Rebecca's Art Blog: Anamorphic Illusions: The most amazing anamorphic illusions used in architecture are being done by Felice Varini. Check out the magic here, on Freshome's blog. ...

Jaw Dropping Introductions from Abyss & Habidecor

Yummy! I covet that striped rug! Their website has more yummy colorful towels!

Check out this awesome new color service! Lori Sawaya is a genius for starting this new venture. One of my IACC-NA colleagues Rachel Perls is one of the experts!

So if you need color TREND info, I would recommend this service. One of the things I love about their approach is that each team member covers a major geographic area of the United States rather than trying to come up with one report that you have to re-interpret to fit the market you are targeting. Each expert has a slightly different approach and background and I believe that is a huge plus.

Why am I promoting this? Because I do not do trend forecasting any more, I haven't done it since 2005. (In case you are new to this blog, I am a former Color Marketing Group chairholder and did tableware and gift ware color and design forecasting for several years.) However, it's very important to follow and understand colors trends if you are a product designer, interior designer, paint manufacturer, buyer for a gift shop, etc.

Check out their website and try their service!
~rebecca

Pantone Offers More Color Options

Pantone Offers More Color Options

Check out this outrageous article!
Consumers, please read this but realize that this type of practice undermines all professionals. Color consultants, certified kitchen and bath designers, professional contractors, landscapers, architects, and design/build firms all work hard just like you work hard at your own job.  Respect those in the design professions just like you would a lawyer, nurse, or car sales person. Design professionals go to school and deserve respect for their knowledge too.  Even the big box stores have professionally certified designers. Design services, ANY type of design services, all have value.
Remember, you get what you pay for and free is worth nothing.
Cheers,
Rebecca

I went to the Coverings show in Las Vegas on Monday. Just one day with a group of folks from the NARI chapter in Phoenix, who so generously invited me on their tour bus. (The Greater Phoenix NARI was a co-sponsor of the Coverings Show). I was also able to bring my other half along for the ride! I'd never been to a tile and stone trade show, so this was a real treat. This show was huge! There are over 1000 exhibitors at this show.

 I took some of random photos, which are below. Many booths did not allow photos, so there are not many pictures of product, mostly of displays and booths. Some of the mosaic displays were really wonderful and artistic. The best (and largest usually) booth designs were in the Italian pavilion. The Spanish pavilion came  in a close second in overall design and displays. However, some American companies had amazing products, particularly memorable was Voguebay, company that showed such amazing glass tile, I was having a difficult time figuring out how they manufactured some of it. No photos allowed at that booth, so take a look at their website. Interstyle  is a Canadian company that had these amazing fuse-cast architectural glass panels. (Photos below of this glass displayed as benches). Some of the Chinese dealers also had amazing product; their small glass and ceramic tiles stood out.
It was fun being there as an observer rather than a buyer; I could spend more time just looking. (BTW: that fabulous white tote bag in the above photo, reminiscent of a vintage flight bag, was supplied to show registrants by the Spanish tile pavilion)
We were in Las Vegas a little over 24 hours, so no time for much more than the show itself, a reception put on by the Italians, and meals. We did manage to find two fabulous restaurants; we went to the Border Grill (Mandalay Bay) for dinner and Otto Pizzeria and Enoteca (The Venetian) for lunch. They make a wonderfully balanced negroni!

Some tile trends and common design trends stood out for me, they include:

• Round and rounded shapes were huge. Circles within circles, oval shapes, and round flat and domed tiles were everywhere, especially in glass. Taker a look at Vetro Mosaico and Keen Ocean for examples.
• Aluminum and ceramic tile with a matte, bronze finish or a textured, brushed finish.
• Watery colors and textures, especially glass tiles with just a hint of color. These tiles were sometimes striated with blues and greens. 
• "Green" (As in ecological) was a prominent buzz word in a few booths featuring recycled glass tile, and the image of green grass was even featured on a tote bag from the Italian pavilion, implying "green" tiles. 

Here are some highlights from the show.
Enjoy!
~Reb

The breathtaking Antolini Luigi booth

Cerodomus' gigantic booth entrance. That black entrance slab reminded me of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

A floor display with tiled blocks you can sit on; the floor is all glass tiles.

The gigantic Primestone booth showing polished slabs of  pink and gold onyx.

Gong Loon Industries booth

Check out the mosaic!

Random mosaic in the tool section.

This intricate mosaic was exceptional

Another intricate mosaic

Bath mock-up in one of the Spanish dealer's booths

The Spanish pavilion had hot pink carpet everywhere

Another fabulous mosaic in the tool section

The Interstyle booth, showing the amazing glass slabs

Interstyle. These benches should be in museums.