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TRENDS TRACKING

Dream Interiors
Interiors by Decorating Den's annual Dream Room Contest showcases the latest design ideas and winning decors of its decorators.

by Kathleen Stoehr

While the snow still lingered on the ground, Interiors by Decorating Den, Montgomery Village, MD, hosted its annual Dream Room Contest at the Rihga Royal in New York City. Here’s a look at trends spotted, and some of this years’ winners.

IN THE BEDROOM
Tailored top treatments, metallics, shades of green and mauve, black and white were the most popular with homeowners in this years’ competition.

Designers Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward Woods, Stone Mountain, GA, first place winners in the Bedroom Category (above), also latched onto the trend for tailored bedrooms and perfectly captured serenity, mixed with elegance. Black and white cornices (fabric by Carole Fabrics) blend well with toile side panels and matching bedspread (fabric by Waverly), along with eye-catching pops of red and Oriental accessories.

Crisp canopies suggest tailored sophistication, lush floral fabrics in shades of mauve, beige and green offer a cozy getaway from the tasks of the day. In this bedroom installation (above), designer Linda Granville, Gaithersburg, MD, a second place bedroom category winner, used fabrics from Lafayette and fringe from Brimar to create a luxurious retreat.

COOKING IN THE KITCHEN
While many designers with less sense of style will overdress kitchens, combining loud wall covering patterns with big, dated fabric prints, a cacophony of horizontal and vertical stripes, florals and checks, winners of this years’ contest found that stylish minimalism was the key to a win.

Joanne Watson, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, took first place in the Kitchen Category (below) with her stripped down, urban style for her work hard/play hard (former) bachelor client. After this “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”-style makeover in his kitchen, he’s a bachelor no more! While warm, neutral paint tied the scheme together, the separate parts, including watery blue tile backsplash, maple cabinets and chrome and glass accents make this kitchen the place to be.

FAMILY FEUD
Will faded, muted rust tones, red, browns, greens and ochres always be at war with any other possible color scheme in this well-used room in the home? Probably. And it looks like it was a one-two punch with our homeowner favorites once again. Warmth is the key to winning a client’s heart when it comes to decorating one of the most favorite rooms in any home.

Not only is designer Oldsmar, FL’s Sally Giar’s installation warm, but it was also one of the least expensive transformations in the competition. Using just $1,360, she altered this family room immeasurably, earning third place kudos in the Family Room category (above). Using Fabricut’s Sambuca and Coin fabrics, she created simple but unique drapery panels and Roman shades. She rearranged existing furniture around a colorful Turkish rug and tied the whole idea together with beaded accent pillows and unique pottery.

DIGESTING THE DINING ROOM
There is a theory that dining rooms need to be an area of serenity in order for the vibrancy of food color and flavor to take the upper hand. And so, warm woods, beige tones, rusts and subdued greens are typical for this area.

More metallic tones, especially gold, were also seen. It is true that gold, especially in jewelry, is on an upswing, so it follows that we will be seeing more of it in homes, too.

Designer Doni Kanka, McLean, VA, used beautiful tone-on-tone fabrics and upholstery from Fabricut, and wall coverings from Seabrook to create a luscious look. Drapery hardware from Paris Texas Hardware—rods, brackets, finials and rings—made a statement at the window (below left).

LOVING THE LIVING ROOM
Tonya Comer, Laurel, MD, must love this living room. After all, her design was judged to be the top of the heap, winning her the coveted Decorator of the Year award for 2004 (below).

Shunning pinch pleats, beige, rust and tradition, Comer responded to her client’s wishes by creating a mix of organic elements and materials such as botanicals, equines, dragonflies, wood, metal and glass magnified by the introduction of geometric elements—something found frequently in nature. Tossing in a rich color palette including raspberry red, sunny yellow and grass green, Comer created a dramatic yet elegant look she termed, “Country Chic.”

The client was thrilled—the rectangular shape of the room was de-emphasized by her tasteful, unique design and the wonderful nine-and-a-half foot ceilings were emphasized by placing draperies at ceiling level. With hardware from Paris Texas Hardware, fabrics from such esteemed companies as Kravet and Fabricut and trimmings from Kasmir, all elements came together for a winning combination.

Interiors by Decorating Den is headquartered in Montgomery Village, MD; (800) DEC-DENS; www.decoratingden.com. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.