Spring Style Source

These days, it doesn’t matter if you lean toward shabby chic or city sleek—or both. Satisfy all your decor dispositions without looking overdone. Fuse your fashion tastes without squandering your savings. Why hold back? Spring forward!

Fusion, Fabric, Flair and Frill

By Ashley Nichols / Portrait Photography by Hana Jung

What if we told you that you don’t have to choose between your passion for Guatemalan prints and French fabrics? What if you discovered a place for both your Antony Todd coffee table AND your Victorian chandelier? In this fabulous age of daring decor, it’s true … you really can have it all.

Fusion Design Combines the Best of Both Worlds
Most homeowners find themselves intimidated when they hear the expression “fusion design.” Maybe the word “fusion” conjures memories of junior high science lessons. Or maybe it’s a fear of not knowing how to balance anything outside of traditional decor. Combining decorative pieces pulled from different parts of the globe is a delicate art form, but the outcome can be absolutely spectacular. We turned to local designers who know their stuff when it comes to using fusion in design to see what tips they have to offer. Read on to see how they achieve great looks, and learn how you too can transform a drab space into an eclectic convergence. It’s not as difficult as it seems. And we promise—no protons. Once you let go of your fears, you just might be in for a cultural awakening.

Maureen McGough

Southwestern Contemporary
Maureen McGough of Maureen McGough Interior Design recently completed her vacation home in Scottsdale, Ariz. She couldn’t resist incorporating some subtle southwestern and American Indian details into her contemporary two-bedroom, two-bath house. McGough selected most of the furniture from Kravet’s contemporary collection, created with clean lines and soothing hues. In contrast, she incorporated pops of rust, turquoise and gold in pillows and other accent pieces. On her sectional sofa, she used pillows with Navajo-type beading and leather fringe, as well as rust-colored pillows with silver studs. In addition, she brought in a coffee table from French company Art Concept Design. The table is metal and has etchings of arrows and curvy lines that remind her of cave drawings.

The breakfast area also combines contemporary and southwestern styles by pairing a pedestal table and rustic chairs with a Navajo rug. McGough carefully selected her pieces to create a space that has southwestern inspirations but could just as easily be found in Northern Virginia. As advice to those wishing to use fusion in their design, she says to “let your environment be your inspiration, and always try to do something different.”

Asian American
Perhaps the most recognizable and popular fusion design today is found in rooms that include Chinese- and Japanese-inspired pieces. “Influence from the Orient is everywhere these days,” says Carolin Schebish of Design Exchange Inc. in Fairfax. She credits the trend to the serenity Asian design invokes. “Rooms also become less cluttered when we infuse this type of design.” People want to come home from their hectic days at work to more calming environments.

For one client, Schebish helped incorporate an obi (Japanese sash worn with a kimono) into a contemporary American room by having it stitched so that it hung evenly (and safely) over a rustic wooden rod above the fireplace. The walls of this family room were painted a Chinese red with a gold over-layer. These accents were grounded with contemporary furniture by Baker with soft, comfortable upholstery. A custom area rug with a minimal pattern and a black and gold table with curvy legs also proved to pair well; a Buddha statue served to complete the look.

For Schebish, fusing an American look with Oriental accents requires a fine balance. One of her favorite looks is a table with just two unevenly shaped planks that join together to make a Japanese-style table.

Smart Travel
How to Purchase Souvenirs with Design Savvy

By Cathy Cruise / Photography by Jonathan Timmes

Planning an exotic summer trip? If you’re like most people, you’ll lug home an assortment of beloved souvenirs. Like that Chilean mask gazing down on the Grecian urn resting on the Guatemalan tapestry…

Hmm. Perhaps a few photos would suffice?

Don’t sweat it. It’s not hard to merge eclectic elements into stylish presentations. Designer Vern Yip of Trading Spaces fame (now on HGTV’s “Deserving Design” and “Design Star”) says successful fusion decor begins with preplanning.

When traveling, “keep basic color cues in mind,” Yip recommends. “The more disparate the elements in your room, the more you have to find a common thread, like color, pattern, sheen. I love finding things in white or neutral that will work with my color palette.”

And, he urges, think big. “People buy small items because they don’t want to carry large ones home. But little things never make a statement, and end up being just a bunch of things on your table.” Instead, the former McLean resident advised, purchase one larger, meaningful piece, and have it shipped.

Buying things designed for the tourist industry is another mistake to avoid. “Too many people shop at the airport,” he says. “Buy something that showcases the artisans of a region—silver work or embroidery, wood carvings, whatever. You may not make that journey again, so buy something great.”

Most importantly, choose with passion. “Only bring home things you absolutely love. There should be a story behind any memento.”

Euro Eclectic
For Rebecca Hubler of Designed Interiors in Annandale, a client’s taste is the most important element in the process. Most of her designs are what she considers eclectic and incorporate items that are significant to her clients. Whether that means a particular piece of furniture or a child’s craft project, she finds a way to create a room where the client’s favorite finds are at home.

Many European designs on the market are statement pieces. A white plaster bust of an Italian artist or a handheld Spanish fan can find its way into the mix and bring in European appeal when paired with a contemporary American look. As long as you follow the basic rules of design—a substantial piece here to balance out a lighter look there and a good room flow—the actual style or medium (antique wood, glass, brass) doesn’t matter in an eclectic room, Hubler says. What matters is how much you like each piece. And if you’re inspired by the new wave of European designs, there’s no harm adding them to the mix.

Turkish Hungarian
Last summer, Janet Browne of Janet Brown Interiors in Richmond traveled to Budapest and fell in love (with their designs, of course). She toured palaces where she saw gorgeous turquoise tile work. What took her breath away was the intensity of the tone. She had always thought of turquoise as an accent color, but in this case it worked as the primary color, with red as an accent.

The combination has been a hit in the design market. Ann Sacks completed a collection of tiles for Kohler based on it. Called Iznik after the Turkish town where they originated in the 16th century, they are hand-painted in rich colors and create a dramatic backsplash or bathroom wall when laid.

For a Hungarian fusion, these colors alone can inspire a room. Balance their richness with more neutral pieces of furniture, then add in accent pieces that repeat the turquoise and red, such as pretty pillows with intricate beading or Hungarian artwork.

African Western
When Springfield designer June Shea of Shea Studio Interiors worked with a gentleman client from Mongolia, the two strove to bring elements of his heritage into his new western abode. For his fireplace, they painted images of traditional African tools, utensils and musical instruments onto the surrounding tiles. In his kitchen, they did the same for his backsplash with an image of a cooking vessel. For his powder room, which would be seen by several of his international business guests when he entertained, they combined a traditional wallpaper and border with a cheetah print ceiling, a wrought iron sink base resembling a tree, and locally bought African-inspired artifacts. “I try to use an eclectic mix in everything,” Shea says. “In this case, fusion was about including things that were personal to my client.”

Shea also works for clients who travel frequently and come home with objects of inspiration. In both types of cases, she aims to balance homeowners’ interests and create a signature look. For Shea, fusion is a way to make design personal for a client. Setting something striking against traditional decor allows the conversation element, say a cheetah ceiling, to stand out.

Be Smart About Art
Investing in art can be a daunting experience. Will you still like it in 10 years? How should it be framed? Before you dip into your savings, keep a few of these tidbits from designer Carolin Schebish in mind.

It isn’t always art that’s pricey. Sometimes framing can run a pretty penny. Never buy a cheap piece of art just to make it look better with an expensive frame.

Try seeking out local art. Look for originals or limited editions.

Don’t buy inexpensive reproductions of famous paintings. Everyone knows they’re not originals.

At the end of the day, it really comes down to whether you love something. Don’t buy it if you can’t say that you absolutely do. If you really love it now, then you’ll still love it when you’ve had it for 20 years.

Another good idea is to shop around on www.etsy.com. Several new artists and craftsters sell their wares through stores on the sites, and some offer very unique pieces for fair prices.

Invest in one good piece that you really like, then hang other accessories to complement it. Try Oriental screens or antique plates that add character to the wall without breaking the bank.

Defining Decor
Understanding a New Era of Design

Just what does “modern fusion” mean anyway? What, exactly, qualifies a room as “contemporary”? Before you call the interior design help line, improve your vogue vocab with our nifty glossary.

Modern
Think modern and contemporary are synonymous? Think again. Modern is for those who like bare, striking decor, like stark white walls with industrial ceilings and minimalist furniture. Peggy Golden of Golden Interiors in Fairfax Station says polished, stainless steel furniture made of unexpected materials like Lucite is common in modern decor, and recommends it for commercial over residential spaces. Modern design is often found in New York, whereas Northern Virginians tend to soften it by mixing hues of softer white with ivory throws, or using tone-on-tone fabrics.

Traditional
Susan Ashley Donelson of Cleveland Hall Design in Alexandria says her clients want “elegant but not stuffy.” They continue to use Oriental rugs and wood-framed furniture with detailed legs, antique casegoods and reproductions, but with more functional updates. Furniture is slightly distressed, not “antiqued,” a quality that is more forgiving to scratches. Upholstery fabrics like chenille and ultrasuede are more resistant to spills. Floors are protected with custom sisal or seagrass rugs and carpeting. The lines are soft, but the feel is not old-English stiff.

Contemporary
As builders construct larger and larger homes, a need for designs that look good in oversize rooms is rising. Golden notes that a contemporary look offers clean lines and comfortable seating. Technological advancements like flat-screen plasma televisions call for sectionals and sofas with low arms that allow for relaxed reclining. In the kitchen, granite countertops and stainless steel rule the roost. On walls, contemporary designs lean toward faux finishes.

Art Deco-Inspired
Art deco, which has origins in France, often uses clean, architectural lines and repeat geometric shapes in fabric. Characteristically, the look calls for accents like sunbursts and dramatic use of glass. Kathy Alexander of Alexander Interiors in McLean says the look is now done with a more limited palette. Very popular today are mirrored pieces of furniture, which work best with blacks and neutrals. Alexander advises clients not to overdo it. “Oftentimes people will just keep buying more stuff to try to achieve a look,” she says. “I go in and have to remove almost 50 percent of the accessories.”

Get That Look
Dabble in Design with a Few DIY Tips
Don’t let the thought of redecorating send you weeping into your faded drapes. Consider a few pro tips for do-it-yourself tricks.

Modernize
Whether you want to go a little more modern in your design, or you just love white, be sure to pick a shade that will be pleasing, not harsh, to the eye. One trick Peggy Golden preaches is trying to aim for a peachy-pink white. People tend to look good against it, and you want to feel like you look good in your own home.

Customize
For a cohesive feel in a large contemporary home with hardwood floors, have custom area rugs made. Repeating the same medium, like seagrass or sisal, with a thick border can give your home a styled appeal and create a flow from one room to the next.

Downsize
Take the size of your room into consideration, and never shop without a measuring tape. Kathy Alexander says that she often sees clients who have fallen in love with a sofa that is simply too large for their living room. Likewise, for a house with high ceilings and large windows, have curtains made to completely cover the frames.

Tags: Home & Design, style