From the Floors Up

Wabi-Sabi Interior Design

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The Japanese term Wabi-Sabi means to find beauty, even in imperfection. Sometimes in Japanese culture, when pottery would break, they would repair the broken pieces with a lacquer. This lacquer had gold and silver powdered into it. It made the cracks that once were broken, more prevalent, and easier to notice. However, they were even more beautiful because they had been fixed with gold. This style of finding beauty in imperfection was carried into interior design. Embracing the home with all the imperfections and taking pride in them rather than hiding them.

Minimalist Approach

Wabi-Sabi takes pride in a clutter-free atmosphere. To make imperfection shine, you do not want to draw away from them. From a crack on the wall to unfinished ceiling architecture, there are hundreds of ways homes can have imperfections. Your goal is to embrace and enhance them. Be strategic of what furniture you bring into your home. Light color schemes can help enrich the atmosphere without taking from it.

Embrace Imperfection

Imperfect hardwood floors, cracked concrete, or paint splashed on a brick wall can all be subtle imperfections. They can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and natures. Identifying them and embracing them is vital. This does not work in every home, yet when you have a home with these characteristics, they should be recognized. Seeing these imperfections as a character is key to understanding the beauty of Wabi-Sabi.

Incorporate Imperfect Furniture

Add what makes you happy. Not all your furniture needs to match. This styling has room to express yourself. Add antiques or homemade furniture. If you love a picture, hang it up. The joy of Wabi-Sabi is having a calm and simple atmosphere. Your space does not need to be beautiful, but it should be recognized that you take pride in it. Adding plants and enhancing that cozy comfort is all part of creating the atmosphere. Add mismatched chairs, antique furniture, modern sofas, and rustic vases. The style is collected not solely through a uniform look but the pride you take in your space.

Wabi-Sabi means to embrace the authenticity of the area. Let it feel lived in yet not too chaotic. This Asian interior design style should flow and all details to shine; however, it is never perfect. Finding pride in your home is key to mastering this style. No two Wabi-Sabi spaces will look exactly alike!

Is Granite Going out of Style?

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Granite is the number one choice for countertop solutions by many homeowners and businesses. With a beautiful aesthetic appeal and extreme durability, granite has become a staple by giving any design a more luxurious and complete look. However, design is always changing. We see some trends come and go in the industry too often, but granite is a natural material which has reign superior for an extremely long time. However, with improvements and desire in quartz and marble, is granite still in style or just fading away as another trend?

Why Granite Countertops? 

When it comes to selecting a countertop, there are several material options available. Every alternative comes with its own set of pros and cons, and granite is no exception. While it can withstand extreme heat, will not scratch from cutlery or knives, and can add value to a home, it still has two significant setbacks. Granite is not the most inexpensive option available, and granite is porous. It being porous means that it can stain if not treated with a sealant annually. So, has this annual maintenance began to deter consumers from investing in these countertops? 

The Evolution of Interior Design 

We see all the time that interior design and home preferences are changing. Even in fashion and grooming styles, we notice trends come in and out of style, and each generation brings forth new favorites. Sometimes, children do not like certain flooring styles or wall colors because they remind them of “what their grandparents had.” This logic is understandable and is one of the main reasons we see the evolution in trends. However, granite countertops have been around for a very long time. As the decade turns, many styles begin to fade with it. Is granite an exception?  

Is Granite Trending or Forever? 

The truth is, quality and durability will never go out of style. Granite is arguably the most versatile option when it comes to countertops. While granite does have some annual maintenance, so do many things of value in our lives. It is hard to see granite going out of style any time soon with its superior quality and beauty it brings to every home. 

So, all in all, investing in granite countertops is an excellent decision. They work with almost every design style and can truly make your home feel more inviting and beautiful. This investment can be one of the most effective ways to transform your kitchen into a sophisticated style.

Fading Design Trends | 2019 Edition

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Trends will come and go in interior design. They are influenced by many factors, including what generation is currently buying their first homes, the economy, and cultural influences. Neutral colors have been used for decades to help get homes ready to sell on the market. Neutral tones neither add a warm or a cool tone to the atmosphere, yet they are extremely adaptable and can work with anything without clashing. Therefore, many homeowners will add neutral colors to their homes to prepare them for the market. We have seen some styles come and go, and we are currently in the midst of some trends fading. Let’s take a look at some of these trends.

Beiges & Tans 

Many homeowners for a very long time were using beige, sands, and tans in their homes. These colors could commonly be seen in carpets, countertops, wall paints, and doors alike. While these neutrals did well for an extremely long time, they slowly began to phase out during the last decade. 

Greys 

The decade of 2010 began to bring forth a new generation of colors to the market. The millennials began incorporating shades of grey throughout their home, and this new edge look was being used in modern style homes and many minimalistic spaces. White and black created hard contrast to give the room depth while greys could make this monochromatic theme blend more appropriately. From stainless steel appliances, grey backsplashes, and grey flooring, the trend began to take off in the industry, and homes were being built with grey as the go-to color in the design. 

What Is Next? 

However, this rapidly growing trend has begun to lose speed. Experts believe the grey era is on its way out as a new neutral comes to take the throne. But what is it? The market has not had a definitive outlier yet. Some contending theories are that pastels may begin to become the new neutral. Pastels are muted tones that are so lightly hued that they have little to no impact on the room’s theme. Others believe soft, earthy tones are on their way back with a little more flair. Think caramel, burnt orange, hazelnut, and leathery browns. Perhaps, we will see the “Pewter” era, where grey and beige become more commonly blended together to give a new canvas feel to the room.   

We cannot be certain yet, but Pewter is slowly rising, yet not significant enough to phase out the grey area. What do you think the next trend will be? Will grey make it another decade or will a new neutral reign king? Let us know below what you think. 

The Return of Past Trends

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The circle of life quite literally continues to repeat itself. As we spectate, styles that were popular years ago have returned to fashion and design. From hairstyles to outfit choices and even interior design, some trends continue to fade in and out over time. Some styles that have become entirely obsolete are recently making their way back into the market today. Are you up to date on the latest trends? If not, here are some trends that have begun to return–see how many you have recently noticed:

Berber

Berber became popular in the ’80s and ’90s as plush carpets began to fade out of the marketplace. The demand for more level-loop, lower profile carpet grew higher and higher. Berber had a distinct character that it would add to a room. This carpet slowly faded as the next generation of first-time homebuyers strayed from this look. However, Berber has gradually been on the uprise again–making its way into homes all over the country. As the demand for hard surface flooring increases, the need for unique styling carpet has also increased. Berber has fit the bill and has slowly returned to becoming a highly sought-after carpet that homeowners and businesses alike want.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper became outdated and was often referred to as a “poor man’s solution” for adding character to walls in a room. As people began to affiliate wallpaper as tacky, it slowly faded off the market. However, over time, technology has advanced wallpaper designs. With highly enhanced designs in wallpaper, wallpaper can now add more depth to the room. These incredible styles have been used in whole rooms or to create a focal wall. For areas that do not have exposed woods or brick, wallpaper can now be an alternative option to help enhance your design.

Floral

You may remember grandma having floral sheets and throw pillows. This trend became outdated, and out of style in the early 2000s; however, with women’s fashion, it slowly returned. The repetition in these patterns is a great accent to emphasize in a room. Drapes, throw pillows, and fabrics are all coming with beautiful floral prints. This once outdated style is now the hottest trend.

Natural Materials

Contemporary, Modern Design, Scandinavian, and Art Deco took a strong run in the last decade. With this, plastics were heavily introduced into furniture and décor. While natural materials never became obsolete, the demand went decreased. Yet now, the demand is at an all high. Natural hardwood floors, marble countertops, stone fireplaces, and much more are all becoming the new hot trend in homes.

Maximalism

While we watch minimalism take a strong term in the last years, many experts believe maximalism is back. We have not seen maximalism in design themes since the Victorian Era. Maximalism has an eclectic look featuring many highly lavished décor pieces being added to the room. While less is more will never become unwanted, maximalism is coming back and is considered to be very trendy.

Which one of these trends have you recently noticed? Do you see other trends we forgot to mention? Let us know below in the comment section. For more insight on the latest trends in interior and exterior design, make sure to subscribe.

Trending Designs of 2019

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We are now entering halfway through the year 2019. With predictions coming to fruition and patterns being seen, we can now step back and look at some of the trending design styles. What has 2019 brought to offer to interior design? What has come and went through the past decade of interior design? Are certain elements here to stay? We explore all these questions and more as we investigate the Trending Designs of 2019.

Matte Black

Traditionally faucets would come in stainless steel. The color spectrum began to broaden over the years as gold and copper started to be thrown into the mix. Lately, many people are switching out handles to a drawer, faucets, and other hardware with a matte black finish. This look feels crisp while no drawing attention in the room.

Agate Stone

People love incorporating different stonework in their homes. Agate stone has an exceptional look that is becoming trendy throughout 2019. This stone can feel raw due to its nature, but its highly symmetrical designs allow it to work in the most contemporary atmospheres.

Urban Inspired Décor

The millennials have begun to put their imprint on the design world. Urban inspired décor has becoming reinstated for its edgy look. This blend of urban and modern pop culture is seen in many commercial designs lately and is bleeding into the residential areas as well.

Contemporary/Vintage Lighting

Individuals are now straying away from traditional light fixtures. From ceiling lights to floor lamps, unique styles are being added to room scenes. Whether vintage to help make a statement or contemporary lighting, homeowners are investing more attention to the aesthetics of their light fixtures.

Maximalism

The constant cycle of minimalism and maximalism repeats itself throughout history. From Victorian Era design to Edwardian Era, maximalism faded and became minimalism. Now the once loved styling of minimalism has begun to repeat itself in the cycle. Maximalism is allowing people to add more personality and ornate touches to their homes. It is eliminating the less is more mentality and beginning to stick.

Many things in fashion and design tend to repeat themselves. We are in the cycle of a new generation. Even as technology advances, it can begin to transform the needs and wants we include in our designs. Where do you think interior design is headed? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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