MLH Design Archives - At Home in Arkansas

Artistic Inspiration

August 27, 2014 by ark_admin

Recently, while looking for the perfect watercolor floral fabric for a client, I ran across a new fabric from Black Edition by The Romo Group. It was so interesting – this fabric that looked like it was pulled straight from a canvas – that I had do to a little research. I learned that this new line was titled “Desire” by British artist Jessica Zoob.

The line consists of digitally printed linens, velvets and wall coverings using images and patterns pulled directly from Zoob’s contemporary impressionist paintings. These buttery velvets and breathtaking wall coverings would add just the right amount of softness to an “industrial chic” interior – or they could give a traditional look a bit of edge. Either way, they are definitely amazing.

As you are aware, I cannot discuss something new and hot in the interior design world without showing the similar trends from our sister industry, the fashion design world! Here are some fabulous looks from Resort 2015 that immediately came to mind while I was looking at these beautiful fabrics and wall coverings:

Michael Kors, Resort 2015

Lenny Niemeyer, 2015 Collection

Fausto Puglisi, Resort 2015

Happy Shopping!

Meridith Hamilton is principal and founder of MLH Designs, a full-service interior design firm specializing in highly custom residential interiors and select corporate projects. Learn more about her and her firm at mlh-designs.com.

Dwell on Design Recap

June 25, 2014 by ark_admin

Last weekend I returned from the American Society of Interior Designer’s Chapter Leadership Conference which was held in conjunction with Dwell on Design in Los Angeles.

Not to miss an opportunity to see a trade show, especially one in such an influential location as LA, I made a point to visit during my down-time, between the ASID meetings. Although several exhibits were a repeat from previous shows, I did see a few things that I was very excited about! Here are a few that I had to share:

Castellan Parquet Porcelain Tile from Classic Tile and Mosaic

This new porcelain tile design follows the wood-look trend, but the addition of the oversized parquet look makes this product stand out from the others I’ve seen. The tiles are available in Brun, Creme, and Gris and, as you can see from the photos above, they are suitable for the interior or the exterior.

New Color Availability from Miele

Miele appliances shown in Brilliant White.

Miele appliances shown in Havana Brown.

You may already be familiar with Miele’s Brilliant White glass front option, introduced in 2012 and the winner of Interior Design Magazine’s Best of 2013, which is a pretty fabulous choice when planning a sleek kitchen. Due to the popularity of that, they are now adding two new glass colors to the line, Havana Brown and Obsidian Black. As if the glass colors weren’t cool enough, the operating panel works as a touch screen – similar to an Apple product. Not too shabby, Miele.

Shimal’e-Light in Art

Shabbat Candles in White

Drops in White

This was the first time I’ve seen product by Shimal’e – Light in Art in person and I was impressed. The designer, Shimon Peleg, creates one-of-a-kind light fixtures, windows, art and sinks. My favorite designs from the show utilized rectangular panels of stained glass to create a truly unique chandelier. All of Peleg’s creations may be customized to create the right look for your project.

Smith & Fong Plyboo Carved and Textured Panels

These textured architectural panels, newly introduced by already-popular “green” manufacturer Smith & Fong, were pretty exciting. Available as prefinished or unfinished sheets in three different styles, Reveal Collection, Plyboo Sound and Linear Line, my mind soared with all the possible applications – cabinetry, furniture, backsplash, or simply a highlighted panel on a statement wall!

These are merely a few of the exciting new products and finishes that I discovered at Dwell on Design. Stay tuned to my blog where I will unveil even more cool new products and designs from the show!

Until next time,

Top 10 Finds at KBIS

February 26, 2014 by ark_admin

The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, or KBIS, is THE show for kitchen designers like myself and was held in conjunction with the International Builder’s Show earlier this month. This combo made for one heck of a show and a whirlwind couple of days spent in Las Vegas.

Here is my list of the top ten newly released products that stood out to me as I scoured the show floor:

Available later this year, the beautiful Whitehaven Hayridge was created when Kohler took one of their most popular cast iron sinks and added a simple yet stunning detail to the apron front.

Kohler‘s new Tailored Vanity Collection is a versatile one. It is available in five different styles, ranging from Craftsman to Contemporary, and in a variety of wood stains and species. Some styles in the collection have the option of adding furniture legs or a toe kick – for those remodeling projects – along with customizable door and drawer configurations. Love the interior organizers you can chose from! They include roll out trays, electrical outlets, make-up trays and much more.

“Mousharabia” is the Arabic word for the intricately carved screens that adorned the windows of middle and upper class houses and other historic buildings in the old medina. The Mousharabia Collection by Martyn Lawrence Bullard for Ann Sacks Tile & Stone was inspired by these wooden and metal screens. The high relief ceramic Agidar field tile is shown here.

This little contraption by Glideware took Silver in KBIS Best in Show’s Kitchen category and I can see why. It is another one of those now-why-didn’t-I-think-of-that gadgets that will increase functionality and decrease headaches! Glideware will install in any new or existing standard depth cabinet and, while it is most useful reducing pot and pan clutter, it can also be used for small utility cabinets (shown at left).

I adore this not too brassy, not too gold, new Champagne finish by Atlas Homewares.

If you can’t see it already, the streamlined look of Brizo‘s new Sotria lavatory faucet was inspired by aeronautic architecture – sleek and purposeful with wing-like levers. When it is turned on, the faucet releases a ribbon-like stream of water.

And on my “Need This ASAP” list is The Docking Drawer. Created by J Tech Solutions, this in-drawer mobile device charger can be easily installed in a slightly modified drawer. I would love to hide my family’s myriad of cords and connectors in their own drawer!

Available in July 2014, the delicate pattern and veining of CaesarStone’s Calacatta Classic is as close to marble, while still having the benefits of quartz, as I’ve seen.

The Adorn Vanity and the V14 Vanity both have that sleek look you have come to expect from Robern. The Adorn is the freestanding version and the V14 version can be ganged horizontally or vertically to customize your space. Pictured above in one of their new Digital Wood patterns, Charcoal Ash.

The Per Se Collection by Kallista is another extremely streamlined and linear vanity fixture that caught my attention at the show. Available in three finishes, this faucet’s thin design gives it a sleek, classy look.

Hope you enjoyed seeing these new products as much as I enjoyed finding them!

Deco Delight

February 9, 2014 by ark_admin

I am behind…I’m way behind. At least, that’s how the people who have already spent over $133 million worldwide to see The Great Gatsby have made me feel.

I’m not sure if my love for this era began when my high school literary instructor assigned F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel to read and dissect – probably not. However, I find it entirely fascinating now. The people, the art, the music, the fashion and the interiors were evolving tremendously during that period and that evolution had a major impact on the world of today.

I was beside myself when I heard that Warner Bros. was taking Fitzgerald’s novel, an excellent 1920’s character study, to the big screen. I don’t care what the reviewer’s say – “too glitzy” “more sparkle than substance” – I am going purely for the eye candy. No, not for Mr. DiCaprio, but for the recreation of the design, art and fashion.