Taking a closer look at Interior Design Southlake

By: Josh Pickering, Lead Design Assistant

As the area continues to grow and become more distinct, people may wonder: What is "Interior Design Southlake"? What are we doing now that will set our community apart from the rest? What blend of design directly reflects on what this community is about and can exclusively be defined as "Interior Design Southlake"?

What sets the city apart is the strong sense of community and family. People here take pride in their community and have a strong sense of security, giving families and groups of kids the comfort to fill town square every evening. Social connectivity and family involvement is the core of a Southlake lifestyle. "Interior Design Southlake" must reflect these elements and enhance the way of life by bringing functionality and luxury in a polished design that is both intimate and private, but open and embracing to those you would entertain. How can "Interior Design Southlake" bring that individual and shared comfort together in a solid style that is personal to each individual?

The South is defined by grace and warmth, elegance with a down-home sensibility. Texas is known for its rustic appeal and larger-than-life style. "Interior Design Southlake" utilizes southern charm set off by distinctly Texas detailing to produce a refined sense of local flair that will set apart the homes of the Southlake area. Regardless of style, whether modern or traditional, "Interior Design Southlake" is an idea of function: embracing the visitor and enhancing the family atmosphere by blending design ideas in a way that can create and develop distinguished local soul and style.

The designers at Designs by K have the perception to identify that individuality for each family and the understanding of design concepts that will produce a space with the flow and purpose that will fulfill the needs of the client, while accomplishing the broader goals of characterizing local style as "Interior Design Southlake". By understanding each family and pinpointing the soul of each home, we can create individualized style while keeping in touch with concepts that will make each home distinctly "Southlake".

Revisiting the 60's, 70's, and 80's in interior design…

Interior design, like fashion, often borrows ideas from prior generations. It seems like every year, a "new" trend emerges. We say "new" because we, like many of you, remember when this trend first appeared… Maybe it was on a dress we wore in high school or on a poster of our favorite band.

Recently, a big trend in interior design has been the return of the graphic print. Many graphic prints from the 60's, 70's, and 80's are making a big comeback. We have seen these prints in many of our new fabrics, on wallpaper (yes, it's coming back too!), and in artwork.

What's right about them is that they are abstracted from their originals. Color palettes are bold and fresh, textures are varied, and scale is exaggerated. These "new" graphic prints are appearing with bold stripes and checks, making a big impact in any room.

Bright green (like a Granny Smith apple) and paler aqua is a color palette we have noticed lately in current interior design. When that color palette is represented in a graphic print, the designs of yesteryear become fresh and inspired. We've also noticed a resurgence of black and white, but this time, it's paired with gray accents.

We think that the variety in texture in these graphic prints is the best part of their current reappearance in interior design. Canvas with metallic prints, raised chenilles, and spots of faux fur add depth and interest to the original designs.

Teeny tiny prints and extremely overtly large shapes are evidence of the exaggerated scale in current graphic prints. Pairing oppositely exaggerated scales with each other in similar or exactly the same colors can create a perfect balance in any room.

Designs by K doesn't mind revisiting interior design trends from the past, as long as they present new twists. We have embraced the graphic print revival as evidenced by the design of our new Southlake studio! Prints that mimic the ones on this website are painted on our walls in varying scales and appear in our rugs and artwork.

One of our favorite challenges is to create an elegant and comfortable home while keeping it rustic… Welcome, Rustic Chic! In many homes that we’ve completed over the past few years, Rustic Chic is a leading force in style. From a travel home in Florida, to a ranch in Oklahoma, to a mansion in Southlake, elements of the country have made it in to our designs at client request. Rustic in the design world can mean many things: country cabin, mountain lodge, western ranch… and it’s OK to mix them together as long as it fits in your decorator’s overall design plan.

For decorator Kay Crinkelmeyer, the key to keeping Western elegant means incorporating rich materials with the raw, natural ones. “Hammered copper pairs nicely with elegant tooled leather. Natural reclaimed wood furniture coupled with real turquoise accents can really make the look rich and rustic at the same time.”

When creating a Rustic Chic space, it’s important to rely on the natural elements like rock, wood, and stone. By adding a custom area rug or piece of artwork from a local artist, the room starts to come together.

“Lighting also plays an important role in creating richness in a room. Rustic Chic rooms look best with lots of natural light accented with rustic metal chandeliers and perfectly placed lamps,” decorator Lisa Stewart added.

In bedrooms, fabrics that mimic authentic Native American designs can be used as focal points or as accent fabrics mixed with solids. Earth tones and neutrals when coordinated well with leather trims, metal accents, and ceramic pieces artistically bringing the look of the outdoors into a home. Kristi Hunt, interior decorator, notes, “Rich plaids and buffalo checks as bedding on a real log bed add character to a lodge bedroom.”

For all the Rustic Chic homes created by the crew at Designs by K, the creative details are what make the overall look extraordinary. Adding family photos or heirlooms, custom faux painting, or one-of-a-kind accessories can make all the difference in the world.