Trend: Pink, Pulp & Grainy

It’s not everyday you see pink fused with wood grain. The combination’s unnatural and unexpected, particularly now, as rustic trends barrel through home and retail decor. Interestingly though, the texture makes for a beautiful combination- one that looks very french to us.

The top left image by Barnaby Furnas was featured in last week’s New Yorker. The painting, entitled, Browns Raider (Dangerfield Newby), is indicative of Furnas’ violent home-spun style of fusing sensational media with subversive cartoons.

Using humor and type to direct his layouts, Ben Skinner’s works are often hung in retail windows. This particular piece was chosen by The Jealous Curator for her first show at the Honfleur Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Rounding out this category with a beautiful and subtle geometric print, we have Yto Barrada‘s photograph entitled, Family Tree. this print reminds us how interpretation and execution is done on a luxury level.

March 8, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Monocromatic Parts

When you follow retail design, it’s hard not to love small things in mass. Today’s feature covers the monochromatic side of commercial clutter. Using texture and shape to create depth, each of these installations keeps the eye roving.

This black sculpture by Louise Nevelson is part of the permanent collection at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. Each shadow box tells a story, inviting the viewer to get lost behind each shape. Using molding to fill their most recent window display in Chelsea Market, Anthropologie has created a white linear collage.

Simulating ropes using ceramic, the refurbished Westfield Shopping Center in Sydney, Australia tricks the eye with it’s fantastically intricate exterior.

March 2, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Dirty Etchings

As spring merchandise starts trickling in, it’s evident brands have been experimenting with etching styles and restricted palettes. Veering away from Ed Hardy’s infamous tattoo style, fashion labels with ranging customer bases are channeling new inspirations. From the mom-friendly label, Chicos to Louis Vuitton’s most recent collaboration with tattoo wunderkind Scott Campbell, blue, black and gray are reining strong.

Replicating a mood similar to “dirty finger nails,” these styles are raw, imperfect and full of texture. The bottom picture was taken at Spacecraft, an Australian homegoods store on my most recent scouting trip to Melbourne. The design’s been printed directly onto the cement floor, emulating the worn and tattered look of an old ethnic rug.

February 22, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Tribal Textures

What can we say about tribal that hasn’t been said before? Not much, and to be honest, that’s the beauty of today’s post. Tribal patterns transcend time and reemerge every season on new cuts, fabrics and applications. This category has become a reliable staple in home, fashion, web and graphic design. Keeping within a monotone palette, these plates from the recent gift show don’t overwhelm the eye with their textures and are easily translatable onto pillows or bedding.

Showing similar styles, Ken Carbone, a branding and identity expert recently shared his personal pistachio project with Canon. “For a couple of years I’ve been recycling the shells to create hundreds of tiny primitive looking paintings. The combination of the raw, wood-like shell and burnt umber paint results in an oddly tribal effect. I enjoy the ‘variations on a theme’ drill. It’s good for the mental muscles and is similar to the process I might use when designing a logo.”

For those of you headed to Austin next month, consider stopping by Uncommon Objects on S. Congress Ave. A personal favorite, the entire story is like a living breathing mood board. Inspiration lies in every corner and it’ll be a welcome retreat from the daily grind.

February 8, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Evening Projections

After returning from the Alt Design Summit, it was fairly evident that incorporating ‘surprising’ touches into your party planning is a very big deal. I’m no stranger to this concept, as I’m often hired to design content for branded activities, however the DIY spirit was in full effect, reminding me to keep a few things off the adobe punch list.

Using digital technology, projections and a starry night theme, all of the imagery above overlaps in one way or another. Casting gem-like projections on back-lit silhouettes, this party, from the pages of Elle Decor proves that subtlety can be elegant and luxurious. Keeping with the color scheme of blue and white, Sofitel, the luxury hotel chain evokes a Peter Pan-like mood with floating pillows. Applying this concept to an enormous symphony hall ceiling, Departures Magazine shares a the stunning results of a concert fueled video projection.

February 1, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Blue Nostalgic Ladders

Advertisers and marketers are always trying to pull at our nostalgia strings as it’s been proven that the most successful campaigns nearly always bring us back to childhood. This Oreo ad entitled, Milk’s Favorite Cookie, is an delightful attempt at just that, as is this Slide Heel by Israeli footwear designer, Kobi Levi.

January 26, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik