How to translate fashion week trends into the home

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New York’s Fashion Week last month provided glimpses of what the best dressed will be wearing and sneak peeks of what spring may bring. Those same looks, however, might just be coming out of the closet and into the home.

Homeowners can embrace many of the same colorful runway trends in their own living rooms, dining rooms and dens. Many fashion designers such as Armani and Missoni have their own home lines offering catwalk translations of gowns, vests and dresses to throws, pillows and end tables, proving design basics hold true no matter the medium.

It’s not a coincidence that the High Point Market in North Carolina, which runs Oct. 18-23, is referred to as the “fashion week for home furnishings.” Market stylist Shay Geyer said its goal is to present the newest collections and products in home furnishings and accessories.

The important point to remember is not to try to take the runway trend literally into your living room, but reference it where possible. The looks that make one feel good wearing them to work can do the same thing at home, according to interior designer Christa O’Leary, who has a passion for green living. She’s written several books and her latest, “Home in Harmony: Designing an Inspired Life” (Hay House, $14.99) is due out Nov. 3.

O’Leary said she saw several trends she expects to see plucked from the runways for the home. She noted mixed metallics (Richard Chai, Tadashi Shoji); layers, layers, layers (Hermes); and neutral chameleonlike bases accented with pops of color to add interest and a fun factor (Chloe, Ralph Lauren). There was also the color blue (Yannis Vlamos) and soft faux fur (Tom Ford) that could easily be translated from couture to the couch or countertop.

Reagan Hayes, who began her career designing interiors but gravitated to furniture making when she and her husband, Luke, moved to Los Angeles, agrees. One particular look Hayes said she likes is the modern bohemian movement seen on the runway and now at home. Mixing shearling, metallics and layers all add to a carefree disposition and a sense of comfort.

Hayes’ showroom of distinct pieces can be found in the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

Overall, consumers are going outside the lines and want to express themselves, and that’s simply what fashion — clothes or interior — is all about, experts say.

“We used to all be worried about keeping up with the Joneses, but I think people now want their own personalities to show,” said Denise Turner, an interior designer whose specialty is color at her Alta Loma business called Color Turners.

One of Hayes’ vignettes features a red rug, bleached walnut furniture, neutral linen and cast brass. It showcases old rustic sconces along with tall black pedestals.

“I think it works and it’s a lot like we dress — not everything has to match and we can take creative liberties,” Hayes said.

The local designers emphasize, however, it’s not just women’s fashions that play a key role in home decor design.

The San Fernando Valley-based Walker Zanger, which will be opening a new showroom/distribution center in West Hills next year, has a new tile collection called Sterling Row based on classic menswear staples. With collection names such as argyle, houndstooth, wingtip, oxford and tuxedo, the shapes and colors of the porcelain and marble tiles look as if they’d fit nicely into a well-dressed gentleman’s wardrobe.

“The fashion industry has influenced home decor for years, especially with color palettes and patterns. But what is fairly new is the influence of menswear. The recent runways showed traditional looks, but then the women’s lines also featured structured jackets and dress shirts,” said Jared Becker, vice president of design and marketing for Walker Zanger. “When we were developing Sterling Row we saw all the uses of grays, charcoals and blacks and noticed it looked a lot like a fine suit. It reminded us of Seville Row in London where the finest suits in the world are made. My favorites are the wingtip and derby designs, but they all create a harmonious calm environment, much like wrapping yourself up in a great tweed suit.”

Hayes makes sense of the trend simply.

“The way we dress and how we decorate our homes are both ways we express ourselves,” Hayes said. “Homes are just an extension of us.”Also read here:SheinDress red prom dresses

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