The Nature of Design

With what seems to be a never ending January in St. Louis I find myself desperate for sunshine on my skin, blooms on the trees and the chirping sounds of birds and crickets. As humans we have an innate connection to nature. We also spend, on average, 90% of our lives indoors with little to no connection to it. World populations are increasingly moving from rural to urban centers. With that comes more steel and concrete and less green spaces. So how do we fill the void while making a positive impact on our surroundings? That is where Biophilic Design comes in. It is the practice of incorporating nature in to our built environments and will continue to gain popularity as sustainability practices and urbanization trends build.

EFFECTS OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN

Research has shown that biophilic design reduces stress, promotes well-being, improves the ability to concentrate, boosts our creativity and expedites healing. Exhaustive research has been completed on the effects and applications of biophilic design. With all of the positive impacts it makes you wonder why more people aren’t embracing the principles in their own spaces. When you think about it more thought goes in to the habitats at our zoos than goes into creating our built environments.  For the purpose of this blog we are going to focus on a few ways to introduce the benefits of biophilic design in your home and office setting.

INCORPORATING BIOPHILIC DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Visual Connection to Naturea view of natural elements.group of potted indoor plants

Material Connection to Natureincorporating the use of materials and elements found in nature.natural fiber placemat

Presence of Water refers the ability to see, touch or hear the sound of water.indoor water feature

We would love to hear from you. Let us know how you are embracing nature in your space. Better yet, show us!

2017 Interior Trends Follow-Up

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?

The Principles of Design – Unity & Harmony

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.

A Well Lit Interior

Lighting is one of the most important considerations in your home. It sets the scene for experiences and emotional responses. When done incorrectly it can lead to eye-strain, fatigue, headaches and stress. When done correctly it can facilitate daily tasks, highlight architectural features in your home, expand spaces or create an intimate environment. There are 3 main types of lighting that should be considered in every environment – Ambient, Task and Accent. Lets break down these layers and show you some of our favorite examples of how to accomplish them in your home.

GENERALLY SPEAKING

Ambient Lighting is commonly referred to as general lighting. As the base layer of lighting it provides a blanket of overall illumination in a space, and is essential to any lighting plan. Its main function is to provide adequate lighting for visibility and safety to navigate throughout an area. In some cases it serves as the only light source, such as a laundry room or closet. Examples include recessed and track lighting, wall sconces and chandeliers.living room and breakfast room inteirors

THE TASK AT HAND

Task Lighting is a smaller, more concentrated light used to illuminate specific areas where a more intensive and directed light source is required. Island pendants, undercabinet lighting and a well placed desk lamp are the most common applications of task lighting. LED lighting on stairs

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVES

Accent Lighting is used to highlight a specific object. It evokes feelings of meaning, creates drama and conveys importance of the object it illuminates. Most commonly it washes light over artwork and sculptures, bookcase displays and highlights architectural features in a home.paneled library with accent lighting

Hopefully this will shed some light on one of the most commonly overlooked aspect of interiors. We would love to see how you have incorporated lighting in your own spaces. Feel free to share!

Trend Watch – Welcome To The Jungle

banana leaf printI don’t know about you but I am currently loving the resurgence of this tropical trend in decor and accessories. And its a good thing because I can’t open a magazine or my Instagram feed without being overwhelmed with designs or accessories embracing this element.

DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK

The banana leaf was made popular in the 1940’s when decorator Don Loper designed and installed over 5 1/2 miles of the now iconic, Martinique wallpaper, in the Coffee Room and the hallways at The Beverly Hills Hotel. At the same time Dorothy Draper was beginning a major renovation at The Greenbrier Hotel in West Virginia giving us the iconic Brazilliance wallpaper. Truly standing the test of time, the wallpapers remain in both hotels today.

FASHION & DECOR COLLIDE

While there used to be an almost 5 to 6 year lag from the runway to interior showrooms we now see an immediate correlation between the two. This is due mostly to the popularity of blogging, social media and communication between the creative minds in each respective field. Today you can find banana leaves on everything from iPhone cases to swimwear.

What are your thoughts on this tropical inspired trend? We would love to see how you are embracing this in your everyday life!

Decorating with the 5 Elements of Feng Shui

Life is all about balance. From the foods we eat to our work and personal lives we are constantly searching for that perfect balance. We are spending more time than ever indoors – roughly 90%. Because of this our environments and the effects they have on us are more important than ever. As a designer, I intuitively work with the 5 elements of feng shui when pairing textiles, colors, shapes, textures and furnishings, on a daily basis. Here is a brief introduction to the elements and how you can incorporate them into your environments to create a sense of harmony and balance.

EARTH ELEMENT – REPRESENTS STABILITY AND NOURISHMENT

stacks of clay pots on an outdoor tableIncorporating the earth element into your space is said to bring about peace, stability and protection to you and your relationships. Decorating with square shapes and layering tones of beige, sandy and pale yellow tones are a simple way to introduce the earth element. Terracotta pots and stone sculptures also add a nice touch.

METAL ELEMENT – REPRESENTS PURITY AND PRECISION

metal multi-light pendant fixtureAn energetic metal element helps facilitate focus, precision and a strong sense of clarity. Metal is the easiest element to introduce regardless of your particular design style. Picture frames, decorative metal accents, round shapes and the use of metallics, grays and whites are expressive of this element.

WATER ELEMENT – REPRESENTS EASE, ABUNDANCE AND INNER WORK

water element representing balanceThe water element creates a positive sense of calm, purity and relaxation to any space. Mirrors are the most common expression of water in decor. Accessories and textiles with shades of blue and black will also bring this element in to your space.

WOOD ELEMENT – REPRESENTS GROWTH, EXPANSION AND VITALITY

wood cutting board on wood backgroundWood is considered to be a healing element that brings about vibrancy in health & growth and decisiveness in action. Consider floating wood shelves, branches mixed in with your florals or adding a houseplant. Rectangular shapes and decorating with greens and browns will also give this element presence.

FIRE ELEMENT – REPRESENTS HIGH ENERGY AND PASSION

candles and string lights in a windowThe fire element, when balanced correctly, will bring activity and energy to your life and your career. Fire is best used in moderation. Misuse of this element will cause over stimulation and a sense of anxiety. Fireplaces and candles are the obvious way to introduce the fire element. Triangle shaped decor and well placed accents in bold reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and purples are also indicative of fire.