Cabinet Painting Drives Franchise Growth | Fresh Coat

Builder's Cabinet Supply, a Chicago-based manufacturer of custom residential cabinetry, expanded its market reach by opening a new 3,500-square-foot street-level showroom in October 2010. For over 25 years, the company primarily catered to builders and developers, but the new showroom was designed to attract a broader professional audience, including interior designers, architects, remodelers, and even some end-users. This strategic move followed an earlier relocation 17 years prior from cramped facilities to a larger factory building, which itself became surrounded by new housing developments due to gentrification, making the new showroom more accessible to local residents. The housing market downturn significantly impacted Builder's Cabinet Supply's traditional builder-focused business, which had previously seen peak production of up to 1,000 cabinets daily. In response, the company actively sought new opportunities, particularly by targeting remodelers and individual homeowners. While radio advertisements were used for end-users, a significant portion of their new business came through referrals. The new showroom serves as a crucial tool for inspiring potential clients, offering fully finished kitchen displays complete with high-end appliances, lighting, and decorative elements to help customers visualize their projects. This contrasts with their previous, less accessible showroom located within the factory. The expansion led to a doubling of their Chicago design staff to six, with additional designers located in a suburban office. New customers are matched with designers based on their specific needs. Unlike builders and developers who typically have large, well-defined orders, designers and remodelers often work on single-site projects. All cabinetry produced is custom, based on the company's Orchard Hill Cabinets brand, adhering to standard specifications such as 5/8-inch furniture board construction and frameless cabinet designs that offer increased storage. The company also uses 20-20 Technologies software for approximately 80 percent of its projects. Design trends observed include a fragmented market with demand for both cost-effective and moderate-to-high-end options. Contemporary and mixed-surface designs are gaining popularity, along with flat-panel doors and various shades of gray in high-gloss foiled finishes. Quarter-sawn oak remains a classic choice. While there isn't a significant increase in demand for complex electronic integrations due to wireless technology, the company offers LED puck lighting and magnetic switch lights. Automated open-and-close systems for drawers, particularly from Blum, are also popular. For entertainment centers, the company collaborates with audio-visual experts, using techniques like false panels to conceal wiring. Production operations, overseen by Rick Bohnsak, emphasize efficiency despite the custom nature of the work. As the client base diversified, projects increasingly shifted from short production runs to unique, one-off orders. Builder's Cabinet Supply utilizes point-to-point CNCs, such as Biesse Rover 24, Rover 336, and Weeke Venture CNCs, along with other machinery like Brandt edgebanders, Selco and Holzma Optimat HPP 250 panel saws, and Koch doweling machines. Redundancy in machinery is prioritized to ensure continuous production. The manufacturing process typically takes two to three days, starting from computerized designs. The company avoids directly linking 20-20 Technologies to CNCs due to the highly custom nature of each order, which can involve numerous line items for a single kitchen. Doors are mostly manufactured in-house, with flat thermofoil doors being outsourced. The company maintains a market advantage through local production, offering reduced shipping costs and faster delivery times, which customers appreciate. Cabinet construction features glued and doweled joints, dovetailed drawers, and high-quality Blum soft-close hinges and slides. Branding efforts include their Orchard Hill Cabinets line and online presence through buildmykitchen.com, Facebook, and mentions on Subzero Appliances' website for custom appliance integration. The showroom features high-end kitchens with large islands and deep cabinetry, catering to a mid-to-high-end market segment, with inset cabinetry representing the highest tier. Reconstituted veneers, cherry, and walnut are popular materials. While green products were once in demand, customer willingness to pay a premium for them has decreased since the economic downturn. However, local production offers an inherent environmental advantage that resonates with clients. #Cabinetry #CustomDesign #Showroom #MarketExpansion #InteriorDesign #KitchenDesign #Manufacturing #Woodworking #BusinessStrategy

The fierce competition for employees in a tightening labor market necessitates innovative strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. Companies are increasingly focusing on branding and enhancing the employee experience within the workplace. A growing trend among interior designers is the integration of living green walls, which serve to boost workplace appeal, energize spaces, and align with contemporary employee preferences. Attracting Millennial employees is a key driver for this shift. Millennials, who represent a significant portion of the digitally savvy professional talent pool, exhibit a strong preference for 'green' initiatives. Surveys indicate that a substantial majority of younger generations engage in gardening, are willing to pay more for sustainable products, and consider a company's social and environmental commitments when choosing an employer. This 'green' preference makes sustainable design elements, such as living green walls, particularly attractive. Major companies, including footwear and apparel giant ASICS and the National Geographic Society, are incorporating living green walls in prominent locations. ASICS, for instance, uses a GSky Versa Wall® in its employee break bar, where plant arrangements create a branded logo that can be seasonally updated. The National Geographic Society employs a more naturalistic green wall to reinforce its connection to the outdoors. The adoption of living green walls is also evident across diverse sectors, including healthcare, law, corporate offices, hospitality, and retail. Technology companies like Etsy, Mashable, AWeber, Microsoft, Google, and Twitter have also installed GSky® Versa Walls®, further signaling the appeal of these features to a tech-savvy demographic. Beyond aesthetics, green design, particularly biophilic design, offers substantial benefits for office productivity. The concept of biophilia, proposed by biologist E.O. Wilson, suggests a human genetic predisposition to connect with nature. Research supports the Biophilia Hypothesis, demonstrating that exposure to natural settings promotes stress recovery, induces positive emotional shifts, enhances high-order cognitive functioning, and increases creativity and productivity. Therefore, living green walls provide psychological benefits, with their calming colors reducing stress at an individual level, which translates to organizational advantages. Furthermore, living green walls contribute significantly to employee health. Plants in these walls actively remove airborne toxins, such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, ozone, toluene, and benzene, and can reduce particulate matter by up to 20%. Improved indoor air quality can lead to fewer illnesses like colds and headaches, potentially reducing sick days and enhancing overall efficiency. The cumulative effect of biophilic design, encompassing both mental and physical well-being, can lead to healthier, happier, and more productive employees, thereby aiding in talent retention. However, implementing living green walls requires careful consideration. While they address issues prevalent in modern office designs, such as sound absorption in open-plan spaces, maintenance is crucial. Some systems, like the GSky® Versa Wall®, are designed for high water efficiency, requiring irrigation less than once a week. Nonetheless, ongoing maintenance is essential, and clients should ensure that living green wall providers offer support and plant guarantees post-installation. Living green walls, therefore, represent a sustainable and flexible option for architects and interior designers to create engaging, healthy, and productive corporate environments, aligning with both corporate branding and the growing preference for natural elements in the workplace. #Biophilia #GreenWalls #OfficeDesign #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceWellness #MillennialPreferences #SustainableDesign #CorporateBranding #InteriorDesign

In December, a prediction was made that pink kitchen cabinets would become a prominent design trend for 2022. Despite initial skepticism and varied reactions from readers, ranging from strong disapproval to comparisons with 1980s aesthetics or old makeup, the forecast proved accurate. Throughout the year, numerous homes were observed featuring pink kitchen cabinets, appearing in diverse settings from modern mews homes in London to a designer show house in Brooklyn. Homeowners who embraced this color palette reported experiencing significant joy and a sense of being on vacation within their kitchens. This article showcases twelve different approaches to incorporating pink kitchen cabinets, each offering a unique perspective on the color. For instance, Megan O’Neill, senior beauty editor at Goop, infused her Bushwick, Brooklyn, home with a vibrant fuchsia, specifically Benjamin Moore's Hot Lips, drawing inspiration from her Caribbean heritage and her husband's nostalgic connection to a 1959 candy-apple magenta Cadillac. In a Parisian apartment designed by Charlotte Fequet and Maud Tyzon, bold lower pink cupboards were chosen by the family patriarch to introduce warmth, a decision that initially surprised but ultimately proved effective. Another example highlights a kitchen designed by Latham Thomas, which combines bubblegum pink with yellow and tangerine in a graphic, block-color application, avoiding sensory overload by leaving some cabinet doors in natural wood. For spaces lacking natural light, such as a London mews house, a soothing blush shade brightened the tiny cooking zone, especially when paired with a fire-engine red ceiling, creating a contemporary rather than dated feel. A London space achieved a balance of timelessness and modernity by combining sage green wall cabinets with a playful salmon-tinged island. Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball, demonstrated the versatility of Templeton Pink by using it in her own Victorian home. This particular shade, initially conceived for historic properties, seamlessly integrated into modern settings. Kelly and Jeff Mindell's Los Angeles kitchen underwent a transformation from a drab coral and orange to a dusty pink, Galveston Tan, after considering and discarding a moody mustard that would have clashed with their wood floors. Emily Wassall's Los Angeles kitchen adopted Benjamin Moore’s Malibu Peach, a fitting choice for the English fashion industry veteran and her husband, symbolizing their move to sunny California. An Australian family opted for a candy-colored kitchen featuring melamine cabinets in pink, with a matching sink faucet, inspired by a previous design by Space Craft Interiors & Joinery. For those fully embracing pink, the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse, designed by BIA Interiors, featured a kitchen where window treatments, walls, baseboards, and banquette fabric all matched the pink millwork. A tonal approach incorporated burgundy accents through table linens and exaggerated wall lighting, adding a moody edge to a pink kitchen, with a subtle dark red door trim detail. Finally, UK-based designer Sarah Brown collaborated with Plain English Kitchen for her space, featuring an open shelf above the range for displaying golden-hued confit pots. This very British kitchen, adorned with miniature paintings, countertop lighting, and delicate blush mugs, transformed the pink trend into a classic aesthetic. These diverse applications confirm the growing popularity and adaptability of pink kitchen cabinets in contemporary interior design. #KitchenDesign #CabinetColors #PinkKitchens #HomeDecorTrends #InteriorDesign #ColorInDesign #ModernKitchens #DesignInspiration #KitchenRenovation

Design Holding, a company born in 2018 from a joint venture between two private equity firms, is rapidly expanding its portfolio of luxury design brands with the ambitious goal of becoming the LVMH of the home sector. Led by CEO Daniel Lalonde, a veteran in the European luxury market, Design Holding aims to create a global group of highly desirable brands while maintaining the individual identities of each acquisition. The company started by merging B&B Italia, Flos, and Louis Poulsen under one corporate umbrella, and has since acquired seven more brands, bringing its total to ten. Key brands in its current portfolio include Flos, B&B Italia, Louis Poulsen, Fendi Casa, Maxalto, and Lumens. Lalonde emphasizes that while the corporate entity, Design Holding, may not be widely known to end consumers, the individual brands within the group are crucial for recognition and desirability. The strategic vision involves an aggressive business approach focused on several key areas. One primary objective is to enhance direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales channels, allowing the brands to establish closer relationships with their customers and exert greater control over their market presence. Another significant focus is geographical expansion, particularly into the Chinese market, which represents a vast opportunity for luxury goods, and further strengthening its presence within the United States. To support its growth and market penetration, Design Holding is also investing in a bigger brick-and-mortar fleet. This includes piloting innovative retail stores that showcase multiple brands from its portfolio under a single roof, providing a comprehensive luxury design experience to consumers. Lalonde anticipates a significant transformation in the high-end design segment and believes Design Holding, as a market leader, has a responsibility to drive this change. This involves becoming more consumer-centric, adapting to global market trends, and adopting modern communication strategies. Lalonde also addressed the existing pricing models within the design industry, particularly the common practice of trade discounts. He expressed a desire to move towards a more transparent, one-price-fits-all model, drawing parallels to luxury fashion brands like Louis Vuitton and Hermès, which maintain strict pricing policies without discounts. While acknowledging that achieving such a model in the home design sector presents challenges, the long-term ambition is to establish a more equitable and transparent pricing structure. Crucially, Lalonde clarified that the strategy of Design Holding does not involve altering the core identity or heritage of the acquired brands. Instead, the entire premise is to preserve and leverage the existing legacies and histories of these brands, recognizing that true luxury status is built over time and cannot be artificially created. The emphasis is on building upon the authentic stories and established reputations of each brand to foster their continued growth and desirability in the global market. This approach underscores the belief that the longevity and authenticity of a brand's heritage are indispensable components of its luxury appeal. #DesignHolding #LuxuryHomeBrands #HomeDesignIndustry #GlobalExpansion #AcquisitionStrategy #DirectToConsumer #RetailExpansion #BrandHeritage

British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori has partnered with Momentum Textiles & Wallcoverings to launch his inaugural collection of commercial textiles and wallcoverings. This collaboration, Yinka Ilori x Momentum, aims to inject positivity and joy into commercial spaces, drawing inspiration from Ilori's dual heritage and his belief in the power of community and affirmation. The collection is designed to transform commercial environments into vibrant, creative hubs that uplift and inspire. Ilori emphasizes that the collaboration underscores the happiness derived from strong community bonds and storytelling, bringing a fresh, optimistic approach to commercial design. The collection features five distinct patterns available as textiles. "Shower Me With Flowers" reimagines floral motifs with geometric shapes, offering a contemporary take on traditional prints. "Dream Catchers" explores perception through its unique and shapely patterns. "Eyes in Reflection" presents a grid-like design interspersed with subtle rounded elements, providing a structured yet softened aesthetic. "Blossoms Time" focuses on woven textures and is available in a variety of solid colors, adding depth and tactile appeal to the collection. The most dynamic textile pattern, "Rhythms Surround You," layers colors, shapes, and patterns to create a complex and visually engaging design. In addition to its textile form, "Rhythms Surround You WC" is also offered as a wallcovering, expanding its application possibilities within commercial settings. The wallcovering collection further includes "Moving Mountains," a playful geometric pattern that adds a sense of movement and fun to walls, and "Shifting Motions," which delivers a kaleidoscopic explosion of color, creating a dynamic and energetic atmosphere. These wallcoverings are intended to bring Ilori's signature vibrant and fresh perspective to a broader range of commercial interior applications. The Yinka Ilori x Momentum collection is rooted in themes of cultural heritage, community, and the positive influence of joy in everyday life. Ilori's work consistently leverages bold colors and geometric patterns to create spaces that evoke happiness and well-being. This new venture into commercial textiles and wallcoverings allows his distinctive artistic vision to be integrated into larger-scale projects, making his cheerful and thoughtful designs accessible for offices, hospitality venues, and other public spaces. The collection aims to not only enhance aesthetics but also contribute to an atmosphere that encourages creativity and healing, reflecting Ilori's philosophy of design as a tool for positive impact. This collaboration marks a significant step for Ilori in extending his artistic reach into the commercial design sector, promising to bring his characteristic cheerfulness and thoughtful design to a wider audience. #YinkaIlori #CommercialDesign #Textiles #Wallcoverings #MomentumTextiles #InteriorDesign #GeometricPatterns #VibrantColors #CreativeSpaces

The home remodeling industry is experiencing a surge in demand, driven by several key factors. Homeowners are increasingly choosing to remain in their current residences longer, leveraging accumulated home equity and seeking to enhance their living spaces. This trend is fueled by the desire to avoid high financing costs associated with new home purchases and to personalize existing homes to better suit evolving needs. Technologies are emerging to streamline and improve every stage of the home improvement process for both homeowners and contractors. One significant driver for remodeling is the focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Homeowners across all age groups are motivated by the potential for cost savings through energy-efficient upgrades. For example, the Home Improvement Research Institute highlights cost savings as the primary motivator for such projects. Companies like Climative are utilizing AI to create personalized low-carbon plans for buildings, guiding owners to make informed decisions that reduce emissions, increase comfort, and save money. Climative's platform can analyze buildings, calculate potential savings after rebates, and even suggest phased retrofit plans. The U.S. Department of Energy has also partnered with Google to help consumers find qualified "Energy Skilled" technicians for energy-efficient home upgrades, while tools from Buildxact and Symbium simplify the process of decarbonizing housing stock, from material selection to permitting for projects like solar and heat pumps. Renovating existing homes, rather than building new ones, significantly cuts carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future. Another critical aspect of the current remodeling boom is resiliency and safety, especially in response to increasing climate events. Homeowners are investing in upgrades to protect their properties from severe weather. Lowe's, for instance, is developing a Digital Home Platform that incorporates resiliency factors, offering weather-based home preparation and alerts tailored to specific geographic locations. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED program further aids homeowners by connecting them with trained contractors specialized in building stronger, more resilient homes through lab-tested solutions against torrential rain, high winds, and hail. Furthermore, the aging population is contributing substantially to remodeling demand. A significant portion of homeowners, particularly those over 65, are undertaking projects to "age in place." Data from the Census Bureau and the Home Improvement Research Institute shows that 55% of Baby Boomer and Gen X homeowners' 2024 home improvement projects focused on aging-in-place upgrades. These modifications, such as wider doorways, grab bars, repositioned outlets, and improved lighting, aim to enhance comfort and safety. Technologies like Block can efficiently assist in planning and executing these types of upgrades. AI-powered platforms like Block are transforming the homeowner's journey by providing personalized guidance through the complex remodeling process, from initial dreaming and planning to hiring and building. Block aims to tackle the information overload homeowners face and the difficulties in finding trustworthy contractors. The platform uses AI for vetting contractors, ensuring high quality by accepting only about 7% of applicants, and provides feedback to contractors for improvement. It also helps homeowners navigate proposals and significantly reduces costs, eliminating the need for expensive architects. Lowe's Digital Home Platform offers homeowners free, personalized information, manuals, product recommendations, and maintenance reminders for their appliances, moving towards a "digital twin" concept for homes. The overall remodeling market is projected to reach an estimated $509 billion, indicating a substantial and ongoing opportunity for technological innovation in this sector. #HomeEquity #AgingInPlace #HomeRemodeling #Technology #AI #Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Resilience #ConstructionIndustry

Saltwolf, an e-commerce furniture company based in Boulder, launched its mobile showroom in June 2021, one year after its initial founding. The company, established by husband-and-wife team Lindy and Jordan Williams in May 2020, aimed to address common challenges faced by interior designers, such as the difficulty of sampling and ordering high-quality furnishings with quick turnaround times. Saltwolf distinguishes itself by offering direct-to-designer services, providing heirloom-quality pieces through an online platform. The decision to create a mobile showroom, affectionately known as "Ms. Saltwolf," stemmed from the founders' desire to provide designers with a tactile experience of their products, without committing to a traditional brick-and-mortar presence. Lindy Williams noted that while many trade brands rely on third-party showrooms, Saltwolf wanted to explore alternative methods to showcase their furniture. The 18-foot-long box truck, designed with a theater background by Jordan Williams, functions as a fully immersive living room environment. This setup allows designers to visualize how Saltwolf's furniture would integrate into their projects. The mobile showroom was particularly timely given the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It enabled Saltwolf to safely introduce its products to design firms through masked, outdoor meetings, adhering to health and comfort guidelines. The interior of Ms. Saltwolf is meticulously designed, featuring painted wainscoting and patterned wallpaper, creating an inviting atmosphere. It showcases upholstered furniture from each of Saltwolf’s four lines: a 7-foot Linden sofa in Belgian linen, a Hawthorne chair in Italian leather, a Mapleton chair in performance velvet, and a Norwood bench in Belgian linen. Additionally, the showroom features examples of the brand’s three wood finishes and large fabric swatches. These larger swatches allow designers to gauge the material and color at scale, offering a more comprehensive understanding than small samples. After initial test drives in various Western cities like Boulder, Denver, Aspen, Salt Lake City, Park City, and Austin, the mobile showroom commenced its official tour in Southern California in June 2021. The tour itinerary included further stops in Portland, Seattle, Bozeman, Jackson, and Sun Valley. Team members, including Lindy and Jordan, travel to each destination to meet with individual designers and host events within the showroom. The summer tour was scheduled to conclude on the Front Range with an event at Roth Living in Denver on August 26. Future plans for the fall involved visits to Colorado mountain resort towns, Utah, and Lake Tahoe. While Ms. Saltwolf has played a crucial role in introducing the brand, the company plans to transition to a permanent display at its Boulder design studio by the end of the year. Remote tours via video conferencing will also be offered, and discussions are underway to place Saltwolf pieces in designers’ showrooms in various mountain resort towns. Lindy Williams observed a significant shift in consumer and designer purchasing behavior due to the pandemic, with an increased comfort level in buying luxury goods online. Saltwolf aims to continue innovating to make the online purchasing experience as effortless as possible for its clients. The article provides practical information for interested designers, stating that Saltwolf's upcoming mobile showroom stops are listed on their website, where designers can RSVP to events or request a visit. Updates on new stops are also available online, ensuring designers can stay informed about the showroom's schedule and plan their engagement accordingly. #mobileShowroom #furnitureDesign #directToDesigner #homeFurnishings #interiorDesign #BoulderBusiness #eCommerceFurniture #luxuryGoods #designInnovation

Daniel Lalonde, CEO of Design Holding, a prominent luxury multibrand group in the high-end interiors market, outlines his strategic vision for the company's future, focusing on making the experience of purchasing high-end interior products more accessible. Design Holding, established through Investindustrial's acquisitions of Flos (2014), B&B Italia (2015), and Louis Poulsen (2018), has expanded its portfolio to include nine brands, such as Maxalto, Azucena, Arclinea, Fendi Casa, Audo, and Lumens. This consolidation has positioned the group as a significant entity in design-led, luxury interior products, operating in over 130 countries with ten manufacturing facilities. Lalonde, who assumed the CEO role in late 2021, brings extensive experience from luxury multi-brand companies like LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, and SMCP. He acknowledges the transition from high fashion to interiors as a "leap of faith" but recognizes commonalities in heritage, craftsmanship, and the use of top designers. The company's brands collectively boast an extensive collection of works from celebrated designers, including modern classics by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, and contemporary pieces by Tobia Scarpa, Antonio Citterio, Philippe Starck, Naoto Fukasawa, Jasper Morrison, and Piero Lissoni, among others. The group also actively seeks emerging design talent. A key aspect of Lalonde's strategy involves shifting the sales model to be more consumer-centric. Historically, over half of Design Holding's business relied on wholesale channels. To address this, the company has opened a 25,000 sq ft retail center at 135 Madison Avenue in New York. Designed in part by Lissoni & Partners, this flagship store provides distinct spaces for each brand, offering a comprehensive multibrand experience. This move aims to engage architects and designers, who significantly influence furniture sales (up to 45% in the US), by providing an immersive environment for both professionals and consumers to make informed decisions. Technological advancements are also integral to the strategy, with new e-commerce platforms and a configurator app being developed for individual brands. However, Lalonde emphasizes the importance of physical interaction with products, which the Madison Avenue store facilitates. The company is also exploring other innovative showcases, such as the West Coast model home at the Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills, which features B&B Italia products exclusively. Lalonde's role includes maintaining the distinct identity and character of each brand while fostering collaboration. He highlights the complimentary nature of the brands, noting, for example, the different design DNA between a B&B Italia sofa and a Maxalto sofa. Collaborative efforts among contract teams across brands are encouraged, especially for large projects. The group includes Italian brands (B&B Italia, Maxalto, Azucena, Flos, Arclinea, Fendi Casa), Danish brands (Louis Poulsen, Audo), and the San Francisco-based Lumens. Sustainability and ethical practices are central to Design Holding's environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) strategy. The company prioritizes product longevity, quality, ease of maintenance, and repairability. They also focus on sourcing sustainable and ethical supply chains, with benefits extending across all nine brands, such as sourcing wood from certified forests. The preservation of traditional manufacturing techniques and skills is also a priority, with investments in technical schools in Italy to ensure the continuity of craftspeople. The company is also targeting expansion into new markets, particularly Asia, where there is a large luxury market but a relatively nascent high-end design market. Plans are underway to open stores in China, as Design Holding aims to bring the enduring value of design to a global audience. #DesignHolding #LuxuryInteriors #FurnitureBrands #RetailStrategy #DanielLalonde #SustainableDesign #GlobalExpansion #DesignInnovation #Craftsmanship

The article explores a prevailing trend in interior design for 2026, highlighting a consensus among designers regarding the ideal color for dining rooms. The author notes a shift in perception for the color purple, which has historically been considered outdated or juvenile. Now, designers are embracing deeper, reddish-brown tones of purple, particularly for dining spaces. San Francisco-based interior designer Lorri Hicks Cazenave describes this preferred shade as a "smoky, near-black eggplant tone that is red in some lights and purple in others, and feels like candlelight turned into paint." This signifies a departure from neutral palettes, moving towards "juicy jewel tones" that redefine gathering spaces. The article suggests that decorating with these aubergine shades offers a timeless aesthetic, contrary to common misconceptions about purple's chicness. The popularity of deep purple hues stems from a desire for spaces with soul, characterized by depth, mystery, and mood. According to Hicks Cazenave, aubergine achieves this without becoming overly theatrical, offering a refined and unexpected alternative to conventional neutrals. She emphasizes that these deep purples create a sense of slowness, making dinners feel longer, conversations deeper, and enhancing the appearance of individuals in the room, likening its effect to a dim, glowing light. To effectively incorporate dark purple or aubergine in a dining room, designers recommend a full commitment to the color. This involves treating it as a moody neutral and applying it extensively across architectural elements such as walls, trim, and even the ceiling, to achieve a "cocoon effect." Color drenching in this shade is suggested to produce captivating and atmospheric results. Interior designer Kelly Neely advises extending the aubergine purple onto the ceiling to create a "remarkable jewel in the crown" effect, particularly if the room has sufficient height. For paint finishes, Lorri Hicks Cazenave suggests opting for a matte finish rather than one with excessive sheen. This choice helps maintain a soft, luxurious, and atmospheric ambiance. An ultra-matte finish or limewash can also introduce texture to the walls, allowing the purple to serve as a prominent statement without overpowering the room. Designers like Kelly Neely consider purples, plums, aubergines, and burgundies as the "new neutrals," emphasizing their versatility in coordinating with various other colors. Purple's position between red and blue on the color wheel means it can harmonize with both cool and warm palettes. The article lists dusty ochre, moss green, bone white, bold magentas, chocolate browns, and smoky blue as colors that complement purple effectively. Kelly Neely points out that this versatility allows for the creation of either moody and dramatic or modern and playful spaces. When planning a purple dining room, particular attention should be given to finishes. Kelly recommends materials such as aged brass, dark timber, and natural linen to add texture and ensure the palette remains grounded and timeless. These materials, combined with purple decor, contribute to a dining room that is ready for entertaining. The article concludes by suggesting that 2026 will see a significant rise in purple interior design, particularly in dining rooms, hinting at a potential expansion of this trend to other areas like purple sofas. #DiningRoomDesign #ColorTrends #PurpleInteriors #InteriorDesign #PaintColors #HomeDecor #AubergineShades #DesignersChoice #AtmosphericInteriors

Rachel Lacy, the founder of drikolor, a New Zealand-based company, has introduced a new approach to paint color technology. Drikolor's core strategy involves separating the color from the paint, using precise pigments that are stirred into a base paint. This innovative method aims to overcome the limitations typically associated with traditional paint purchasing and delivers meticulously designed colors to enhance modern interiors. Lacy developed a specific line of drikolor paint for Dwell, offering a palette that allows for consistent aesthetic appeal across different rooms in a modern home. These colors are formulated using pigments sourced globally, which are then mixed into a base paint to achieve vibrant and consistent hues. The article features an interview with Rachel Lacy, who shares insights into her expertise in color, the unique aspects of drikolor, and the overall customer experience her company provides. Rachel Lacy's passion for color was fostered during her childhood, influenced by her architect father and mother who owned a paint company. She recalls being taught about the built environment and the significance of color from a young age, referencing influential figures like Barragán and Le Corbusier's Color Keyboards. When asked about her favorite natural color, she expresses a fondness for green in all its variations, also noting that nature provides excellent guidance for color combinations. Lacy founded drikolor with the vision of establishing a color company, rather than a conventional paint company, viewing paint merely as a medium for color. Her goal was to allow consumers to purchase color where they are most inspired by it, such as art galleries or homeware stores, which traditionally do not stock paint. To realize this vision, drikolor partnered with Callaghan Innovation, a leading New Zealand research and development institute, to create a proprietary "stir-in" technology. This innovation not only enables the separation of color from paint but also expands the range of accessible pigments beyond those available to traditional paint companies. Drikolor's approach to color development is artisanal and meticulous. Lacy and her team of color specialists focus on pigments used by artists, building colors pigment by pigment without prioritizing cost-efficiency. Their laboratory houses over 100 pigments, allowing for extensive experimentation to achieve optimal colors. Drikolor's colors are multi-pigmented and are complementarily tinted. For instance, the Umber & Ultramarine trio in the Dwell palette combines umber from Cyprus with ultramarine blue from France, resulting in a soft, unique duck egg blue that cannot be replicated using standard commercial tinters. The selection of pigments is based on historical significance, identified through research, personal experience, and discussions with designers and artists worldwide. This often involves seeking non-toxic alternatives for cherished pigments or tracking down pigments that have gone out of mass production. Consumers are encouraged to choose drikolor for its superior color quality, recognizing that paint can profoundly transform a space. Lacy’s mission for drikolor is to reintroduce a richer, more evocative language of color into architectural discourse, drawing inspiration from Luis Barragán's sentiment about the disappearing words like beauty, magic, and serenity from architectural publications. #DrikolorPaint #RachelLacy #ColorTechnology #ModernInteriors #PigmentSourcing #PaintInnovation #InteriorDesign #NewZealandDesign

Color drenching, a popular paint trend involving the application of a single paint color throughout a room, including walls, ceilings, and woodwork, is presented as an effective method for creating the illusion of larger, more expansive spaces. This technique eliminates harsh contrasts between different surfaces, fostering a continuous flow that enhances a room's proportions and mitigates the limitations of small square footage. This approach is particularly beneficial for small rooms, making them appear more generous in size and is expected to remain a significant design trend in 2025. Several examples illustrate the diverse applications and benefits of color drenching. A neutral hallway in a Grade II listed home, designed by A New Day Design, demonstrates how color drenching in a pale shade can blur the lines between surfaces in a tall, narrow space, making it feel more expansive. This technique allows for a seamless transition from traditional period detailing to more contemporary proportions. Marie Flanigan Interiors showcases a lacquered burgundy living space where a gloss finish, combined with a bold, color-drenched palette, reflects light to create depth and a mirror-like effect, visually expanding the room. The reflective quality of the lacquer enhances both natural and artificial light, contributing to a cozy yet spacious feel. Cindy Rinfret of Rinfret, Ltd. Interior Design highlights the use of bright orange in a 'Coral Bar' within Tommy Hilfiger's Palm Beach home, emphasizing how color can inject personality and a 'sexy feel' into a small space. The lacquered finish in this instance is noted for its flattering reflective quality, fostering a festive mood. For home offices, which are often compact, Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design used Farrow & Ball's Stiffkey Blue to color-drench a study. The designer noted that painting walls, bookcases, and trims in a cohesive dark blue creates a cozy and unified feel, with a lighter blue on the ceiling providing visual relief and preventing the room from feeling too dark. Nadia Watts Interior Design employed a maximalist approach by color-drenching a living room with wallpaper on the ceiling in a similar hue to the walls, demonstrating how this method can quickly expand the feeling of a space through a cohesive and playful look. Colleen Simonds Design utilized Farrow & Ball's Dix Blue (a green-blue) to create a calming home office, explaining that painting all surfaces the same color eliminates visual breaks, making the room feel cozy, enveloping, and larger. Black Salt Home Design's dark green snug illustrates how color drenching can reduce visual clutter, especially when incorporating built-in cabinetry, by painting them the same dark color as the walls and ceiling. Finally, Alexis Warren Designs applied Farrow & Ball's Yeabridge Green to a breakfast room, noting that the continuous sightline from baseboards to ceiling tricks the eye into perceiving an extended space, making rooms appear taller and larger, particularly with saturated or dark colors. SPACES by Hollie Velten introduces 'double-drenching' in a pale pink powder room, where two similar tones are used to add interest while still achieving an expansive feel. These examples collectively demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of color drenching, whether with subtle neutrals or bold hues, in enhancing the perceived size and flow of various small rooms. #ColorDrenching #InteriorDesign #SmallSpaceSolutions #PaintTrends #HomeDecor #RoomExpansion #PaintFinishes #DesignTechniques #HomeOfficeDesign

Armourcoat, a surfaces brand, has introduced a new collection of textured and eco-friendly paints called Limewash, designed for both residential and commercial interiors. This range aims to replicate the distinctive aesthetic and tactile qualities of traditional limewash while offering enhanced durability and a less chalky finish. The collection features 45 shades, each crafted from a blend of slaked lime, kaolinite clay mineral, water, mineral pigments, and natural plant additives. This specific composition ensures that the paints are free from solvents and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), aligning with stringent environmental and health standards within the architectural industry. Armourcoat asserts that its Limewash collection is unique in possessing both Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Health Product Declaration (HPD) documentation. This makes the product particularly suitable for construction projects seeking to achieve sustainability certifications such as BREEAM and LEED. Duncan MacKellar, Armourcoat's creative director, emphasized the company's commitment to material transparency, viewing it as crucial for designing aesthetically pleasing interiors that also minimize ecological impact. He stated that the brand's objective as manufacturers is to decrease both embodied carbon and environmental toxins, thereby fostering sustainable innovation in the built environment. MacKellar reassured architects and designers that all Armourcoat finishes, including the new Limewash range, support the creation of environmentally responsible and healthy indoor spaces, backed by their EPD and HPD documentation. A key benefit of the Limewash collection is its naturally high alkalinity, derived from its slaked lime content. This inherent property provides resistance against bacteria and mould growth, contributing to healthier indoor environments. Additionally, the paint is non-combustible, adding a safety dimension to its list of advantages. The introduction of Limewash represents the latest expansion of Armourcoat's portfolio of surface finishes. The brand consistently aims to deliver sustainable luxury finishes to the global community of architects and designers. This product launch underscores Armourcoat's dedication to providing innovative solutions that cater to the increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance interior materials. #Armourcoat #LimewashPaint #EcoFriendlyInteriors #SustainableDesign #InteriorFinishes #GreenBuilding #MaterialTransparency #VOCFreePaint

Lettermans, a printing business based in Mid City, Baton Rouge, has seen a significant surge in demand for its vinyl wall coverings, particularly since the pandemic. Steven Perret, President and CEO of Lettermans, notes that this segment of the printing industry has experienced 100% growth nationally over the past four years, transforming into a core revenue stream for his company. This shift marks a notable pivot from Lettermans' original focus on technical documents. The company specializes in creating custom vinyl wall coverings that feature logos, value statements, photographs, maps, and vibrant graphics, transforming plain walls into engaging visual spaces. Restaurants have been a particularly strong market for these environmental graphics. Lettermans has collaborated with numerous local eateries, including FinBomb Sushi, La Carretta, Copeland’s in Covington, SoLou, Jubans, Spoke & Hub, Proverbial Wine Bistro, and City Pork Perkins. Perret, who also teaches entrepreneurship at LSU’s EJ Ourso College of Business, explains that in the post-pandemic landscape, restaurants are increasingly utilizing wall coverings to cultivate an inviting and stylish atmosphere. The goal is to attract and retain customers, encouraging them to dine in rather than opt for takeout, which often results in higher on-premises sales due to alcohol purchases and increased tipping. Perret and his team emphasize the strategic importance of creating environments that draw people in and encourage longer stays, especially in the highly competitive restaurant industry. Their process involves working with clients to develop appropriate wall designs. Once a design is finalized, the team meticulously prepares the wall surface to ensure proper adhesion of the vinyl covering. They even use a specialized tool to test the sample's adherence, measuring it in grams of force. The wall coverings are produced in approximately 50-inch individual panels, which are then carefully installed by hand. The appeal of these custom wall coverings is expanding beyond the restaurant sector. Lettermans is observing growing interest from various other fields, including higher education institutions, athletic departments, retail establishments, and healthcare facilities. The trend is also making its way into residential spaces, with Perret mentioning a client who requested a baseball stadium image for their family game room. This diversification highlights the broad applicability and increasing popularity of customized wall graphics as a dynamic and engaging design element. #BrandedWalls #VinylWallCoverings #InteriorDesign #RestaurantDesign #EnvironmentalGraphics #BatonRougeBusiness #CommercialPrinting #HomeDecoration

The trim and molding segments are poised for steady growth, aligning with the projected increase in the U.S. residential remodeling market, which is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.6% from 2024 to 2030. Despite an initial dip in spending, home improvement activities are expected to rise through mid-2025, setting a positive stage for this category. The trim segment's future appears strong, largely due to the remodeling sector, as homeowners with lower interest rates are opting for renovations rather than selling. Aging housing stock further supports demand for new siding and trim, with exterior improvements offering a significant return on investment. Consumer interest is also shifting towards alternative, durable materials for trim. While wood remains a preferred material for its aesthetic and versatility, innovative materials offering enhanced durability and long-term value are gaining traction. Manufacturers anticipate steady growth in 2025, driven by the shift from traditional wood to more durable, low-maintenance, and sustainable options. An optimistic economic outlook, coupled with continued remodeling by homeowners taking advantage of locked-in low interest rates, and an acceleration in the multi-family market, are also contributing factors. The demand for trim and molding segments is expected to grow further in 2025 due to strong activity in both multi-family and residential renovation markets. Single-family housing starts are predicted to remain steady, supported by economic growth, favorable government policies, and slightly lower mortgage rates. Increased home remodeling is linked to rising home equity, while multi-family construction continues to expand due to urbanization, housing shortages, and affordability challenges in the single-family market. Demographic trends, including population growth and household formation, will further stimulate demand for housing and building materials. In terms of design, homeowners are increasingly seeking trim options that provide aesthetic differentiation. While white, cream, and neutral colors remain popular for their versatility, bolder and darker trim colors are gaining traction for creating contrast and visual interest. Contrasting trim, such as black framing around windows, enhances architectural details and provides a striking effect. Deep hues like charcoal, navy blue, forest green, and rich brown are becoming popular, complementing trending exteriors. This trend extends indoors, with black trim on interior doors and windows adding a sophisticated feel. Wider profiles with clean lines are also growing in popularity, reflecting contemporary architectural trends, with thicker trim used to accentuate key areas and thinner profiles for intricate details. Classic beadboard, shiplap, and wainscoting are making a strong comeback, adding character and texture to homes. Manufacturers also note a growing demand for high-performance, low-maintenance trim and molding products, particularly given the increase in severe weather events. Exterior products, acting as the first line of defense, necessitate resilient choices that can withstand storms and other extremes. Modified wood, known for its resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage, is gaining popularity, backed by long-term warranties. The demand for low-maintenance options is driving a market shift away from wood towards materials impervious to moisture, such as cellular PVC. These durable products reduce replacement and maintenance costs and align with sustainable building practices. However, the variety of alternative materials can pose a challenge for homeowners and professionals in understanding their unique benefits. Detailed understanding of material properties, environmental impact, long-term performance, lifespan, and cost tradeoffs is crucial for informed selection. To effectively sell trim and molding products, LBM dealers are encouraged to adopt a customer-first approach. This involves listening carefully to customer needs, explaining product options thoroughly, and focusing on features and benefits. Manufacturers suggest prioritizing understanding contractors' challenges and offering solutions that simplify installation and save time and money. Staying informed about product knowledge and utilizing manufacturer training programs is vital. Dealers should also proactively recognize opportunities to upsell and offer good-better-best solutions. Stocking popular and high-performing brands that offer exceptional value to builders and homeowners can drive sales and foster customer loyalty. Ultimately, a combination of product knowledge, attentive listening, and strategic inventory management will lead to success in the trim and molding category. #ResidentialRemodeling #TrimAndMolding #HomeImprovement #BuildingMaterials #SustainableMaterials #LowMaintenance #ArchitecturalDesign #ConstructionTrends #LBMDealers

The article presents a curated selection of Black-owned home decor items to refresh and revitalize living spaces for the spring season. Emphasizing the transition from 'old to new,' the piece suggests adopting brighter and fresher color palettes to open up spaces and introduce a new ambiance. Rather than undertaking a complete redecoration with new furniture, the focus is on incorporating unique and colorful decor items to provide a 'face-lift' without significant financial outlay. The featured items range from statement vases and classic glassware to accent pillows, all sourced from Black-owned businesses. The article highlights several specific products and their respective brands. The Oma Shop's Handblown Hammered Glass Serving Tray is presented as an item that elevates serving with its vibrant colors and distinct hammered texture. Dressing Rooms Interiors, founded by Ariene Bethea, is noted for its unique artisan decor, with a ceramic hand-painted bowl highlighted for adding splashes of color to a dining table. Expedition Subsahara, established by Senegalese American Sofi Seck, aims to introduce African decor, exemplified by its delicate Xalissa Lidded Basket, which is suggested to bring culture and texture into a home. Estelle Colored Glass offers champagne coupe stemware designed to enhance bar carts or china cabinets with its dazzling appearance. Bolé Road Textiles, created by New York-based Ethiopian interior designer Hana Getachew, showcases her heritage through items like a beautifully designed pillow, intended to brighten living rooms and couches. Lastly, Yowie’s Flat Vase is described as a unique piece with a hammered texture and sophisticated matte glaze, offering a contemporary aesthetic. Each item is presented with its availability and price. The article positions spring as an ideal time for home redecoration and revitalization. It underscores the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses by showcasing their contributions to the home decor market. The selection of products collectively demonstrates how small, impactful changes in decor can significantly alter the mood and appearance of a space. The recommendations are designed to be accessible, offering stylish solutions for updating home interiors without requiring extensive renovations or large-scale purchases. This approach allows readers to infuse their homes with fresh energy and personal style while championing diverse entrepreneurs. #BlackOwnedBusinesses #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #SpringRefresh #ArtisanDecor #Lifestyle #Shopping

The increasing popularity of pink paint colors is examined in this article, attributing the surge in demand to the widespread anticipation and buzz surrounding the live-action Barbie movie. This trend is not merely anecdotal, as evidenced by its pervasive appearance in various design contexts, including Katie Sturino’s Palm Beach condo and Hannah Dahl’s 80s-inspired rental apartment, both of which prominently feature rosy hues. Quantitative data from several prominent paint brands corroborates this rising trend. Benjamin Moore has observed a significant increase in demand for its pink shades; requests for 'Peony' have doubled since 2018, and purchases of 'Hot Lips' have quadrupled. Similarly, Dunn-Edwards, a brand where pink has historically been popular, reports a 40 percent rise in the sales of vivid pink swatches like 'Fiery Fuchsia' over the last six months. Lick, another paint company, has also experienced a 10 percent increase in orders for its best-selling pinks, ranging from muted bubblegum to deep coral, within a mere three-month period. The article suggests that incorporating pink into home decor does not necessitate a complete wall-to-wall application. Smaller, strategic uses can effectively capture the desired 'Dreamhouse vibe,' such as painting a front door or accentuating an entryway, as demonstrated by a New Orleans porch design. Furthermore, it is noted that softer shades of pink can contribute to creating a relaxing environment, a concept supported by insights from color psychology experts. The article concludes by emphasizing the versatility and creative potential of incorporating pink into interior design, implying that in the 'Barbie world' of design, various applications are possible. #DesignTrends #PaintColors #PinkDecor #HomeDecor #Barbiecore #InteriorDesign #ColorPsychology