There is nothing wrong with neutral palettes, simple décor, and comfortable pieces. Tastefully done, they can fill your home with an easygoing vibe. But there is a brilliant upside to integrating bold and daring design choices. And that is, of course, creating space that is uniquely and unapologetically you. You transform a house you happen to occupy into one in which you live.
ACo Designer’s Bold Takes and Daring Design ChoicesTruth or dare? We’re giving you both with these audacious design choices.
Textured WallpaperMy, what… interesting wallpaper you have, Grandma.
If wallpaper takes you back to loud florals, jarring geometrics, frenetic patterns, and terrible toile, you are not alone. Used in homes for centuries, wallpaper fell from grace in the 1990s, the word “outdated” stubbornly clinging. But the history of wallpaper is rich with innovation and evolution, and it has once again – with charm and character, texture and technology – rebranded itself as a bold design element for sophisticated spaces.
Textured wallpaper adds dimension and depth, transforming rooms with a tactile touch that only wallpaper can achieve. Phillip Jeffries is one of the innovators elevating this material to new heights. They offer a wide spectrum of options, from grasscloths, linens, wood veneers, and raffias to silks, sateens, and speciality wallcoverings with
embroidery, metallic leaf, and unique reliefs. Wallpaper becomes an integral component of the design, and one that does a great deal of heavy lifting in terms of aesthetics and elegance!
Patterned, Printed, and Textured Tile Tile is an undisputed design powerhouse. At its core, it could not be simpler. Marble, granite, slate, ceramic, porcelain… Leveraging the beauty, strength, and unique characteristics of the material, we can completely transform our spaces. But tile is another field that is continually evolving. The options are more varied, more diverse, and more versatile than ever.To bring our clients’ visions to life, we often turn to one of our premier vendors, Daltile. And when we want to bring innovation and inspiration into our processes, we look to the same source.
When it comes to tile, Daltile is a visionary leader, as evidenced by their STARE collection, featuring several exciting options. Apotheosis, for example, boasts a textured fabric look in gloss or flat finishes – and it works on floors and walls. Eclettica is a ceramic tile that celebrates in full, vibrant color and fresh patterns. Large format (48x48) sizes, 3D structuring, and bright mosaics make this a showstopping choice. Electric electrifies with stunning metallics, while handcrafted ceramic Fyre dazzles with bold colors, multi-dimension styles, and a clean glossy finish.
Gunmetal/Polished Onyx Finishes It’s the small touches and details that truly make a house a home. No one knows this better than our designers – who also know that an unexpected choice when it comes to hardware, lighting, and/or plumbing fixtures can yield stunning results. Daring Gunmetal and polished onyx finishes, having survived a season or two as “hot trends,” have proven their worth as a design heavy hitter.
Brizo’s Brilliance Black Onyx is a great example of how sophisticated, and versatile, these darker finishes can be.The rich, luxurious shades contrast with gleamingreflections to add incredible depth to a space. With finishes this striking, a little goes a long way. It’s not a case of having every light fixture, faucet, and drawer pull match or eschewing all other metal finishes. Instead, strategic use of striking gunmetal and/or polished onyx, allows these elements to shine, create beautiful contrast, and contribute to a cohesive scheme of color, texture, and personality.
Color Drenching and Deep, Rich Color Palettes Color drenching is not a “trend,” per se; it’s a technique – one that Architectural Digest calls a “monochromatic fantasy…a full-on, single-hue explosion across all surfaces in a room.” Walls, ceilings, molding, and even textiles, window treatments, accessories, and lighting are all the same color. But that does not mean color-drenched spaces are one-tone, monotonous monstrosities. By using different shades of that one color, integrating both matte and gloss finishes, and calling on different textures (wood, plaster, stone, woven materials, etc.), you can create an exceptionally refined, and intriguing effect.
This technique works beautifully in bedrooms, libraries/dens, powder rooms, and other spaces that are rooms onto themselves (i.e. not ideal for a large, open floor plan but perfect for a cozy reading room).
There is no better way to do bold and daring than to utilize color. We love deep, rich palettes that exude sumptuous luxury and elevate the look and feel of any space. Combining this with color drenching is a natural progression. Depending on the room, we look to opulent green, dark blue, maroon, burgundy, gray, and even black.
Do You Dare?The truth about bold and daring design choices is that you don’t recklessly or impulsively select items or elements. You don’t put on a blindfold and click “Buy Now.” You don’t turn your back completely on the neutrals, or the solids, or the safe choices.
What you do is trust. ACo designers leverage their experience, expertise, passion for continual learning, and relationship with you to guide you through your options. It may start by introducing you to a wallpaper, a tile, or a color you wouldn’t have considered. Or by asking, “What if…?” It definitely starts by connecting with our team.
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