The color gray makes its mark in fashion and interior design this season. The distinguishing factor with this color crush however, is its versatility and staying power. It’s one thing to spring for a cheeky gray knit sweater dress this Fall, yet another to invest in a charcoal velvet sofa, or commit to wallpapering an entire room in a slate gray pattern. You want to be sure this hue can stand the test of time and “transcend the trend.”

It’s good to know that this new neutral has range, as the color gray complements many styles from streamlined contemporary to more classic decor. It also mixes beautifully with a myriad of colors from lavenders and blues to even a pop of chartreuse. If you’re not currently in the market for significant home furnishing pieces, consider updating your existing décor with decorative accents such as silver lamps, graphite print pillows, charcoal colored vases, and smokey mirrored accessories.

Resources:

• Todd Merrill Antiques: Stunning vintage Silk Velvet Sofa by Tommi Parzinger, 1950’s.
• BlissLiving HOME: Connor Throw —luxuriously soft silver—tipped brown faux fur.
• Rewire: Dramatic Curtis Jere Floor Lamp, price $4,200.
• Flavor Paper: Nouveau Riche wallpaper in color Graphite.
• Angela Adams: Wool Rug “Nasturtium” Dusk/Graphite/Cirrus. 8 ft. round $1,399.

October 15, 2007
We love the Palm Beach aesthetic of Christine Bell’s home furnishings. Although we typically devote this column to sources regarded as a “deal”, everything on her website is fairly priced considering the hunt, the gather, and the restored nature of her collection. The lovely offerings are categorized into 20th Century, Contemporary, The Palm Beach Collection and Out of Print books. She illustrates how a carefully honed mix of Chippendale, mid-century classics and newer pieces can exemplify “Traditional with a Twist” through reupholstery, fresh lacquer or a new coat of paint. Chic can be so classic.

October 15, 2007
The second annual Western Interiors Design and Home Show, to be held Oct 26th—28th, is in essence a design two for one. This year’s show runs concurrently with the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show, conveniently located next to the Design and Home Show at the Herbst Pavillion, Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. The weekend promises to have many fabulous exhibits, sales, and enlightening talks by renown architects and design professionals. On Saturday, award-winning green architect Eric Corey Freed speaks about “The Inevitable Architect: An Intro to implementing Green Building in your Designs.” The show will also have complimentary one-on-one design consultations running throughout the three-day weekend. Not to be missed is theThe Green Home,an all-encompassing example of high end eco-friendly design. Through the partnership of Western Interiors and West Coast Green, this prominent exhibit will showcase eco-friendly furniture, fabrics, paints, flooring, wall coverings and accessories all under one Green Roof. All this with the benefit of great wine from Napa.