The Orange County Register, March 31st, 2007
Somewhere beyond the sea, there’s a lot of inspiration for spring. Shades such as aqua and motifs such as coral paired with sleek, contemporary furnishings were among the top trends at the Spring Market at Laguna Design Center showrooms Tuesday. Nature, it appears, is a key influence.
That was the case for the keynote speaker, London-based fashion and interior designer Allegra Hicks, who debuted her new line of print fabrics at Kravet/Lee Jofa.
The line blends organic shapes and geometric patterns in pleasing color combinations such as aqua and taupe and coral and beige.
The colors and patterns from her new line were chosen specifically to complement the California lifestyle, Hicks says. “There is more use of color on the West Coast than the East,” she says. “The warm weather and light allows you to use brighter colors than in colder climates, where colors tend to be very somber.”
The new Headlands Collection of indoor/outdoor fabrics by McGuire, which premiered at Baker Knapp & Tubbs, also looked to nature for its hues, with names such as lagoon, cove, moss, desert, sunset and summergrass. The fade-resistant fabrics in textured solid, woven stripe, check, ottoman weave and lush chenille are made to be used indoors or out.
Wearing a bright yellow and green suit, New York-based designer Jamie Drake presented his new line of fabrics at Schumacher & Co. in colors he describes as “bright pastels.”
Hues such as acid green, orchid and pink appear in combinations that are “fresh and bright,” Drake says.
Bold geometric patterns in brown/white and black/white combinations made appearances in both fabrics and carpeting. The pattern Ellipse, from Stark Carpet’s new Sherrill Canet Collection, uses a repeating oval design in combinations of oatmeal and white or black and white for a more sophisticated look than those remembered from the days of “Mod Squad.”
Soft contemporary and transitional-style furnishings with a hint of Asian design took center stage at many showrooms. The Laura Kirar Collection for Baker, which debuted at Baker Knapp & Tubbs, uses forms and materials that are elegant in their simplicity. An Asian influence comes through in pieces such as Kirar’s Teabox Lacquer Cabinet and accessories such as the ceramic Sakka vase.
And a classic design element is making a strong comeback.
“After six or seven years of nothing but faux walls, we’re seeing a return of wallcoverings,” says designer Marianne Kreter, past president of the American Society of Interior Designers’ Orange County chapter.
Witford’s new line of wall coverings from the Palm Springs-based Wallteriors uses unconventional 30-foot textured sheets, which can be cut into blocks to mimic stone, which makes it great for fireplace surrounds, kitchens and baths.
Unlike traditional wallpapers, these textured sheets can hide uneven surfaces and blemishes left from years of hanging pictures on the wall.
To view a video of these new wall coverings, go to www.ocregister.com/homegarden.
natural hues: Fabric swatches, from top, are Pearl, Vessel and Zebrano. All are in beige/aqua from the Allegra Hicks Collection of Lee Jofa.
ASIAN-INSPIRED: Transitional designs highlight the Laura Kirar Collection for Baker. The collection’s Teabox Lacquer Cabinet, shown in a chalk finish, is available at Baker Knapp & Tubbs.
REPEATING PATTERN: The Chase Lamp by Kravet Lighting, shown in acrylic and nickel with a linen shade, illustrates a trend toward geometric designs.
GEOMETRICS IN VOGUE: Wool carpeting is shown in the Ellipse pattern in black and white from the Sherrill Canet Collection at Stark Carpet.
DESIGNER STYLING: The Thar arm chair by London-based designer Allegra Hicks favors classic styling with a contemporary twist.
