Blueprint Winter 2018

YEAR: Ultra Violet A

It would seem that Prince has been spending his time in the great beyond whispering sweet nothings into the ears of the color gods. That has to be the reason.

Because in yet another nod to the legacy of the Purple One (and David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix) and as an acknowledgment of life’s great complexities — creativity, originality, ingenuity, the cosmos, intuition, the third-eye chakra and the depth of the unknown — Pantone has chosen what it calls ultra violet as its color of the year for 2018.

“This shade is one of nonconformity,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute in Carlstadt, N.J. “People are looking for ways to display creativity.”

The color, Eiseman

to

to

to

said, signifies that we are getting “a little braver and bolder.”

Each year, Pantone chooses a hue that it says will inform the colors in our lives. In 1999, when the consulting firm began naming a color of the year, the focus was on clothing, beauty and home decor. In recent years, however, Pantone has chosen a color (sometimes colors) that goes beyond the influence of fashion and taps into the water cooler chat of the moment. As a result, the much-anticipated color of the year is now a statement of our lifestyle as well as what’s going on the world — the real, the aspirational and the ick. For example, the 2016 colors of the year were rose quartz and serenity, hopeful shades Pantone said spoke to gender fluidity. The 2017 color was greenery, both a shout-out

originality and Prince

originality and Prince

originality and Prince

to nature and an attempt to steer a divided America toward peace.

It can be said that ultra violet is a nudge to force us to stand in the now — Eiseman said it’s an uncanny coincidence that

that it’s not meant as a political statement.

Instead, Eiseman pointed to the positive: 2018 is shaping into a year where we might find ourselves taking chances on the unknown.

In 2014, Pantone predicted radiant orchid, a pinker version of the hue, would serve as an “invitation to innovation” as its color of the year. In August, Pantone named a slightly deeper purple — Love Symbol No. 2 — in honor of Prince.

Ultra violet’s regal blend of red and blue doused the runways at Michael Kors, Tibi and the Rows’ spring 2018 shows. It’s now the center of a violaceous collection of Butter London eyeliners, nail polishes and lipcolors, a collaboration between the cosmetics company and Pantone.

the national nonprofit Women Against Abuse uses a shade very close to ultra violet in its awareness campaigns.

Pantone’s color of the year is considered a measure of the world’s mood, but Eiseman stressed

Creativity may be calling.

“Purple has a futuristic, exploratory aspect to it,” Eiseman said. “Purple allows us to play with the possibilities. We don’t know where we are going. But at least we are trying.”

Pantone likes its purples.

This year, Pantone said its choice was heavily inspired by food. Purple yams, cauliflower, the tips of asparagus, berries, even carrots come in shades of ultra violet. People are thinking a lot about

superfoods these days, Eiseman said.

According to Eiseman, purple is often connected with meditation practices. Ultra violet energizes communities and calms those seeking refuge from today’s overstimulated world.

So, in 2018, look for ultra violet to anchor graphic designs on billboards and packaging. Purple nails and purple hair will be vibrant on the streets. And Pantone has partnered with the online gallery Saatchi Art to create a limited edition of prints saturated in purple. Included in the collection of art renderings of flowers, abstract designs, and portraits of Bowie and Prince.

The great musical geniuses surely would have been proud. 

nod

creativity,

A nod

creativity,

A nod

creativity,

The great musical geniuses surely would have been proud.

Look around you … are your interior surroundings feeling a little stale? You’re not alone. Many of us crave change this time of year, once Santa has left the building and Auld Lang Syne has been sung.

Fortunately, along with resolutions, the New Year brings new trends. And that includes snazzy new styles for decorating your home.

Advice from a local pro Instagram, Pinterest, Zillow and Houzz are absolutely brimming with mind-meltingly creative ways to spice up your home, especially this time of year. But while pictures and videos abound, sometimes it’s just plain fun to speak with a professional.

Tamara Zakovich established Glo Interior Design in Duluth in 2010 and can help with every step within the design process — from start to finish. Zakovich and her team handle everything from design, selection, purchase and installation of interior furnishings and accessories, furniture layout, kitchen and bathroom plans, custom cabinetry, wall and surface finishes, paint selection, new construction and more.

Bottom line: if anyone knows a thing or two about home décor, it’s Zakovich. Let’s delve into what’s trending for 2018!

Ring in the New Year with fresh textiles, textures and patterns

By Andrea Busche For

for 2018 for 2018

Color

It appears that 2018 is escorting the soft grays, blues and greens out the door. Warm, creamy neutral paint colors are hot again.

“This year,” Zakovich shares, “You will see a resurgence of the neutral (brown, beige, and cream) palette in home decor.

Tone on tone or monochromatic interiors are also trending right now.”

But when it comes to your sofa, a bright pop of color is a popular choice. Home décor website Houzz shares that a bright sofa adds color and creates a focal point for the room, providing a warm burst of color against a neutral-toned wall.

Texture and pattern

When it comes to 2018 textiles, the bolder the better. “This year, textiles will showcase organic and abstract subject matters with lots of texture, geometrics and global influences,” Zakovich says. According to Houzz, bold graphic floral prints are also

Lighting as art

Have you ever thought of lighting as art? The right lighting adds a special touch that any interior designer worth her salt is trained to address. Sconces, lamps or fixtures can be modified to convey the perfect mood.

“Lighting is so important for every project and easily sets the mood of a room,” Zakovich shares. “With interest ing wall finishes such as a wall covering, I often add a lighting element for my cli ents. It can give visual interest and act as art for the entire wall.”

Website Houzz shares that vintage style light fixtures will be hot in 2018. Think pendant lighting, constructed from aged copper.

Accessories

Accessorizing your space is a way to display your personality and prefer ences to your guests. So, when it comes to accessorizing, you may want to skip the trends and stick with what speaks to your heart.

“Accessories,” Zakovich adds, “Are always the finishing jewels in a space. Whether it be art, sculpture or glass elements, it’s important to take the time to find pieces that mean something to you.”

Duluth

With all of these fresh new trends, what are customers in Duluth asking for? As it turns out, a little bit of everything!

“Duluth is a very eclectic community with a wide variety of architecture and design aesthetics,” Zakovich says. “Projects I’ve completed over the years have ranged from modern to traditional and everything in between.”

Where the pros find inspiration

Interior design professionals like Zakovich are always on the hunt for creative ideas. Some of her favorite go-to publications include Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Luxe Interiors + Design, and

Dwell.

But you certainly don’t have to look online to find what inspires you.

”Inspiration is everywhere,” she says. “Consider the local beauty of our region and the resources we have at our fingertips, such as artists and furniture makers. But mostly, when beginning a project I intently listen to the client’s vision. This is where the inspiration grows and builds from.”

Classics — Always in style

While it can be fun to experiment with home décor trends, you can never go wrong with the classics. And, above all, the best home decorating tip we can share is to stick to what works best for your family’s lifestyle.

“My design approach,” Zakovich says, “Is to find the best fit for my client and their home. This means putting emphasis on what is important to my client while maintaining a classic look that will endure the test of time.” 

For more information, visit glointeriordesign.com.

Macro closeup of colorful rocks along Lake Superior at Leif Erikson Park in Duluth.

Modern white living room and dining room 3d rendering image.

the News Tribune

VINTAGE, DISTRESSED & “chippy”

SHABBY CHIC’S COZY APPEAL STILL TRENDING IN 2018

By Andrea Busche

In the not-so-distant past, saying someone’s home or clothing was “shabby” was a stage five insult.

Today, shabby chic is a wildly popular style of interior decorating, and the word shabby has taken on a new, complimentary meaning. Heck, the term is even in the dictionary!

According to Dictionary.com, shabby chic is defined as “Denoting or relating to furniture or soft furnishings that have a pleasingly old and slightly worn appearance.”

Some common items in the shabby family include: chippy, white painted chandeliers; distressed, pastel-colored armoires; and floral fabrics that give off a soft, feminine feel. Featuring flea market finds, along with plenty of new items that are purposely distressed to look vintage, shabby chic devotees are everywhere. Including the Twin Ports.

Shopping shabby in the Ports

We visited with two women who are intimately familiar with this trend. They’ve built their businesses to cater, in part, to shabby devotees. Gayle

Healy owns Serendipity in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. And, Heidi Weiberg owns LiliAna at 2214 Mountain Shadow Drive. Today, these two proprietresses share what’s currently trending in the world of shabby.

Serendipity

Located in a large twostory house at 4407 E.

Superior St. in the Lakeside business district, Serendipity is filled with oneof-a-kind treasures; some new, some vintage. The shop also includes an outdoor Garden Shed, which is open spring, summer, and fall. The shed is delightfully displayed with unusual garden décor, as well as both old and new furniture.

Ana, a charming boutique selling “vintage décor with a fresh twist.” Weiberg interestingly notes that the current lifestyle trend of Hygge (pronounced hueguh) has helped reinvigorate people’s interest in shabby furnishings. Hygge is a Danish word, which, according to hyggehouse.com, is used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special.

tor, making them the ‘eye candy’ of the room.”

Treasure Hunt

Owner Gayle Healy is — at the time of this writing — in France, hunting for amazing items, ideas and inspiration to bring home to her customers. Healy shares, “Florals in linens, wallpaper, (yes, wallpaper is coming back in a big way) furniture and fashion continue to grow. Natural wood furnishings are making a comeback and “chalk-painted” furniture is losing its popularity. Here in France, I’ve seen a lot of copper, brass and gold in furniture and accent pieces.”

LiliAna

Heidi Weiberg owns Lili-

And, soft, comfylooking furnishings, such as those in the shabby category, definitely fit the bill of cozy, charming and special. “Chippy white goodness on furniture and accessories, flowers, lighting and Hygge are all huge right now,” Weiberg shares. “Hygge can be used alongside the shabby chic décor: Quiet time with the people you love and care for in your space. Taking the time to turn down the lights, light your candles, make that favorite cup of tea, put on those warm fuzzy socks, or curl up under that wellloved throw. Beyond the furnishings, it’s all about creating the right atmosphere in your home.”

Lighting

Weiberg shares that well-chosen light fixtures are definitely trending right now. “My clients are looking for th at functional, yet stylish chandelier,” she says. “Metals mixed with prisms, or a metal and wood combination. Unique, one-of-a-kind table lamps have also been a huge hit. Stunning light fixtures help create a WOW fac-

One of the best parts of shopping shabby is that anyone can do it. Inspiration abounds on sites such as Pinterest and Instagram. And, no matter your shopping style, you can find something to suit your tastes. If you’re a treasure hunter, you can find unique items on the cheap at garage sales and flea markets. Or, if you’d prefer to buy new, a fresh (or intentionally chipped) coat of white paint, along with a little distressing, can make your item insta-shabby. And of course, shops like Serendipity and LiliAna provide one-stop shopping, since they have already done the work for us.

People Crave the

Comfy-Cozy

If there’s one thing we know, it’s this: the trend of shabby chic isn’t going away. If anything, it’s ramping up as people look to add coziness and warmth to their lives during these uncertain times.

“Shabby chic is all about the details,” Weiberg says. “A non-cluttered environment, featuring fresh white paint with a splash of color, wallpaper, mixed metals, candles, lighting and comfy throws. When shopping shabby, think out of the box with your items, be clever, and have fun!”  For more information, Serendipity can be reached at (218) 525-3455, and Heidi Weiberg, the owner of LiliAna, can be reached at (218) 780-6054. Both businesses are also on Facebook.

Rustic kitchen still life: wire basket, galvanized buckets with wooden spoons, jug with roses bunch, towels stack and glass bottles against vintage wooden shutters.

Classic ancient armchair with golden wood.

Golden picture frame and rose flowers against vintage wooden background.

Rustic Kitchen still-life: dried flowers bunch and wood photo frames against vintage wooden background.

Shabby chic room interior with bedside table, folding screen or room divider with white tracery and rose bouquets.

For the News Tribune

5 TIPS FOR A healthier home

ELIMINATE DUST

Dust contains a variety of contaminants that can harm the health of your family, especially children and people with asthma. That is why vacuuming, dusting furniture and cleaning bedding thoroughly should be done on a regular basis. A tip to remember: to eliminate as much dust as possible from a carpet, vacuum every 10 square feet of surface for at least one minute.

THROW OUT EXPIRED FOOD PRODUCTS

Inspect the contents of your fridge and freezer twice a month and throw out any food products that have passed their expiration date. By the way, did you know that most meat should be eaten within eight months of freezing? When it comes to your fridge, it is best not to wait for bad smells to show up before you clean.

USE AIR PURIFYING PLANTS

Whether you have a green thumb or not, stock up on plants that are known to improve the air quality in homes. Here are the best choices:

► Spathiphyllum, an elegant plant that produces pretty white flowers.

► Sansevieria, commonly called “mother-in-law’s tongue.”

► Philodendron, a plant with exotic foliage often used by florists.

► Ivy, an exceptionally vigorous creeper.

► Ficus, a plant that absorbs heat and releases moisture.

► Dracaena, a very resistant plant also called “dragon tree.”

► Chlorophytum, a common species often referred to as “spider plant.”

► Aloe, whose many virtues are recognized in herbal medicine.

► Aglaonema, an easy-to-care-for houseplant.

To boost your air quality, choose at least two or three species and place them in every room of your home. A professional horticulturist will be able to tell you how to care for them properly.

LOOK AFTER ALL APPLIANCES THAT CIRCULATE AIR

Call in a professional to inspect and clean all the heating, cooling and air circulation systems in your home. The kinds of appliances that should be serviced regularly:

► Air conditioner

► Dehumidifier

► Air exchanger

► Furnace

► Hood

► Humidifier

► Heat pump

► Fan

DISINFECT SURFACES

Just because your walls, floors, furniture and appliances look clean, it does not mean that they really are. Most contaminants are invisible to the naked eye, so take the precaution of cleaning all surfaces using a suitable product. Don’t forget the doorknobs. 

“Building the new, Restoring the old” the new, Restoring the old”

Services Include:

Masonary Veneers | Fireplaces

Chimneys/Repairs | Foundations

for your child’s bedroom

Aparent’s schedule is nothing short of hectic. Between work, daycare, groceries and homework, interior decoration often finds itself quite low on the list of parental priorities. Have you been meaning to redesign your child’s bedroom?

TO HELP GET THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING, HERE ARE DESIGN TIPS FOR A FUNCTIONAL AND ATTRACTIVE ROOM THAT’LL STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

FURNITURE

There’s no denying it: low-end furniture wears and breaks faster than quality furniture —especially in a child’s bedroom, where flying toys and sticky fingers are the norm. While savings are always on a parent’s mind, higher-end furniture can be seen as an investment rather than an expense. For an elegant design that will hold up for years, choose sturdy, multifunctional pieces such as:

► A high-rise bed with desk space underneath

► A bench that doubles as a storage unit

► A bed with built-in drawers

► A desk equipped with shelving

THEMES

Kids grow up fast and their tastes change even faster. Think twice before buying bedding or curtains covered with your child’s favorite cartoon character. While trains and princesses are fun and appealing, it’s best to opt for an age-appropriate design that you won’t have to completely overhaul every year. So, when your child pleads for a Dora the Explorer-themed bedroom, keep in mind that she’ll probably be begging for something entirely different next month.

It’s all about compromise. While taking into account your little one’s strongest interests and preferences, suggest a more general — but nonetheless fun — theme such as nature, animals, sports or space.

COLOR SCHEMES

Thinking long-term about your child’s bedroom means choosing a color scheme that isn’t strongly associated with a specific age or gender. In other words, avoid making cotton candy pink or baby boy blue the room’s main hue.

Instead, choose a neutral shade for the walls and spice up the space with brightly colored or uniquely patterned accessories. If your child’s preferences change every year, showcase their new favorite things with wall art, throw pillows or light fixtures. You’ll find it’s a lot more cost-effective than repainting the whole room. 

Does filter direction matter?

Q:Can you tell me why it is so important to install the furnace/air conditioner filter in a certain direction?

What harm, if any, does it do if it’s backwards?

— Nancy Henrichs

A:Let me assure you that HVAC companies are not just blowing hot air when they implore you to install filters correctly. In fact, they warn that constantly putting filters in backwards could conceivably result in your system blowing no air at all. Here’s why:

Although the two sides of an air filter might look the same, they are not. If you’d examine them with a magnifying glass, you’d find that one side is more porous than the other. This allows the filter to effectively trap airborne particles while also minimizing the slowdown of airflow through your system.

By installing your filter backwards, air will have a harder time flowing through the filter and your air handler will have to work harder to make up for the loss of airflow. This could lead to higher utility bills and possibly damage your furnace or air conditioner. And the last thing you want is your HVAC system conking out on a zero-degree night or 105-degree day.

So be sure to look for the arrows that are printed on the sides of the filters because they show you which way the filters are supposed to be installed. That arrow must always face toward the furnace and away from the return duct that carries the air in need of heating or cooling. Forced air furnaces recirculate air throughout a home, blowing air (cooled or heated) out while pulling spent air back in for another cycle.

To make the chore next to automatic, you might consider grabbing a permanent marker and drawing the arrow in its proper direction on the actual furnace housing or ductwork. That way you easily can make sure the two arrows match the next time you change your filter. Dirty filters are also a drag on the system, so don’t forget to change them at intervals you’ll find recommended on most filters.

TIPS: Cut your HEATING BILL this winter

Did you get sticker-shock opening your first homeheating bill this year? Those initial late fall/early winter utility bills are an unfortunate reminder that the tiny gaps in your house or apartment are really little heat-sucking vampires costing you money.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of this going to heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, the amount of energy used in the average house is responsible for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the average car, the EPA says. That means taking steps to reduce heat loss adds up to real money savings and helps the environment.

The good news is you can take a few steps to vanquish those energy vampires, and most of these fixes can be done in an afternoon.

Get a better thermostat

Ariel Darmoni, managing partner at 123 Remodeling, a general contractor firm featured on HGTV, said the quickest way to cut down on home-heating bills, with long-term results, is to install a smart thermostat. Although they can be pricey, some utility companies offer rebates on these appliances, reducing your total cost.

Darmoni says to look for a smart thermostat that has sensors homeowners can put in other places in the house to detect cold spots. One example of this type of smart thermostat is ecobee4 ($249), the newest version in the ecobee line. It comes with a sensor, and more can be purchased.

“Older thermostats would just take temperatures where the thermostat was located. If it was in the hallway, it would measure the temperature there, but it may still be chilly in the living room,” he said.

Smart thermostats will measure your energy usage and show

you the results via apps, which can be opportunities to save more money on energy usage.

Whether you purchase a smart thermostat or still use a manual programmable one, the EPA says, to see cost savings, lower the thermostat’s temperature when you’re away or at night by eight degrees from normal comfort levels.

By lowering the thermostat by eight degrees, homeowners can save about $180 a year, said Dina Dwyer-Owens, co-chairwoman of Dwyer Group, parent company of the Neighborly community of home service brands.

To keep from heating rooms that are used less, such as a guest bedroom, shut the heat register to that room and close the door, Darmoni added.

Targeted insulation

Caulking and applying weather stripping around leaky windows and door frames will seal out the tiny drafts that suck out warmer air, Darmoni and Dwyer-Owens said. As unattractive as it may look, plastic sheeting on rattling windows will help cut down on heat loss.

Especially in older homes, but even in newer homes, cold air can seep through wall outlets. One telltale sign is if the wall outlet is particularly cool to the touch or drafty when plugging in a device. Dwyer-Owens says hardware and big-box retailers sell pre-cut foam insulation that fits around switch plates and can be tucked behind the wall plate.

“It’s a leak that’s happening, and you probably don’t think about,” she said. Water heaters can benefit from a blanket, DwyerOwens said. Newer units may have sufficient insulation, which should be at least R-24, the EPA said. If the heater is warm to the touch, give the unit its own winter jacket. Pre-cut hot-water heater blankets cost about $30, and some utilities offer rebates to purchase them, she said.

The EPA said that by insulating the water tank, homeowners can cut standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent and save about seven to 16 percent in waterheating cost.

“Depending on how inefficient your water heater is, you can save about $50 annually,” she says, which offsets the cost of the blanket in less than a year.

Give your furnace

some TLC

Change air filters regularly as a clean filter prevents dust and dirt buildup and is less taxing on the system. While you’re at it, make an appointment with a technician to tune up your furnace, she said. Do it now, since this time of year, technicians get busy. Not only does tuning up the furnace keep it running well, a technician can spot any problems and prevent a breakdown on the coldest day of the year.

Energy audit

Does the house still feel drafty even after addressing common overlooked areas? It might be time to get an energy audit done, Dwyer-Owens said. The companies use infrared sensors to see where heat is being lost, so homeowners know whether they should have windows replaced or insulation added.

“They can find the home leaks for you. People can sometimes save as much as 20 percent on their bills” after addressing the biggest heat-loss problems, she said. 