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There are lots of reasons we love fall – the changing colors, the holidays and, of course, the cooler weather. But for interior designers, the best thing about fall is a visit to High Point Market.
High Point Market in North Carolina is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world. All the latest furniture lines, accessories and trends in interior design are on display, and the place is a feast for the eyes to say the least!
We took countless pictures and fell in love with so many pieces. It was hard to choose our favorite new developments in design, but there were some trends that were simply too dazzling to forget. Here are a few of our favorite High Point standouts that we hope to use soon!

Metallics

Shimmering Fabrics

Mid-Century Modern

Embellished Furniture Fronts

Natural Elements

Neutrals with Pops of Color

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

From pumpkins to autumn leaves, orange is all around us this time of year. But why is a color that brings fall foliage tours and smiles to so many faces seldom used in interior design?
Simply put, while most people love color, they’re afraid of choosing the wrong color. So they choose colors they think are “safe.” And while understandable, they’re missing out on the power of color!
Orange is a powerful color, and orange decor can be dazzling. Orange is considered the color of joy, adventure and creativity. It combines the warmth and happiness of yellow with the energy and stimulation of red, and it’s also thought to invoke feelings of optimism.
Here are some of our favorite rooms with orange décor that embrace the power of color.

Home Office

Via Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Home offices don’t have to be all work and no play! Liven up the space with fun patterns and vibrant hues. Orange and fuchsia make for one fun, festive color combination in this family-friendly home office we designed for a busy family that loved cheerful rooms.

Nursery

Via

Forget pink or blue! An orange and white color palette mixed with cheerful yellow and blue accents creates the perfect nursery for a boy or a girl. In this room, it would be hard not to smile evening during those late night feedings!

Guest Room

Via

As complementary colors, orange and blue always bring out the best in one another. Add a bold detail like these large-scale suzani headboards, and you’ve got one showstopper of a room.

Kitchen

Via

Yellow isn’t the only happy color to paint a kitchen. Break with tradition and wow with orange! The color alone sets the mood regardless of the decorating style you choose.

Dining Room

Via

There’s a reason people flock to see fall foliage. The warm, dusky hues naturally soothe the soul. So what better shade to choose than a deep earthy orange for the dining room – a frequent gathering place for friends and family?

Feeling in the spirit this Halloween and want to create your own haunted manor? Jack-o-lanterns and hanging sheets are great for the kiddos, but they do little for those with more sophisticated tastes.
If you’re hosting guests or simply want an eerie, but elegant atmosphere this All Hallows Eve, take a cue from the masters of horror. From Hitchcock to Bram Stoker, Halloween decor inspired by the classics is sure to enchant and bring imagined bumps in the night.

The Raven

Via

Think poetry is just for lovesick dreamers? Then you’ve never read Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven. The simple phrase “never more” sends a ghostly message when hung above a mantel and draped with bat garland.

Frankenstein

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Welcome to Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory! Snakes and creepy critters become even more menacing when placed inside apothecary jars alongside a few well placed books. Mary Shelley would be proud.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

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I doubt Washington Irving ever imagined the lasting impact his short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, would have when published in 1820. Recreate the spooky magic of Sleepy Hollow with a tablescape of white pumpkins, candles and rustic linens.

Dracula

Via

With their webbed wings and nocturnal habits, bats were feared even before Bram Stoker wrote Dracula. Greet guests with a flying colony of bats and set the stage for greater frights to come!

The Birds

Via

Black and white framed-images from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic, The Birds, are sure to quicken the pulse of any horror fan. Add a faux version of one of the most terrifying villains in horror history, and let the fun begin. Happy Halloween!

Can you blend rustic charm with contemporary design? Absolutely! And reflecting this unique union was the guiding principle in our latest project – a rustic contemporary design home built in Celina, Texas.
Our design was inspired by Celina’s own duality. The small city sits at the intersection of a State highway and a farm to market road. Corn-lined roads usher you into town, and high school football is still king. In fact, Celina High School has one of the most successful football programs in the all of Texas, and that’s saying something!
But Celina also sits just north of the bustling Dallas Metroplex and the Dallas North Tollway, adding modern convenience to its rural appeal. The area is known as the “Golden Corridor,” and Celina’s housing market is booming. It was important for our design to reflect this balance, and a rustic contemporary design was the perfect fit!

The Exterior

Natural lighting and elements are prominently featured in the design. Expansive windows make the most of the home’s beautiful surroundings, and create a continuous flow from the outside in. A stone facade, clean lines and light-dark contrast set the tone for interior finishes.

The Kitchen

The heart of the home opens to the living room, creating a spacious area for friends and family to gather. Dekton countertops offer a seamless surface, and beauty that matches function. The sophisticated blend of raw materials is fireproof and non-porous, with virtually zero water absorption.
X-mullion white cabinetry and opulent Duraglass accent tiles bring visual interest and light to the space. A custom-designed, two-part island system offers the ultimate in function and flexibility. The system includes one stationary section and one mobile section mounted on casters, which can serve as a serving or prep area, breakfast bar or craft table.

The Living Room

A floating hearth with dark porcelain tile surround serves as the focal point of the living room which is bathed in natural light. Dark faux ceiling beams and casings match the tone of the porcelain tile, and are in stark contrast to room’s light finishes.

The Staircase

A modern staircase with metal and glass railing greets visitors to the home and can be viewed from the majority of the house. At its pinnacle, a contemporary chandelier descends from a double vaulted ceiling through faux beams illuminated with LED uplighting.

The Master Bathroom

In the master bedroom, an ensuite spa-inspired bathroom features a freestanding tub, frameless glass shower and porcelain flooring in a herringbone pattern. Dekton countertops, polished chrome hardware and glass accent tile complete the look.
Thaddeus Drew Signature Homes builds amazing homes, and we loved working with everyone involved. Great collaboration!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Art and accessories may make a home look beautiful, but they do little to help us with everyday tasks. That’s where home appliances come in. And with today’s technologies and finishes, they’re looking quite dazzling on their own!
I had the privilege recently of attending the Jenn-Air Designer Forum at the World of Whirlpool in Chicago. Design specialists from around the country were invited and treated to a visit to the Windy City to explore the latest in home appliance technologies.
The World of Whirlpool facility is a showstopper in itself. The 30,000-square-foot facility is located in the penthouse of the historic Reid-Murdoch Building in downtown Chicago.

The Chicago landmark was built in 1914 and once used as a makeshift hospital after the S.S. Eastland capsized in the Chicago River on the opposite shore. It also contains 12 state-of-the-art demonstration kitchens, interactive laundry showrooms and innovative meeting spaces.
For two days, experts from the world’s leading appliance brands shared their knowledge and educated us on the latest in home appliances. All of the products showcased were extraordinary, but of course I have my favorites and want to share them!

Black Stainless Steel

Can’t decide between black or stainless steel kitchen appliances? Now you don’t have to choose. You can have both with KitchenAid’s black stainless steel!
KitchenAid has introduced the first-ever black stainless steel finish in the appliance industry, and it is stunning! The finish has all the same material qualities as stainless steel, but in a warmer tone. Plus, it hides fingerprints and other marks! I love using contrasting colors in kitchen designs, and this finish offers so many new and exciting options.

Steam & Convection Oven

Steam and convection ovens are one of the hottest (no pun intended) trends in appliances, and for good reason. Steam preserves nutrients in vegetables and tenderness in meats, while convection heating cooks food more evenly and quickly. Combining the two results in healthier, better cooking – food that’s tender inside and roasted or crisped outside
To showcase the oven’s abilities, the Jenn-Air chef cooked salmon and creme brûlée at the same time. There was absolutely NO flavor transfer and both were delicious! The ovens are so popular, many of our clients are choosing to omit a microwave from their kitchens and rely solely on a steam and convection oven instead.

Induction Cooktop

Another appliance heating up the marketplace is the Jenn-Air induction cooktop. Induction cooking heats the cookware, rather than the surface of the cooktop, through magnetic induction. This keeps the surface of the cooktop cool to the touch and easily cleaned. Induction cooktops are also extremely energy efficient, offer precise temperature control and heat up more quickly than a traditional gas or electric cooktop.
As an added bonus, a dishwasher-safe silicone pad can be placed on top of the cooktop, between the cooktop and cookware while cooking. The pad can then be thrown into the dishwasher after cooking for super easy clean up! Four of our clients have already chosen to substitute an induction cooktop for an electric range, and all have raved about them.

The Food!

Of course, the trip wasn’t all work and no play. While showcases the appliances and their abilities, chefs prepared some of the best food I’ve ever tasted.
The “broken cone” dessert was without a doubt my favorite! Homemade vanilla ice cream with salted caramel and chocolate pieces was served with broken cone pieces with a hint of peanut butter to scoop up the deliciousness. I literally could have licked the plate!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors and Jenn-Air.

We had an amazing night recently at the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Awards Celebration. Industry designers and professionals from throughout the Texas Chapter gathered to recognize the best of the best, and we were thrilled to receive five of the prestigious awards!
From contemporary to traditional design, Legacy of Design Awards were given from a variety categories and the projects were simply stunning. We were inspired by all the designs, and extremely honored to be recognized. In fact, the only thing more exciting than the celebration was calling our clients to tell them they had award-winning homes!

2015 ASID Legacy of Design Awards

We couldn’t be happier, and want to thank ALL our clients for making our designs possible!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Do you want to know how to arrange your furniture to optimize socializing with friends and family?

Or how to give old furniture new life, and add texture to a room to boost visual interest?

Interior Design Tips & Tricks

Professional interior designers use tried-and-true tips and tricks every day, and you can, too! Our free 10 Interior Design Tips & Tricks Guide offers simple and practical ways to add more style to your home, and make the most of your existing furniture and decor!
Just provide us your email address by subscribing to our monthly Barbara Gilbert Interiors Newsletter, and you can download our Ebook with 10 professional interior design tips for FREE!
You can also sign up through the Barbara Gilbert Interiors Facebook page, where we routinely post updates on our projects and showcase the latest in design news!
We understand your home is the backdrop of your life! And we want to help you make your home as beautiful and comfortable as possible.
Subscribe today, because life is better when we’re inspired by our surroundings!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

School is almost back in session, and soon gym shoes and backpacks will replace flip-flops and sunscreen. But don’t let the hectic pace of the school year take the fun out of this exciting time! An organized home helps cut the stress and provides more time for the activities your family enjoys. Here are three back to school organization tips to help you tackle the school year and get the most out of each day.

Create a Homework Station

Via

Homework is easier to start and do if everything needed is close at hand. Decide on the best location in your home for a homework station and maximize the space for efficiency. Choose a table or desk with sufficient work space, clear the area and add adequate lighting. Organize homework essentials, like pens, pencils, erasers and other tools into nearby bins. Remember, if your kids can see the supplies, they’re less likely to ask you to help them find them! Visible bins work better than drawers.

Create a Command Central

Via

Create a family communication center to keep track of each family member’s activities. A family bulletin board that includes a family calendar, space for school handouts, phone messages and invitations works great. Consider color coding your family calendar by assigning each family member a color. Mount the board over a console table or bench, add baskets or bins for each person’s belongings, and you’ve got a family command center.

Create an Exit Station

Via

It’s hard to forget things when they’re routinely organized and displayed. And a full-size mudroom is not required. Create a simple system by the door to help you remember special items you and your kids need to take with you each day: homework, keys, lunches, backpacks, jackets, etc. You can also hang or place a bin or basket by the door to hold the items each person needs to remember that day.
Happy organizing!

Source of Images: Houzz.com

A quiet revolution is underway, but this often overlooked revolution is producing big results. In fact, some people are calling it the most exciting change in lighting since Thomas Edison introduced the light bulb over 130 years ago!
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are transforming the lighting industry, and are expected to change the way we light our world. LEDs use at least 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs, last more than 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, contain no mercury and produce very little heat. They also emit virtually no UV or infrared radiation, and they gradually fade out over a long period of time rather than burning out all at once.
Recent advances in technology have also greatly altered LEDs. The diodes’ once cold, bluish light has been replaced by any color and temperature of light desired. A soft yellow light similar to incandescent lighting is achieved with a low Kelvin color temperature. Manufacturing costs are steadily decreasing, and LEDs are now available in countless forms, from bulbs and light tubes to light strings and strips.
Flexible and easy to install, new applications for LEDs are constantly emerging. The end result is safer, more energy efficient and more dramatic designs and interiors. Here are just a few ways we’ve recently used LED lighting and some ideas for your home. Join the revolution!

LED Lighting Projects

LEDs highlight reclaimed timber beams on the ceiling in this family room, and cast a soft light from above. The modern and rustic elements blend beautifully, adding warmth and visual depth to the space.

A built-in bookcase becomes anything but ordinary with the installation of a metallic grasscloth wallcovering and LED accent lighting. The LED lighting gleams off the grasscloth and showcases a variety of personal treasures.

LED lighting, placed under the cabinets at the toe kick, provides a nightlight effect in this serene master bath. An additional LED at the height of the architectural arch adds impact and further task lighting.

A dark cork wallcovering is illuminated by LED accent lights, creating the perfect backdrop for white accessories and built-in shelves.

LED lighting in all the right places gives this contemporary kitchen a light and airy atmosphere. The lights illuminate the glass uppers and accent tile over the cooktop for a dramatic effect. The cabinets and toe kick are also lighted, but from beneath, to add safety and task lighting to improve function.

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

We usually wait to unveil our projects after they’re complete, but sometimes we just can’t wait to share the details! Our design for a chic colorful media & gameroom is underway, and we love how it’s progressing.

We recently installed the backsplash and wall art for the room’s kitchenette – a complete wall of custom linear glass tiles. The bold colors and scale of the design create a unique statement piece that adds excitement to this fun room. Neutral furnishings and eye-catching accessories will balance the tiles’ vibrant hues, and there’s so much more to come!
Here’s a sneak peak at more of the room’s design, from the color palette to the furnishings.
A neutral gray and rich navy blue will serve as the room’s primary colors, while accent hues will include teal, denim, orange and kiwi green. These colors will create a modern, sophisticated palette with pops of exuberance.
A large gray-upholstered sectional, with separate components allowing different configurations, will provide comfortable, stylish seating. A navy faux leather ottoman trimmed in nickel nail head and a steel-based sofa table are just two of the room’s unique accent pieces.

Accessories in shades of orange, white and silver will continue the room’s color scheme, and provide a variety of textures and shapes to attract the eye.

Dark espresso shelves, a fabulous built-in circular bench for use on game night, custom rug and blackout window shades will complete the space.
We can’t wait to see the room completed, and will share more details soon!

Source of Images: Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Metallics

Shimmering Fabrics

Mid-Century Modern

Embellished Furniture Fronts

Natural Elements

Neutrals with Pops of Color

Home Office

Via Barbara Gilbert Interiors

Nursery

Via

Guest Room

Via

Kitchen

Via

Dining Room

Via

The Raven

Frankenstein

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Dracula

The Birds

The Exterior

The Kitchen

The Living Room

The Staircase

The Master Bathroom

Black Stainless Steel

Steam & Convection Oven

Induction Cooktop

The Food!

2015 ASID Legacy of Design Awards

FIRST PLACE – Transitional Living Areas

FIRST PLACE – Transitional Residential Singular Space

SECOND PLACE – Transitional Master Bedroom

SECOND PLACE – Transitional Master Bathroom

HONORABLE MENTION – Transitional Kitchen

Do you want to know how to arrange your furniture to optimize socializing with friends and family?

Or how to give old furniture new life, and add texture to a room to boost visual interest?

Interior Design Tips & Tricks

Create a Homework Station

Create a Command Central

Create an Exit Station

LED Lighting Projects