
An architect from California, Berry Berkus, used to say, “humans love arches.” It’s true, we do. But, we love all special places. We love attic rooms with slanted ceilings, we love window seats, bay windows and clever niches. No one ever walked into a rectangular room with a flat ceiling and gushed, “Oh, I LOVE this space!” (unless it had a special feature like a window wall or something). So, remember to ask your architect or building designer to give you some special places, some special touches. Don’t just build a home that flows well and is attractive from the street. Those things are important, but create something that surprises you and makes your home feel distinctive once you get inside or when you encounter the backyard.

Lake on Missing Hammer Ranch, Illuminations
For many, painting has been reduced to a pleasant decoration, frosting on consumer culture, but for some of our most serious artists it still stirs one of the great modernist ambitions to transform pigment on canvas into tokens of the spirit. Such an artist seeks to capture the essentially private experience of the divine, as manifested in nature, pure form in the creative process itself.
(items in photo: Cordova Lamp; Formosa Tray Table; Ikat Pillow; Marimeko Napkins; Panton chair; Clairemont Side Table; Draper Stripe Throw; Trina Turk Tiger Leaf Pillow; Thomas Paul Plate; Midnight Stemless Wineglass; Faceted Table)
A new year, and a new attitude, has been officially declared! Pantone has chosen Tangerine Tango to represent 2012. For almost fifty years, industry leaders have relied on the authority to forecast our color culture. Spring lines, within the fashion and cosmetics industry, will boldly introduce this enthusiastic color. The interior design trade has fearlessly embraced the haute hue! Pantone insists the featured shade “provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.”

Light wood finishes, chairs upholstered in vintage grain sacks and dark leather in the central seating area contrast with pastel pillows and custom finished armoires at A. Hooper & Co., a Fort Worth fashion boutique, designed by Gibson Gimpel Interior Design. Farrow and Ball "Elephant's Breath" wall and ceiling color creates a soft ground to showcase the colorful spring fashion on display.
The New Year offers an opportunity to breathe new life into tired spaces. With trends toward lighter and softer palettes on the rise, designers are invigorating this new look by pairing these soft palettes with modern, saturated, bright colors. From the 2012 Spring Fashion Runway shows, to fabrics and paint colors, inspiration can be found in novel and unexpected color combinations. High contrast natural tones and textures mix with industrial materials and finishes to add drama to the design.
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Most will agree that the use of wood products in a design scheme is a good thing, no matter how our style preferences and our building trends are affected by modern times. Whether our taste in furniture or architecture leans toward contemporary or traditional, we will keep a special place in our plans for the look of natural wood. Many homeowners enjoy a delightful blend of stained cabinets, exposed beams, wood furniture, and floors inside their homes. Here is a professional look, through the perspective of Design Guide Expert John Lanford of Architectural Finishing, at the components of wood finishing, which may help you with the understanding and lingo of this varying subject.
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Growth. Notoriety. Two key factors in the success of any business. The lingering question: “How do I get more of them?”

Beginning October of 2012, the phasing out of the Incandescent bulb will begin. With 100W bulbs being the first to go and 40W bulbs bringing up the rear, many consumers are left wondering what to purchase now that their trusty go-to will no longer be an option. Rebecca Wilkins of PPDS writes about the past and future of incandescent lighting.

More homes are being designed with several fireplaces, as opposed to one. Although fireplaces are only used sporadically during certain seasons, they are one of the main focal points of the room. With this said, it is important to maintain the fireplaces(s)' aesthetic so that it does not become an eyesore in the space. Through several techniques, Iron Age Studios implements beautiful fireplace designs from hand-forged firescreens and tools to custom fireplace surrounds and hoods.
Now that the show has aired, Design Guide can finally say how proud they are of one of its partners: Archadeck of Austin! Last year, Archadeck was offered a chance to be featured in a HGTV special and jumped at the opportunity. Archadeck was featured for their work on a complete backyard remodel in the Circle C area in south Austin. The complete remodel added a 1,000-square-foot deck with seating, eating area, fire pit, shade structure, children’s play area, hot tub and grilling equipment. It was an incredibly impressive remodel and we could not be any prouder than to share the wonderful news with you all!

(Defiance by Doug Naugle)
Music and dance enrich and contextualize the experience of viewing the visual arts, while the visual arts enrich and contextualize the soul and rhythms of music. Pleasing both senses with art and music can maximize the design experience and if this theory isn't convincing, try going to a gallery with this mix and see if you aren't intrigued. Hill Design + Gallery will be presenting new work by exemplary artists Doug Naugle, Joanne M Ehly + Marilyn Rea Nasky. at their Hill Country Funk opening artist reception on Saturday January 21st from 6-9 PM, with the exhibition lasting from January 21st through March 31st.