Chattanooga and Los Angeles interior designer Michelle Workman, owner of the commercial and residential design firm Michelle Workman Interiors, and Denise McGaha, principal designer of Dallas-based Denise McGaha Interiors, joined Crossville’s Lindsey Ann Waldrep as they covered everything from bold design trends to the behind-the-story disasters of completing show houses before the big reveals.
Both designers help clients see how bold can be blended into spaces. Michelle notes that “As a designer we need to push our clients out of their comfort zone to take risks.” Although people are trending toward gray and beige and neutrals, they aren’t grey-vanilla-beige in their personal lives. They are vibrant and alive and even quirky – and they should incorporate those traits into their spaces.
Denise agrees in that clients should be in love with their space from day one in what makes them happy. She also noted that clients shouldn’t worry about replacing design in 8-10 years because they’re going to want to update the space anyway. We don’t have to live with the same design as permanent anymore.
When it comes new trends in tile, the designers feel that three-dimensionality and texture in tile are important new characteristics. Michelle sees dimensional tile as more of an an art installation, not “just a wall,” and Denise stressed the importance of texture in tile, especially in modern bathrooms with big glass enclosures where the tiled wall and floors often take center stage.
As for tile looks they would like to see make a comeback? Denise is ready for pink bathrooms and Michelle longs for the old school square 4 x 4 tiles in wild colors that remind her of 1920s Los Angeles.
In addition to discussing new and returning trends, we also learned that both designers are currently installing Crossville’s gauged porcelain tile panels in their homes. Michelle loves the panels as they provide the functionality of tile combined with the beauty of large coverage. She specifically commented on the panels as “providing a very modern take on tile.” Denise also spoke about the panels as “providing a timeless aspect to stay in the home for a long time.”
There’s so much more design wisdom to take away from this panel discussion featuring these savvy (and truly trend-setting!) designers.
