Granite has long reigned supreme in the world of kitchen countertops. It has become synonymous with quality and luxury and something home buyers have actively sought out. In fact, there was a time when granite was the only word you’d hear from home owners fantasizing about their dream kitchens. (1) It’s not surprising given the classic elegance and good resale value of granite. Until now, it turns out. Designers are turning to another material for kitchen countertops: quartz.

Utilizing reclaimed wood in design is the ultimate in upcycling. Reclaimed wood is processed wood retrieved from its original application for purposes of subsequent use. In other words, it’s already served a purpose in a previous life and is being given new life.

I know that in the past, I’ve written about the need to rebel against interior design rules. However, there are a few key “rules” that we designers actually adhere to. It’s not because we follow the rules. We clearly don’t. It’s because these rules actually lead to practical, functional and efficient design.

Writer Holly Amaya said it best in her article Out with the Old: The 10 Tired Interior Design Trends You Need to Ditch in 2018: “Figuring out what makes for good design is an admittedly subjective exercise. Ask a dozen experts their thoughts on say, why faux Mid-Century Modern is still popular in American interior design long after “Mad Men” has left us, and you’ll likely get a dozen different options. Nevertheless, some home design trends manage to rise to mass acceptance [thanks to unstoppable forces like HGTV and Pinterest]…and tend to take on a life of their own. And sometime they just don’t die, even when they absolutely should.” (1)

The terms rattan and wicker are often used interchangeably due to misconceptions that they are one in the same. In today’s day and age, both rattan and wicker are becoming increasingly popular in indoor and outdoor home design. While they both offer a similar look and feel, there are some key differences to keep an eye out for to ensure you are using the most fitting product for your intended design project.