For 2012 interior design trends, everything old is new again.

Interior design experts are calling 2012 the rebirth of rustic style. While aged elements have grown in popularity over the past several years, reclaimed materials and antiques will steal the spotlight in 2012 as more homeowners look for opportunities to live sustainably without compromising on style and craftsmanship.

As HomeDesignFind.com points out, interior designers can be expected to liberally employ reclaimed woods throughout the home int he coming year to inject character and vitality. (For example, check out the wall covering in the photo above.)

The rustic style trend has many benefits, but here’s the crux for good measure:

• It’s sustainable. As I alluded to above, rustic style is sustainable because it reduces the demand for newly created goods and reduces unnecessary waste.
• It celebrates heritage. Heirlooms are often the best antiques. Using elements from previous homes into a new home creates a sense of lineage and tradition you just can’t get from a home decor chain.
• It honors craftsmanship. We all want our home to feel well-built and strong. Antiques signify longevity, careful keeping and sturdiness.

Does your have any rustic design elements or heirlooms you’re proud to feature?

French McDonald’s restaurants will soon have a new look. It’s designed “for the brand to get back to family-based fast food dining instead of the image that it had become over the years as a teenage hangout.”

Compared to the current Mickey D’s, this design is sparsely elegant. Some of the wall panels recall an old diner, hearkening back to McDonald’s roots.

What do you think? Do you love this idea or does it take away from the Golden Arches you’ve always known? Check out Design Milk to see more pictures!

Images courtesy of Design Milk

When homeowner Todd Noteboom began his recent remodeling project, architect Tom Ellison and his colleagues at TEA2 Architects saw an opportunity to add character and traditional detail to a home that had previously been steered a bit off the course of its classic Mediterranean style. According to Ellison:

The house had never been an especially good example of the genre, and what it did have had been downgraded over the years. At some time in the 1970s, a glass and aluminum-framed solarium had been added to the front, which was completely out of character. We could also see that many of the details traditionally found in such houses were not present, but the potential was there to re-create a more authentic design.

By reworking the front of the house, the finished home now presents a more attractive, stylish face to the neighborhood and passers-by, and the view from inside the home is dramatically improved as well. Part of the approach to staying true to the style of the home was accomplished with Marvin double-hung wood windows, replicating the look of the home’s original windows while providing the high level of performance the homeowner and architect demand.

Learn more about the project and see more photos at TrendsIdeas.com.

Photo by Brian Droege courtesy of TrendsIdeas.com

We’ve been taking some time recently to celebrate Marvin’s heritage, values and innovation. Innovation, craftsmanship and attention to detail are a part of every product Marvin makes, but those traits are perhaps most noticeably on display in the creations of Marvin Signature Products and Services.

If you have an ambitious idea that demands a custom solution, our Signature team can bring your vision to life. Marvin Signature Products and Services combines the capabilities of a national brand with the craftsmanship of a local millwork shop. Marvin Signature offers distinctive custom capabilities, personalized service and a solutions-driven approach to our work with new construction, renovation and historic restoration projects.

One favorite example is the round pivot window shown in the photo at right. This window is a creative, stylish solution for gables, cupolas and other challenging spaces. The sash pivots to allow fresh air to flow or can be removed for easy access to the exterior.

See for yourself some of the team’s awesome capabilities in our Signature photo gallery and case study collection.

When done just right, a backsplash can serve as the centerpiece of a kitchen.

In a recent project by Lenore Baigelman of Full Circle Architects (Northbrook, Ill.), the architect created a spacious country kitchen that’s primarily white with dark woods and tile, so when the red backsplash with a herringbone tile pattern appears from one of many sight lines, it really pops. That’s no mistake, either.

Baigelman tells TrendsIdeas.com, “I limited the use of this rich color to heighten its impact, only introducing it behind the cooktop. On the other walls, the backsplash is in a white tile to match the cabinets.”

Baigelman’s design includes arched doorways that lead to the living room and formal dining room, each of which provide a view of the red backsplash, which beams with warmth and vitality. The project also includes Marvin windows and doors. For those building or remodeling, this is a great example of how a little color in the right area can take a kitchen from bland to bold. When possible, accentuate an area that’s visible from multiple rooms. The effect is immediate, making family and guests feel drawn to what many consider the heart of any residence.

[Photos from TrendIdeas.com]

The kitchen is the heart of the home, says the description of this remodel case study video from Lou Manfredini’s HouseSmartsTV. And who’d argue?

In this segment, HouseSmartsTV talks with an interior designer about a recent remodel that gives a bland kitchen space back its soul. The most significant change was to remove a peninsula that unfortunately cut the space in half and to add a stylish stone island.

A drawer-style microwave and refrigerator (with panels to match other cabinetry) are a clever way save space that can be better used for other purposes. Other nice touches include under-cabinet lighting and glass decorated with gold leaf. Watch the video to see the before and after photos, and see more from HouseSmartsTV on YouTube.

For those constantly pursuing ways to improve their home’s curb appeal, one common feature is often overlooked — garage doors.

When it comes to garage door replacement, there’s no need to rest on just function and convenience. Garage doors come in many styles and materials, providing a practical way to give your home a facelift without requiring a crew of builders and designers.

What’s more, according to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value report for 2010-2011, garage door replacements earn back about 84 percent of initial costs in home resale value.

Popular home improvement site Charles & Hudson has some tips for picking the perfect garage door replacement:

• “If you want to replace your garage door but remain budget-conscious, consider a mid-range door, classified by Remodeling magazine as ‘uninsulated, single-layer, embossed steel with two coats of baked-on paint, galvanized steel hinges and nylon rollers.’ “
• “For a more traditional aesthetic, try a wood, carriage-like door. Glass and wrought-iron trim are available for a truly luxurious product.”
• “If you prefer something that’s more sustainable and eco-friendly, consider a door made of wood composite. You can easily change the color with a coat of primer and paint, making these a versatile option if you’d like the freedom to periodically change the color of your door.”

[Photo from Houzz]

Via HousingZone.com, a leading news website for home-building and remodeling professionals, we learned of the Sherwin-Williams Colormix 2012 forecast, which presents a range of 40 colors the company’s “color experts” foresee being popular, trendy or just downright cool in the year ahead.

So what do we learn from this new Colormix forecast? “The 40 hues highlighted in colormix 2012 stay close to home with earth-inspired, color family groupings: Reds, Blues, Greens and Neutrals.” More specifically, Sherwin William’s Jackie Jordan says:

Colors that are analogous, or adjacent on the color wheel, are a dominant trend. We discover a fresh array of combinations within color families ― be it fiery reds, watery blues, grassy greens or organic neutrals. … Just hone in on a color you love and the ideal, natural complement will be right nearby.

See the colors in all their glory here. Anything you see inspire you?

It may seem preposterous now, but eventually, the heat will break, providing those perfect late summer nights to gather around a fire.

While it’s become increasingly common for builders to weave a fire pit into the patio design for new homes, there’s an alternative for those who want to avoid a full-scale backyard renovation: outdoor fire bowls.

Houzz has published a list of 10 tips for using outdoor fire bowls and many of them relate to safety. Here’s some important things to consider:

Consult with building officials, local codes and certified professionals. Be sure fire bowls are allowed on your property. It may be a good idea to speak with an insurance agent, too. In other words, know the laws and weigh the risks.

Set a screen. These come included with most fire bowls. The screen will prevent sparks and embers from spreading and possibly causing a fire. If nothing else, try using a grilling surface.

Don’t put your fire out with water. Not only is water ineffective — it can be dangerous. (The bowl usually erupts in a swirl of steam and ash.) Instead, use a bucket of sand or dirt and rake the coals to expose the bottom layers to the cover. Also, separate burning logs so they cool faster.

Know the winds. If there’s a prevailing wind, consider which direction the smoke and ash might blow, factoring overhanging foliage and your home.

You can read the rest of Houzz’s tips here.

[Photo from New Inspiration Home Design]

Yesterday, Kate at Centsational Girl raised a great question: Are open-shelved kitchens timeless or trendy?

It’s a popular look right now, but interior design history has proven no room is more subject to passing fads than the kitchen. That said, open shelves create an opportunity to bring more personality to the kitchen by creating space for picture frames, crafts and antiques. When done correctly, it can bring a feeling of warmth and vitality to the place where you prepare meals and, in many cases, spend a decent amount of family and social time, as well.

But before you start ripping perfectly good cupboards off the wall, here’s some important questions to ask yourself before going with open shelves:

Do you need another interior design quandary? Open shelves create a design opportunity, which means you’ll need to consider balance and flow by orchestrating dishes and cookware in a way that’s practical, but also visually appealing. Cupboards require much less thought. Sometimes, simpler is better.

Are you comfortable with exposing your dishes and cookware? It’s one thing to stack $35 Anthropologie plates on open shelves, but what about those pots and pans you’ve been toting since college? Once your kitchen is more exposed, you might feel compelled to have higher-quality dishes and cookware. That’s not a bad thing, but it is an added expense.

Are you already overburdened with cleaning? When was the last time you dusted and wiped out your cupboards? With open shelves, you can add these tasks to your list of chores about twice per month.

Are you clumsy? It seems open shelves are often clustered with items, which means you better have a steady hand when grabbing for your favorite coffee mug. Busy open shelves can be like a minefield for kids, too. (If kids play into the equation, open shelves can be a safety issue.)

Are cupboards getting the job done? This is where trendiness comes back into play. What do open shelves offer that cupboards do not? If it’s openness and accessibility you long for, consider removing the doors from your cupboards. This creates a similar look to open shelves and requires nothing more than a screwdriver.

[Photo from Alice Lane Home]