Trends

May 13, 2021

Fall in Love With Spring’s New ‘It Color

Maybe it’s spring or maybe we’ve hit a pandemic wall, but there’s something about the promise of warmer weather that has us daydreaming in color. After what seems like a yearlong hibernation, people are ready to begin sprucing up their homes for spring and summer. A color that’s on our radar and that’s been getting a lot of attention is green. Like a sprout pushing up from the sidewalk crack demanding its time in the sun, green is adorning wall paint, tile, accessories, art, and fashion in its many attractive shades, from light mint to a rich hunter shade. Symbolic of life itself, green’s vitality calls up images of growth and renewal, a kind of starting over that inspires a breath of fresh air. We love incorporating shades of green in our projects because they’re at once calming and full of life. Kelly green chairs strike a sophisticated feel when paired with a high-contrast black and white. Saturated and bright hues like bursts of lime or clover are a natural fit with wood furnishings and punch up an otherwise neutral palette. Shades of green are attributes of biophilia, another design style that’s having a moment, which connects the home to nature. Play with unexpected pops of color on a bed frame, pillows, a succulent wall, or patterned wallpaper to stimulate the senses with this versatile color!

green chairs and coffee table at Residence Two at Skye

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

decorative bedroom pillows and painting at Residence Two at Skye

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

patio with green chairs at Plan 3 at Bayberry

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bar counter with green stool chairs Residence Two at Skye

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

great room at Plan 3 at Bayberry by Brookfield Residential

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

master bedroom at Plan 3 at Bayberry by Brookfield Residential

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

green couch and blue poufs at Plan 3 at Enliven

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

guest bedroom at Residence One at Flair by Woodbridge Pacific Group

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

living room at Plan One at Compass Bay by Dover

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

great room at Plan One at The Villages by William Lyon Homes

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

green powder room at Plan 3 at Bayberry by Brookfield Residential

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

guest room at Plan One at Compass Bay by Dover

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

green kids room at Plan Three at The Covey

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

patio with wicker furniture and decorative pillows at The Covey

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

guest bedroom detail at Plan Three at The Verge by William Lyon Homes

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bedroom detail at Plan One at Compass Bay by Dover

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

April 6, 2021

No-Fail Gallery Walls

If you’ve been following our blog, you know we love a good gallery wall. They instantly dress up a blank space and provide clues about the personality and character of a home’s inhabitants. There’s also a lot of design paralysis around gallery walls, so we’re here to take away the overwhelm.

Chances are you already have many of the ingredients for your display. Well-loved art, photographs, mementos, or memorabilia are all good places to start. Keep things to a single color palette for a curated look or freewheel it with color for a fun informal vibe. Frames can be the same size and color for uniformity or you can use complementary colors with varying orientations. Plan your layout on the floor first, starting with the largest piece as a visual anchor, or keep things neat and tidy using a grid formation. When planning your image gallery, think beyond the wall, too. Create a layered look by leaning frames along an open shelf or bookcase, or make it more three-dimensional by layering pieces, such as a mirror, sconce, or other mounted decor. Your gallery, your choice!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

open shelf photo gallery in Plan 1 at Origin

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

black and white gallery wall at Riverstone Information Center

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

mixed media gallery wall in Plan 4 at Dover at Compass Bay

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

line art gallery wall in modern living room

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

bedroom gallery wall in Plan 1 at Hideaway

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

abstract gallery wall in Plan 3 at Enliven

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

teen room gallery wall in Plan 4 at Citron

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

March 10, 2021

Time to Shine—Drop Zones and Mud Rooms

We rarely read design accolades of a mud room/drop zone, and we think it’s time to give this workhorse of a space its due! If you’re fortunate enough to have one in your home (if not create one!), a mud room or drop zone is a place to shed the day away and drop all goods and go. It’s a transitional space, one where the family passes through for a brief moment on their way to the kitchen or family room or out the door. Make organization part of the design with a custom built-in or storage cabinet, a bench for putting on shoes, baskets, and wall hooks. Create a spot for mail, keys, and small odds and ends. All items should have a home that’s within easy reach when rushing in or out the door. Don’t forget to personalize it and make it your own! Add art, greenery, a rug, and objects that speak to you and align with existing decor. Make it a place you want to be in, even if only for a short time as you go on about your day!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

February 3, 2021

Beauty Between the Lines in this Minimalist Art Trend

It’s always interesting to see artistic styles that dominate the collective and how they evolve over time. One trend that’s adorning many gallery walls right now is line art. True to its name, line art is a deliberate display of straight or curved lines against a plain or neutral background. The foundational element of artistic expression, the line’s representation in its most basic form is elegant in its singularity. Long, short, narrow, or thick. Straight, angular, or full of curve – line art often alludes to familiar silhouettes or abstract shapes. Pieces are minimalistic in nature as they embrace empty space with clean and bold lines with no or minimal shading.

While most express images in black and white, we’re seeing more color pop up in this trend as well as negative space drawings with white lines on a dark canvas. Its beauty also resides in its versatility, as these abstract forms complement any room in the home, from the family room and dining area, to the bedroom, bath, or home office. Break up your gallery wall and create some visual breathing room with this understated art trend. Here are some images from our own work to spark your creativity!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

January 4, 2021

Happiness Hack: How to Tell Your Story in Home Design

Designer hot take: Want to know how to truly make your home your own and a happy place you’ll love every day? Make it all about you! A home that’s full of character is one that authentically reflects the personalities of its inhabitants. And one of the things that makes people who they are is the stories they tell about themselves, like past experiences, achievements, relationships, and interests. If you’re not sure how that all translates into a cohesive and put-together home full of beautiful spaces, try asking yourself a few of these questions:

What was your favorite vacation?

What’s your favorite mantra or affirmation?

What item in your closet do you reach for the most?

Where would you live if money weren’t an option?

What sorts of activities make you lose track of time?

Use your answers as a jumping off point for your creativity. Create a mood or Pinterest board with color palettes, themes, photos, and mementos. There are many fun ways to incorporate these things to reflect what you love and create happiness every day. Arrange a vignette on a console table with a beloved collection, photo gallery, or aspirational signs. Surround yourself with those you love the most with a large family and friend photo wall. Entertain in style with a fun bar cart al fresco or a next-level game room with all the embellishments. Show off your personality using interesting paint details, like colorful ombre stair risers or mood-boosting horizontal stripes. If you love the outdoors, bring some of it inside with a heart-shaped succulent wall. Big or small, these individual touches tell your unique story and make your home a source of happy moments. Our homes should joyfully reflect the stories of our lives, so make the motto, do more of what makes you happy, your design mantra!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

December 2, 2020

Sustainable by Design: Rattan, Cane, Bamboo & Rope

If you’ve scrolled through your favorite home decor hashtags on Instagram for more than a minute, you know that rattan, cane, bamboo, and rope furniture and furnishings are back in a major way. People are becoming more environmentally aware, which is influencing their consumption preferences and buying decisions. In a recent National Retail Federation study, 57% of respondents would change their purchasing habits to reduce negative environmental impact! In other words, when it comes to home design and furnishings, people are seeking out more sustainable materials and earth-friendly products. Eco-conscious and renewable materials like rattan, cane, and bamboo are at the top 2020’s trend list for good reason. They add warmth, accessibility, and freshness to living spaces and give off a chic organic vibe. A 70s boho nod interpreted for 21st century tastes, woven furnishings bring some of the wonderful outdoors into the home, and who couldn’t use a little more of that these days!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

November 1, 2020

Geometry Play

Shape and form are design’s building blocks, providing organization and cohesion to interiors. We love them! Geometric shapes and forms add a modern look and a feeling of vitality. The unity of lines and curves introduces a fresh touch and complements a number of design eras and themes, working especially well with art deco, mid-century, and contemporary styling. Geometric elements like triangles, rectangles, squares, and hexagons introduce an appealing deconstruction of design into its most basic forms. They’re sleek and a bit raw, evoking emotion and mood. Take it a step further and think beyond lines and angles; circles, curves, and crescents create a smooth, undulating feel that’s sophisticated and pleasing. Geometric patterns are especially eye-catching because the repetition creates an illusion of movement in an otherwise static design. Pattern’s play between the cheerfully unexpected and a soothing repetition is appealing in a variety of applications, from a bold wallpaper or gallery wall, to a delicate tile or herringbone floor.

When incorporating this appealing trend into your home, take your room’s design into consideration, noting existing shapes and patterns. Balance is critical to creating your desired effect. Too many geometric elements detract from the impact of one or two in a space. A diamond pendant light, a pattern painted on furniture, or geometric contemporary art are a few ways to use shape and form to add a modern flair, and we’ve included some photos of our favorite client projects that incorporate the trend!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

October 1, 2020

Say It With Art

What is it about the allure of contemporary art? Everyone on the Chameleon team agrees art is essential to every installation because there’s nothing like the authentic and intimate feel of a thoughtfully selected piece that speaks to the soul of a space. Loosely translated, contemporary art refers to the ‘art of today,’ or art created from roughly the latter half of the 20th century to the present. With no unifying style or ideology, contemporary art is true freedom of expression, with a mix and blend of various styles, movements, methods, and materials. This type of free-range approach and lack of cohesion is part of what makes this style so appealing. There’s no right or wrong way when it comes to contemporary art, only what speaks to YOU.

Art beautifully distinguishes a home and expresses the character and personality of its inhabitants in a way nothing else can. Install a large-scale piece as a powerful departure from a gallery wall, or group several mid-size pieces in similar styles or colors. A collection of abstract art is a great option for our model homes because it brings welcome color, interest, and beauty to a room that’s subject-matter neutral and appealing to most buyers. Research also indicates mental health benefits associated with experiencing art, and we’ve written about the associations between good design, beauty, and happiness (check out our blog post here). Art is as essential to our projects as a sofa or dining table, and our happy clients agree!

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

September 1, 2020

Texture and Sensory Design

We’ve all heard the advice, “Add texture to a space,” but what does it really mean? Texture in design can mean different things to different people, but generally it refers to how a surface feels or is dimensionally perceived in a space. Layering materials, textiles, colors, or prints create texture and add dimension and visual interest. Texture in residential design immediately adds character – a touch of the unexpected is a pleasant disruptive element and speaks to the soul of a space. When it comes to adding texture, let diversity be your guide: think outside furniture sets and matchy-matchy and instead opt for different colors that are complementary, mixing materials, or layering prints. A simple swap of accessories, blankets or bedding, and pillows can create a cohesive look that’s interesting, eye catching and balanced. But don’t limit yourself to simple accessories, because creating texture can come from a variety of sources, like wall treatments, drapery, lighting, and rugs. It’s also not exclusive to bold or bright color. Adding texture to a neutral palette, like varying shades of white, ivory, or cream, is a beautifully understated way to create richness and sophistication. Texture adds an element of play to design, and we love using it to help bring even more personality to our clients’ unique spaces.

Photo Credit: Chameleon Design

August 4, 2020

Bathed in Blue

When Pantone released its color of the year for 2020 back in December, we couldn’t say we were surprised. Classic blue is a perennial people pleaser and is a harbinger of serenity, security, and stability.

“Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.”

Little did the team at Pantone know what lay ahead of our global community in 2020 and just how much we all could benefit from a world that’s more peaceful and predictable during these challenging months. Our team is seeing more blue hues crop up in interior design this year. With connotations of calmness and creativity, blue tones are universally well-liked and oscillate from light to dark and warm to cool. In color psychology, common associations around blue are reliability, trust, and security (that’s why so many banking and financial institutions incorporate blue in their branding!). Noted for its versatility, blue can be bright and bold or soft and understated, traversing the design spectrum from statement making to accent, depending on the tone and how it’s used. And because it has evolved into a neutral, it pairs well with many color palettes and can be seamlessly incorporated throughout a space. With all of these benefits, who wouldn’t want more blue in their home!