2012 Interior Design Trends

In 2012, global design styles will be returning.  This includes incorporating various pieces of art and furniture from around the world into your space.  In the bathroom, you can use tribal masks, pottery, wooden sculptures, etc. as decorations.  Unique one-of-a-kind wall paintings will be a nice feature on your walls.  When incorporating global design into your bedroom, you have many more options.  A large carved headboard is a great way to add different cultures into your bedroom. Try to find unique pieces that are completely different from what you might see in your relatives' or friends' houses.  Some popular global styles include: Southwestern, Aboriginal, Hispanic, Parisian, Caribbean, etc.  Carved wooden side tables are also an excellent global design idea. You can find great handcrafted side table from all around the world.  Woven lampshades are also unique.  You don’t have to stick to one culture when you’re designing a room.  Feel free to mix and match for a more international look.

Creating An Eco-Friendly Bathroom

There are many things you can do to design an eco-friendly bathroom. Below are a few eco-friendly bathroom products.

Toilet: One of the best ways to help the environment is to save water. This can be done by using a toilet that has smartflush technology which uses less water than a regular toilet. Caroma’s Invisi Series II saves 330 gallons of water per person per year. This toilet hangs on the wall so it also saves space.

Towels: Sina Pearson Textiles has great eco-friendly bath towels. Their Global Village Collection uses a moisture repelling polypropylene fabric. The fabric is completely recyclable and will not harm the environment in any way.

Vanity: The newest eco-friendly trend is a wood substitute called Kirei Board. It is strong and durable while remaining lightweight. It is being used for different types of furniture such as cabinetry and other case goods.  Kirei Board is made out of a material called reclaimed sorghum straw as well as formaldehyde free adhesive.

Bathtub: A company called Sonoma Cast Stone creates Earthcrete bathtubs that are made from recycled concrete-like material. This material is more light-weight than regular concrete.  It doesn’t use any river rock and uses an impressive 87% less delta and river sand.  By doing this, local waterways are not impacted as much.