• For many years, artificial succulents have been very popular with our clients. Often times, there is a need or desire to get more color into your environment. Inspired by a natural floral arrangement that I saw, I have incorporated colorful flowers with the succulents to create a fresh look in permanent botanicals

Contents Interiors

1. Think about your comfort.  How will you use the space?  Is the space for kids and  fun, for grown-up entertaining, a place to relax, or all of the above?
2. Consider the views from the house and toward the house.  Your outdoor space has to relate to your interior but also be a place that draws you outside.
3. Create a focal point by paying attention to the details.  Are there comfortable chairs and a place to set a glass?  Good lighting is key for afternoon parties that extend into the evening.
4. Pots should vary in height and be filled with plants that are fragrant as well as colorful.  Select an evergreen  plant that can be there year-round, and then add  flowers and a trailing vine to keep the pot looking current.
5. Keep herb gardens close to the house and kitchen.  They are beautiful as well as handy when you need them  They also are a fragrant foundation for a fresh arrangement.

• Spring High Point Furniture Show is always one of the most exciting markets every year. After a year of “the same” over and over again, the manufacturers came out with some fresh new looks for this market. After years of showing brown leathers, brown fabrics, brown finishes, everything is getting lighter.

• For those of you that remember the 80’s, light or river washes finishes are coming back. These finishes are combined with neutral fabrics, including linen. You’ll be surprised to learn that linen was being combined with leather for a fresh new look.

• In the modern world, gray remains important and in Milan it was being shown with accents of lilac. So if you are inclined to be trendy, it’s gray and lilac for you.

• Tamara and I got a little carried away with all the new and exciting looks. Many will arrive this summer and others will be arriving in the fall. I will definitely keep you updated.

• The ASID Annual Gala for the Design Excellence Awards was held Jan 30th at the fabulous new Ritz Carlton of Tucson. “Putting on the Ritz” was a black tie affair so Tamara, Jerry, John and I got dressed up and joined the celebration. What a grand evening it was!

• Tamara and Sara Smith entered a fabulous Kevin Howard designed home at Stone Canyon into the competition for “Residential Space over 3500 sq. feet” and their contemporary design took home first place.

• Tamara also entered the Mesquite and iron dining table into the Product Design category and won third place award for it.

• Please enjoy the photography by Robin Stancliff of the award winning design.

Design Statement

• The interior design team focused on using design elements and furnishings that would give continuity to this contemporary two-story residence, which featured curved walls and expansive glass windows in every room. The designers used a linear arc motif repeatedly in the structural elements: steel arcs inset in interior wood doors; clear silhouettes cut into sandblasted privacy glass; and an arched-steel facade on the curved fireplace.
• The interior designers worked closely with the architect to specify hard finishes and structural designs to compliment the complex structure. Custom furniture designed specifically for the home include a free-form mesquite cocktail table, a boat-shaped mesquite and steel dining table, and several shaped wool area rugs.
• Sleek, contemporary lighting was specified to add seamless style and function, without creating straight lines. Monorail tracks follow curved halls in the house’s center to illuminate the owners’ art collection.

Living room

The selection of curved furnishings gives a sensuous conversation area that floats dramatically within the expanse of glass windows and stone walls, focusing onthe spectacular outdoor view.

Dining Room

The repetition of curved lines and ribbons of color tie the custom designed dining table and area rug together. The ribbon of inlaid metal flows through the center of the indigenous Arizona mesquite dining table.

Wet Bar

To echo curves and angles of the home, in the small  bar area, the designer gave an asymmetrical shape to the raised portion of the granite bar.

Kitchen

Handsome cabinet and island design were the result of working within the curved walls of the kitchen.  Touch of a switch controlled the extensive lighting plan throughout the house.

Master Bedroom

Layers of fabric in the curved alcove soften the harsh Arizona sun while the colors give a relaxing element to the master bedroom.

Den

The large silk light sculpture serves as a focal point as you enter the room that serves as a home office and over-flow guestroom. The chic green color palette compliments the earthy tones in the stone and wood.

Powder Room

The natural organic atmosphere of the powder room is achieved with the custom curved cabinetry, selection of quartz tile, textured glass vessel, and asymmetrical lighting. All the interior doors of the home were designed with a linear inlaid stainless steel motif, which enhanced the curved theme of the house.

Patio

The design team created distinctive seating and dining spaces in the four outdoor living areas with a selection of contemporary furnishings, bronze sculptures and the stoneware planters.

• In many of today’s homes, the Dining Room is an extension of the living space forming the popular Great Room. When choosing a table for your dining area, check the available space and how you use the space. Do you entertain often, how many people do you need to seat, will you be serving in the traditional manner or in a buffet style, are all questions that you should ask in selecting your table

• In this example, an uninspiring dining room is given a new look with an ‘Earthy meets Modern’ dining table made of recycled Peroba wood and certified harvested mahogany. The big artwork doesn’t overshadow the beauty of the table, yet gives the dining area a distinctive personality of it’s own. Don’t be afraid to let your dining area become a focal point in your home.

• Mesquite trees that grow randomly in the southwest create unique pieces of furniture with reddened hues and black epoxy filled crevasses. Here at Contents Interiors, we have been creating mesquite furniture for over 25 years. As one of the Tucson pioneers in the mesquite furniture business, we take pride in every piece we have designed. With time and age, mesquite wood becomes a treasure whether it is in a southwestern, Spanish Colonial and even contemporary home. As a designer for almost 20 years at Contents, I have helped to create many custom pieces from beds, dressers, dining tables, chairs, lamps and what ever meets the needs of my clients desires. Please stop by and see our dining table, chairs and lamps that are locally handcrafted right here in Tucson.

Carol Bell

• In the current trend of lounging and cocooning at home, the fusion table has exactly what it takes to create unique memorable moments to share with friends and family. Whether it’s dinner for 10, pool for 4, or poker for 5, the fusion table allows your space to become multi-functional.
• Made by Aramith, a 75 year old Belgium company specializing in the production and distribution of billiard equipment, this table will add a new dimension to the dining room and make entertaining at home a unique and memorable experienc
• www.FUSIONTABLES.com

Cindi Schaefer

• Wall treatments are a great idea to use in your home to make it more creative. This bold and beautiful statement of walnut wood doesn’t fade into the background, but gives the room a touch of elegance and warmth. Use your creativity to make a work of art in your room.

Carol Bell

• Contemporary bedding with cutting edge design has been difficult to find in the past. Now Contents Interiors is proud to introduce Wildcat Territory, a bedding line that is characterized by luxurious fabrics, gorgeous color and couture dressmaker details. Unique design details are the hallmark of Wildcat Territory’s style. Almost all of the collections use some form of couture styling such as pin tucking, folding, top stitching, banding, hand quilting or knotting. These details set this collection apart from other bedding collections.