The Power of Color with David Bromstad

By David Bromstad

Some of you may know me from a few of my shows on HGTV such as “Design Star,” “Design Star All Stars,” “Color Splash” and “White Room Challenge.” I’m really looking forward to coming to AmericasMart Atlanta and talking to all of you about design: What I love and how to bring design you love into your home!

Nowadays, when not on television, I work solely in Interior Design and in fine art with my paintings and mural work; but when I started my career it was as an artist for Disney and Universal Studios.

I still love bringing an element of over-the-top fantasy to my design, but when I am creating for someone’s home it’s also super important to make the space livable but still fabulous beyond words. One of the easiest ways to bring interest and excitement into a room is with color! Anyone who knows me knows I am a HUGE fan of color.  If you want to use bright color in your home, it’s important to know HOW to use it! I always recommend keeping the biggest and most expensive elements of the room neutral and using pops of color as an accent. But if you want to be bold and cover a piece of furniture with a color, don’t let me stop you!

I love referring to current trends Pantone when it comes to color. They are a fantastic resource. Pantone has declared the color of 2013 Emerald. Emerald is an awesome color that they describe as “Lively. Radiant. Lush…. A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”  I always consider the psychology behind a color when choosing a palette for a room. Greens are perfect for a bedroom and pairing it with earthy tones keeps the décor sexy, delicious and fabulous!

Another element that raises home décor to another level is the addition of “art.” That can be a lot of different things. Most people think of art as a painting but art is everything, lighting, sculpture and even furniture. One design trick I frequently recommend is finding a theme and repeating a color scheme and theme and repeating it throughout your home.  Whether it’s patterns, rugs, flooring or pillows.

If you know me you know I love an animal head, but to keep it modern I like to keep it all in one color scheme; I used white and black below but I’m also a huge fan of metallic.

These are just a few of the things I love to incorporate in my designs and I’m really looking forward to talking about this and so much more at AmericasMart!

Come see David Bromstad present “The Power of Color” on Saturday, January 12 at 3 p.m. in Building 2, Floor 9. Click here for a full list of events and seminars.

Choosing the Perfect Rug with Kenneth Brown

Designer Kenneth Brown, of HGTV’s “reDesign,” shares his tips for adding a rug to your décor:

• When using an area rug to anchor a furniture arrangement, be sure that you select the right size – a quick rule of thumb – at least the front legs of furniture should sit on the rug.
• Use rugs to pull colors together. No matter what colors, materials or finishes you have, an area rug can pull all the colors together to help unify the space.
• A sophisticated rug adds an elevated level of style to a design and completes the look. The intricate patterns of area rugs add visual interest.
• Layering rugs creates a casual atmosphere with visual interest, and the best part is that it works in any space. Get layering!
• Grounding the space with a neutral colored rug is a safe choice and helps define the area. If you are brave and bold, choose a bright and colorful rug. If you keep the furnishings neutral, the rug will stand out even more.
• Area rugs are guaranteed to warm up any space. To make a living room more comfortable, bring in a large area rug so friends can feel comfy lying on the floor.

Come see Kenneth present “Decorating from Top to Bottom” on Friday, January 11, at 10 a.m. in Building 1, Floor 4, Room 4-D-8.Learn how rugs can kick start the design in putting the finishing touches on your designs and see how he’s incorporated those rugs in designing A-List celebrity homes.

Atlanta Homes & Lifestlyles “10 Under 40”

Each year, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles announces their list of the 10 tastemakers under 40 who are redefining local style. Want to know who makes the 10 Under 40 list this year? The class will be presented at AmericasMart Atlanta on Saturday, January 12 at 10 a.m. in Building 1, Floor 14 Seminar Room

Want to know what’s happening with previous 10 Under 40 tastemakers?

Since being recognized as a 10 Under 40 honoree in 2011, Brian Patrick Flynn’s star has continued to rise. Flynn has been working with HGTV and hgtv.com, most notably as a design producer on the hit TV show Design Star. He also conquered the West coast, working and living in Los Angeles for most of the past year. While in L.A., Flynn has designed interiors for Hollywood’s elite—including Kardashian family matriarch, Kris Jenner—and designed his first showhouse room, the guest suite for California Home + Design’s “Big Space, Small Style” showhouse. But what hasn’t changed? His passion for his work and playful sense of style remain intact.

Read the original profile here.