Tailor Your Home this Fall - Home D cor takes a Cue from Menswear

12/1/2005

(ARA) If you re looking for the latest trend in home design, take a look around the men s department next time you re at the mall.

Menswear trends are making the transition to home styles this year, says Chris Tennyson, director of visual merchandising for Bombay.

Classic, masculine looks bring a very clean, traditional style to the home. This trend incorporates bigger, more substantial furniture pieces as well as new finishes like dark black rubbed surfaces, says Tennyson.

These looks are perfect as we move into the fall and winter months and people are looking for comfort and warmth in their homes. A good example of the substantial pieces Tennyson is talking about is Bombay s D'Orsay coffee table. With clean, solid lines and a deep espresso finish, this table can anchor a room and is at home in either contemporary or traditional settings. This season s look also relies on traditional menswear fabrics to add texture and pattern to a room.

Look for patterns like argyle, herringbone, tweed and plaid in everything from window treatments to pillows to upholstery, says Tennyson. He recommends layering these fabrics to create a rich, textured feel in your room. To achieve this look in the bedroom, look for a large and dramatic, headboard covered in a fabric that looks and feels like suede for added tactile interest. Layer on a beautiful bedspread and add a collection of throw pillows in tweed and herringbone and you ll feel like you ve been transported to a London flat.

We re seeing a move away from the more casual look toward a room that is inspired by tailored fashions simplified design that is more traditional, but not boring says Tennyson. Even this season s accessories take their cue from men s fashions. Look for materials like tortoiseshell and bone that you would typically find in cufflinks. Leather is another important trend this season, both in upholstery and in accessories.

It s almost a British men s club feel, but not at all stuffy, says Tennyson. And to keep your room from feeling like a private club, throw in something unexpected to liven it up a red pillow or a striking piece of blue and white porcelain.

Every room should have a wow piece, says Tennyson. Something unexpected that draws your attention and makes you smile. These wow pieces also help define a room as yours it s way to express your personality. So while you can incorporate the newest home fashions into your decorating scheme, your home will never look like a furniture catalog or a showroom it will always look like it belongs to you and your family. Courtesy of ARA Content.