Dabbieri Blog

Designing With Animal Print

No matter what the decade, one trend that seems to always be present is animal print. Some years the funky trend may be bigger and other years less prominent, but it always comes roaring back. One reason animal print sometimes gets a bad or “tacky” reputation, is because some home-owners do not know how to properly design with animal print. The key is to show restraint. Don’t over do it.

One of the greatest things about animal print, whether it’s, leopard, tiger, or zebra, is that it can be used with every type of furniture from traditional to modern. Animal prints are extremely versatile, despite being loud and prominent.

The best way to incorporate animal print into a design is by bringing in a fun patterned carpet. 

Like the pattern above, Oracolo by the Dabbieri Collection is fun and adds a tasteful compliment to the leather couch. 

Or Jacaranda, in this classy and elegant room, is anything but obnoxious or tacky. By playing off the neutral colors in the carpet, this entire design is brought together.

Of course, another way to incorporate animal print in an interior design is through accents. A mistake made with accents is to get multiple coordinating animal print pieces for a room. Often times, this is a blunder which makes the room very busy and seemingly uncoordinated.

For example, one animal print chair in the corner of the room will attract attention, without being too flashy. A chair could be upholstered with a nice animal print, and then complimented with other solid-print furniture. 

Always a lovely addition, animal print accent pillows can spruce up a room very easily.

This summer, spice up your rooms with a design trend that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon!

A 1920's Trend that is Roaring this Summer

A trend that has been sweeping interior design since the spring is only becoming more and more popular through the summer. With the heightened publicity surrounding the newest film adaptation to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, has come an astounding response in interior design. Although the film premiered a few months ago, the trend is only getting more popular through the summer months as an accent to modern design. 

(Photo from the set of The Great Gatsby).

The set design of the film has been becoming a trend for interior decorators. The set seen here combines hard shapes and geometric patterns with curvy furniture and bold colors. These styles are being mimicked and altered to fit a more modern taste.

In this pattern called Amsbaugh, the squares are kept somewhat geometric, while the feminine swirls are eclectic and vibrant. The floor creates a luxurious feel like that of the roaring twenties, since during the time period of The Great Gatsby, designs were curvaceous and frivolous. The spirit of the roaring twenties is channeled while remaining contemporary in the décor. 

The pattern of Aniline brings this same curvy feel to the room with a touch of gold for added luxury. The couch in this setting is soft like furniture seen in The Great Gatsby sets.

The roaring twenties have been incorporated in fashion and beauty over the years, and it was just a matter of time until it was involved with interiors as well. Reminded of the glamour of styles and luxuriousness of the wealthy from that time period, the trend is growing even stronger this season.

IDG Showrooms in Salt Lake City Participate in ASID CEU Blitz

Guild showrooms Foremost Interiors and Regency Royale recently helped sponsor the ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers, Intermountain Chapter’s 2013 CEU Blitz event in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Designers, architects, and industry professionals were able to complete up to nine continuing education unit credits during two days of accredited presentations at fabulous showrooms throughout the city.

The two day event was launched with a luncheon and product showcase at which both Regency Royale and Foremost Interiors hosted booths and shared product information with the over 70 designers in attendance. 

IDG Designer Program participated by providing CEU the popular “Understanding Body Language,” course which fueled critiques and comments throughout the day on the meaning of other’s gestures and facial expressions.  The event was hosted by Foremost Interiors who also presented the details and video of the Design for a Difference contest prior to the CEU.

The two-day Blitz was wrapped up with an elaborate celebration that features premium giveaways from both showrooms and the event’s other sponsors. 

Just for Fun!

Do you know why so many homeowners choose to paint the ceiling of their porches blue?

The custom to paint porch ceilings blue is believed to have its roots in the south, but now the tradition has spread throughout the country. Many people paint the porch ceiling blue because they find it warm and calming and an extension of the sky.

But dig a little deeper and you will find some creepy crawly reasons for the color.  It is believed that the  blue confuses bugs into thinking it is ‘sky’ and therefore deters spiders, wasps and other bugs from building their nests. South Carolinians will tell you that soft blue or “haint” blue is to ward off ghosts. Haint is the name for spirits and ghosts and as legend has it, if you paint the ceiling this color blue; your home will be ghosts free.  Now, isn’t that’s assuring?