Best Events for Interior Designers in 2017

If you’re in the interior design industry, you want to meet others in your field and be up on the latest designs. Luckily, there are number of great events where you can do just that.  Whether you’re focused on vintage or custom bar designs in Clearwater, these events have something for you.  Here are some of the best upcoming interior design events.

From Architecture to Custom Bar Designs in Clearwater:  The Best Interior Design Events in 2017

Neo Con

This event has been rated number one by multiple publications and is well known as being one of the best interior design events around. With a concentration on commercial design, this event features everything from lighting to furniture for your interior design needs.  Boasting a history of up to 50,000 attendees and more than 700 exhibitors, this is your big time interior design event. In 2017, the event will be held June 12th 2 14th in Chicago.

HDExpo

This Expo focuses on the hospitality industry, and brings together interior designers, commercial project managers, and architects. They have a number of interesting sessions and topics that influence and educate the hospitality design world and architectural industry.  In 2017, the conference will take place in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas May 3rd through 5th.

High Point Spring Market

The High Point Market is the largest furnishings trade show in the world! This show takes place every six months.  The industry market show brings in tens of thousands of designers from all over the world to Highpoint, North Carolina.  The Spring show in 2017 will take place April 22nd.

West Palm Beach Antiques Festival

Looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to add to your latest design?  Aiming for an eclectic atmosphere and the opportunity to mix the old with the new?  The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival brings a huge number of antique dealers to one area for a designer’s dream event.  In 2017, this festival will take place February third through fifth, at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Design Bloggers Conference

You’ve got to love design bloggers!  Constantly giving us inspiration and new ideas.  So, where do they keep coming up with these insights?  At the Design Bloggers Conference, of course!  This is the only conference which focuses specifically on interior design bloggers.  This year’s event is being held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, March 5-7, 2017.

Your Home

All of these events have you dreaming of grand designs?  Create your own event with Downing Designs.  The entire process when you order a custom handcrafted design is an event in itself!  You’ll have complete collaboration throughout the design process, and can even come to see the piece being made!  Help create artistic but necessary elements for your home, from custom bar designs in Clearwater to kitchen counters.

Sources:

http://www.wpbaf.com/

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White Glass is the Medium of Choice in Home Design

In modern home design, white glass is the medium of choice. Home designers love using white glass for a number of reasons, including white glass sink countertops in Miami.

White Glass Sink Countertops in Miami and Other White Glass Design Uses

Walls

White glass wall tile is a popular choice and has been flying off the wholesale shelves since the release of the movie Something’s Gotta Give. The primarily white kitchen in the movie featured a white glass tile wall that had everyone inspired.  From restaurants to homes, this clean, crisp and unique look has made its presence known everywhere.

Kitchen Counters

White glass is ideal for kitchen countertops. It looks light and bright, and is easily cleaned because of its smooth service. It is also cool to the touch. This means that countertop stove burners don’t leave the counters hot when you touch them. It’s also been a primary choice for outdoor kitchens since it doesn’t absorb the sun and there are no burns when you place your hand on the cool white glass.

Bathroom Counters

What better way to make your bathroom look pristine and spacious than a glossy white countertop?  This look is perfect for any bathroom and can be an complementary asset or a main focal point in the room.  White glass is also known to be very hygienic, making it perfect for your powder room and for white glass sink countertops.

Accessories

Artists have been using white glass in recent years for home accessories. The preferred method and medium is white milk glass. White milk glass is a material commonly found in vintage vases.  Today’s style mixes the old with the new, and vintage accessories are essential to any well-designed home. Original vintage white milk glass vases are all over the web, and artists of modern day use this medium to create new variations of the classic style. Most specifically, the practice of combining modern metallic with vintage pieces is very popular. Gold or bronze dipped milk glass vases are a hot item on Etsy and other crafting sites.

Flooring

Okay, usually flooring isn’t made of white glass, but the appearance of white glass is the main goal of many products on the market. Some ceramic and definitely many porcelain tiles have been used to create this look, which is popular in living rooms and open floor plans.  Since the emergence of wood tile, designers have embraced the idea of tile in the living room and showing the various looks you can achieve by using this medium. The white glass look is sleek, sophisticated, and contemporary.
What’s your favorite white glass home design element?  Let us know in the comments below!

Sources:

Houzz.com

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Interior Design Trends of Then and Now

A lot has changed over the years when it comes to design. You can’t appreciate the new without giving a slight nod to the outdated, so here are some of the design trends that haven’t stuck around, and some that have transitioned to a new era.

Designer of Custom Kitchen Counters in Florida Reflects on the “Then and Now” of Design

Bathroom Mirrors

Then:  Bulky Cabinets

Now:  Statement Mirrors

Less is more when it comes to today’s bathroom mirror. People are anxiously ripping out their bulky cabinets and replacing them with fun and design-forward statement mirrors. The idea behind the old bathroom cabinet was to create extra storage for medicine, hair products, and whatever else you need to store. Perhaps it’s the more creative storage options that have emerged, or the minimalistic approach of the future, but these cabinets are of the past and a smoother, more visually appealing look is the option of today.

Terra Cotta

Then: polished, full flooring

Now: raw, used as accent

In the eighties, terra cotta tile was all the rage. Highly polished versions of this warm colored Spanish tile overtook our kitchens in a big way. Maybe too big. Now, this trend has worked its way into the future of interior design, but you won’t see the overuse you have in the past. Instead, interior designers are using this as an accent and opting for both a more natural finish and a more subtle incorporation into room design.

Kitchen Counters

Then: Functional,  minimalist

Now: artistic,  focal point

Kitchen counters used to be simply where you prepared your food to cook. Because of this, they were mostly functional, minimalist, and lacking in real design. Now, your kitchen counter is the first thing people notice. They socialize at the kitchen counter and cook at the kitchen counter.Having lots of counter space is a must for the modern kitchen.  Because of this, custom kitchen counters in Florida have become a work of art. Using the counter surface to create a focal point for the room and adding a personal custom touch has become the ultimate thumbprint of interior design.  Custom kitchen counters in Florida achieve this goal.

Knowing which designs to use and when to update them is the best way to stay current on interior design trends.  Take from the old, and make it new!  Do you have any of these design aspects in your home?  Let us know how you plan to update!

Sources:

designs.net

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Blogs to Follow if you Love Home Design

As designers of kitchen counters, beautiful kitchen sinks, and other handcrafted household items, we understand those who love design.  For some of us, home design is not just a necessity, or a source of pride, or a career. For some of us, home design is our passion. Luckily, enough people share this passion that there are some great resources out there to inspire the masses, provide much-needed eye candy, and keep us moving along toward the next design trend. Here are some of the best blogs to follow if you love home design.

Designer of Beautiful Kitchen Sinks Recommends These Design Blogs

Interior Design

If interior design is your thing, these blogs are perfect to inspire you.

Desire to Inspire

This blog is run by two girls who have never met, who each have an eye for interior design.They find the perfect room, and post it. You’ll love the visuals in this unique blog.

Decor 8

This is another great interior design blog, which is centered around unique household decorations and themed rooms. This is a great blog for those who are looking for new and fun ideas to spruce up their home.

Downing Designs Blog

As custom designers of handcrafted pieces you can use in your home, we strive to have an up-to-date and exciting blog for our readers. We post the latest and upcoming trends in interior design, as well as information about our own products.  You can find information about beautiful kitchen sinks, countertops, and other handcrafted art for your home.

Architecture

If architecture is your focus, you’ll want to focus on these blogs.

Dezeen

This blog, which stands for design magazine, is almost fully focused on architecture. It also features furniture and lighting for the well-rounded designer.  If you’re environmentally conscious, this book is a bonus for you since it has a green design slant.

Architecture Blog Tumblr

Be prepared to become hooked to this architecture lovers blog. This is a Blog centered fully around photographs.  If you thinks pictures speak louder than words, and you love great architecture, this is a perfect blog for you.

DIY

The world of DIY has grown and started taking over. If you’ve got the craft bug, you’ll love these DIY blogs.

Bower Power

Katie and Jeremy Bower, the husband-and-wife duo who manage this blog, give you real life DIY projects that the average person can accomplish. They post their mistakes, mishaps, and successes so you can see the project in all its glory.

A Beautiful Mess

Speaking of DIY teams, nothing’s better than reading this blog written by sisters Elsie and Emma.  They go through various homes and navigate us through the DIY lifestyle.

Sources:

A Beautiful Mess

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