2022 Design Trends...

Each year new design trends emerge with forecasted colors, materials, fixtures, accessories, etc. This year some of the new trends are continuing similar to last year. More than ever people are wanting to update their own spaces after having been hunkered down in them due to the Covid pandemic.

It makes perfect sense that this would occur as we are now using our homes not just as our sanctuary spaces, but as multi-purpose spaces for work, recreation and living. There is also the additional emphasis on wanting our environments clean and germ free providing us with safe spaces to enjoy our loved ones.

I want to thank Tile Liquidators Folsom for the use of the images of their beautiful tile! If you haven’t been to see them check out their great inventory! Image credit @tileliquidatorsfolsom

As a result, some of the colors we are seeing forecasted focus on a return to nature. Blues, greens, and earth tones are a major focus, and we can see that not only in the forecasted colors like SW Evergreen Fog, Sherwin Williams color for 2022, which is a green that looks great on cabinetry, and walls bringing the outside in.

We are also seeing this same type of influence in tiles. Wanting our bathrooms to feel like a spa or sanctuary space. Soft earth tones and blue-greens play perfectly into this balance of creating that relaxing soothing environment.

Marble tiles are classic and will always be in style. Photo credit @tileliquidatorsfolsom

Another trend that continues forward in tile is the earthy handmade feeling of terracotta tiles from mosaics to glazed tiles that really add a cozy feeling to both kitchen and bath spaces. Colored concrete tiles in varying shapes also have that same feeling.

These natural stone tiles look amazing with this pretty wood floor. Photo credit @tileliquidatorsfolsom

Additional trends are the textured tiles where the tiles almost have a 3-D quality about them and create a very interesting backsplash like a work of art.

When choosing tile, options, It is always best to consider the shapes that appeal to you and how they relate to one another in a larger pattern. For example, if you are someone that loves baskets you might like a herringbone pattern or a woven pattern. If you like modern design the textural tiles might be something you love. If you like quilting perhaps you would want to create a pattern of different color hex tiles into a design that is solely your own.

There are many mosaic tile patterns to choose from. These make great backsplashes in kitchen and even accent walls in bathroom spaces. Photo credit @tileliquidatorsfolsom

In addition to the pattern, you would want to consider both functionality and the other materials in the room. First functionality, selecting the appropriate type of tile or backsplash for an area is important. If it is a high-use area like a shower basin you would need something that is nonslip and durable. Considering the other materials, colors, and patterns in the space helps ensure that all of your material components as a whole will work together well and be visually pleasing.

This is where a designer can help. The designer can create drawings to help you visualize your room/space so you know how the room will look after the new tiles are installed. They can work with you to adjust selections creating a room that truly represents you and your style.

Photo credit @tileliquidatorsfolsom

Whatever you choose, always select things with your heart. Buying what you love never really goes out of style and in my opinion will always be on trend.

Take care,

Christina

A Sweet Shop Baby Shower

As a child, I can still remember going to my grandmother’s house for an occasional baby shower. It was always a fun event that I looked forward to. You always knew there would be some sort of sherbert punch, delicious cake, and games. Of course, you would get to see lots of sweet baby outfits and items too. This last month, I had the honor of planning and putting together a family baby shower for our soon-to-be newest member. The mom-to-be picked out our sweet shop theme from these darling invites which were created at zazzle.com. Check out invites here…

The main colors of the invites, white, pink, and gray, set our decor theme in motion, and I was also inspired by the invites chalkboard design and pattern. I created a Pinterest board where we began collecting ideas that we might like to incorporate into the shower. The must-haves a candy bar, some baby block centerpieces, and red velvet cake just to name a few.

Thinking about my favorite sweet shops, Lauduree came to mind. They have the cutest sweet carts at their store locations. I decided it would be fun to create a lemonade and punch cart from an antique tea cart. I found a sweet cart on Marketplace and transformed it by painting it white and creating the top section by using some stock spindles and extra wood pieces from Lowe’s. I ordered some pink and white fabric online and sewed an awning to top off the cart.

After completing the cart, I knew we needed to have an accent table for gifts, inspired by the invite, we built a giant chalkboard to complete our sweetshop theme. The chalkboard was created with some 1 x 3s, 4 x4s, and an 8’ x 4’ 1/4” piece of smooth MDF. We painted the MDF with chalkboard paint from Michael’s craft store. I sewed an awning that we stapled to the top to match our punch cart.

On the tables, we went with solid pink and gray rented table cloths accented by gray wicker chargers, white china, and linen napkins tied with pink and white swirled lollipops.

To thank guests for coming we purchased pink and white polka dot goodie bags and added chalkboard stickers written with thank you in white chalk pen. We also purchased these supplies at Michael’s craft store.

For the centerpieces, I purchased white paper-covered square boxes and taped off the edges with 1” painter’s tape. I painted the center of the boxes with chalkboard paint. After the paint dried, I used some letter stencils to fill in the letters with white chalk pens. On the day of the party, we added pink zinnia flowers inside the box. We blew up balloons wrapped in plastic attached to ribbon decorated sticks and put them in the center of each flower pot to look like suckers.

I had a lot of fun designing and creating this event. It was wonderful to gather our family together to celebrate. I think grandma would have approved my efforts.

Take care,

Christina