Trend Report: Inspiration from Six Top Designers

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Written by:Cambria USA

High Contrast

When updating her own family kitchen—without replacing the existing cabinets—Washington, DC, designer and blogger Jewel Marlowe relied on bold color and a show-stopping focal point to transform the space. The combination of the rich blue cabinets and bold Cambria Bentley™ on the waterfall-edge island created a fresh look; areas of burlwood veneer, and brass hardware and lighting lend warmth and character.

Twist on Tradition

To give the dining room of a classically elegant 1911 home a look well-suited to its architecture, Houston, Texas–based designer Paloma Contreras set the scene with a spectacular chinoiserie wallpaper. Then, she tweaked the traditional, adding unexpected modern touches in the lighting, the fireplace screen, and the Cambria Blackpool Matte™ fireplace surround.

Shimmer & Shine

To infuse a breakfast area with a hint of glamour, designer Doreen Avila of ABL Group in Highwood, Illinois, created layers of reflection with glossy paint, an antique mirror, and gold hardware. Cambria’s Clovelly™ design adds to the shine factor, and picks up the black in the floor tiles. Sculptural accessories and high-impact hardware lend richness to a hardworking storage space.

An entryway with hot pink walls, black and white quartz tiled flooring, and a gorgeous light fixture.
Cambria Mersey and Smithfield tiled bathroom floor in the Lake Forest Showhouse

Cambria design shown: Smithfield™

Pretty In Pink

The brilliant raspberry color on the walls of the powder room entry has a surprising source of inspiration: Princess Margaret’s Rolls Royce in The Crown. “We paired that color with custom mosaic Cambria floors, and tongue-in-cheek art, for a look that’s fun and flamboyant,” says Chicago-based designer Sarah Vaile. For a quieter but still luxurious look in a dressing room, designer Ilene Chase of Ilene Chase Design in Highland Park, Illinois, used a high-gloss blush pink everywhere, with Cambria’s Blackpool Matte for contrast. Even a small pop of pink can add feminine flair.

Modern Bohemian

To give a Harlem living room the character the large room was lacking, designer Melody Vaughn. took a layered approach, creating a rich tapestry of textures and visual focal points, all within a tightly controlled neutral palette. White walls create a gallery backdrop for a collection of art, family photos, and inspirational books and objects.

Black + Blue

George Markoutsas of Dovetails Cabinetry in Highwood, Illinois, let the style of the home guide his design for the kitchen—right down to the color of the cabinets, which was matched to the blue wallpaper in the foyer. He topped the counters with Colton™ design, a creamy white that pulls in the room’s warm gold accents. A tailored, stepped-down edge treatment gives the island (below) a furniture-style finish. Repeating gold accents emphasizes the luxe effect. Cabinets: Blue Hydrangea 2062-60 by Benjamin Moore & Co.

Close-up image of Cambria Colton quartz kitchen island countertop

Cambria design shown: Colton

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