What DoThe BackStreet Boys Have To Do With Interior Design?

Posted on by

Recently I found myself humming to a song that I used to listen to over and over but hadn’t heard in a while. My 11 year old son Joshua, was a bit curious and asked what song I was “attempting” to sing. I replied “BackStreet Boys – Shape of My Heart”. His first response - ”Who are the BackStreet Boys?”. Of course I had to give him a bit of education on one of my all time favorite boy bands. That education of course started on YouTube, and from there we were rocking out to a bunch of their older and newer songs. He was hooked! Seriously! I think he is now the biggest BackStreet Boys fan! :-) .

Why did I tell you about that story? Well it got me thinking about Interior Design (like everything else seems to. Inspiration comes from any and everywhere :-) ) What always amazes me is how what’s old can become new again, and appreciated by a whole new generation. The BackStreet Boys’ careers may be extinct, but a brand new appreciation for their true talent has developed in my home, and will certainly be shared with friends at school and through social media. Who knows? Maybe there’s hope for the BackStreet Boys being the number one boy band again! :-)

Case in point – the watercolor trend for 2013. You can find watercolor patterns everywhere from the fashion runway, high end interior fabrics and furnishings to accessories. Click here to see a guest article I wrote recently for Refined Life Luxury Lifestyle Magazine about this trend.

watercolor trend

Watercolor pattern was really big in the 80′s! I recall as a young girl seeing the floral chintz fabrics in all their “beauty”. Sure, when an old trend is back en vogue, it is usually with some improvements and definitely more updated. These days, those watercolor patterns are done on some of the most beautiful linens and silks; not so much chintz anymore.

Another new trend is grasscloth wallcoverings, (and wallpaper itself). These were pretty popular back in the 70′s. These days, grasscloth is back and bigger than ever!

A Project I Completed 2 years Ago - Grasscloth Wallpaper on Main Wall

A Project I Completed 2 years Ago – Grasscloth Wallpaper on Main Wall

Grasscloth is one of my favorite wallpaper treatments. In fact, it will be on a few walls in my new home. I just love the wonderful natural and rich texture. The picture above is a project I completed about 2 years ago with grasscloth wallpaper on the main focal wall. It definitely adds depth and warmth to this space.

Another trend from a few years ago that is really hot these days is jewel tones, especially in fashion. Jewel tones are rich saturated colors inspired by gemstones like sapphire, emerald, ruby and amethyst.

Photo: Zillow Blog

Photo: Zillow Blog

These days, emerald green is the new color trend. In fact, it was named by Pantone as the color of the year for 2013 and can be seen in everything from fashion to furnishings to home accessories.

What was old is new again is certainly true for fashion. My daughter, who is a budding fashion designer has been very curious about what my style was like as a teenager and what the fashion was like back then. I am quite certain I will be the inspiration for a future runway collection from her ;-)

Well the Back Street Boys have nothing to do with interior design, but they are certainly a great example of something that was great in the past providing inspiration for the present. True art form never really dies – “everything old is new again”

 

il_fullxfull_320024246

What “old” idea or thing have you noticed is new again?

Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for -  announcing the WINNER from my blog post contest than I posted over the long weekend “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” where you, my wonderful readers were asked to guess what’s wrong with this picture? The prize, of course, is a beautiful pair of 18×18 decorative throw pillows.

Before I get to the winner, I’ll tell you what was wrong with the picture: A few of you got it right – What was wrong is I had moving containers from two competing moving/storage companies! PODS and PackRat. Both were 12′ containers (although one looked slightly smaller to me). It is Quite a bit unusual, but believe me there is a long story behind it. Notice also that one container was even sitting at the curb instead of the driveway, which is deep enough to accommodate both. Moving is fun! NOT! :-)

Balloons_Winner_1

Ok, time for our WINNER:  Three…Two….One…..

Debbie Conner come on down!!!! You are the lucky winner of the fabulous pair of pillows!! Congratulations!!!! Please click here to send me a private message on Facebook to claim your prize :-) I am positive that you will enjoy them!

Thanks to everyone who participated!! :-)

Please remember to comment and share! :-)

Click here to contact me.

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

 

 

47 thoughts on “What DoThe BackStreet Boys Have To Do With Interior Design?”

  1. watercolours… I remember when they were really pop in the 90′s – what happens when the fashion changes? do you change your house when the fashion trends change too?

    Reply ↓

    • When I decorate for myself and clients, I choose more classic lines for upholstery and casegoods and choose patterns that are a bit more timeless. I also start with a neutral base for the bigger pieces and ticket items (for the most part). I will later layer or add accents with whatever is trending such as pillows or a small accent table or chair….those can easily and inexpensively be replaced when trends change.

      Reply ↓

  6. Congratulations to Debbie! (I didn’t even know you had a contest…I was really incognito over the weekend!). BUT I did work on your ruffles! OK, back to design. I want to mention something about emerald green. A few years ago I attended a class (in San Francisco) about colors and how they are chosen (years in advance) for the upcoming trends. It was fascinating to see not only the different shades but also how the decisions on fashion (and everything else) are made. The color of this year, as you mention, is emerald green. I expected to see it everywhere. Now, I know I live in the desert and we are a couple years behind the “trend” on everything (except politics!). But there is little to no emerald green (or any shade of green) in our stores. I know, because that’s what I did this past weekend while I wasn’t horsing around on facebook: I went clothes shopping. Emerald green happens to be an amazing color on me, but not available. Yes, it’s summer, and we’re wearing shorts and t-shirts or tank tops, but I expected to see emerald green in shoes and purses and shorts and shirts. I will wait (not so patiently) for us to catch up with the rest of the country and then hopfully find emerald green to wear with my pink!

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Tina! I know you had a crazy weekend. Sorry about those bad people out there. I have to admit that emerald green isn’t for everyone. I have yet to decorate a space this year with that color. People just don’t ask for that…..I did that color in a dining room about 4 years ago. Trends come and go but I still think timeless, classic elegance never goes out of style

      I can’t wait to see the ruffles :-)

      Reply ↓

  8. Fun article! I love how you tied in The Backstreet Boys with the designer trends. My daughter was nuts about N’Sync! We had grass cloth on some of our walls when I was growing up…I love texture. I keep telling my girls that I wish I had saved all my day-glow clothing from the 80′s, as that has come back for the teens. :)

    Reply ↓

  9. Interior desinging is a kind of thing which is a result of your perception, that is why different designers have different tastes about it

    Reply ↓

    • That’s true. But as designers we are called upon to do whatever our clients want….so although our personal tastes will play a minor role in the outcome of each project. It should uniquely represent each client, and not our own signature style or personal aesthetic. And the principles of design must be followed.

      Reply ↓

  12. Cool article, you actually tied in the back street boys well! Lol I really liked your knowledge on the subject if interior design vs mine= 0

    Reply ↓

  14. Oh yes, old things become new again. When preparing my mother-in-law’s home for renters, I remarked at how I had wanted to re-do the kitchen. My renter flatly refused! It had old 1950′s metal counter tops and large country sink, kind of beat up. Such a great post! Congrats to the winner!

    Reply ↓

  17. Contest was fun, i am pretty sure i got it right! finally! my wife loves emerald green… if its trending she may go with it..

    Reply ↓

  18. John Mason quoted, “You were born an original. Won’t die a copy.” Anything done originally, with sincerity and love…they never gone obsolete but instead, these old pieces of arts, music, style, fashion, or trend is always new and new everyday and became “news”. Backstreet Boys never got old.

    Reply ↓

  19. First of all. the Backstreet Boys and that song brought me back to endless repeats of it by my daughter ( 12 or 13 I think at the time ).. and my how time has flown.

    As for the old is new story, my daughters BF is a creative guy and after seeing some terrariums in Portland decided to bring artistic terrariums to life in his home city. My daughter phoned to tell me of their new find and was quite disappointed to hear me say ” I had three of those in the 70′s.”.

    And yes congratulations to the winner of the pillows

    Reply ↓

    • Lol. Terry I love terrariums too. In fact I did a blog about it not too long ago.
      I bet somewhere deep inside your head, you know all the lyrics from when your daughter would constantly play back the songs :-)

      Reply ↓

  24. Awesome post! I am a HUGE Backstreet Boys fan (they are still going strong check them out on Twitter haha). I love your ideas for interior design! Can’t wait for your next post.

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply