All it takes is one look at your favorite mail order catalog to see that styling your home for winter is all about cozying up, celebrating loved ones, and establishing new traditions. As a design tastemaker I travel to various markets and conventions to take note of what is currently trending and what’s to come in future seasons. With my findings I help clients incorporate appropriate trends into their homes. But did you know that I also consult with retail powerhouse like BALLARD DESIGNS to build their catalogs around decorating themes and ideas? Take a look BEHIND THE CURTAIN to see how we incorporated three popular trends into your home’s decor.

NEW TRADITIONAL DESIGN

The return of crewel work is likely reminiscent of throw pillows on your grandmother’s sofa, but this remixed version debuts in the form of tablecloths and napkins. It’s bright, festive colors are fresh for a young family and pays homage to this time honored design.

Here’s a mockup I created at the Ballard Designs corporate office which demonstrates the pairing of the Heidi tablecloth and napkins along with both striped and dotted Jolly Accent Plants. Though these products are marketed for Christmas, this spritely combination can take you well into a season of spring entertaining.

BLUE CHRISTMAS

This scene introduces the idea of using subtle Christmas accents in the room in lieu of a complete decorating overhaul. Can you spot the various nods to the season? Here are a few—the MERCURY GLASS VASES, the FRESH BIRCH ART, on the coffee table there are Christmas ornaments in a bowl, and a pair of the TREMBLANT LED TREES.

 

For two straight days, the Ballard Designs merchandising teams presented samples of the new holiday introductions. With the samples, image cuttings of products, and magazine inspiration for pages layouts, we assembled concepts for each and every catalog page.

EMERALD, BLACK, AND WHITE

Emerald green velvet paired with a classic black and white furnishings and accessories look especially chic when accented with gold.  You may also remember seeing an emerald sofa here in a previous post. Ballard introduced the KATHRYN SOFA, with its tailored lines and brass stretchers for yet another update on traditional furnishings. You will continue to see this luxurious jewel tone making appearances in both traditional and contemporary design schemes with no signs of slowing down.

As mentioned before, it takes only a few accessories to evoke Christmas into any room. Once of my favorite items this season was the ANGEL CANDLEHOLDER.

BRINGING IT TO LIFE

 

Months after the meetings, catalog photoshoots take place in several Atlanta estate homes. Photo stylists take the notes from the prior meetings and assembles the sets within the confinements of each space. The notes may request that a particular room be photographed near a window or door. Since the layouts are designed before the home is secured onsite adjustments have to be made when the architectural elements aren’t present.

Each room is photographed and reviewed to insure featured products have prominent placement.

Consulting work like this is rewarding because I get an opportunity to influence home decor on a national scale via printed catalogs. Watching a room go from vision to reality never gets old for me and I look forward to giving you a behind-the-curtain look into other catalogs.

Best,

Erika