Modern wallpaper is bursting with non-traditional subjects from bold geometry to gradient effects to customizable drawing surfaces.

Elegant shimmer, hologram foil, mixed with colour, bold prints, copper details — I love the rise of metallic wallpaper patterns and finishes.

One of very favourite uses of wallpaper is small but mighty applications. From one feature wall to a nook or cranny that is now memorable, it is a brilliant way to bring pattern to a space.

Until recently, wallpaper was refereed to as a thing of a past. Yep, we had all supposedly moved on and become strictly focused on pure painted walls. Like most things in design (especially those with historical roots), wallpaper has modernized and evolved in a new direction. Bold patterns and unique treatments have replaced the wallpaper of yesteryear. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I talk about the various elements of this wallpaper revival including the general pattern direction, popular new finishes, interior use, wallpaper as a styling tool, art possibilities and even exterior products that are emerging. From home to retail, this new direction of wallpaper is worthy of exploration. Who doesn’t love a pop of pattern? Read my full post here.

(modern pattern photographs via: black. white. yellow., apartment therapy, hygge and west, design is mine, designers guild, studio ditte, desire to inspire and house to home; metallic wallpaper photographs moffat, jill malek, apartment therapy, afflante, hygge and west and michele varian; small application photographs via see that there, homedit, edison avenue, poppytalk, more delisious, houzz, mor til mernee and lorenzo castillo)

Product packaging is an essential part of retail design and is a fabulous resource for design inspiration. I love bold type placement and treatments, bright pops of colour, and collections that embrace a range of unique yet united typography.

Yes, I have a thing for retail exteriors and signage. One look I love lately is small but powerful typography. With strong contrasts or in handsome wee neon, the style can make an exterior look rather chic.

Old school hand-lettering, cursive neon, striking handwriting, creating words out of tile — typography based on hand-drawn type can look smashing in design and retail. Done right, it feels modern rather than trendy. I particularly love the craftsmanship it adds to any design. Seek out friends with magnificent penmanship!

I strongly dislike the typeface Papyrus. There, I said it. I get itchy when I see it and feel disturbed when companies, events and shops use typography derived from Microsoft Word to brand themselves. When it comes to telling the world who you are, why use a generic (and probably not design-focused) voice? Not only will you get lost in a sea of competitors also using “Word magic” but standing out in a stylish way becomes virtually impossible. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I showcase how great typography can make all the difference in the quest for memorable design and branding. While focused on retail, the need for fantastic typography is universal so the images hopefully inspire all type-related projects. Take a peek at my post here…

(packaging images via: ddmmyy, raw type, de-construct,cool hunting, lovely package, and slingshot coffee co.; small type images via new places to be, design*sponge, dezeen, and scout magazine; hand-drawn images via la potenza, trish papadakos, remodelista, kristen leigh, kinfolk, wallpaper and remodelista)

More cool toned, rosy and clear “modern gold”.

Copper has really jumped into the 2013 spotlight. Unlike the very orange or brown copper of years gone by, this “modern copper” is more cool toned and clear in colour (also inspired by the popularity of rose gold). Streamlined shapes, cutting edge applications and more matte/hammered finishes are also making copper of any shade feel more modern. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I discuss this shift and the many trends and possibilities it has created. Mixed with other colours and materials, exposed piping, used in print – the article is rather plump with inspiration. I have always liked copper but I am officially in love with modern copper. Read my post here if you fancy…

(photographs via: acrimony, analogue life, magpie studio, poppytalk, lettered olive, stockholm street style and stylizimo; interior images: remodelista, dwell, real living magazine, and homelife)

Intriguing lights, mattress box spring inspiration boards, neon pink desks, pegboards, layers of design details…

Studios under the stairs or in attics, all white spaces with pops of colour, half walls of hue, huge blackboards, bins of supplies…

Supplies organized by colour in bins, shelves and stacks…

I really love studio spaces. Yep, I even have a Pinterest board devoted to them! How can you not love seeing the environments that inspire people, the supplies they use and all of the interior details that make a space one-of-a-kind? In my latest post for Rena Tom, I showcase studios and some of the facets that make them efficient and artful. Designer, accountant, candlestick maker — we all need a creative spot to call our own. Whether you build an entirely new studio or simply buy a desk chair you really love, the new year should include the creation of a space that truly inspires you. Take a peak at my post here if you are interested…

(images via/ first set:lovely shelter, desire to inspire, apartment therapy, smäm, remodelista, sf girl by bay; second set: practically modern, sf girl by bay, sa decor, vtwonen, fjeldborg, ikea family live; third set: the design files, martha stewart, i art u) 

How did 2012 end so quickly? Yikes. Luckily, a new year means a brand new canvas of design and retail trends that we can watch emerge and evolve. Three trends I have noticed climbing confidently forward lately are cutouts, holograms and emerald. It will be interesting to see which will become big design players in 2013 and which will be subject to niche popularity. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I discuss this intriguing trio and how it may apply to retail, design and even personal style/home decor. We need more hologram buildings, don’t you think? Take a peak at my post here if you fancy…

(photographs via: dezeen, spin, elle, style, vogue, munaluchi bridal (cutouts); abriwin, moffat, fashion week berlin, hello sandwich (holograms); design work life, we heart, paul smith (emerald))     

Yep, today is kind of like the Oscars of Colour. Earlier this morning, the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2013 was announced and it is… Emerald Green! (or PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald Green to be exact). After the vibrance of last year’s Tangerine Tango, I had a feeling there would be a return to the cooler spectrum. Emerald or Pine Green even crossed my mind (I swear!) as there are so many modern takes on the classic hue emerging. Old school emerald can conjure up stuffy, hoity toity or outdated visuals but modern emerald? It seems more clear and more cool toned than its warmer, antique-tinged predecessor. I find this new shade of emerald much easier to wear too (old emerald was harsh against many skin colours). Like navy blue, many shades of emerald are now being used as a neutral of sorts. Mixed with any colour, from hot pink to soft mint, emerald is unexpected and has a grounding effect.

Pantone has declared their choice, “”Lively. Radiant. Lush. A colour of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.” I think lush is exactly how I would define this “new emerald”. It retains its sense of luxury but with clarity and a modern edge. I love this new take on emerald and can’t wait to see how it is explored in 2013. What do you think? A good choice? Will you rethink emerald?

(photographs because i am fabulous, j.crew, pantone, wardrobe oxygen, style carrot and design*sponge)

Yes, the festive season is officially here and since I am holiday bonkers, expect some posts devoted to the topic! In my latest post for Rena Tom, I focused on how festive details can be applied to retail (online or brick and mortar). Holiday shopping can be stressful but with the right atmosphere, any retail space can be full of joy and striking creativity. Packaging, seasonal photo styling, welcoming decorations, online details, window displays, interior installations – the post is plump with inspiration. Oh and it can certainly be applied to home holiday decor too! Take a peek here if you are interested…

(photographs via confetti system, cox and cox, habitually chic, real simple, martha stewart, a beautiful mess, platinum blonde life, CAMP and black eiffel)

In my latest post for Rena Tom, I explore the details that turn online retail from good to great. While lacking the tactile quality of brick and mortar stores, online shops have complete control over how they are presented aesthetically (a rather rare creative opportunity!) With careful attention to even the smallest design elements, a shop can turn into a unique corner of the web that features mindful navigation, striking design and its own style voice. Community building via a blog or Instagram, creating a unique shopping cart style, highlighting colourways, art directing fabulous opening photography – great online stores are all about the details. To read my post, head over here.

(shops featured above: j crew, douglas + bec, leif and field)  

With the rise of big box stores and discount e-commerce, brick and mortar shops feel more important than ever. Their design details and community building potential are vital to the uniqueness of cities. To me, the soul of a place is found walking down its streets but what happens if every street looks exactly the same? Even if chain stores are an inevitable addition to a neighbourhood, there is no excuse for cookie cutter design. Just look at that great Starbucks above! Any shop can be engaging and full of great design. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I dissect some great brick and mortar shops that have caught my eye lately and serve as inspiration for physical storefronts, unique online spaces and temporary retail. Pop over here to have a look…

(photographs via love camden, michael penney style, blank inside, nico alary, weekday carnival, dezeen and the design files)

To me, styling has two roles: it supports and enhances how a product is viewed and it presents a larger sense of the maker or brand’s soul. It’s a huge topic but in my latest post for Rena Tom, I explored areas of styling including unique backgrounds, detail stacks, showcasing colour palettes, monochromatic styling, vignettes and artful approaches. Your product or collection may be fantastic but if it is not presented well, potential customers will never know. Plus, styling is a pretty inspiring facet of photography and design. Take a peek here if you fancy a read…

(photographs via maria grossmann, natalie shriver, herriott grace, scandinavian deko, falconwright, dezeen, daniel carlsten, yatzer and michelle armas)

Gold, both as a colour and material, elicits strong opinions in people. Some love it, some hate it and some get 80′s lamé flashbacks. My opinion about gold has changed quite a bit over the last year or so. Why? I think it’s the new, more silver hue of gold that has emerged. I love its vintage, less yellow look and how designers have used this metallic in fabulous patterns, with unique materials like concrete and in matte finishes. I’ve dubbed it “modern gold” and ponder it in my latest post for Rena Tom and yes, as usual, went a little nuts with the example photos! Below is a great chart showcasing how the colour of gold shifts according to how much copper and silver is added. Have you re-thought your position on gold? Take a peek at my post here…

(photographs via anthropologie, dezeen, ferm living, bench.li, a daily something, houzz, mowielicious, konfetti blog, martha stewart and best awards; chart via wikipedia)

I’ve always found open and closed signs are ignored elements of retail design. But why? Even on a wee sign, there is so much potential to create brand beacons, points of design interest and small but mighty information centres. In my latest post for Rena Tom, I showcased some inspiring examples (it took a ridiculous image hunt!) and explored ideas such as 3D materials, modern type and unique surfaces. Let’s hope this is the next big retail design trend! Take a look at my post here…

(photographs via snap713, the design files, emma carlow, sunshine to you, elle decoration, portland garment factory, rebecca plotnick and bonjour johanna)