Warm Days A Ohio Design Centre When checking in with the Ohio Design Centre, located right here in Beachwood on Mercantile Road, we learned that six of their eight showrooms are open to the public. The other two are open for browsing, although a decorator is required to make purchases. Latoya Hunter, senior account executive for Studiothink, the center's marketing company, is working hard to get the word out that the ODC is open to the public and that if a buyer wants to use a decorator and doesn't have one, he or she can be matched up with one. According to Tim Kempf, furniture sales executive at Gregory Alonso Showroom, personal choice is the design direction since consumers are more educated and design-savvy than ever before. Therefore, when working with a professional designer, it is done to help individuals make their own personal visions and tastes come to life. Kempf also shared that design elements are focused more on seating areas to encourage conversation rather than being centered around technology. And, people want formal dining rooms where they can celebrate human interaction and eat tasty food. One trend Kempf does see is the comeback of brass. Kempf does not see specific trends in flooring or paint colors, although products in both categories are going more green as people think about recycled materials and bringing the outside in. With comfort at the forefront of all decorating, clients want rooms to be lived in, not looked at. They want to enjoy their homes and utilize all the space. Lisa Kuenning, showroom manager at Donghia, Inc., shares information about wallcoverings, how they continue to make a huge comeback this year, and how they are being used throughout the home. “It's not the wallpaper you think of when thinking from the past,” Kuenning said. “We still have that, but what we have today is a lot more innovative.” Wallcoverings in natural materials like cork, abaca, grasscloth and mother of pearl, add great texture to a room and continue to gain momentum. For those who want easier maintenance, there are vinyl options that mimic the natural materials. In lighting, mixed materials, like wood and metal or metal and glass, provide a variety of unique finishes. Lampshades are also making a statement with more texture, in materials like linen and velvet. Embroidered fabrics are also big this spring. From bold geometrics to soft florals, a wide range of textiles are available, either machine embroidered or embellished with hand embroidered accents. Also big this spring is the color gray, as a neutral base for both upholstery and paint. Kuenning also talks about the open floor plan and how it’s still relevant since people want COOL TRENDS fter a long winter, spring is finally here. To complement these warm days, we share these cool trends. multi-purpose spaces that can be used for daily, comfortable living as well as entertaining. And, textile manufacturers continue to expand their outdoor fabric collections since outdoor living and entertaining continues to be popular. Saule Narbutaitis, showroom manager at Bello Design, told us that she is seeing more requests for neutral-colored leather products, including sectionals, bar stools and lounge chairs. Narbutaitis agrees that formal dining rooms, with large tables in spectacular finishes, are making a comeback. And, she sees the trend continue for large bowls, glass accent items, large botanicals and custom wall art. “What's really in depends on the space, style and needs of a client,” she said. Editor’s Note: The Ohio Design Centre features beautifully executed room settings showcasing design collections that invite solutions for home interiors. The 100,000 square-foot facility houses fine custom furniture, exclusive fabrics, wall coverings, artwork, rugs and floor coverings, lighting, accessories and surface materials from over 400 premier manufacturers. Showrooms of the Ohio Design Centre include Atelier Lapchi, Baker Furniture, Bello Design, Donghia, The Hall Design Group, Gregory Alonso Showrooms, A.E. Monroe & Company, R.W. Shea & Co. and Surface Materials, Inc. The Ohio Design Centre is open Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm, and is located at 23533 Mercantile Road. For more information, visit www.ohiodesigncentre.com or call 216.831.1245. Pictured from top: Natural wallcovering from Donghia, cork wallcovering from Donghia and furnishings from Gregory Alonso. April 2016 n Beachwood Buzz 13