New trends for the commercial design industry from NEOCON

There is certainly no shortage of conferences, conventions and other informative gatherings available to those in the interior design industry.  Some are general and others are very specific and made for those involved in specialized areas of design.  NEOCON is perhaps the premiere industry event designed for professionals who specialize in contract design for hospitality, government, retail and healthcare clients.

A NEOCON event provides an opportunity for designers to view the latest products and resources available including fabrics, wall coverings, hardware, furniture, appliances, lighting and fixtures.  At this year's event there were several stand out trends that we can expect to see in the upcoming year:

• While ultra bright colors were everywhere, one color stood out as color of the year and that was an eye-popping shade of fuchsia.  This mix of red and purple is a high energy color that would be appropriate for many creative venues.
• The very acoustically sound material, felt, is emerging as a popular upholstery and wall cover choice in the expected soft gray, but is also available in other colors as well; making it possible to use this unique fabric in many different applications.
• Can you spell Eames?  Molded plastic is back in vogue.  Conversely, there were many designs that included high backed upholstered sofas and chairs in the office environment.  Perhaps this is a response to the need for more private spaces in open concept areas or simply a design trend.  If it can help reduce the amount of private cell phone conversation overheard then I am all for it!
• Architectural hardware trends are combining the desire for a sleek and minimalist look with warm finishes like bronze and brass as well as celebrating the outdoors with nature inspired fixtures.  We meet both of those needs with our Flora and Animal collections as well as our newest Morphic collection cast in bronze as well as stainless steel.

It is always interesting to follow these trends and see which ones take off, so to speak, and which ones die on the vine.  To view the entire collection of Martin Pierce Custom Hardware visit us at www.martinpierce.com

Design for aging: new trends and ideas for our aging population

It's no secret that people are living longer;  just watch the Today Show and take note of the number of over 100 year old birthday greetings Willard Scott shares, and he is no spring chicken!  And while we are living longer, we are also living healthier which means that designing private homes, independent and assisted living facilities and public buildings for the aging is also experiencing change. The stereotypical vision of the elderly as confused and weak people is a generalization that simply is not true.  Today's seniors are active and aware and up-t0-date on current affairs, trends and technology.  Did you know that, according to the American College of Surgeons survey in 2010, 1/3 of all surgeons were over the age of 55?  (with age comes wisdom, something I certainly want my surgeon to possess!) But we, as designers and architects,  cannot ignore the physical and mental changes that take place as we age.  Changes that include:

• short term memory loss or worse (Alzheimer's and dementia)
• diminished mobility
• vision and hearing issues
• diseases that include arthritis or glaucoma, for example, that affect daily lives

Families can, and must, address emotional needs that include companionship, a sense of purpose and developing new interests.  But designers and architects are tasked with addressing security and safety in regards to the above issues and help reduce the day to day stress many seniors experience in their homes.  Technological advances have made it easier to deal with some of these issues.  Simple things like larger buttons on phones, home security systems and keyboards, medical alert bracelets and  single button emergency devices, along with structural items like wider doorways to accommodate walkers and/or wheelchairs and easy to grasp hardware are just a few of the ways that designers can make it easier for seniors to "age in place", the desire of most elderly people.  Other solutions include grab bars in long hallways and baths, no threshold showers and doorways; lower cabinet heights with edges designed to prevent items from dropping to the floor and motion activated lights, window treatments etc.

And we cannot overlook the importance of appropriate color schemes that address anxiety and confusion or including personal mementos and familiar items in the decoration of interior spaces.  As the "boomers" continue to age it will become even more important to keep abreast of both the emotional and physical needs of seniors when it comes time to design hospitals, community centers and medical buildings along with the decoration of interior spaces.

Let's talk about the bathroom

Sometimes function just has to take precedence over everything else and that is certainly true with the bathroom ; but function does not have to mean unattractive or ordinary! Whether it is an ensuite bath in a hotel room, a small powder room off of a home's foyer, private bath compartments in a spa or a large and luxurious master bath, choosing unique hardware can turn this utilitarian room into a true retreat. The bath provides many opportunities to showcase custom hardware--cabinet door and drawer pulls, door knobs and window levers, for example.  In addition, there is a need for towel racks, coat hooks, soap dishes and tissue holders.  Here at Martin Pierce Custom Hardware we offer coordinating accessories in some of our most popular hardware styles:

The unusual design of our Morphic soap dish will add an air of elegance and mystique to any bath area.

The coat hook from our Hedgerow Collection is truly a miniature work of art that functions as a robe or towel hook in the bath and coordinates with all other pieces from this collection.

Bath tissue never looked so good as when stored on the tissue holder from our sculptural Ergo collection.

You can choose a design from our Hedgerow, Morphic or Ergo collection or we can create a style that echoes and celebrates your brand and is unique to your project.  To view the entire collection please visit our site at www.martinpierce.com.

Don't overlook the importance of architectural hardware and other details

What is it that turns an ordinary square box of a building into something special?  Why do some hotel rooms absolutely delight their guests while others offer simply a place to lay your head at the end of a busy day?  Why is one retail site attracting more customers than another?  The answer could be found in these two simple words--architectural details; those seemingly unimportant design items that turn an ordinary space into an extraordinary space:

• Hardware:  architectural hardware is evident in every single room in the form of door knobs, drawer pulls, towel hooks, window levers and even hinges and backplates.  While certainly functional, in many cases these items are miniature pieces of art that can highlight or compliment a brand logo, celebrate natural surroundings or support an overall design theme.  Case in point--our Hawaiian collection designed for a large project in Hawaii that not only celebrates the tropical surroundings but also honors the history of the islands.  This seemingly small detail will enhance the experience of guests and visitors and isn't that the goal of any business?

  

• Molding, molding and more molding!  Framed panels, crown molding, large and impressive baseboard moldings, corbels, medallions, rosettes..the list goes on and on.  The addition of moldings can provide architectural interest to a room devoid of any enhancements or recreate the character of an historical building.
• Decorative trim: Wainscoting, ceiling beams, arches, cornices and door and window trim will all add dimension and interest to any interior space.

Clients and customers will enjoy the time and attention paid to these architectural details as they relax in your spa, rest in your hotel room or shop in your boutique.

To view our entire collection of bespoke hardware visit us at www.martinpierce.com.