Posts
A is for Affordable Art
Thanks to amazing sites like Etsy and painting-a-day art bloggers, art has never been more accessible or affordable. Even better, new artists have amazing outlets to share their work. Art lovers and newcomers alike have been able to add to/start collecting without breaking the bank.
Birdland by Helen Acraman
A wall decorated with the work of various Etsy artists (Design*Sponge)B is for Blackboards
Practical, versatile and very often recycled, blackboards are a great example of useful design (see the letter U) which was so important in 2008.
C is for Chandeliers
The traditional chandelier isn’t just for the dining room or the grand entryway anymore. Now it adds a touch of glamour to many bathrooms, bedrooms and even powder rooms. (You know it's made a comeback when Ikea designs its own version.)
Domino
F is for Folk Romanticism
Indie folk rock and the beautiful imagery it evokes influenced both fashion and design this past year. We saw combinations of vintage furniture, wood accents and mixed patterns in light airy spaces.
From H&M's 2008 Summer Collection
source
Practical, versatile and very often recycled, blackboards are a great example of useful design (see the letter U) which was so important in 2008.
C is for Chandeliers
The traditional chandelier isn’t just for the dining room or the grand entryway anymore. Now it adds a touch of glamour to many bathrooms, bedrooms and even powder rooms. (You know it's made a comeback when Ikea designs its own version.)
DominoD is for DIY
Sisters (and brothers) truly are doing it for themselves! The rise in interest in decorating and design has lead to a rise in people’s motivation to roll up their sleeves and do things for themselves. Books, blogs and magazines have jumped on the DIY bandwagon inspiring everyone to give it a go.
Sisters (and brothers) truly are doing it for themselves! The rise in interest in decorating and design has lead to a rise in people’s motivation to roll up their sleeves and do things for themselves. Books, blogs and magazines have jumped on the DIY bandwagon inspiring everyone to give it a go.
(From DIY Wednesdays on Design*Sponge)
E is for Eighties Glam
The eighties made a comeback in the fashion world a few years ago. The decorating world, however, was hesitant to welcome back this extravagant decade. But 2008 marked a change with rooms incorporating shiny metallics, pastels hues and chunky furniture.
The eighties made a comeback in the fashion world a few years ago. The decorating world, however, was hesitant to welcome back this extravagant decade. But 2008 marked a change with rooms incorporating shiny metallics, pastels hues and chunky furniture.
F is for Folk Romanticism
Indie folk rock and the beautiful imagery it evokes influenced both fashion and design this past year. We saw combinations of vintage furniture, wood accents and mixed patterns in light airy spaces.
From H&M's 2008 Summer Collection
sourceG is for Grey
Many call it “drab” and “somber” but there’s no denying that grey was one of the wall colours of choice this year.
(Domino)
Grey walls with green accessories
Many call it “drab” and “somber” but there’s no denying that grey was one of the wall colours of choice this year.
(Domino)
Grey walls with green accessoriesH is for Handmade
I am so thrilled to see a renewed appreciation for all things handmade. Etsy, Poppytalk Handmade and Art Fire are just some of the amazing sites encouraging talented artisans and individuals with creative drive.
Designer Chair Cocktail Napkins by Avril Loreti on Poppytalk Handmade
L is for Lighting
Maybe it’s just me but there seems to be more emphasis on lighting than ever before (see the letter C), especially light fixtures and lamps. These have become veritable works of art meant to decorate and illuminate.
Floor lamp by Moth Design
I am so thrilled to see a renewed appreciation for all things handmade. Etsy, Poppytalk Handmade and Art Fire are just some of the amazing sites encouraging talented artisans and individuals with creative drive.
Designer Chair Cocktail Napkins by Avril Loreti on Poppytalk HandmadeI is for Industrial
Have no fear, I’m not going to wax poetic on the glories of loft living…I’m actually talking about industrial-looking elements and accessories. Large professional kitchen sinks, subway tiles and stainless fixtures dominated kitchen and bathroom design this year. Even the most classic rooms added industrial touches.
Domino
Have no fear, I’m not going to wax poetic on the glories of loft living…I’m actually talking about industrial-looking elements and accessories. Large professional kitchen sinks, subway tiles and stainless fixtures dominated kitchen and bathroom design this year. Even the most classic rooms added industrial touches.
Domino J is for J Crew
This classic American brand made quite the comeback this year thanks in large part to the talent of its amazing creative director Jenna Lyons (below) and to bloggers everywhere who praised the lovely designs.
K is for Knick Knacks
Goodbye minimalism! This was the year to celebrate your plate collections, various vintage pillows and paint-by-numbers artwork!
This classic American brand made quite the comeback this year thanks in large part to the talent of its amazing creative director Jenna Lyons (below) and to bloggers everywhere who praised the lovely designs.
K is for Knick Knacks
Goodbye minimalism! This was the year to celebrate your plate collections, various vintage pillows and paint-by-numbers artwork!
Maybe it’s just me but there seems to be more emphasis on lighting than ever before (see the letter C), especially light fixtures and lamps. These have become veritable works of art meant to decorate and illuminate.
Floor lamp by Moth DesignM is for Mounted Mooseheads (I am Canadian after all…)
The rustic/lodge aesthetic is back in a big way and this of course means that mounted antlers are back as well. Fortunately, artificial versions made of wood or plexiglass have emerged making the mounted moosehead cool again.
Plexiglass Moose Head, Science and Sons
Moose and Dear Heads, Big Game
The rustic/lodge aesthetic is back in a big way and this of course means that mounted antlers are back as well. Fortunately, artificial versions made of wood or plexiglass have emerged making the mounted moosehead cool again.
Plexiglass Moose Head, Science and Sons
Moose and Dear Heads, Big GameN is for Nautical
Stripes, pieces of coral, warm woods, nautical maps and giant marlins are popular once again.
Stripes, pieces of coral, warm woods, nautical maps and giant marlins are popular once again.
Matt Albiani's home in Domino
Thom Filicia's home in Domino
Thom Filicia's home in DominoO is for Owls
I’m not going to say that the owl rocked the design world but the return of knick knacks (see the letter K) made the owl cool once again. Look closely, there's one in every room...
Owls sell out quickly on Three Potato Four
Funky owl lamp
The owl is the centerpiece of this fireplace
Q is for Quirky
Whenever I look at Design*Sponge’s Sneak Peeks I marvel at how cool these spaces are. They’re eclectic and funky without ever looking cluttered or dated. 2008 was about embracing the quirky and having a sense of humour.
A sneak peek into David Stark's artful backyard
A sneak peek into artist Lisa De John's living room.
I’m not going to say that the owl rocked the design world but the return of knick knacks (see the letter K) made the owl cool once again. Look closely, there's one in every room...
Owls sell out quickly on Three Potato Four
Funky owl lamp
The owl is the centerpiece of this fireplace P is for Patterns
I was particularly happy to see beautiful patterns appear on everything this past year. Pattern masters like Angela Adams, John Robshaw and Madeline Weinrib reminded us that solid colours weren't the only way to brighten up a room. Bold designs were on curtains, carpets, pillows and ceramics and not just as singular room accents.
I was particularly happy to see beautiful patterns appear on everything this past year. Pattern masters like Angela Adams, John Robshaw and Madeline Weinrib reminded us that solid colours weren't the only way to brighten up a room. Bold designs were on curtains, carpets, pillows and ceramics and not just as singular room accents.
Q is for Quirky
Whenever I look at Design*Sponge’s Sneak Peeks I marvel at how cool these spaces are. They’re eclectic and funky without ever looking cluttered or dated. 2008 was about embracing the quirky and having a sense of humour.
A sneak peek into David Stark's artful backyard
A sneak peek into artist Lisa De John's living room.R is for Regal
Throne-like chairs, gilded mirrors, large framed portraits and fleur-de-lys were big in 2008.
Club Monaco debuted the Fleur de Lys Capsule Collection of statement jewelry in the Fall.
Purple is the colour of royalty afterall...
S is for Sideboards
Danish sideboards, known for their clean lines and quality of design, have certainly seen a resurgence in popularity this year, pleasing quirky homeowners and minimalists alike.
T is for Typography
Since the release of the documentary film Helvetica in 2007, everyone seems to be paying closer attention to typographic arts and graphic design. Posters and calendars with bold type have become very hip. Look for this trend in 2009 as well.
Reproductions of the vintage WWII era poster, like this one from Cut Paste Print, are everywhere these days(mine just arrived in the mail!).
Pentagram's 2009 Typography Calendar
U is for Useful Design
Being unique just won't suffice. People are now looking for things that are unique and useful. Design reflected this shift with clever products like the AGE HiLo Chair and “Casulo” by designers Marcel Krings and Sebastian Mühlhäuser coming out of the woodwork.
Bedroom in a box, Casulo
V is for Vanity
As in the vanity, part of a larger trend towards rooms devoted to all things feminine. The powder room and the walk-in closet are no longer small closet-like spaces. Female homeowners are tearing down walls to make room for these girly sanctuaries.
mod Lucite vanity with pink walls
Notice the mix of patterns and the mounted deer head!(source)
Various wallpaper patterns are carefully cut together in this spectacular entrance.
Throne-like chairs, gilded mirrors, large framed portraits and fleur-de-lys were big in 2008.
Club Monaco debuted the Fleur de Lys Capsule Collection of statement jewelry in the Fall.
Purple is the colour of royalty afterall...S is for Sideboards
Danish sideboards, known for their clean lines and quality of design, have certainly seen a resurgence in popularity this year, pleasing quirky homeowners and minimalists alike.
T is for Typography
Since the release of the documentary film Helvetica in 2007, everyone seems to be paying closer attention to typographic arts and graphic design. Posters and calendars with bold type have become very hip. Look for this trend in 2009 as well.
Reproductions of the vintage WWII era poster, like this one from Cut Paste Print, are everywhere these days(mine just arrived in the mail!).
Pentagram's 2009 Typography CalendarU is for Useful Design
Being unique just won't suffice. People are now looking for things that are unique and useful. Design reflected this shift with clever products like the AGE HiLo Chair and “Casulo” by designers Marcel Krings and Sebastian Mühlhäuser coming out of the woodwork.
Bedroom in a box, CasuloV is for Vanity
As in the vanity, part of a larger trend towards rooms devoted to all things feminine. The powder room and the walk-in closet are no longer small closet-like spaces. Female homeowners are tearing down walls to make room for these girly sanctuaries.
mod Lucite vanity with pink walls W is for Wallpaper
I remember removing 1970’s wallpaper years ago and thinking (while cursing): “whatever possessed anyone to put this up?” Fast forward to 2008 and I’m browsing boldly patterned wallpaper samples at the hardware store.
I remember removing 1970’s wallpaper years ago and thinking (while cursing): “whatever possessed anyone to put this up?” Fast forward to 2008 and I’m browsing boldly patterned wallpaper samples at the hardware store.
Notice the mix of patterns and the mounted deer head!(source)
Various wallpaper patterns are carefully cut together in this spectacular entrance.X is for X-Back Chairs and X-Benches
The clean lines of these classic pieces made them very popular in graphic-line obsessed 2008.
X-Benches by Ballard Designs on Domino
Restoration Hardware's Carmel Side Chair (now on sale!)
The clean lines of these classic pieces made them very popular in graphic-line obsessed 2008.
X-Benches by Ballard Designs on Domino
Restoration Hardware's Carmel Side Chair (now on sale!)Y is for Yellow
2008's accessorizing colour of choice.
Pops of yellow in the artwork, rug and chairs.
Z is for Zero Waste
I’m happy to end with this one because I think that “thinking green” was undoubtedly the most influential and significant trend in design in 2008. Whether it was recycled, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly, green or sustainable design, there was an important shift in thinking both on behalf of designers and consumers. How very encouraging as we step into 2009!
Totally eco kitchen: "The wheatboard cabinets are a straw-based alternative to off-gassing particleboard; the backsplash is recycled glass tiles; the base cabinets sport sustainable walnut veneers; the countertops are earth-friendly Caeserstone, and the flooring is natural stone."(Domino)
2008's accessorizing colour of choice.
Pops of yellow in the artwork, rug and chairs.
Z is for Zero Waste
I’m happy to end with this one because I think that “thinking green” was undoubtedly the most influential and significant trend in design in 2008. Whether it was recycled, organic, biodegradable, eco-friendly, green or sustainable design, there was an important shift in thinking both on behalf of designers and consumers. How very encouraging as we step into 2009!
Totally eco kitchen: "The wheatboard cabinets are a straw-based alternative to off-gassing particleboard; the backsplash is recycled glass tiles; the base cabinets sport sustainable walnut veneers; the countertops are earth-friendly Caeserstone, and the flooring is natural stone."(Domino)
.jpg)
.gif)
2 comments:
Holy crap!! I loved the alphabet!!!
I LOVED your design alphabet and the mix of old and new!
Post a Comment