Interior Design

2017 Interior Trends Follow-Up

/ Heather Helms / 2 Comments

Every year I relentlessly scour my favorite magazines, manufacturers and online resources for new introductions in search of the next years “Next Big Thing”. It is that time of year again when we take a look back at our Interior Design Trends to see how well we did with our 2017 predictions. Stay tuned for our 2018 Forecast coming in January!

MIXING & MATCHING PATTERNS – While we did see mixing and matching it was mostly a textural difference than the bright, vibrant interiors featured below. As we continue to move through the gray and white craze we will certainly start to see some of these pops of colors making their way into our homes in 2018. HINT – Mixing and matching patterns becomes easier when anchored by a monochromatic or neutral backdrop.

ART-INSPIRED WALLPAPER – I should have said ALL WALLPAPER! 2017 was the year of wallpaper at Schaub + Srote. Large scale prints, grasscloth, and metallic finishes/embellishments made their way into almost every one of our projects. If you haven’t considered using a wallpaper recently I encourage you to take a look. It seems we all have a wallpaper memory of our childhood. Mine happens to be of my kitchen covered in country blue bows with ducks(and matching canisters for the countertop). I promise you these are not the papers that haunt your past!

NAVY AND DARK GREEN INTERIORS – It would be an understatement to say that Navy was a HIT! I really hope that the Dark Green picks up in popularity as we make our way through 2018. Both work great as a neutral and create a drama that can’t be found in brighter tones of the same colors. Although these were not selected as the color of the year by the leading paint companies they will be EVERYWHERE!

DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

Here are a few of the design trends we will say goodbye to in 2017 –

POLISHED METALS – So many amazing finishes were introduced to the market in 2017- all with a matte or brushed finish. Aged Pewter, Carbon, Architectural Bronze and Shadow are just a few that are featured in the new Waterworks catalog. Polished finishes haven’t completely disappeared they are just being layered with other finishes for visual interest.

“Warm metals like copper, brass and rose gold will continue to be on trend for autumn/winter 2016, but as we move into summer 2017 you’ll see a shift away from this super polished look,” says Diane Cocksey, Senior Interior Decorator at Freedom. “I expect you’ll see a more industrial aesthetic, with black steel and burnished metals taking over the home.”

MARBLE HOUSEWARES – While I do not see the marble countertop trend coming to an end anytime soon, I think we have cycled through the marble-everywhere phase. I have to admit I am a sucker for a marble and wood serving platter or cutting board but I am ready for the next big thing in housewares. Stay tuned for our 2018 Trend Forecast to see what that will be.

While marble is all the rage in the mass-produced homewares market, we can soon expect a sharp decline in interest. In 2017, be on the lookout for earthy textures like timber, clay and wicker to take its place.

FIDDLE LEAF FIGS ARE OUT, OLIVE TREES ARE IN – The trend is certainly still leaning toward bringing the outside in. I  find the Fiddle Leaf Fig to be extremely popular and I happen to be a fan. Incorporating natural elements in your space is a designer must have. Just be sure to pick whatever reflects your style and fits the scale of your space. Those are the only rules.

I am struggling with this one! Fiddle Leaf Figs are EVERYWHERE. EVERY. WHERE. Cost, maintenance and lifespan are cited as the major factors for the decline in popularity.

How do you think we did on these predictions for 2017.

Which trends did you love or leave?

Any prediction for 2018?

Alternative Windows and Doors

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Today I want to discuss a newer wave of doors and windows that steer clear of the traditional looks and functionality we’ve seen in the past. Pivot, garage, and folding doors and windows have become hugely popular over the last 5 or so years and I believe the trend will continue to thrive. They not only offer your home design a unique, custom look, they allow for unobstructed views to the outdoors. Read about each option and see some of our favorite photos below.

PIVOT DOORS

Instead of hanging from hinges on a door frame as a traditional door would, pivot doors rotate on a set of pins mounted at the top and bottom of the door. Pivot doors appear to float in their frames and can provide a clean, modern and luxurious look for your space. These doors typically have a generous opening, much wider than the traditional doors you’re used to seeing.

GARAGE DOORS

Garage doors are no longer limited to protecting your vehicle. “Pull-up” doors as they are also called are a great way to create flexible spaces for socializing and letting the outdoors in! Whether acting as a retractable living space partition between rooms, as a window wall or exterior door alternative, garage doors are a unique feature and function to a home’s design.

FOLDING DOORS & WINDOWS

In traditional sliding door applications we are left with half of the door opening being blocked by a closed door. Folding, accordion-style doors allow for an almost completely open door frame. This type of door really allows the outside to become an extension of the home. They look especially beautifully when they span the entire length of a wall. Another great look is incorporating folding glass windows for a kitchen pass-through/walk-up bar!

What are your thoughts on these alternatives? Let me know in the comments!

Diresco Belgian Quartz

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Today we wanted to spotlight a company we are lucky enough to display in our Brentwood office kitchen! Diresco is one of the oldest and most well-known quartz manufacturers in the world and you can find it here locally at Stone Fabricators.

BIO-UV TECHNOLOGY

Diresco quartz is made of 93% natural quartz material and the remaining 7% consists of environmentally-friendly resin and pigment. Their new resin formulation is plant-based, making it healthier for your living environment and the world. The innovative BIO-UV technology also withstands damaging ultraviolet light from the sun, frost and corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor spaces!

ULTRA-THIN SLABS

Diresco is available in 3 sizes: 3cm, 2cm, and even 1.2 cm! The ultra-thin 1.2 cm size allows for so many application possibilities.

  • Counter-tops
    • The 1.2 cm thin style is all the rage for counter-tops in Europe. It will be interesting if the US will follow suit in the future.
  • Full Wall Backsplash
    • Provides a seamless look.
  • Floor Slabs
    • Allowing for extra-large format tiles.
  • Shower Walls
    • Fewer grout lines.
  • Stairs
  • Fireplace Surround

FINISHES

  •  Velvet
    • soft matte finish with a buttery, natural texture.
  • Polished
    • radiant and smooth.
  • Anticato
    • muted finish with subtle texture.

FAVORITES

1. Beach Medium Grey in Anticato | 2. Venato Delfino in Polished | 3. Belgian Blue in Velvet | 4. Benton Light in Velvet

Top: Beach Medium Grey in Anticato – I love the concrete look of this one!

Bottom Left: Venato Delfino in Polished – a light-medium gray with hints of white.

Bottom Center: Belgian Blue in Velvet – a dark charcoal color with beautiful blue tones.

Bottom Right: Benton Light in Velvet – My favorite! I love the large flecks of medium gray.

Our office kitchen got a makeover with another favorite color. We chose Belgian Buxy in the velvet finish. It looks so nice against our dark wood cabinetry and the texture is so velvety smooth.

 

Make sure to visit www.direscousa.com for more details on the products and to see their full line of colors. I’d love to hear your favorites!

Spotlight on Brentwood

/ Heather Helms / Leave a comment

While the exterior of our office at 2900 S. Brentwood Blvd is still under construction, the interior is finally starting to feel like home. In honor of our new location, today we turn our focus on a few of the amazing stores that we now share the 63144 zip code with.

  1. The White Rabbit

The White Rabbit is a mother-daughter owned boutique. The store offers unique gifts, home decor and accessories like old frames, whitewashed furniture, florals and sparkly chandeliers. They are animal lovers so don’t be surprised to see a furry family member when you visit.

Currently coveting:

 

THE WHITE RABBIT  |  9030 Manchester Road

 

2. The Refind Room

The Refind Room is an eclectic mix of vintage, modern, contemporary, mid-century furnishings. Each of their one-of-a-kind pieces is showcased in a designer inspired setting that is fresh, interesting and full of personality. If you love brands like Baker and Henredon or original mid-century art, you’ve found your home.

Currently coveting:

 

THE REFIND ROOM  |  2525 S. Brentwood Blvd

 

3. The Gifted Gardener

The Gifted Gardener is your entertaining HQ. They have gifts, decorative accessories, candles, pillows and more for every occasion and season. Garden accessories including statuary, urns, fountains, birdhouses, architectural remnants and more.

Currently coveting:

 

THE GIFTED GARDENER  |  8935 Manchester Road

 

4. K. Hall Designs

K. Hall Studio brings high quality and uniquely handcrafted home fragrance and personal care goods to the marketplace. This Midwest based company has expanded over recent years to include five brands and hundreds of products. Throughout its growth, K. Hall Studio has continuously maintained its core focus on producing the highest quality products with unique and appealing fragrance and timeless packaging.

Currently coveting:

 

K. HALL DESIGNS  |  8416 Manchester Road

 

Do you live or work in Brentwood? We would love to hear about your favorite places!

Mediterranean Tile

/ Heather Helms / Leave a comment

I was contacted by a local publication, St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles, to weigh in on their Classic vs. Craze section for an upcoming issue. The subject – “Mediterranean Tile in the Bathroom.” Do you see it as a timeless element or will it fade as quickly as it became a trend? For me it is definitely a “Classic”.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Mediterranean, or encaustic, tiles have been produced and used since the late 19th century throughout urbanized areas of the Mediterranean, using the same techniques invented by the Arabs over ten centuries ago. These tiles have truly stood the test of time. With today’s interiors trending towards white and grays I can certainly see why these tiles are making their way into our kitchens and baths.

Today’s Popularity

We are currently surrounded in white. White cabinets, white countertops, white shiplap, white trim….. Don’t get me wrong, I think that look is beautiful but not many of us live a lifestyle that affords us the time or energy to maintain that pristine look you saw on the cover of your favorite magazine. Using a tile with color and pattern make these spaces feel more inviting and livable. In kitchens and bathrooms in particular, we as designers are faced with the unique challenge of incorporating essentially all hard surfaces making the need for textural interest even more important.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Even a classic element can be a trend! If you are considering these tiles due to the current exposure they are receiving on your favorite TV show or magazine, you may want to sit this one out. It is also important when selecting your tile that you are sticking with the style and architecture of the space you are using it in. If you decide to embrace this timeless element the possibilities are endless and the impact is undeniable.brightly colored and patterned Mediterranean tile hand-painted Mediterranean tile

Have you used this type of tile in any of your spaces? We would love to see your photos!

Emily’s Kitchen Reveal!

/ St Louis Interior Design / 7 Comments

It’s been more than a year since I began my kitchen renovation and I’m finally ready to share the “AFTER” photos of the space. The renovation itself took a few months to complete. My husband, Justin, and I did most of the work ourselves in the evenings after our full-time jobs and on our free weekends. It’s taken me a while to get all of the finishing touches just right, but this space was well worth the wait. We are so happy with our new dream kitchen!

Let’s take a look back at where we started… The room was closed off, the soffits were a total eye-sore, and I felt like we weren’t using half of the kitchen.

Here’s a look at our wet bar area, located just off the living room, before the renovation. We never used the sink and needed upper storage for our glassware.

And now, our completed renovation:

Removing the wall between the kitchen and living room helped so much in opening the space and creating a better flow. I love how light and bright the room now feels. When we entertain, everyone gathers around the island (which has seating on both sides).

I really wanted to incorporate opening shelving somewhere in the kitchen. We ended up creating a “coffee bar” area next to the refrigerator with shallow base cabinets and warm wood shelving above. It’s the perfect place for our morning coffee routine and I love how the decorative shelves serve both form and function. We are able to quickly grab a coffee mug, grab a tea packet (in the blue ginger jar), and also display pretty artwork and accessories.

The former wet bar is now a dry bar. We have so much storage for all of our glassware in the upper cabinets. Below, we can store larger items like punch bowls and board games.

I also wanted to share photos of our living room which adjoins the kitchen. The two spaces really work well together.

Now for another look at before and after photos shot from similar angles.

BEFORE

I’m so glad that wall is now gone. It makes such a difference!

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Now for the wet bar turned dry bar!

BEFORE

AFTER

I hope you enjoyed the little walk-through of my new favorite place in my home! If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear them!

All after photos taken by the incredibly talented, Megan Lorenz.

www.meganlorenz.com

We’re Moving!

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IT’S OFFICIAL!

In just 5 short years Schaub+Srote has quickly outgrown our beloved office in Kirkwood. Though it is bittersweet to leave our Kirkwood home so soon, we are very excited to start a new chapter just a few miles down the road in Brentwood! We are thrilled to have ample room to continue to grow and provide our clients with exceptional customer service.

Our new address:

2900 S Brentwood Blvd.

Brentwood, MO 63144

Our new building will soon undergo an exterior renovation to look like the above rendering. We hope to be in the new building very soon!

__________

Our Kirkwood office is currently for sale. Check out the listing HERE.

1045 N Harrison

Kirkwood, MO 63122

__________

The Principles of Design – Unity & Harmony

/ Heather Helms / Leave a comment

Have you ever walked in a home where each room had its own color scheme or style? It can feel a bit overwhelming and disjointed. Many of my clients may not have a clear vision of what they want their space to look like they always tell me they want it to feel cohesive and inviting. With the direction in new construction over the last 10 years leaning towards large open spaces versus the separate, clearly defined rooms of the past, unity and harmony are move important than ever.

UNITY & HARMONY

Unity in design occurs when the elements in a space work together in such a way that the resulting look is balanced and harmonious. It is difficult to achieve unity without harmony.  Harmony is accomplished by the repetition of a particular design element, such as color, shape, texture, etc… that harmony is what creates the sense of unity. DIY’ers beware, too much unity in a room can lack personality and interest.

So what do unity & harmony look like in interior design?

bedroom with custom furnishings and drapery

Designed by Srote & Co

Using the same color in different intensities and items in a similar scale give this room a restful feel with visual interest.

Make sure to visit SroteCo.com to see how we incorporate unity and harmony everyday into our own projects.

Fine Fabrics

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Today I wanted to share some fabric designers I have been loving! Lots of block prints, pretty colors (perfect for Spring), and soft linens to peruse.

BROOK PERDIGON

Brook Perdigon Textiles is based in LA and was founded in 2015. The designer is actually a graduate of Wash U here in St. Louis! Each of her collections is hand-printed and rooted in art history.

See more of Brook Perdigon’s designs HERE.

IMOGEN HEATH

Imogen Heath is based in the UK. Her designs encompass both geometric and organic motifs and I love her use of color!

See more of Imogen Heath’s work HERE.

MARESCA TEXTILES

Maresca Textiles is run by designer, Kathryn Maresca. Her designs are inspired by a mixture of the Savannah, Georgia architecture around her and the history of the southern low-country – but always with a modern edge!

See more of Maresca Textile’s designs HERE.

LISA FINE TEXTILES

Lisa Fine Textiles are always colorful and chic! Her designs are hand-printed on eco-friendly fabrics and inspired by her worldly travels.

See more of Lisa Fine’s work HERE.

Do you have a favorite? It’s so hard to choose!

2017 Winter Markets

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Every January, buyers flock to the 3 big home markets: Atlanta, Dallas, and Vegas. While I didn’t attend this year I find that it’s always fun to look through Instagram hashtags and following along with Instagram stories! It really helps me get a sense of what’s to come, interiors-wise, in the year! I found many common themes and lots of beautiful eye candy!

 

BOLD COLOR

I saw a lot of rich jewel tones from Worlds Away.

This dark green paint color was one of our predictions for 2017! Check out our favorite dark green paint colors and accessories here!

 

LAYERED WHITES/NEUTRALS

Layering neutrals is one of my favorite looks. These spaces below are full of interest and prove that neutral doesn’t have to mean boring!

I love the legs on this Tritter Feefer dining table!

 

TONS OF TEXTURE

This ties in with the layered neutrals above and is the key to achieving the look. I saw a lot of textured pottery and special furniture pieces.

 

BLUSH

It seems like this shade is popping up everywhere in accessories and accent furniture!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPk_DrplcGL/

How cool is the faux bois patterned pillow?!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPpq01pDNlS/

 

BOTANICAL AND FLORAL MOTIFS

I love the detail and texture of this Palecek magnolia-inspired mirror.

 

BRIAN PATRICK FLYNN for CRYSTORAMA

Brian Patrick Flynn’s lighting line with Crystorama is so beautiful! He was kind enough to send me some professional images to share with you!

The Hulton – This collection has an industrial vibe and features a “cage within a cage” design. Available in 3 different sizes in a matte black finish.

The Alston – This collection features a heavy metal drum shade with a thick, rectangular chain! Available in 3 different sizes with matte black or matte white finishes. (The white option has a beautiful brass interior!)

The Hurley – This collection is a modern take on a classic lantern design. The frame is super thick and looks so luxurious in the polished nickel finish.

The Truax – This collection is available in a modern style (simple globe) and more traditional style (metal band). It’s available in various sizes, including a huge 30″x 38″ version!

 

Did any trends or pieces catch your eye? If you want to see more check out these accounts and hashtags on instagram: