Tangerine Tango

Doesn’t tangerine tango sound delicious and enticing? This is the official name of the color we see in everything, from the latest fashions on the runway to outdoor furniture. Pantone, the color trend expert, has declared tangerine THE color for 2012.

Orange is known as the color of creativity, wellness and passion. Sunny shades of orange have been seeping into your surroundings, bringing a sense of action and enthusiasm. It is easy to live with this invigorating color as it harmonizes with everything from shades of gray, green, blue, turquoise and the 2011 color of the year, Honeysuckle Pink.

A fresh start to updating a room is by intruding one upholstered piece in this warm hue. Go for a bold look in your design plan with larger piece of furniture, such as you sofa, in tangerine.  Orange is the color of happiness and celebration so consider painting your dining room walls a shade of citrus. Accessories in tangerine will enliven your home if you are looking for a touch of this shade. One spicy orange lamp or a mix of decorative pillows may be just enough for your taste. A richly lacquered credenza in your entry offers a cheery greeting.

Don’t forget your garden as an option to bring this sunny color to you world. A bed of orange flowers mice with hot pink or purple will decorate your outdoors with a flourish.

The exotic addition of orange in your him delivers a welcome sense of fun and freedom.

Annie O’Carroll in Spring 2012 Issue of Su Casa Magazine

Making Trends Timeless

There is a wide range of influence when it comes to the elements of interior design. Influence is found in nature, fashion, travel, furnishings, architecture, food…it is everywhere. Every now and then a “trend” catches on and can last for years; some trends ultimately will become classic. The modern movement is one such example and is back with a vengeance…truly a classic style. The challenge is to embrace the trend with all its unique elements. The ultimate goal is to execute the trend so the outcome has the same relevance today as it did when it was first realized.

One example is the “Tuscan” trend: at its worst, it used kitschy elements and faux materials, imitating the real thing. If you choose carefully and select particular elements of a certain style or trend, the interiors will become timeless. At the core of a trend we find pure beauty, with well-chosen finishes we add authenticity—this is the essence we want to capture. When we look closely at the interior design elements that came along with the “Tuscan” trend, we identify certain elements that are as timely today as they were in the 90s. These elements include texture achieved with plaster walls, stone floors, or wide wood plank flooring.

Warm color palettes of yellow, terracotta, green and red complement these elements. If you are wondering if this color palette holds up to the test of time, look no further than the “heritage collection” in the Pantone color predictions for 2012. Depending on how these colors and textures are used, they can take you from modern to traditional design. Exposed wood beams and aged stonework are as timely today as they were 100 years ago. When these core elements are incorporated, the interior design will become timeless. Furnishings can easily transition while the backdrop remains timeless.

Incorporating Architectural Elements

It’s about the mix…incorporating architectural elements into your home. It’s very popular right now to talk about the mix. The mix relates to high and low, using reflective surfaces with matte finishes, honed versus polished services, using metals and recycled woods in the same piece of furniture, or combined as in a bathroom. Whether it’s how we dress or how we use design elements, the mix truly creates a distinctive look, which is a reflection of you.

One way to create a personal impact in your home is to incorporate an architectural element. Always choose something that speaks to you. An iron grill can sink into an exterior wall, creating a window. Columns or pottery can be made into lamps. Think about displaying your favorite sculpture or folk art piece in a wall nicho. Use a wood or stone remnant as a fireplace mantel.

The uses for one-of-a-kind doors are endless: When used at the entry, a door provides a design element that will make a statement every time you drive up to your home. I love to use antique doors at the entry to a master suite or, for that matter, at the entry to any special room. Doors can also be made into console tables, coffee tables, headboards or a beautiful dining table top (which work well with a contemporary iron base).

Next time you’re out and spot something unusual, think about its possibilities.