: soft neutral colours can be paired with russet accents for a really rich, warm, autumnal feel. Try pairing stone wall tiles with wooden tones elsewhere for a natural look that can complement a period or modern theme. Alternatively use ceramic tile throughout, interspersing your neutral scheme with splashes of warm colour – for a contemporary scheme, you could look at warm shades of bronze, gold, and chocolate. Finally, if you are a lover of pattern, try adding some bright botanical wallpaper to bring a little vibrancy to your bathroom: a botanical theme will look fabulous with wooden bathroom furniture.

After visiting the International Furniture Fair at the Jacob K. Javits Center a few weeks ago, I have come to some conclusions regarding the latest, greatest themes in Home Furnishings.

Faux Wood Lamp Shade

Wood, wood and more wood.  Unfinished wood of every dimension was a hit at the show.  Utilized in innovative ways to make this old standard look updated and interesting.

Wood Cutting Board by Canoe

Cardboard and paper products.  Making furniture and lighting out of paper is a way to embrace the “recycle-reuse theme” in a fresh way.  Hassocks made of corrugated cardboard were front and center in this trend.

Wall Shelves by Stephen Hugo

Brights in a variety of materials including plastic, wood and resin.  This trend is refreshing to say the least. Tying in culture with current design is a nice twist, making the usual “unusual.

Bedding by West Elm

Bold floral patterns in stencil-like form.  Prints are still kicking and look revived once more.  Two and three color cutouts make this category a trend to be reckoned with.

Pillows by Thomas Paul

Nature themes abound.  Birds, bees, butterflies and all living creatures in between.  Paired with new green, these subjects look alive in home furnishings.

New Caribbean Design  is not just a product line but a concept. This company, which I stumbeled across at the ICFF in New York a few weeks ago, is innovative and colorful and has products that inspire.  I love companies that are brave enough to utilize bright colors in a professional way.

Their tag line is: “LOVE, FREEDOM, FLOW”, which I think is ingenious.  These poetic lines describe the unity behind the concept of this design group.  They support artisans in the Caribbean Islands and pool the products together to sell under the company name.  Craft, tradition and contemporary design is their aim.

*If you are interested in more of their wonderful products, go to their website and click on press kit.

If you’re like me and your green thumb is the very lightest shade of the hue, you’ll love how easy it is to add a little color to your garden, thanks to some spectacular outdoor furniture offerings that Richard Schultz and John Kelly introduced at ICFF.

New from the iconic Schultz, the seating in the Fresh Air Collection re-imagines the classic Windsor chair in powder-coated sheet aluminum. Available in three highly polished classic colors, the chairs can be customized with either a tubular-steel base or an aluminum-panel base.

Equally cool is the Fresh Air table, with thick square legs crafted of powder-coated extruded aluminum that complement beautifully both leg styles of the dining chairs. The table is available with a porcelain, glass or fiberglass top. I would love this in an office or studio in a screened porch.

The Rho Series from John Kelly Furniture owes its sleek silhouette to a perfect combination of smooth curves and precise angles—and is available in 10 fabulous colors! A well-edited selection of chair and table styles allows for contemporary dining and conversation areas, not to mention a stylish way to relax by the pool.

And if you can’t choose from all the great colors, consider the stripes! I loved this chaise lounge; the striped fabric makes for a great punctuation mark within the color palette.

Utilizing color in design can be a challenge, but Corita Rose, a young home furnishings company from England has got it down to a tee.  I found this company at the ICFF, which was a real smash this time around.  What caught my eye in the last row of the fair, was this brightest-of-bright couch that you see above. 

Obviously inspired by the colorful palette and motifs of Mexico, this line of home furnishings is a breath of fresh air and a bit of eye candy.  I love, love, LOVE these patterns and colors! 

I spoke to the designer at the show and he was as delightful as his couch, which he said he flew over on the plane with… not!  But he also showed me the coverage that his young company has gotten on blogs like ours and it was a book full.  He was more then happy to provide me with a press disc so I could write this article up. Here are a few more of their products.  I am sure we will see more of Corita Rose in the near future.

I admire a company that is comitted to design and produces just a few great pieces… following your dreams is the key to success.

Photo by Bizrate

What’s not to like about a color that hides dirt, dust and almost every unattractive substance that could come your home’s way? Gray is the color of your dreams when it comes to hiding unsightly business around the house.  I recently installed a gray rubber floor in my basement and it is an outstanding choice.  Between the “Kitty Vomit” and the outdoor track that comes in through the garage, I am one happy camper!

This product could not be easier to install,  you just interlock the puzzle teeth and you’re done.  Here are some suggestions on how to utilize rubber floor tiles.

Tips:

1)  Shop around for the product that best suits your needs. 

2)  Choose the material that works for your plan.  Some tiles come in PVC which is a harder surface that works better in a garage or outdoor space.

3)  Gray is the top color choice, but there are options.  Many of these products come in multi-colors with a choice of surface variations.

Here is an example of colored tile usage.  Patterns are a plus when it comes to camouflaging stains so you may want to consider this as an option. 

My Deck

I am a paint advocate, but sometimes stain is a nice alternative.  Stain achieves a natural finish that seals the surface and highlights texture, especially when it is used on certain woods that have pronounced grain patterns.  I recently stained my deck in a color called “Cedar”, a popular color on the Cabots   stain chart. 

Stain not only replenishes a surfaces natural beauty,  it protects the wood and prolongs its life.  My deck had not been treated for over ten years and after re-finishing,  it looks like a new build. 

Tips:

1)  If the surface needs cleaning,  power wash it first.  This rids the surface of mildew and dark spots that will become more pronounced with the application of stain.

2)  Wait for the surface to dry completely to assure a smooth finish.

3)  Apply the stain on a sunny, dry day inside or out.

4)  Give the surface at least 24 hours drying time before stepping on it.  The stain will appear dry after two,  but the full drying time is needed for utter perfection.

Lilacs are my all time favorite Spring flower and there are so many inspiring shades of this color to choose from.  This palette ranges from the violet featured above to tones and shades that vary from the softest pink to the brightest purply white.  Imagine painting a room based on these hues.

Check out this multi colored tile backdrop combined with white tile floor and commode.  I love how this tile picks up the iridescent lavender under-tones.

Tips:

1)  Gather inspirational photos of flowers and room scenarios to use as a guide.

2)  Go to your nearest paint supplier and select a variety of color samples to have on hand when designing your special lavender room.

3)  Pull in accents like yellow and orange, these two colors are known compliments for the color purple.  

4)  Use lavender as a neutral and combine it with gray for a serene setting like the photo below.

Room Sets by Better Homes and Gardens

Colors de Mexico Collection by Sina Pearson 

I deem a fabric collection successful when one look takes me to another region of the world,  Sina Pearsons  textiles do just that.  The “Colors de Mexico” series shown above was inspired by all things Mexican.  This designer is the perfect example of designing from inspiration.  Her entire collection of fabrics are conducive of  life experience and this is what makes them so successful, not to mention her expert color credentials.

With a background of design and Swedish heritage, Sina Pearsons fabric line shines with vibrant color and pattern achieved through weave and simple printed patterns.  Her love of gardening and nature is quite obvious and repeatedly expressed throughout the collection.  Mostly designed with  commercial use in mind, the fabrics work themselves into the residential market with ease.  These award winning textiles are just gorgeous.

Creeping Phlox also known as Mountain Pink, provide a bright display of the flowers shown above.  Placing one of these in a rock garden or among a stone wall will deliver a show of color for the Spring spectacular mentioned last week.  This plant comes in blue and white if you want to mix.  Decorating in these colors is a favorite for girls rooms and can be integrated in a number of fun ways.

Green Apple Design for Kids  offers many great ideas on their website,  or you can try a pink “Retro” kitchen like the photo here… WOW!

Photo: Better Homes & Gardens

Tips:

1)  Use a few shades of this sweet color.  Light and dark mixed together offers a whimsical look.

2)  Add pink when you are looking to soften a rooms theme.  know as a feminine color it functions well for dressing rooms and girls rooms.

3)  Pick your favorite shades of pink inspired by nature.  Mother nature knows best!

Striated Mountain Pinks