Incase you missed it….
Somehow I overlooked sharing this on the blog or even our website. We were on channel 5’s chronicle not too long ago. I thought nothing of it after it aired, but was told by numerous people that I should share it on our website. Not being the most technically savvy person around, its taken me awhile to figure out how to do that haha.
But incase you missed it….here is our small claim to fame.
Design Trends for 2022 (whats staying and whats leaving)
Its almost the New Year, and with the new year comes new design trends. Here at Gloucester Design we have compiled a list of what trends we think will be sticking around in 2022 and what design trends we hope are leaving ( haha). Remember these are just our personal opinions. Home design should always be about your tastes and your own style. So take everything we say lightly and make sure to stick with what works for you and what you love. With that being said; lets start with what we think are going to be big hits in 2022.
What we hope 2022 will bring;
Sustainability. This is a major issue, as it should be. Designers and home owners are learning more and more what the best materials to use for the long term health of our eco system are. Finding consciously designed and responsibly manufactured items will and should be trending in 2022. Reclaimed materials and responsible productions will make a big difference for our ecosystem overall.
Kids Rooms. Play rooms are out and homework/school rooms will be in. Since people are opting out traditional schooling and more and more are hybrid learning or home schooling all together a homework room or school room are becoming more and more popular. Their is only so much that can be done on the crowded dining room table or kitchen island. Book shelves, smart boards, and desks make for a more private and quiet place for your child to study and learn. I know during the pandemic, having 6 kids all at our dining table trying to work was hectic to say the least. So we think this is a great option for 2022.
Multi-functional spaces. We all know too well about spending more time at home since Covid appeared. Multi functional rooms allow you to get more out of one space at a time without breaking the bank with additions and complete room changes. It allows you to stay in your current home and make your home work with what it has. Some multi functional spaces we have seen are home offices/guest bedrooms (cant go wrong with a murphy bed), and laundry room/mudrooms.
laundry room/mud room.
4. Bringing the outside in. We can thank Covid for many design trends. Not many people enjoy being stuck in the house at all times. That is why nature inspired design is in for 2022. Natural light, biophilic design principles, calming tones like greens and blues, and add some plants for decor to bring the outside in.
5. Decorative Cabinetry. We for one, could not be more excited about this trend. Though shaker style cabinetry will never let you down, 2022 is all for different cabinet profiles. From flat panel to glass fronts, or anything in between. Dont be scared to mix and match.
This beaded profile door front is becoming one of our most popular.
6. Fun Foyers and Mudrooms. Aside from a door, a foyer or mud room is the first thing you see when you enter the house. So make it fun. A great table in the foyer styled with welcoming vibes is always a great choice. If you enter through your mudroom, think more closed cabinets then open. This allows you to hide coats, hockey equipment or whatever else your child decided to throw in there. Remember that your mudroom will not always look like it does on your instagram photo, But if styled right and you have enough space to move things out of the way the mudroom can also make a great first impression and give some welcoming vibes to your guests.
An entry way that is fun and makes a statement.
7. Closed floor plans. Ok, now when my husband first said to me a year ago, open floor plans are going to be out. I told him he was crazy. Its been the go to trend for so long. But the more I think about it, the more I see his point…..and apparently so do others. More time at home with your family equals wanting a little more privacy. We have noticed we are building more walls rather than taking them down like before. It also gives you the ability to have so many more additional design opportunities. Not every room has to flow together color/furniture wise. So you get more chances to be creative as well as more time for yourself. In addition to closed floor plans we find that we are adding a lot of nooks to homes that feel more private.
Next up, some design trends that we here at Gloucester Design are not sad about leaving.
All White Kitchens. If you follow us on instagram, you know that I have a thing against all white kitchens. Its not that I hate white, I just think too white of a kitchen or any space can make it look sterile. I always think adding some color, or wood makes it feel warmer and more inviting. We are noticing with our incoming clients, that many are starting to stray away from the all white kitchen and add some pops of colors. Some are going very bold with their color choices while some just stick with some natural earthy elements to warm it up. But either way, I think we are seeing the all white kitchen trend stay on the back burner for a bit.
All Gray Rooms. 2022 is calling for more warm and earthy toned walls. Again there is nothing wrong with gray but we are seeing it starting to be swapped out for earthy and warmer tones. Also, prints are taking its place, with fun wallpapers and murals. So gray had a good run, but maybe it needs to take a rest for a bit.
Straight lines. Curved furniture is trending for 2022. When I think minimalism I think of straight sometimes harsh lines along with big empty spaces. Thats going out for 2022. We want softening sillhouettes with a more feminine touch to it. Though mid century modern/straight lines will never actually be replaced its moving aside so that some curves and softening can have its moment to shine. We are not just talking couches and chairs here either. Many people are opting for round tables, radius cabinetry, and rounded corners on their rectangular tables. So embraces the curves..
Straight lines are out and circular and radial style seating is in.
4. Barn Doors. We consider ourselves pretty on top of trends when it comes to doors. We make alot of them. But what we have seen is a decrease in the amount of barn doors we make. We have seen an increase in french doors or pocket doors. Now obviously if you have a farmhouse the barn door is an excellent choice. But for a more elegant feel pocket doors and french doors are in, and barn doors are out.
5. Fast Furniture. Lastly on our list of trends to leave in 2022, fast furniture. By fast I mean furniture from places like Ikea. Quickly assembled (sometimes not so quickly if you are me, I’m awful at putting those together). With shipping and lead times on furniture taking forever and not seeming to be coming to an end any time soon, people are starting to buy quality custom pieces of furniture. Furniture that will last, and have a high quality to them. This way they wont be looking to keep buying furniture but buy quality crafted furniture that will stand the test of time.
So what do you think? Do you think our 2022 design trends are accurate? Or are we completely wrong? Feel free to let us know below. We hope you all have a happy and safe New Year!
Designing your Dining Room
When it comes to designing your dining room there are a few things to keep in mind.
You want to make sure that everyone can be seated comfortably. So you need to make sure you have a table that gives you plenty of space.
You want to make sure you have plenty of space around the table for people to walk around.
These measurements will matter and affect the end result. You dont want a table that looks good but has no function. Its important to keep design and aesthetic in mind. Here are some of our tips to help you pick out the perfect dining room table!
The first thing you should decide on is the size and shape of your dining room table. This will be the focal point of the dining room. If you have a narrow space, a rectangular dining table will be your best bet. If you have more room, do you want a square or round table? Next think about the look. Do you want a sleek modern look? Or are you going more rustic and distressed? Next its time to measure. We recommend at least a 36” wide table. This allows people to be set up for meals and have plenty of room. However if a smaller table is needed, it can be accommodated. Try to have atleast 42” from wall to dining table, or sideboard to dining table. This will allow people to comfortably get around the room. You dont want a beautiful dining room that no one can get around in.
To save space, try using a bench instead of chairs. This way it can be tucked in when not in use, giving you plenty of clearance. It also helps to hold more people, especially children. Round tables can also be space savers when set up correctly. Make sure you choose the right chairs. You dont want chairs that are too high or too small. Comfort is key! Test them out first.
At Gloucester Design we want to help you built the perfect dining room. We can help with measurements, build, chair choices, and more. Contact us today for any questions you may have!
Cabinet Colors
Yes, wall color is important. But cabinets take up a lot of space in your home, and cabinet color should not be a last minute thought! From kitchens, to mudrooms, butlers, pantries to built in units, cabinets are everywhere in your home! We have created a list of our favorite go to cabinet colors, and will list them here for you to keep in mind!
White kitchens will never go out of style. Their are so many different shades of white, make sure you add some contrast between your white walls and cabinets! Some of our favorite white shades for cabinets are;
White Dove by Benjamin Moore
Swiss Coffee By Benjamin Moore
Simply White Benjamin Moore
.
Creamy White Benjamin Moore
.
Chantilly Lace Benjamin Moore
Natural Cream Benjamin Moore
We get asked for gray cabinets a lot. We have narrowed down our favorite gray colors for you to consider for your next kitchen, bathroom, or any room of the house! Remember grays can have undertones of blue, green, purple…..so make sure to check it against your wall color!
Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore
Gray Cloud Benjamin Moore
Pigeon Gray Benjamin Moore
Gray Owl Benjamin Moore
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Fieldstone Benjamin Moore
Boothbay Gray Benjamin Moore
I love blue cabinets. You can go bold and dramatic. Or light and bright. Blue pairs great with most wood tones as well. Our top blue cabinet colors are listed here.
Hale Navy Benjamin Moore
Van Deusen Blue
Gentlemans Gray Benjamin Moore
Providence Blue Benjamin Moore
Van Courtland Blue Benjamin Moore
Cloudy Sky Benjamin Moore
No one is happier than me that green is making a comeback when it comes to cabinetry! From jewel tones to earth tones, there are so many to choose from. Plus…. Green with brass hardware….be still my heart. Here are just 6 of our favorites!
Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore
Tate Olive Benjamin Moore
Saybrook Sage
Forest Floor Benjamin Moore
Jack Pine Benjamin Moore
Hunter Green Benjamin Moore
There are so many colors to choose from. These are just some of our favorites that we have used with clients, and we thought we would share. We are not affiliated with Benjamin Moore, they are just our go to with paint colors. Whats your favorite paint color for cabinets? Are you more bold? Or do you prefer a nice neutral? Either way we can help you find the best color and finish that works for you!
Why is cabinet design important?
One of the first things we hear from almost every client who brings us into there kitchen is, “ the cabinets just dont work!”. When you choose custom cabinets, you get to pick cabinets to fit the space as opposed to finding walls to fit the cabinets. With custom, any length, width and depth can work, giving you more options to design the perfect kitchen.
A well thought out cabinet plan will ultimately decide how successful your space is. It should be functional, accurate and accommodate your needs. Design is more than just looking at where your cabinets will go, its also about reflecting your personality, your budget and your needs. One example is, if I knew now that I would be having 6 kids who all go into the kitchen and slam cabinets repeatedly while looking for snacks in the morning, I would have chosen soft closing cabinets! If I was living a quite life by myself this would not even be an issue!
Wood choices….most clients just dont know about wood choices. There are so many out there! We can help you decide what type of wood is right for you and right for your needs. Cabinet styles….again, there are numerous! Not sure which one will work for your space, let us know, thats why we are here. We can walk you through current trends, what we feel will work for your space and what kind of cabinets work with your overall budget and design style.
Walls shift and move throughout time. This is life. Having cabinets that look right with the space is so important. You dont want gaps, and spaces, and cabinets at different heights because a wall was a quarter of an inch off or a ceiling on one side had a bow in it. Having custom cabinetry assures you that the cabinets are built to fit the space and will take care of any off walls, floors or ceilings.
If you are going to splurge on anything in your home. May we advise splurging on custom cabinetry. You wont regret it!
Counter and Island Tops
We get asked all the time, “ will wooden counter tops and island tops last"?” The answer is yes! Not only do wooden counter tops look amazing ( my favorite right now it walnut with brass hardware) but they will last when made correctly with the right finish. Style wise I think wooden counter tops/island tops make the house seem more cozy and less sterile. They bring a beautiful aesthetic to your kitchen.
In most homes, we gather in the kitchen, usually around the island. Wood is a naturally warm material and therefore very inviting and great to cozy up around! With homeschooling and work and family time, I imagine most of our kitchen islands are probably getting more use than usual too. So why not have an inviting and cozy place to sit and eat, cook, help the kids with homework and entertain.
We can help you pick out the right countertops, teach you how to care for them and also recommend the right finishes so that your counter tops and island tops last. Another great thing, is even if we are 12 weeks out, we can usually squeeze in some counter tops/island tops pretty quickly. So its an easy and quick way to change the whole look of your kitchen. Contact us today to help you with any kitchen design needs you may have!
Home Office Furniture Ideas
Are you still working remotely? Are you homeschooling the children? For people who like being home, this is great! Some of us, dont quite have the room put together to fully make the most out of working from home. In this blog, we are going to give you some ideas to help make the transition of home schooling or working from home a little easier for you. If you like what you see, you can always message us to ask about a piece, or what we can do to help you improve your home office/home school space. We are here to help!
First, when designing a home office, you want to make sure you are going to be productive in that space. A great home office desk can do wonders for your productivity. The desk should be made to fit your needs. Do you need a large area for computer screens, or to draft, or to lay out pieces of homework for your children? Do you need drawers to keep numerous items you will need? Small drawers for pens? Large drawers for files? Will multiple people be using this area or just you? All great questions to ask. Remember, if you aren’t being productive in this area, you probably wont want to sit there often. Another great way to make sure you are productive is to be comfortable. A great chair is key in helping to make you comfortable and productive.
Bookcases also help with the whole home office/home classroom. Be it built ins or some free standing book shelves, they help with organization and clutter. Its proven that when you have less clutter you focus more on the task. This is why drawers, and bookcases and built ins are important. We are having to deal with 6 kids homeschooling, while we also work part time from home. Book shelves and storage are a must for us. They are probably a must for your family too. They are another great addition to any home office.
If you don’t have a separate room for your home office, you want to make sure that the furniture matches. We can help you with custom stains, we can also look at your room and give you advice on the best options for desks and shelving to really make the most of the space you have. The whole working from home thing is different for all of us. The schooling from home is also making people have to re organize homes and find the space. We are here to help you and hope some of these ideas also helped!
If you have any questions or need some advice please reach out!
Is it Time to Buy an Heirloom Piece of Furniture?
Have you thought about buying a piece of furniture that you know that your family will enjoy for generations? There is something special about inheriting that piece of furniture from your grandmother or mother, or just a piece that you have fond memories of. The dining table you all enjoyed holidays on, or maybe just the coffee table you would sit around on Sunday mornings and have coffee while talking. Truthfully, it could be any furniture piece that lasts for several decades. Either way, its something special. But, its also something that has to be made from quality materials, and made to last.
In order for the heirloom item to be a longlasting and loved item, it needs to be made properly. This, of course, can be hard to find in today’s world of fast production and two-day shipping. There are different qualities you will want to look for in an heirloom furniture piece. Some of these qualities will be unique to your family. However, there are some guidelines you should consider when it comes to purchasing an heirloom piece. We pride ourselves in making long lasting, quality, custom furniture, that is built the right way, and built in a way that when your kids are ready to move out on their own, they could take a piece of furniture with them, and you will know its going to last. So we like to think we can help you when it comes down to picking out a piece of heirloom furniture. So here are some helpful hints when choosing the right piece for you.
First
Decide what kind of furniture you would want to pass on to future generations. Really, you can choose anything. However the most popular would be the dining room table. It makes sense… birthdays, holidays, homework, etc. It all happens on the dining room table. Another good piece of furniture that can be handed down, would be a bookshelf. It holds pictures of the family, and books from when you were young. But really, any piece of furniture can be handed down, as long as its well made.
Next
Choose the right material! If you want a piece of furniture to last a long time, we recommend choosing the highest quality material. The material you use is critical to the longevity of the furniture. Solid wood and raw steel are your best options. Be wise about what you choose. You wouldnt want it to break before your children are even out of the house.
Ask Questions
Check with the maker. See if they stand behind their product and if they will make repairs down the line if something should happen. Many big chains have smaller insurance policies on their furniture. We find going to a custom furniture maker, or small business will usually stand behind there pieces, and always want to make sure they last. Atleast most of the woodworkers/furniture makers that we know do!
Consider purchasing a custom piece
One of the best ways to ensure an heirloom furniture item is a family treasure is by purchasing a custom piece. This way, you will be able to pass down an item you helped design. At a custom furniture store, you will be able to choose everything from the material, to the dimensions, and even the hardware on the item. Then, there won’t be anyone else who has the same furniture item as you and your family members. It can be challenging to find a furniture store that is willing to put as much care into an heirloom piece as it deserves. This is why we run our business with the idea that furniture is special. We know your furniture items are what you make memories around. We are proud to say we handcraft custom heirloom pieces for families every day. If you are ready to invest in a custom piece that your family will have forever, please feel free to contact us and let us help you!