{friday finds: tips for decorating with organic materials}

One of this year’s big trends is decorating with organic materials. Our design team highlighted the combination of gold and glam with organic materials when they came back from High Point Market Week this spring, but what if you want to bring organic materials into your own home?

Here are 8 tips to help you add warm textures and earthy beauty to your decor — organically.

1. Use wood in unexpected places, like the bathroom:

Credit: Lee & Co Contractors

If the full wood wall feels a bit like a Scandinavian sauna, we understand. You could just go with the wood shelves that complement it:

2. Become a dream-weaver:

{window treatment wednesday: window treatments from the artisan home tour 2016}

Stonewood, LLC.

We love to track design trends, and few places are better than the annual Artisan Homes Tour. It’s one thing to see a trend mentioned online or in a magazine, but the Artisan Homes Tour by Parade of Homes gives us a chance to see how they look — up close, and in person — and also see what interior finishes Minnesota and Wisconsin interior designers are using.

We shared an overview of the entire tour earlier this month, but this blog will focus on window treatment trends as seen by Cora and Judy from Hirshfield’s Shop At Home.

“Standout for me was the use of pattern in the drapery panels,” said Judy Ciacura, Hirshfield’s Shop at Home designer. Some of her favorites included: “Neutral background with navy or gray design, and the Moroccan pattern still seems to dominate.”

“A few things that stood out for me were the amount of woven woods featured in the homes,” said Hirshfield’s designer Cora Asp. “There were a couple of homes that had shutters in the bathrooms,” Cora noted,” and we saw lots of side panels as well.”

Hendel Homes 2016 Artisan Home

{farrow & ball at hirshfield’s edina}

We are thrilled to announce that Hirshfield’s Edina location now carries Farrow & Ball paints and wallpaper.

How’s that for big news? Farrow & Ball does have a bit of a cult following when it comes to their colour palette. People who use Farrow & Ball paints, consistently talk about the depth and richness of their colours which Farrow & Ball says is due to their use of the highest quality ingredients. The light refracting qualities of their paint promote that depth of colour and also enhances the way the appearance of their colours subtly change in different lights.

Inspired by swirling sea mist, and named after the Cromarty Firth estuary, a place mentioned daily in The Shipping Forecast. This colour brings a muted softness to any room. A lighter version of Mizzle, it works beautifully when paired with Light Blue, or grouped with Blue Gray and Pigeon.

A little Farrow & Ball history: The company was founded in 1946 by John Farrow and Richard Ball and is located in Dorset England. Farrow & Ball wallpapers and paints are made in England. Fast forward, today Farrow & Ball distributes its paints and wallpapers to 67 countries around the world including Edina, Minnesota.

Farrow & Ball update their carefully edited colour palette once every three years, but still keeping the magic number of colours at 132. Catch up with the highly anticipated new 2016 colours released in February over at decor8. If you’re a Farrow & Ball follower you know every colour has a special story or meaning which is reflected in its name.

The Edina store stocks an assortment of colours and sheens based on the recommendations of Farrow & Ball. Not all colours and finishes are stocked at the store. If you select a non-stocking colour it takes 2-3 days to bring into the store. Farrow & Ball paint is pre-mixed at the factory so there’s no tinting involved at the store.

Sample pots (3.38 oz) are available in the entire range of Farrow & Ball colours in their signature Estate Emulsion finish.

Living Room walls in Dix Blue No.82 and woodwork in Wimborne White No.239 | Estate Emulsion & Estate Eggshell

Stocking finishes at Hirshfield’s Edina:

Estate® Emulsion – This high quality chalky matt emulsion defines the Farrow & Ball look. It is designed for use on walls and ceilings, with an unrivalled depth of colour and 2% sheen.

Modern Emulsion – This low sheen (7%), high performance, washable wall and ceiling paint is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, children’s rooms, hallways and other high traffic areas.

Estate Eggshell – An extremely robust and durable eggshell finish. Ideal for all interior woodwork and metal, including radiators. Easily wiped and washed clean with 20% sheen.

Stop by and see why the luxurious colours of Farrow & Ball appeal to so many people.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

Look for a future post on Farrow & Ball wallpaper.

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{friday finds: trend takeaways from the 2016 artisan homes tour}

It’s now July, which means the 2016 Artisan Home Tour by Parade of Homes has officially ended. Made up of 31 homes located in two different states, it’s understandable that you may not have made it to as many of the homes as you would have liked. Well, you don’t need to worry – we sent a team of Hirshfield’s employees to the tour, and took note of the decor trends we saw throughout the tour. From wallcoverings to flooring, here’s what you need to know:

Great Neighborhood Homes Artisan Home Tour

Wallcoverings

Wallcoverings were everywhere this year at the Artisan Home Tour. Kid’s bathrooms, guest bedrooms, and even ceilings – all were fair game for wallcoverings. Grasscloth and Tone on Tone Damask stood out in particular, but we also noticed multiple colorful wallcoverings.

Window Treatments

2016 is a year of natural textures, and window treatments of unlined woven woods and grasses made a definite appearance during this year’s tour. Fabric roman shades, shutters, and stationary side panels with short decorative rods also made the cut. Keep an eye out for our blog on these window treatment trends later this month!

Flooring

We noticed multiple trends when it came to flooring. Mid to dark tones dominated the wood floors, and patterned tile popped up in bathrooms and back entryways. Patterned carpeting also made an appearance on stairways and into bedrooms. The carpet was coordinated, but did not stay the same throughout the house.

Great Neighborhood Home Artisan Home Tour 2016

Beds

With the exception of a few wood or painted frames, all bed frames on this tour were upholstered. Colors ranged from neutrals to bold blue and white checks. The bedding itself was usually layers with neutrals, and had splashes of color layered with pillows and throws.

Note: From neutrals with cream and gray to bold checks in navy and white, checks and plaids were everywhere this year!

Stonewood LLC Artisan Home 2016

Finishes

As far as finishes go, we saw a lot of mixed metals, wood floors, and painted trim throughout. Antique brass, silver, and brushed bronze all made an appearance, and they were mixed and matched throughout the house. The bathrooms featured a mixed metal design – the faucets didn’t match the towel bars or light fixtures.

Colors

This year’s tour was filled with light neutrals, warm grays, cool grays, and almost whites. Splashes of color appeared off the main areas – accents in back entryways, laundry rooms, and offices were common.

This was also the year of blue, blue blue! On the exteriors, we saw blues ranging from a smoky gray to dark blue. Some interiors carried soft turquoises and rich, Delft blues. In others, we saw pale lavenders and rich plums everywhere from the laundry room to the guest bedroom.

Be sure to stop by any Hirshfield’s location for help with your decorating projects.

Thanks to the following builders who used Hirshfied’s products in their homes: Lecy Bros., Bob Michels Construction, Denali Custom Homes, Stonewood LLC, Highmark Builders, City Homes, Oslo, and Hendel Homes.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

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{6 ways to include matte in your design}

Texture and glossy finishes are out, and matte is in, according to designers like Genevieve Gorder and John Douglas Eason. Especially matte black, which is spreading from the kitchen to the rest of the house.

So, if you’re inspired to add the latest trend to your own home, here are six ways to incorporate matte into your design.

1. Chalkboard paint

Chalkboard paint exploded sometime around when Pinterest did, making it easy to find and easy on your budget. You don’t even have to draw on it, but hey, you’ve got the option.

Credit: SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Credit: SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C

 2. Chalk-finish painted furniture

Chalk paint is paint with chalk added into it to give it a matte texture. This, too, has become popular on Pinterest, especially among DIYers and furniture refinishers.

Credit: Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

To stay sleek, and fit the no-texture trend, choose something that hasn’t been aged or antiqued by sanding or any faux finishes. And consider using Hirshfield’s Cottage Paint.

{ 2016 asid showcase home highlights}

The “before” exterior of the Mpls. St.Paul Magazine’s MN ASID Showcase Home 2016

It’s that time of year again – the Mpls.St. Paul Magazine’s 2016 ASID Minnesota Showcase Home Tour is up and running. This year, the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers have chosen a 5,600 square foot, 1950s Edina rambler to redesign with their 22 person team of professional designers.

“This is our kind of dream home. It’s simpler living, more modernist, and more long-term. I felt like we could stay here when our kids are gone, because it’s not too much upkeep. This was our idea of a dream home, more modest living.” -Jeanne Anselmo, Homeowner

The theme of the home is “50 Shades of Greige” – the mix of gray and beige that everyone currently wants in their home. Using textured fabrics, repurposed antiques, and glamorous finishes, it’s quite the home to see.  Paint used throughout the home is supplied by Benjamin Moore and available at Hirshfield’s.

{bachman’s spring ideas house 2016}

Hello (channel Adele) and welcome to the Bachman’s Spring Ideas House 2016!

Each season designers transform the historical Bachman’s home on Lyndale Avenue by painting, furnishing, and decorating the entire house with their signature mix of new items, repurposed pieces, and a touch of vintage. Refreshing bursts of color are a welcomed sight against a backdrop of soft, muted tones and natural elements.

Key Trends to look for in this season’s Holiday Ideas House:

• Shades of Grey – Provides a sophisticated backdrop for colorful accents.
• Floral Patterns – Offers a tribute to spring through fun and whimsical patterns.
• Terrariums – Gives room a fresh look with a living, botanical creation.
• Coral Color – Revives energy throughout house with refreshing color.

Let Bachman’s Ideas House help you forget that it snowed today here in town.

Wallpaper that looks like old tin ceiling tiles grace the sunroom walls. Spring has sprung with coral accents which always look fabulous with gray.

{friday finds: spring parade of homes}

Interiors by Jay Nuhring House Styling and photography by Spacecrafting

The beginning of March means spring is almost here, with the annual Spring Parade of Homes underway, and the Remodelers Showcase Tour just around the corner.

This is the 68th year that the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) has hosted the Spring Parade of Homes, which offers area families the opportunity to see and experience new homes and neighborhoods across the spectrum of price, style, and location. 

{friday finds: before and after from chango & co}

I came across these awesome before and after photos from Chango & Co, a full service interior design firm in Brooklyn, New York.  The room transformations are just plain delightful. I thought some of the “before” rooms looked pretty good until I saw Chango & Co’s before & after photos side by side. Here’s a link to the entire Chango & Co before and after gallery.

 To achieve an “after” look like these beautiful Chango & Co spaces I know I would need the help of an interior designer. Watching HGTV does not make you a designer. Hiring a designer is not just for the rich and famous. Are you familiar with the saying,  “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur.”  Designers are educated professionals. They can help you express your style, save you time and money and frustration.

Nice combination with the wood desk and acrylic chairs

The staff at Hirshfield’s Design Studio have names of interior designers who would be a good fit with the scope of your project, big or small. They can be reached at 612-374-8901.

P.S. We carry both of the fabulous wallpaper patterns shown in the photos.

Since Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield opened their first store in 1894, it has been our mission to do the best job possible meeting customer needs and solving customer problems. Hirshfield’s. People and products you can trust.

 

 

{friday finds: 2016 interior design trends}

It’s January — time to bring on the bone-chilling cold here in Minnesota, and time to make predictions for the new year in the design world.  It seems like everybody wants to predict what colors, materials, and styles will be hot this year, so we sifted through some of the best to bring you a look at the top interior design trends for 2016.

Matte Metal Tile by Miami Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Eden Mosaic Tile

The Wall Street Journal interviewed 26 top interior designers and picked black metals as the top trend for this year. Los Angeles designer Barclay Butera noted that “there is nothing fussy about iron and blackened steel,” which is showing up in simple hardware, bathroom fixtures and even flatware. Contemporary designers, such as Jasper Morrison blend it with wood and glass, or sometimes create entire pieces of matte black metal. “Welders are the new rock stars,” enthused New York designer Julia Haney-Montanez.

Kitchen by Tampa Appliances Famous Tate Appliance & Bedding Centers

Houzz.com agrees. A compilation of discussions on the design site identified colored stainless steel appliances as one of the top trends.  “Black stainless steel is making a buzz on Houzz,” the article says. “In a poll, nearly two-thirds of Houzzers say they would consider the dark alternative to shiny silver metal.” Examples include LG’s new Black Stainless collection (above), and Whirlpool’s Sunset Bronze finish.