Vishionary: The State of Interior Design
Vishion’s Six Design Award Judges break down the State of Interior Design. From trends and insights to tips and tricks, our experts are sharing their secret to success.
Meet The Judges
An HGTV host, the queen of the NYC industrial tech scene, a President, CEO, Founder, and a designer with a memorable style as well as high-profile clientele, these six women have made their mark on American Interior Design. Each is motivated, driven and downright badass. When I grow up, I want to be just like them.
Vishion is honored to have each of them on the judge’s panel for the first-ever Vishion Design Award Competition. Celebrating the work of extraordinary interior designers and the palettes they create, the panel of six will choose one grand prize winner. Entrants are judged on color palette complexity, quality, creativity, innovation, and of course, the overall WOW factor.
So what are these judges really looking for? One word, innovation. We asked each of them a series of questions to find out what the future holds for interior design. We’re in a new decade and the trends are changing.
Bright Colors Are In
Clients asking for more color is music to Vishion’s ears. As the only color search engine of its kind, there are more than 3,600 colors in the Vishion color library. We live, sleep and breathe in color. Michelle Workman, named “showbiz royalty” by Variety Magazine, and accomplished interior master says that home design is seeing more and more bright hues.
“This (use of color) started with pastels but is moving into the more saturated bands. Minimalism and greige are falling back, maximalism with texture and pattern are coming to the forefront.”
Kelly Clifford, CO-Founder of Kavka Designs, says bold colors, texture and eclectic style are making a major comeback.
“I love color, I think it speaks to your personality and I am never afraid to use it in accents or statement pieces, especially in neutral settings. Bold colors are really making a comeback in 2020. Fear not, colors that POP!”
Sustainable Spaces
As climate change and overall environmental awareness continue to be a leading movement and social discussion, brands, designers, and clients are looking to do their part. Made from recycled, re-purposed or easily renewable materials, sustainable furniture is a trend that is stylish and eco-friendly. Searching for pieces that are FSC-certified or from brands that are part of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, is a great place to start.
Buying pieces that will last a lifetime, is another way to decrease the environmental toll “fast furniture” can have on the environment. Anne England is the Co-Founder and President of Social Responsibility at Industry West. She says she can’t forecast the coolest color story for the next decade, but she does think younger generations will start investing in furniture.
“I think we will see a trend in people craving quality and not just pieces that last a year and then need to be replaced.”
Mixing The Old And The New
Do you have an old trunk passed down through generations or an antique sofa that once rocked a clear vinyl cover at your grandmother’s house? Designers and clients often struggle with what to do with these eclectic, yet sentimental pieces. Good news, Michelle Workman says, use them.
“Finding a place for grandmaâs ugly chair and giving it new life in homage to her, influences any space.” She says authenticity in your design will propel cutting edge trends. “Take those collections and obsessions out of the closet and display them as part of the design.
Incorporating these family heirlooms into a space helps to bring personality to a room. Kelly Clifford says she wants her designs to emulate positivity and warmth.
“The word hygge comes to mind because it is all about being comfortable in your environment. It’s a matter of personal taste but important for the space to be a place where you love to dwell.”
Livability and Functionality
Pristine white couches, perfect white walls and that beautiful shag rug that you don’t want anyone to walk on. These items are gorgeous but impractical. Our judges say designing a space for your client to live in and love at the same time is what is most important. Anne England says quality with personality is important in any interior design.
“I don’t feel like everything in a room needs to be perfect. I have a life, kids, and a career. I want the things around me to last, withstand a busy lifestyle and make me smile.”
Michelle Workman says it’s important to capture you or a client accurately but elevated.
“If your client collects Pez Candy dispensers, find a way to show off that collection as an art Installation.”
Do you want to impress our judges? Vishion has extended the deadline for the 2020 Design Award Competition until 11:59 PM EST on Friday, January 24, 2020. It’s easy to enter yourself or nominate an extraordinary designer. Click HERE to learn more.
The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000, in addition to a feature on the Vishion blog, PR promotion, and media coverage. Vishion will announce the winner in February 2020.
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