Versatile, attractive, and energy-efficient, cellular shades (also known as honeycomb shades because the materials used to make them have a unique cell shape) are top of mind with many designers these days. Here, manufacturers are discussing what’s trending with this window treatment product.

The functionality and style of cellular shades make them a perfect solution for home and office

“The endless functional features and stylish appearance make honeycomb shades a perfect solution for both home and office,” says Jop Vos, managing director of Coulisse North and South America.

Honeycomb shades are made from one continuous piece of fabric, fold up along crisp pleats and provide the highest level of insulation because of their honeycomb-shaped cells.

New colors, materials, and technology have cellular shades trending right now

Add in new colors, fabrications, and control options and cellular shades become even more on-trend.

“The demand for woven cellular shades is growing,” notes Kara Roberts, merchandising director of Smith & Noble.

Roberts attributes the increased interest in cellular shades to several factors, including premium fade-resistant fabrics, the white backing that gives street-facing windows a cohesive appearance; the fashion-forward colors, the rich texture and sense of tactility because of the honeycomb cell construction, and the opportunity to secure flame-resistant fabrics and materials that are GREENGUARD certified.

Varying levels of light-filtering make them unique window treatment solutions

A specific cellular shade fabrication that is popular for home use is blackout which offers better sleep and more privacy. The ability of cellular shades to offer four different levels of opacity and varying levels of light-filtering is also what makes them unique.

With their versatility, Adam Skalman, vice president of sales at The Shade Store, says the various styles of honeycomb shades allow customers to easily customize them, which taps into the growing trend for the expression of personal styles and aesthetics.

And because cellular shades offer a variety of honeycomb cell sizes, they also can accommodate various window sizes and climate issues.

Cellular shades can provide significant energy savings

“Large windows tend to use larger cell sizes and double-cell styles are often used to maximize energy savings,” explains John Weinstock, executive vice president of marketing at Graber.

And, over time, the double-cell shades’ insulation offers savings on heating and cooling costs.

Motorization and cordless technology make these window treatments even more attractive

And, according to Skalman, another important trend that cellular shades is capitalizing on is motorization and automation. “There is a desire to be able to effortlessly control natural light,” he acknowledges.

Motorization is easy to implement and works effortlessly with honeycomb shades. And this emphasis on cordless technology is in line with the window covering industry’s goal of enhancing child and pet safety by continuing to eliminate lift cords.

“Improving (the industry’s) lift systems in order to offer larger sizes in cordless and motorization is a goal of ours,” says Roberts.

Cellular shades create calm, inviting spaces with control of natural light

And with the continual growth of the work-from-home trend, it is essential to create home office environments that are perfect for videoconferencing with conducive lighting and attractive backdrops.

“Calm, inviting spaces with great light control are key features of a home office, making cellular shades an ideal solution,” emphasizes Weinstock.

If cellular shades sound like a great solution for your spaces, let’s have a conversation

Cellular shades are such an attractive window treatment, and as indicated in this article, there have been many exciting updates in their fabrication. New colors, materials, and technology are making this a wonderful window treatment solution for just about any space.

If I can show you some examples and styles that I know will inspire you, please let me know. Just choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com, and you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

From single, lonely monstera leaves to luxurious compositions of roses and peonies – some are wondering how to decorate their home with flowers in a modern and stylish way? Let’s explore some favorite trends of floral design for 2022-2023.

The key themes of recent floral trends are seasonality, minimalism, practical solutions, calm and romantic palette. There are fewer and fewer bulky, lush bouquets in interiors. These days, florists are preferring monochrome and simplicity. Practical and durable compositions of dried flowers, grasses, and artificial plants have become favorites of interior designers lately. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what else is currently relevant in home floral design.

Warmth And Tenderness in Floral Design

Who doesn’t want to plunge into these warm, inviting colors? Modern florists are increasingly using shades of a warm, earthy palette: light coral, mustard, brown, peach, orange, dark pink, flesh. One of the most desired colors of 2022, according to the choice of the Pantone Institute, is Living Coral, their color of the year for 2019 – its warmth and vibrancy have lingered on.

Fresh peonies of this shade, together with orange berries and brown lisianthuses, look very gentle and cozy. Such bouquets bring an extra degree of warmth and comfort to the house. Visually, earthy shades add a bit of depth.

Guests From Fields And Gardens

The eco-trend has not spared floral design either. Small, modest bouquets with the inclusion of field and garden flowers are welcome: daisies, cornflowers, zinnias, asters, marigolds, etc. With the right approach, they can turn out to be chic compositions that are not inferior in aesthetics to proud roses and pampered orchids.

In a bouquet with expensive, varietal flowers, garden and field plants will remove unnecessary pathos and give the composition a zest, relying on the tenderness and beauty of the wild.

Beautiful Asymmetry

Floristry has lifted asymmetrical design from the world of catwalks, where models showed extravagant asymmetrical outfits. Now it is no longer necessary to carefully align the head of the bouquet: on one side, the stems may well protrude more than the others, or the color scheme may be brighter than on the other side. Such unusual compositions are quite ready to become an art object in interior decor.

The fashionable asymmetrical bouquet is well suited for modern styles: eclecticism, postmodernism, avant-garde, fusion, pop art, grunge, etc. Such compositions will definitely attract attention, so they can be placed on key areas in the interior.

Herbs in Floral Design? Of Course

From ordinary ears of corn to South American pampas – what kind of herbs are not used in bouquets these days? This makes the compositions appear lush and rich in texture. Many traders in the field of floristry note an increase in interest in herbs in 2022 and predict the further development of this trend in the next year.

In minimalist interiors, you’ll often find arrangements composed entirely of decorative herbs or even single leaves. They look stylish and unusual. Trending herbal plants for 2022-20: wild oats, palm trees, miscanthus, haretail, brunia, fern, ruscus, etc.

The popularity of the South American pampas is growing. Designers are utilizing pampas grass to create bold, voluminous compositions that are sometimes even suspended from the ceiling. The grass dries well and can last in this form for more than one year.

Refined Monochrome

It’s not about a bouquet of roses of the same color. The idea is about “analog” or related shades: for example, pink hydrangeas along with purple carnations, coral peonies, and fuchsia bush roses. And for freshness, you can add white flowers and greens.

There can be many options for such a mono-mix. Thanks, perhaps, to the smooth iridescence of one color, or adjacent shades and textures of others, eyes will always find something to delight in. The compositions are restrained and touching. With the help of an expanded monochrome floral palette, you can soften contrasting tones in an interior and make a smoother visual transition.

Oriental Zen

The culture of the East has been a source of inspiration to countless designers for decades and decades now. Japanese minimalism has firmly taken its place in contemporary interior design along with the sophisticated art of ikebana. Ornate and at the same time laconic combinations of colors and natural materials have a timeless, sophisticated appeal.

When exploring ikebana, you’ll also find bonsai – another echo of the culture of Ancient Japan. It is not genetic dwarfing but is the art of keeping a tree small enough to be container-grown while otherwise fostered to have a mature appearance. This style is loved by many modern designers and included in projects in minimalist, oriental, neoclassical, Scandinavian, and even industrial styles. Western florists have recognized the apricot mini-tree as a recent big favorite.

Practical Dried Flowers

A few years ago dried flowers occasionally supplemented fresh bouquets, but now mixes of dried flowers have become a fashionable interior decor treatment, which is likely to continue into 2023. You can probably imagine small and large bouquets with dried lavender, poppies, eucalyptus, oats, yarrow, ears of wheat, etc. providing visual aesthetics on windowsills, shelves, and coffee tables.

Despite the fragility and lack of aroma, dried flowers are more economical, do not require special care, and can delight the eye much longer than natural flowers. And if they are placed behind glass and hung on the wall, then their service life is practically unlimited. Some even add dried tropical fruits to the composition of dried flowers. In addition to classic vases, dried bouquets can be beautifully hung, covered with a glass bell, assembled in a wicker basket, mug, or wall panel.

Hot Tropics

Echoing the trend of tropical flora featured in decoration and decor items, floral design experts suggest including exotic plants in home interiors: all kinds of palm trees, orchids, frangipani, succulents, citrus fruits.

Orchids are increasingly being placed in clear plastic or glass containers to expose intricate root plexuses. Thanks to this, the plant looks more natural, and the container does not visually burden the interior (although the right vase or container can absolutely make a setting).

Silk Flowers

Today artificial flowers, like dried flowers, are not bad manners. Thanks to high technology and modern materials, latex and silicone plants are increasingly difficult to distinguish from real ones. International traders have noted this year an unprecedented demand for artificial flowers to decorate private homes, shop windows, and buildings. Aesthetics have become much more practical.

The Finishing Factor

And finally, let’s talk about containers for plants. Classic, minimalist glass and ceramic vases are still relevant. But there is growing interest in substantial containers made of concrete, brass, copper. A light touch of aging on vases is in fashion, which is achieved with the help of special patinas and other processes applied to the material.

Vases and containers with bold shapes and volumetric geometric patterns will fit perfectly into modern interiors. For Christmas, florists are predicting a boom for copper leaves and 1970s-style hexagonal vases.

I’m Always Here to Help with Fresh Floral Design Ideas

If you’d like to spruce up your interiors with some trending floral styling, I’m always available for a consultation to help you decide on the best arrangements, colors, and materials to enhance your home or business. There are so many options and always an abundance of solutions for any decor need.

If that sounds like a plan, let’s talk more about decorating your spaces with current floral design trends. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.

Here are some lovely interior color trends for 2022 – and how to use them in your home. You may have noticed, we’ve been moving towards a mindset of wellbeing lately. From calming neutrals countering the turbulence of the pandemic to cheerful and optimistic shades, this selection reflects that healing trend and incorporates aspects of wellbeing into the home.

Colors resonate in distinct ways for different people, and while some gravitate towards calming neutrals to counter the upheaval of the past couple of years, others choose to immerse themselves in positive, vivid colors, reaching for optimism. Frankly, I think all of it works to move things (us and all that is wrapped up in our lives) forward with a big smile to the future.

Dulux’s Bright Skies is a fresh and airy blue, Benjamin Moore chose a gentle shade of sage, while Farrow & Ball predicts a cheerful rainbow, from the spicy yellow Babouche No.223 to the lively Breakfast Room Green No.81. All of these make that healing statement of wellbeing for this 2022 year.

Here are some tips on how you can make the most of these 2022 interior color trends in your home.

1. Babouche – the sunny yellow

In 2022, we’ll relish brighter colors that herald a return to normality. The sunny and uncomplicated Babouche is perfect for embracing this – while bold, it never feels garish or overpowering.

Named after the distinctive color of the leather slippers worn by men in Morocco, this shade of yellow can be described as ‘subdued sunshine.’ Despite its bold hue, it’s not overly bright or overpowering, making it perfect for a larger room, where its cheerfulness will intensify. In terms of décor, opt for more minimalist companions, such as simple line drawings, or unobtrusive bright shades.

This buttery yellow can help to brighten a space with limited natural light, and when you consider the color wheel, this particular shade would sit well with a pale blue or a soft pink/red.

2. School House White – the updated neutral

A soft, off-white shade, School House White is designed to look like white in a shaded area. Muted, timeless, and comfortingly familiar, this shade evokes the nostalgia of old schoolhouses. Due to its grounded, unassuming hue, this shade would pair easily with virtually any other color. Ideal for a background on which to feature dramatic, largescale artworks, or even vibrant, statement rugs, it’s hard to go wrong with this particular shade of white.

This shade will also amplify the power of Babouche if you like the idea of combining multiple 2022 interior color trends.

3. Bright Skies – the hopeful blue

This airy and fresh shade breathes new life into any space. It will be a game-changer when people use this tone on their ceilings, with Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux, saying it makes the ceiling just ‘melt away.’ This hue is both uplifting and light, while simultaneously being soothing, familiar, and apt for a joyous safe haven. This selection by Dulux was influenced by the aftermath of the pandemic, with many of us craving freedom, expansion, and a return to nature.

This shade has the potential to be the new grey, in a turn towards color with less emphasis on neutrals.

4. Breakfast Room Green – the cheerful shade

The most cheerful of Farrow & Ball’s greens – named after the east-facing rooms designed for languid mornings spent eating breakfast in the dawn light. This soft shade reflects the natural world we’ve often retreated to during the pandemic.

These last two years, many of us spent much of our time reconnecting with our gardens and falling back in love with nature. This shade complements plants, whether art-depicted, or real, and would work well to promote a sense of wellbeing within the home. Pair this shade with Stone Blue for a visual effect that is captivatingly familiar. Due to its calming nature, opt for artwork that speaks to wellbeing.

5. Incarnadine – the comforting red

Rich, warm, and oh-so-comforting, is Incarnadine. This shade combines traditional red while beckoning the spirit of the leisurely Mediterranean. This shade would pair perfectly with warm woodwork and rustic gold touches. Alternatively, angle it towards an edgy twist by pairing it with a bright white shade.

Heighten the contemporary feel in this glossy shade by combining it with a monochromatic palette, or go for opulence with plenty of velvets, deep forest greens or inky blues, and classic antique furniture.

6. October Mist – the palest green

A soft grey-green, October Mist makes a great foundation color from which to build an earthy palette. Much like Breakfast Room Green, this shade encourages a reconnection with the great outdoors and is easy to introduce into your home.

October Mist does well in a farmhouse setting, combined with soft, nature-inspired tones – pale sky blues, a scorched earth red, or chalky whites. A particularly calming color combination puts October Mist with deeper fern greens.

7. Stone Blue – the vintage tone

An appreciation of vintage style shows no sign of faltering in 2022, with the timeless Stone Blue by Farrow & Ball sitting alongside Dulux’s Bright Skies as the most on-trend blue shades.

Named after the indigo pigment imported in lumps during the 18th century, this warm and timeless blue can be used alongside other warm hues to create an inviting, vintage look. Alternatively, decorate with a cooler tone for a cleaner, more contemporary feel. Bonus points if you pair this shade with other simple and familiar colors that communicate that sense of folk and craftsmanship that is present throughout this palette.

Some very nice colors here, breathing new life into interiors looking for a refresh. Not all of the paints are easily available in the US, but there are a lot of workarounds and parallels. I just wanted you to see some lovely color trends making waves now. And, of course, I’m here to help you pull it all together and find your best personal palette for 2022.

If these colors have inspired you, just give me a call anytime at (407) 743-2399 or message me in the window below this blog, and we can explore some lovely, colorful territory together. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also click this link to message me via my website.

I love fall decorating! But sometimes the transition from summer to fall can seem a bit sudden when it comes to home decor; however, planning a gradual transition is an easy way to make your home style come together. Instead of swapping all your decor at once, start by slowly bringing in fall accents towards the end of summertime (I know, here in Florida, it’s “fall-ish”). This gradual transformation will help you have a fully festive harvest home by the time the fall season arrives – I’d say, just pre-Halloween to post-Halloween. From simple decor swaps to lighting to comfy additions and more, here’s how to transition your home from summer to fall to get ready for the harvest season.

Put Your Summer Decor In Storage To Make Room For Fall Decor

The first step in transitioning your home from summer to fall is to gather all your summer decorations and items to put into storage. The idea is to start putting away anything that either has a summer theme or gives off a warm summer feeling. This can be a gradual task; you don’t necessarily need to put away everything at once. Start with individual rooms, and continue to place items in storage as the summer season ends. Decorations can be the first to go, followed by more practical summer items that you might still need until the very end of the season.

Summer Items To Place In Storage

• Decorations with summer themes and colors
• Faux plants and flowers
• Summer wardrobe and accessories
• Outdoor seating (this can stay outside until the weather starts to get cold)
• Summer scented candles
• Lightweight bedding, curtains, and blankets
• Summer pillows and seat cushions

Bring Comfort To Your Home With Warm Lighting & Fall Scents

The fall season is all about comfort and coziness within your own home. As you shift your home from summer to fall, it’s important to start bringing in that comfortable aesthetic to make for a seamless transition to the next season. Start adding some comfy cozy elements to each room of your home to get ready for the fall season.

There are so many ways to add warm and cozy elements to different areas of your home. Through lighting, scents, and more, you can easily make the seasonal shift feel natural and normal. Check out some ideas below for inspiration on how to create that cozy feeling in your home.

Cozy Fall Elements To Add To Your Home

• String lights & lanterns. Warm lighting is a great choice for your first fall addition to your home. Adding some string lights and lanterns to your home will give your space a cozy feeling without jumping too quickly into a fall theme.
• Fall scented candles. Bringing fall scents into your home is another great way to gradually transition into the harvest season. Add some fall candles to your home with warm scents such as pumpkin spice, cinnamon, apple cider, bonfire, sandalwood, clove, and more.
• Comfy fabrics. Adding comfortable fabrics throughout your home is another way to create a cozy fall environment. This can include faux fur blankets, large rugs, and plus towels.
• Wood materials. Using wood materials strategically throughout your home is a great way to continue the warm feelings in your space. It can be as simple as adding some wood accents and decorations, to adding a new warm wood side table to your living room, using a wooden planter to hold fall flowers, or adding a wood accent chair to your home. And, of course, so much more.

Add Some Subtle Fall Colors For An Easy Seasonal Transition

While summer color schemes are bright and bold, the fall season has more muted and warm colors. In order to make a smooth transition into the harvest season, you can gradually add fall colors to your home with the help of small accents and other items. This is a great way to make the transition less jarring and more natural.

How To Add Fall Colors To Your Home

There are many ways to bring fall colors into your home; however, you need to start in a more subtle way if you want that smooth transition. Find areas of your home where you can swap summer colors for fall ones, or areas that are lacking a solid color scheme. Here are some easy ideas for adding fall colors to your home in a small way towards the end of summer.

• Add a fall flower arrangement to your coffee table or dining table
• Hang up a fall wreath on your door
• Lay out a fall garland across your mantel
• Display orange and red candles throughout your home
• Hang up fall colored towels in the bathroom
• Use fall-colored string lights throughout your home

Swap Your Throw Pillows & Linens For A Fall Style

Another easy way to transition your home from summer to fall is to swap out your throw pillows and other linens. As mentioned before, fall time is all about the warm and cozy feeling in your home, and swapping out fabrics is a great way to accomplish that. This is an especially good idea if you currently have light and flowy summer fabrics throughout your home.

Make sure to swap these fabrics and linens for thicker and warmer items. Popular fall fabrics include wool, faux fur, and thick cotton. Take note of these elements to include them in your decor spread throughout your space. If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out some ideas below for what to swap.

Fabrics & Linens To Swap For Fall

• Throw pillows and blankets on the couch and bed
• Rugs in your bathroom and other areas of your home
• Window coverings and curtains
• Comforters and bedsheets
• Hand towels and bath towels

Add Pumpkins Gradually To Your Decor For A Smooth Transition

Fall time comes with many iconic symbols, so it’s only fitting to start decorating with those symbols. However, if you want a smooth transition from summer to fall, you have to start on a smaller scale. The best place to start is by slowly adding pumpkins to your decor spread to get a subtle fall appearance.

Pumpkin decorations can come in all shapes and forms. Start by adding a few ceramic pumpkins to your coffee table and entryway table. Then, as the fall season gets closer, you can slowly incorporate more pumpkins through the help of wall signs, patterned pillows, and other themed accents. Starting with just a few pumpkin items will help give off that subtle fall transition without overloading your space.

In addition to pumpkins, you can also slowly incorporate other fall symbols and patterns. This can include things such as plaid, fall foliage, apples, and any patterns with red and orange color schemes. Bring these patterns in with small decorative accents – this will help you notice the change but it won’t give your space a full harvest transformation at once.

Create Small Fall Decor Spreads Throughout Your Home

Another simple way to transition your home from summer to fall is to create small fall decor spreads throughout your home. Small setups throughout your home are a great way to bring the fall feeling to your space in a subtle and seamless way. Find areas of your space where you can create these displays without interrupting the style of the room.

A great place to start is with your mantel. The mantel display in your living room can instantly establish the theme of your space; adding a small fall spread will help you transition into the harvest season. For instance, you can add a small fall sentiment sign with a couple of decorative pumpkins or a grouping of gourds. This may look very simple, but you can always add extra fall accents to your mantel as the harvest season gets closer.

In addition to your mantel, you can also set up small fall decor spreads in other areas of your home. This can include areas like the entryway table, coffee table, kitchen island, bathroom shelf, or bookshelf. Find small open areas to create these displays or even find areas with summer decorations that can be swapped for fall accents. These small changes will add to your home transition in a big way.

I’m always available for consultations and design projects to help you bring fall into your home or business. There are so many beautiful choices to make any space gently transition to the fall and/or holiday season. Or if you do like a clean sweep, I can do it all in one visit. If this sounds appealing, let’s talk more about warming up your spaces with the colors and scents, and textures of the fall season. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, or click this “contact” link. You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com And you can always call me anytime at (407) 743-2399.