Ideas for modern living

Dwell on Design, America’s largest design show, returned to Los Angeles Convention Center this month. The three-day event was a celebration of modern design, with 400 exhibitors and over 2000 products.  With a focus on looking beyond the urban dwelling and on the hunt for the new modern products, the exhibit expanded to the outdoor area that included the best prefabs and landscaping. A resurgence of luxurious design, bold neon colors and many other cutting-edge creations, here are some of my favorites at this year’s show as well as a few from last years. 

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Bold and masculine define these great chairs. I was able to see where the leather and chrome armchair is made and meet the designer Westin Mitchell when touring LA’s Arts district that same weekend. (See Howard Interior Design Facebook page for more info on tour.) 

A personal favorite of the Dwell Convention is getting inspiration from Design celebrities.  This year’s guest speakers included Nate Burckas, who paired with LG as artistic designer for their Studio series appliances.  David Bromstad of HGTV’s Color Splash spoke on how to “glam” up your outdoor summer space which included giant teepees that were all decked out. 

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Hot this year are wood panel applications with Stikwood, IndoTeak, Mirth Studios and Semihandmade sharing new wood applications for bath, kitchen and home. Stikwood was one of my favorite new products this year with the availability to print design patterns on peel and stick wood panels, just think of the possibilities.

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Plyboo is another great wall treatment made of bamboo that has beautifully sculptured patterns 

This tiny hand crafted camping trailer was a big crowd pleaser last year. 

Wheels of all sizes were present both years. Love the Cargo Scooter. 

Cargo containers continue to be popular as alternative dwellings.  The side of the orange container on the left folds down to become the deck and flooring for the pullout glass walls, expanding its foot print.  

Prefab homes where the centerpiece of the outdoor living exhibits 

Bold colors in appliances and cabinets could be seen throughout the convention floor.   

Great space saving twin wall bed from Clei 

Myskycart.com converts airline service carts into personal at home mobile offices or minibars with customized exterior cladding.  

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If you love modern design this 3 day event is a must see, so start planning now for next year's Dwell on Design LA, which will be held the weekend of June 24-26, 2016, at the L.A. Convention Center. It’s sure to be bigger and better than ever before with some insight on current and future trends in architecture, interior design and landscaping.