Lighting Installations
Light is Time | @DTG Architects
Humans, like other living organisms, are attracted to light. In plants, this phenomenon causes them to grow towards their light source, reaching and straining to reach the sun. Moths and other insects also seek light, flying as close at they can to lightbulbs.
Like these other living creatures, humans are attracted to light and seek it out, moving towards the source and following along until they find it. This is one of the reasons lighting is so useful in wayfinding, attracting attention and guiding people where they need to go. But light has the ability to do more than just guide people - it can inspire them as well!
Light art installations immediately draw the eye, pulling you in and making you want to see more. They take the universal attraction to light and combine it with an artistic eye, creating experiences of beauty, intrigue, and joy. Today we’re looking at some of the lighting installations that inspire us most - see below for a few of our favorites!
Atmosphere | @Pneuhaus
Space Frames at Coal Drops Yard | @Mieke Meijer
Field of Light | @Bruce Munro
Fulgida | @Massimo Uberti
Instance & Star Ceiling | @Leo Villareal
What lighting installations inspire you?
Photo-Inspired Palettes
@Tiago Murano
Inspiration can come from anything - ideas, stories, objects, even an interesting phrase. As designers working in a visual medium, we’re often inspired by things that are visual and a source of almost constant inspiration for us are images.
Today, we’re taking a look at several amazing photographs and the palettes they inspired - take a look below to see how these beautiful images can be the catalyst for wonderful design concepts!
@Gian Reto Tarnutz
@Muhammed Kara
@Lermakovas
What photos are inspiring you?
Patriotic Palettes | 3 Ways
Everyone knows the colors of the American flag are red, white and blue. And at this time of year when Independence Day draws close, these colors seem to be everywhere from decorations, to clothing, to retail displays. And while this trend always fades as the summer holidays pass, there’s no denying that these classic colors aren’t limited to holiday merchandise.
Red, white, and blue is a classic combination. It has both warm and cool tones for interest, with a bright neutral to balance them out. Moreover, this color combination can be interpreted in countless different ways, either by playing with the colors themselves or by adding new textures, materials, and patterns into the mix.
Today, we’re taking inspiration from the upcoming holiday and sharing a few ideas for Independence Day material palettes - take a look below at some of our favorite patriotic-inspired combinations!
PALETTE 1
1) Triad, Midnight Blue | @Arc-Com 2) Et Bella | @Silestone 3) Eternal Marquina | @Silestone 4) Mist, Peach | @Mosaico+ 5) Eucalyptus Saligna | @Milliken 6) Woodlands, Ebony | @EF Contract 7) Tilda, Blush Lapel | @Mitchell Black 8) Skyfall, Cobalt | @Flor 9) Nero Marquina Dots | @Roca Tile 10) Mist, Paprika | @Mosaico+ 11) Quill, Swan | @HBF 12) Theo, Dark Red | @Brentano 13) Ms. Quilty, Fickle | @HBF 14) Quill, Goose | @HBF 15) Cow House, Pavement | @Valley Forge
For a sophisticated spin on the traditional 4th of July palette, red can be swapped for elegant peach tones to add whimsey. Including very saturated blues (both light and dark) helps to ground this palette while adding variety. The wood tones bring warmth and texture, balanced by timeless stone materials. When put together, this palette is a playful and sophisticated combination of styles, textures, and color tones.
PALETTE 2
1) Sommalier | @Sherwin Williams 2) Yohen Border, White | @Inax Tile 3) Bars | @Audrey Lane 4) Olaria, Blue Steel | @Roca Tile 5) Walnut | @Bacon Veneer Company 6) Skara Brae | @Cambria 7) Duet, Blueprint | @Brentano 8) Merit, Cabernet | @Maharam 9) Sideways, Blanc | @HBF 10) Theo, Dark Red | @Brentano 11) Mist, Avio | Mosaico+ 12) Walnut Tambour | @Surfacing Solution 13) To the Point, All Nighter | @D.L. Couch 14) To the Point, Gold | @D.L. Couch 15) To the Point, Graphite | @D.L. Couch 16) To the Point, Inky | @D.L. Couch
Classic red, white, and blue never goes out of style! This ensemble is an modern take on a timeless palette, with beautiful colors and sophisticated accents that elevate it to a new level. Warm, textured woods juxtapose, sleek, gold metallics to create balance. Stone with a large-scale veining pattern add elegance, while fun geometric wallcoverings add an element of playfulness.
PALETTE 3
1) Maple Tambour | @Surfacing Solution 2) Sunbeam, Matador | @Sina Pearson 3) Prime, Iceberg | @Maharam 4) Gem, Lapis | @Brentano 5) Bright Angle, Cyan | @Maharam 6) Lines, Black & White | @Olivia + Poppy 7) Deconstructed Stripe, Ivory on Black | @Schumacher 8) Maddox Deco, Black | @Stacy Garcia 9) Penny Rounds, Aqua Blue | @Artistic Tile 10) Penny Rounds, Steel Blue | @Artistic Tile 11) Penny Rounds, Coral Red | @Artistic Tile 12) White Oak Planked Groove | @Treefrog 13) Tre Super Jag, Black | @Somer Tiler 14) Marble Breach | @Florim 15) Gem I, Midnight Ocean | @Ann Sacks
Using bold corals and aqua blues, our final concept is a bright and modern interpretation of a 4th of July palette! In addition to the unique colors, mixing in graphic black and white patterns and materials adds a playful element. Geometric tiles, wallcovering, and textiles are balanced by the natural patterns of woodgrains and marble-look stone. Finally, the light wood tones tie the palette together with warmth and texture.
How are you inspired by the colors of Independence Day?
Trend Watch: Botanical & Organic Design
Vista Cafe | @Karv One Design
On average, people tend to spend 90% of their time indoors. And as the world becomes ever more urbanized and the built environment more expansive, natural areas and green spaces have grown more scarce. But despite these changes to our world, humans still have a deep connection to nature, and are inherently attracted to it.
Today we’re looking at a design trend inspired by these facts. Botanical and organic-inspired design are not new concepts, but their popularity has grown dramatically as the natural environment shrinks and every green space becomes more precious. Moreover, this trend has a beautiful and sophisticated aesthetic that helps to create timeless spaces - take a look below at some of our favorite projects and products inspired by botanical and organic design!
PROJECTS
Le Klay Restaurant | @Julien Colombier
Hverdagen Restaurant | @Vermland
The London Project | @Yam Jam Interior Design
Bayerischer Hof Hotel | @Jouin Manku
Vista Cafe | @Karv One Design
PRODUCTS
How are botanical and organic designs inspiring you?
Best of Modern Art Deco Style
@Colin Miller
Classic, elegant, luxurious - all good words to describe the Art Deco design movement. Coming of age in the during the 1920s, Art Deco style harkens back to the major themes of that decade; Prohibition, the Jazz Age, the and the first glimpse of mass consumerism all led to a style that evoked a sense of glamour, intrigue, and dark sophistication.
The key characteristics of this design movement were the use of bold colors, geometric elements, and the application of modern materials like metals and glass. But more than anything, the Art Deco design movement was progressive and forward-thinking, creating experiences that felt both hopeful and bold.
Of course, these ideas weren’t only applicable to the 1920s but are still very relevant today. Inspired by the greatest designs of the 1920s, Art Deco’s influence can be seen in some of the most exciting spaces and products being created today! We’ve often drawn inspiration from this era, adapting its geometric forms and classic materials to pay homage to the Art Deco movement in modern and sophisticated spaces.
Today we’re showcasing a collection of modern Art Deco spaces and products - take a look below to see some of our favorites!
BEST OF MODERN ART DECO | SPACES
Tattersalls Hotel | @Luchetti Krelle
Paley Hollywood | @Plan Do See
Beefbar Paris | @Humbert & Poyet
Gwen | @Home Studios
Herzog Bar & Restaurant | @Built Inc. Architects
BEST OF MODERN ART DECO | PRODUCTS
How does modern Art Deco style inspire you?
International Design Trends
@Precht
Interior design trends are never a stationary target, and fresh concepts are constantly evolving to inspire and amaze. We love taking existing ideas and reinterpreting them in new ways, and appreciate seeing other designers do the same. But because creation is so often influenced by experience, we frequently like to expand our point of view and see what where design is headed on a more global level.
Today we’re taking a look at international design and the trends that we’re seeing aboard. Take a look below to get an overview of these trends and some of our favorite projects that use them!
ENBRACING A SOFTER SIDE
We’re seeing more and more international design with softer concepts, colors, and textures - check out a few of our favorites below!
@Elena Lokastova
A Moscow jewelry store has achieves a soft and luxurious feel using pastel colors inspired by local architecture and plush textures.
@Bryan O’Sullivan
The Berkeley Bar in London strikes a perfect balance by mixing masculine materials like wood and tone with feminine colors and forms
@PAVE Architects
A recent remodel at the Original Sokos Hotel Arina in Finland introduced locally-inspired theme rooms, which are based on whimsical concepts like as Summer Night and Salmon and Tar
REFINED + MINIMAL
A refined and minimalist aesthetic has been quite prominent in many international projects this year. We love the clean lines, sophisticated palettes, natural textures, and impeccable lighting used in these spaces - take a look below to see a collection of our favorites!
@YuQiang & Partners
A beautiful, minimalist hotel, the Hainan Nanyang Meili Hui in Danzhou, China uses a combination of simple yet engaging geometry and natural elements to create refined and elegant spaces
@Roar Studio
The Sensasia Stories Spa in Dubai juxtaposes brutalist elements with natural materials, ethereal lighting, and glamorous details
@Cumulus Studio
The design team behind Hotel Verge wanted to project to fit purposefully within the heritage and context of it’s location in Launceston, Australia. The area’s industrial history informed their use of sleek, raw materials and sophisticated forms.
BOLD COLORS
A new trend in bold, playful colors and can be seen in many recent international projects - check out a few favorites below!
@Masquespacio
A Milan location for the the Italian hamburger chain Bun mixes vintage elements, bright colors, and sophisticated details to appeal to a new generation of younger customers
@Dvekati
A Moscow wine bar provides a fun and playful atmosphere using bold shapes and bright colors
@Klein Dytham Architecture
The Toggle Hotel in Tokyo makes bold use of color-blocking, mixing clean lines with bright tones for a sophisticated but playful atmosphere
What international design trends are inspiring you lately?
Sustainability | Carpet
As a major contributor to commercial production and waste cycles, the design and construction industry is focusing ever more on sustainability in new projects. It’s an incredibly important factor, and as designers, we love companies that make it easier for us to specify environmentally-conscious products and take part in sustainability programs.
Carpet is a big industry, and it’s installed into millions of new spaces each year. With that in mind, carpet companies can make a major environmental impact based on what materials they use, how they produce their products, and what sustainability efforts they choose to make. We love companies that take eco-consciousness seriously, so today we’re looking at sustainability in the carpet industry - take a look below to see some amazing companies and their products!
We love companies and products that are committed to reducing or eliminating post-consumer waste, and Shaw is doing just that! The company introduced the first Cradle to Cradle (C2C) flooring product more than 20 years ago, and continues to offer C2C products today. Moreover, their Re[TURN] Reclamation Program has allowed Shaw to reclaim and recycle almost 1 billion pounds of carpet since 2006, much of which has been reused in the production of new flooring products!
Mannington not only creates beautiful carpets, but the company produces them using less energy and resources! They are committed to reducing their environmental footprint, and were one of the original 50 Save Energy Now Leaders (now know as the Better Plants initiative). Mannington has 3.3 acres of solar arrays and has reduced energy intensity by 17% since 2007 - all while doubling their manufacturing sites!
Some of our favorite flooring is from EF Contract, and we love their commitment to reclamation! Their R4 Program was started in 2007, and focuses on the ideas of Return, Reuse, Recycle, & Reduce. Each year more than 60,000 pounds of waste are diverted from landfills through this program!
What sustainable carpets are you loving right now?
Trend Watch | Modern 80’s Furniture
@Laura Gonzalez
The 1980s are remember for many iconic cultural introductions. Legwarmers, scrunchies, high-waisted jeans - the list of 80s trends is long, and usually inspires a love or hate reaction. And as we keep an eye of emerging 2021 design trends, we can’t help but notice 80s-inspired interior design showing up more and more. Bright colors, geometric patterns, bold color-blocking - we’re seeing all this and more in new commercial design projects, and we’re loving the modern 80’s trend!
One place we’re seeing the modern influence of the 80’s is in furniture. There are a lot of amazing products reflecting this trend, and we love using these pieces to bring a bit of nostalgia and sophistication to any space. Take a look below to see some of our favorites!
