Summer Design Trends: Organic Shapes

Rounded and flowing organic shapes are a hit this summer. Furniture, frames, and lighting fixtures with rolling curves and smooth lines will be perfect for this style. Showcase pieces that evoke organic shapes and stay trendy!

Make the trend:

Get the look: 

1 Murano glass lamps by Seguso 2 French Art Deco side table 3 Murano glass sconces by Venini 4 Moustache back club chairs 5 Murano glass chandelier 6 Art Nouveau plant stand 7 Bombe chest of drawers 8 Louis Philippe gold-leaf mirror

Summer Design Trends: Beach Cottage

Today we discuss a fourth summer interior design trend - the beach cottage! It's relaxing and cheerful with pastel ocean colors, weathered finishes, and natural fibers. It's a great way to take yourself to the beach, even while staying home!

 

Open views and soft hues make this a wonderful getaway

Classic beach homes typically have pale palettes, generally white on white. Layer walls, furniture, and accessories in shades of white accented with pale beach hues (think aqua, sea foam, or seashell pink). Use varying shades in your color scheme to add depth to your rooms. Incorporate antique and vintage furniture with beachy accessories for a look you'll love.

Rustic antiques and great lighting make this the perfect gathering point

When considering textures, go for natural, earthy fibers. Add a woven rug and a piece of bamboo furniture. To really complete the beach theme, add furnishings with weathered finishes (sand and salty air quickly corrode finishes). These also provide a laid-back feel you expect at any vacation house. Soon you'll have your own coastal getaway without leaving home!

A weathered farm table and Louis XVI chairs, accented with bright seahorses

Make the trend:

 

Get the look: 

1 "Anice" modernist Murano chandelier 2 "La Jeanne d'Arc" by Claude LaBaube 3 French antique solid fir farm table 4 Art Deco brass coffee table 5 Louis XVI painted chairs (set of 6) 6 Murano glass lamps 7 Louis XIII walnut buffet 8 Triangular side tables by Mategot

Summer Design Trends: Retro Lounge Style

The third in our Summer Design Trends series is Retro Lounge Style. Spurred by the popular television show Mad Men, and coupled with the popularity of all things mid-century modern, the mid-century style lounge is IN this summer.

Mid-century modern furniture was made to be functional and easy to live with. Pieces of the 1950s and 1960s are comfortable, optimistic, and modern. They have clean lines and interesting angles. The comfort and fun in these vintage pieces make them the perfect pick for summer!

50s style Parisian apartment by designer Jean-Cristophe Aumas

Make the trend:

Get the look:

1 French vintage chrome & glass coffee table 2 Italian vintage Murano glass lamps 3 Spanish gold-leafed sunburst mirror 4 Italian vintage leather armchairs 5 French Modernist Vintage Desk 6 French Modernist ebonized oak gueridon 7 French Modernist gilt brass nesting tables 8 French vintage dining chairs (set of 6)

Keep your eyes open in the weeks to come - we'll be bringing in more mid-century modern furniture in our newest shipment! So make sure to check out our New Arrivals for the latest in vintage and antiques!

Summer Design Trends: A Splash of Color

As we continue to share our favorite interior design trends for Summer 2011, we move on to... splashes of color!

Vintage pieces in orange - Murano lamps and a Modernist gueridon - add a bright flare to this room

 
Bring the colors of summer into your home with bright splashes of your favorites. Vibrant hues in vintage and antique pieces will add variety and interest to your rooms. Bold colors will add freshness and light to your interior after the dreary winter.

Colorful flowers and textiles add a pop of yellow to classic pieces

Keep things coherent by sticking with a simple palette - try honeysuckle, sunshine yellow, or spring green on top of neutrals in white or grey. Make sure to choose pieces with character in colors you love. Just remember to keep it bright and light - the look of the season is color!

Make the trend:

Get the look:

Reds & Pinks: Restoration period meridienne; Louis XVI armchair; Vintage Lucite and brass armchair; Napolean III gold leafed stools
Oranges & Golds: French Modernist gueridon; Murano glass lamps; Spanish gold leafed sunbursts; vintage anduze pot; Italian Murano glass sconces
Blues & Greens: Murano glass lamps; vintage Murano glass chandelier; "Water Lilies" by Kathryn Goodnite; vintage green Murano glass lamps; vintage green Murano glass sconces

Summer Design Trends: White Living Rooms

As we start changing our wardrobes for the 95℉ weather in Austin, we start looking for other design trends emerging, too. We already know that Pantone chose honeysuckle as the color of 2011, but what about spring and summer? There are specific looks for the seasons as well as the year, and we're sharing a few of our antique and vintage favorites that will help you achieve a fresh, summery look with quality pieces.

Photo by William Abranowicz

First up is white living rooms. Fill the room with timeless, antique and vintage white pieces that will never go out of style. This look creates a clean, open space that is a great palette for artwork and accessories. It's simple and classic, but never dull. Plus, changing is easy - just add a pop of color or your favorite accessories to complete any look!

Murano glass chandelier, antique mirror add drama to a contemporary living room.

Vintage chrome side table, shimmering antique crystals and white cow hides make for a clean, warm living space.

Make the trend:

1 French Régency period mantle; 2 Vintage Murano glass sconces; 3 Art Deco leather club chairs (in the style of Jean-Michel Frank); 4 Vintage Lucite and brass side table; 5 Pair of vintage Italian Murano glass vases; 6 Fragonard scented candles; 7 Murano glass lamps; 8 French Art Deco Bergéres