Contents of Ballantyne Magazine - SPRING 2012

Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.

Page 33 of 99

BALLANTYNE | feature
MOTHER NATURE
embracing minterior décor trends By Nan Bauroth Photos by Jessica Milligan
NATURAL, LIVABLE, LASTING. These watchwords embody interior design trends that local experts are projecting this year. "The whole green craze is coming to interior design in fabrics and other elements," says Beth Taflinger, owner of Casual Elegance, a home décor and gift shop in Blakeney. "We're seeing natural fabrics such as linen and jute." Lamps with shades fashioned of burlap, along with moss-covered
objects, are also selling well. Paula Tompkins, owner/
designer of Creative by Nature HOME in Blakeney, whose store is premised on interior décor rooted in natural elements, agrees that the movement away from synthetic materials has gained momentum. "Customers like natural fabrics
because they feel real and are comfortable," Tompkins says. "People connect to these more than something artificial." The pillows and tabletop linens she's carrying are covered in natural textiles. "Burlap is popular, and felted wool is going to be big, as are linen and cotton." Environmental awareness has
spawned another trend Tompkins recently saw in Paris. "It's called 'Up-purposing.' They take a basic material and elevate it into a decorative object," she says. Two examples she sells are lightweight bowls made from concrete
32 BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE
Felted wool pillows are popular this spring.
Paula Tompkins creates an arrangement with natural dried flowers.
Both layered paper balls and bowls made of concrete and paper are examples of "Up-purposing."
and paper and decorative balls covered in layered paper. A related trend Tompkins says
is just beginning to hit Charlotte is the industrial look. "You'll see it in small sculptured items such as wheels and gears, and replicas of manufacturing tools." She cites industrial-looking shelves on wheels, which are attracting customers.
Variety of Textures Mixing textures in room
décor to impart a more natural impression is also in vogue. "We're seeing many fabrics introduced with subtle textures," says Brock McLendon, president of Brock Moran Home in Ballantyne Village, whose lifestyle store is noted for its custom interior design services. McLendon, who features a
fresh, clean look in his furniture lines and interior décor, says
SPRING 2012 irror green movement