We’ve developed a great line-up with our thoughts on wallpaper, steampunk and pattern to start. That being said, we will take breaks from trends occasionally to talk about other time sensitive, world threatening issues, like master bedrooms for Valentine’s Day or outdoor spaces this spring. Things will get pretty spicy.

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “I don’t want to miss a single installment of this exciting series.”

Well, you don’t have to. Look for new post announcements on our Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin pages, and feel free to drop us a line. We can’t wait to hear your favorite trends and insightful musings.

Cheers!
Jill & Carmen

The fashion and furniture design industries have become so intertwined that it seems, at times, furniture mimics fashion. We see this especially in the color-blocking and animal print trends. Patterns that have always been prevalent on the runways of Paris and New York can now be seen in the latest interior design ideas. The trend has even gone so far as to include fashion designers along with interior/furniture designers. Even more recently, however, furniture has literally begun mimicking fashion design. From little black dresser drawers to a corset-ed chair, let’s take a look at just how furniture has been mimicking fashion.

Sarah Louise Dix (via)

Dix, a bespoke furniture designer got her inspiration from a corset of all places. It features a fully-boned Victorian style corset back and the fabric is a vintage damask with velvet ribbon…very Marie Antoinette.

Fredrik Farg (via)

It’s rare for men’s fashion to be re-inspired in furniture design, but this accent chair does it beautifully. Farg, who coined the term “slow fashion furniture” re-imagined the tailored black wool coat as a chair. The chair is actually made of a durable yet soft felt and looks cool, crisp and very masculine.

Interior Design Center via Sicis Next Art (via)

Painterly blues and purples, as well as subtle silken pleats remind one of the latest in Spring fashions.

Design Hey via Straight Line Designs (via)

What’s not to love about this cheeky take on the must-have item in every fashionable woman’s closet? The little black dress inspired this chest of drawers that’s meant to hang in your closet, preferably next to your other little black dress.

Daily Furniture Magazine (via)

A table, Stiletto, eponymously named for stilettos. This table can function as a desk, console table or dressing table and features a stacked heel and a red sole.

As you can see, quite a few furniture designers have taken their love and admiration for fashion to a very literal level. These pieces reflect classics pieces every man or woman should have in his/her closet and in doing so, are made classics themselves.

About the Author

Joanna is a writer focusing on interior design, home furnishings and art for Design Shuffle.com which is a fantastic inspiration website that showcases the work of top designers around the world. Her background includes over 15 years of work experience in the interior design industry paired with ten years of writing experience.

To make a guest’s room really special, we’ve found the key is in the details. That being said, you should start with a gorgeous room, not one that’s serving as a storage space for left over furnishings and boxes. We suggest you begin with fresh bedding; clean, fluffy towels and new, pretty soaps. At this point, we invite you to turn up the volume with:

• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Feminine products
• Shaving cream/razor
• Shower products
• Ibuprofen, Tums, Melatonin, etc.
• A plush robe and slippers

But to create a truly luxurious retreat, try these extras:

• Fragrant flowers
• Mouthwash
• A new toothbrush and toothpaste
• Candy and/or mints
• A small radio or stereo
• Snacks and/or bottled water
• A coffee pot and accessories complete with a small, laminated card on how to make the best cup in town
• A sewing kit
• Magazines
• A journal and beautiful pen
• A small selection of essential oils (Some of our favorites are rosemary, eucalyptus and lavender.)

• Assorted teas or hot chocolate
• A candle on a beautiful plate with matches
• A miniature tree or special soaps for the holidays

When it comes to decorating for the holidays, there are a lot of ways to raise the stakes. Go beyond trimming your tree with inventive takes on the classics. Bringing the outside in by using pinecones and greenery can give your home a classic look, while using unusual materials, like paper, in traditional decorations can give your space an interesting twist.

Small touches like twinkling lights or bowls of candy make guests feel right at home.

So turn up your favorite Christmas carol and treat yourself to sugar cookies and champagne. However, we should warn you. When your place looks this good, don’t be surprised if you never want to leave.

Every year, we learn a lot at market, but trust us, it’s completely earned. For five days, we spend our time scouring miles and miles of home furnishing offerings. In addition to some killer calves, we always come back with tips on what is hot in home interior design. We’re so excited to share our finds with you and won’t even make you walk a mile first. Here’s our top 16 trends:

1. Steampunk

2. Wallpaper is hot, hot, hot, and it is nothing like what you might find in your grandma’s home

3. Ikat fabric/patterns were everywhere. Houndstooth, zebras, chevron, fret, damasks, quatrefoils and burlaps are still in too.

4. Leather in lighting

5. Art deco

6. Small metal tables

7. Metal covered furniture

8. Unusual headboards

9. Bright yellows and oranges

10. American flags

11. Fun chairs with interesting backs

12. Large rug patterns

13. Tree inspirations (i.e. drift wood)

14. Little, red tables

15. Gold/gilt with older pieces and/or worn fabrics

16. Nailheads

If you’d like to read more about what our trips can be like, here’s a great article Jill wrote for KC Home Design a few years ago.

Tell me a little about your background as an interior designer:
I’ve had a passion for interior design for many years. As a child, I would spend time envisioning my dream room…and would draw out where the walls, windows and furniture should be… reworking it over and over until it was just right.  I would also rearrange the furniture in my bedroom at least once a month, each time revising the placement, so it was a little better than the time before.  While I was in high school, my parents began designing a new, custom home. The design/build process fascinated me. I found myself attending the weekly design meetings alongside my parents and the architect, putting my two cents in regarding the space planning and design.  In fact, the dream room I’d been perfecting over the years became a reality when they integrated my design (windows and all) into the plans. My interest in design continued in college where I studied Fine Arts at The University of Arizona and business and interior design at Kansas State University.

My first position out of school was working as a designer for Winntech, a local design/fabrication company.  As a designer there, I did custom designs for restaurants, retail displays, new products and exhibits.  In my first year there, I assumed the position of lead designer of both a new restaurant and a night club located in Topeka, Kansas. You could definitely say I was thrown into the fire. My successes at Winntech brought me several design awards and confirmed that I had the talent and passion to continue in the design field. 

Following my work there, I took a position with another design/fabrication shop (Dimensional Innovations) where I created custom lighting, signage and fixture design. After that, my next two positions, respectively, were as an Interior Designer and Senior Interior Designer at the architecture firms, Gould Evans and Populous (formerly HOK Sport Venue Event). In addition to working for these firms, I also provided interior design for restaurants and corporate offices on a contractual basis.

What kinds of interiors have you designed?
Over the years, I’ve designed a number of spaces, including some in each of the following industries: hospitality, retail, corporate, exhibit and sports. 

When presenting your portfolio, which projects are you the most proud of?
If I had to choose a project I enjoyed working on the most, it would have to be my position as Lead Interior Designer on the new Amway Arena, home of the Orlando Magic, while working for Populous. For the arena, I created bars, restaurants, retail and hospitality lounges, as well as suites, locker rooms and the team’s onsite training facilities, while working alongside some very talented architects. The end result was a $480 Million, 17,000+ seat, LEED Gold Certified arena, which opened to rave reviews in October of 2010. The project has since won design awards, and the design team continues to receive accolades from the mayor and the city of Orlando.

How would you describe your style?
Well, sometimes it’s imaginative and playful, but other times it’s sophisticated and elegant. Those who’ve been guests in my home would probably say it’s a combination of all four. Although I have have my own design taste, I strive to create spaces that are always the best representation of my clients’ preferences. 

Where do you find inspiration as an interior designer?
I find inspiration in a number of places. In our line of work, it’s important to keep our eyes open.  Innovation in one industry or arena can often translate into great design ideas for our installations. We don’t limit ourselves to what’s available in showrooms or what’s featured in magazines…there can be great inspiration in exotic locations or right in your own hometown. 

Any hobbies or interests?
I enjoy staying active. My hobbies include tennis, motorcycling, photography, boating and traveling. Below are some photos I took while on a recent trip to Colorado. 

We began collaborating a few months ago, but have been waiting to publicly announce our new firm, Tran + Thomas Design Studio, LLC, until we could get everything in line. Balancing the flood of design work and figuring out all the details have kept us on our toes over the last few months. As you can probably tell, we spent most of the time figuring out our company name.

Although we’ve been tackling more commercial projects lately, our firm is continuing to design residential spaces. We feel that by joining forces we’re able to offer our clients more versatility with our complementary styles. Basically, we like to think of ourselves as some sort of interior design super duo, who’s ready to conquer the world.

To keep up with other changes at the firm, learn about interior design trends or hear our random musings, please visit our Web site, Facebook page or start following us on Twitter.

With them shedding their antlers naturally, it is wonderful to find them for your home and make them as striking as when they crown a buck.

Some ideas?   See more of our thoughts below in the fabulous Kansas City Star’s House + Home section, written by Stacy Downs.

See more photos on facebook

Have you heard?  The secret is out!  Jill Tran Interior Design is now Tran+Thomas Design Studio.

Once again, Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction did a fantastic job with his crews at applying all of the finishes I chose.

"BEFORE" A small, dated and awkward layout of 2 closets and 2 bathrooms.

"BEFORE" A small, dated and awkward layout of 2 closets and 2 bathrooms.

I give you...Sexy.

The tiles I chose were so fun to design with.

Many people don’t understand what a designer does for a remodel or new construction.  For example, on this bath, I chose each tile’s style, color and size, where it was to go and how it is to be installed.  We chose the cabinets, size, color, finish.  We found the legs and had those installed.  The shower…what doors was it to have?  To the ceiling?  What faucets and shower heads?  Where in the shower?  What should we do on each wall?  What type of lighting should be enough and where should it go?  What type of tub, faucets, counter top, sink, their faucets?  Etc…

I love the wallpaper in the above shot.  It is glass beads on vinyl.  I had the wallpaper hanger split it in half length-wise and hang it horizontally for a unique look.  Under the cabinets, we has lighting installed as a “night light” for safer trips in the middle of the night.

Can you see the beading on the wallpaper and the subtle metallic flecks in the counter top?  Gorgeous, but not too much.

After a job well done: Myself with the contractor, Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction.

A briefing on the project by KCH&G magazine.

When people ask me what I do, it really is an easy answer;  ”I help people.  I help them to be happy!”   To get my clients to that point is a tremendous amount of work.  It is a delight to have all of those hours, weeks and months recognized by not only my clients every time we finish a space, but by such the wonderful and amazing staff at KC Magazine.

A big “Thank you!” too, to the article’s author, Kaitlin Motley.  I think you nailed it…even I couldn’t pin my style down!

EDWARD TANNER AWARDS – Lifetime Achievement In Interior Design

             Profile by Kaitlin Motley (as seen in KC Magazine, July 2011)

“If the Edward Tanner Award for Interior Design were to recognize achievement for a lifetime only as long as that of our Design Excellence Awards themselves, Jill Tran would still be an indisputable frontrunner.  A talent honored by the awards program all four years, Tran has established herself as a designer with a knack for transforming houses into homes.

Paying strict attention to her clients’ personalities, interests and sometimes hard-to-articulate desires, Tran has achieved what is perhaps the oxymoronic goal for every interior designer’s portfolio:  constant variety.  Armed with myriad influences and emotions suggested by her clients, Tran scours the world for unique pieces that bring everything together in nuanced harmony.  Often quirky painting or sculptures, the pieces add personality to a room and act as jumping-off point for conversation.

The anticipation of the activity and daily life that will take place in the finished rooms could be what inspires Tran to search far and wide for the eye-catching details that often punctuate her work.  She visualizes the way her clients and their guests will interact with a room to be sure no detail is overlooked.  Such was the case with this year’s winning design in the Children’s Room category (not pictured).  ”[A] custom upholstered bench was brought in to allow the little girl to climb into bed by herself like a big girl, without having to utilize a side stool for Mom nad Dad to trip over, ”  Tran says of the project.

If wedding multiple influences and personalities is the challenge for Tran, the other part of interior design seems to come naturally.  She has a trademark flair for layering interesting textures and fabrics and setting them off with bursts of color.  Tran adopts her clients’ visions and maintains their requests, but she leaves an inimitable signature behind.  In regard to Tran’s winning bathroom design (a collaboration with Lyon Design, LLC, above), DEA judge Kim Tucker notes:  ”I am in love with this vanity–and those silly, sexy legs.  The bathtub styling says:  Jill Tran.”

Tran has crafted her brand into design that is quintessentially both her own and her clients’, leaving a bit of legacy behind–just like this award’s namesake.”