Home DÈcor Trends Combine Modern, Classic Furnishings by Heather Nalbone A tent-covered, Arab-inspired reading loft radiates the uniqueness that characterizes the dÈcor inside the Spanish Embassy residence, where the rooms are an eclectic blend of refurbished tapestries, modern artwork, Victorian-era tables and cloth-covered paneling on the walls. The residence is neither cutting edge nor classical, but a mixture of both. One might expect to see some of its elaborate chandeliers in the halls of the Willard InterContinental Washington hotel, although the square-shaped sofas would be fitting for the likes of a more forward-thinking locale like the Hotel George. This combination of styles and tastes was far from a lapse in interior decorating judgment by former Spanish Ambassador Javier Ruperez and his wife Rakela. The progressive style reflects a growing trend in home dÈcor that has been slowly seeping into Washington for a few years now. Many people are looking for ways to hold onto heirlooms while introducing contemporary furnishings and artwork into their living rooms and kitchens. "This whole area has exploded so much with design and culture," said Douglas Burton, who manages Apartment Zero with partner Christopher Ralsto n in downtown Washington. "It used to be that you opened a magazine and it was all about fashion and beauty. Now, you canít turn on the TV without seeing shows focusing on home improvement and do-it-yourself design." When Apartment Zero opened its doors in 1999 as the cityís only cutting-edge home accessories store, the local community was introduced for the first time to an exclusive selection of contemporary pieces from Dutch, Canadian, Scandinavian and Italian designers. The store quickly attracted an expanding clientele of young professionals and long-married couples drawn to its chic colors and retro versions of modern international designs. Today, Apartment Zero is one of several cutting-edge home-furnishing showrooms in the area, having developed a reputation for its unique retail merchandise, as well as the many exhibits and events Burton and Ralston sponsor. As more and more "hip" dÈcor trends hit homeowners and renters in a city known more for its Corinthian columns and historic landmarks, showrooms such as Apartment Zero are introducing a wide array of fashionable wares from forward-thinking designers such as Moooi and Quinze & Milan. But if retro is "in," does that mean more classic tastes are "out?" According to numerous design experts interviewed by The Washington Diplomat, the answer is a definitive no. "Having an eclectic mix is usually very successful because it makes many people feel comfortable," said Rick Shaver, a New York interior decorator and furniture designer who recently teamed with Jayson Pail to open the Jayson 15 showroom in Washington. "The first thing Iíd advise for someone who wants to introduce something contemporary into their home is to start with an uncluttered space to create a better, unfussy environment." Of course, this "nouveau eclecticism," as one expert called it, isnít the authoritative trend in home decorating. There are plenty of Washingtonians who still prefer the simple cottage and country designs they grew up with, and others who bask in Victorian furnishings. And with a continually booming technology industry, many people are more interested in wide-screen televisions than in a particular upholstery. But for many looking to decorate a new home or refurbish an old one, the question of how to mesh tastes, aesthetics and functionality into personal living spaces presents a conundrum of where to start and how to determine the best look. Like Shaver, many experts and artists recommend starting with a few carefully chosen modern pieces that complement personally comfortable furnishings. "It is important to develop your eye and educate yourself on the work you purchase," said Allison Mueller, art director at Chicago Art Source, a renowned gallery whose inventory includes a diverse range of both abstract and traditional pieces. "Mixing styles and media in the same room creates interest and focal points. Wall colors are also a very important part of personalizing a space, as colors evoke emotion." Muellerís own home attests to the elegance offered by a few simple but dynamic pieces. The hallways and rooms of her shotgun-style historic town home are adorned in a striking mix of oil canvases, glass-blown vases, an imported armoire andófor a personal touchótrack lighting used to highlight rows of black-and-white photographs depicting family and friends. The couple purchase artwork based on personal connections with artists, rather than for "matching the couch purposes." Muellerís sentiments are echoed by Ralston, who ardently claims that the interior of a home should reflect the dwellerís personal taste and should not simply replicate a showroom or magazine setup. The challenge, however, is figuring out what those personal preferences might be in a booming industry where distributors from Target to independent galleries are constantly introducing new products. Throw in the fact that urban living requires functional pieces suitable for the tight spaces of town homes and loft apartments, and decorating a living space can be far more overwhelming than it was, say, 10 years ago. Ever since the Industrial Revolution spawned mass production of even the most intricate items, fashions in home dÈcor have come to reflect a growing tendency toward heavily marketed replications over detailed craftsmanship. Ikea, which employs 84,000 workers in 44 countries and grossed $15.5 billion in 2004, is among the most recent franchise phenomenon, as are chains such as Pottery Barn and Linens ën Things. Today, slews of companies specialize in everything from blinds to bathroom fixtures. There are experts on carpets, rugs, billiards, entertainment rooms, fans, light fixtures, paint and even stair rods, with an endless sea of Internet promotions that make decision-making a challenging endeavor. The success of franchises and highly specialized manufacturers is mirrored by the fact that Americans collectively spent $224 billion dollars renovating their homes in 2003 alone. For a growing number of adults, that money is increasingly spent on finding new ways to fashion creative home dÈcor within specific budgets. For many, that means a blend of the old and new. Shahin Khalili, owner of a self-proclaimed "fine arts and antiques mecca" in New York City called Palace Galleries, has noticed a surge in demand for pieces that "mix and match periods and styles." "Many [people] come in and fall in love with an 18th-century painting, but then their budget covers only a couple thousand dollars when the painting is $100,000," he said. "So we work with them to produce a high-quality piece in their price range" and then match it with, for instance, a marble-topped Art Deco table. "Just take it at your own pace at your own time on your own budget," Burton of Apartment Zero advised. "People shouldnít feel so pressured to get everything done at once or to worry about what other people are doing. If it takes you two years to finish your living room, but it looks really fantastic when done, thatís a big accomplishment." Heather Nalbone is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.