Trends

WPG and Chameleon: A Beautiful Partnership

Chameleon Design and Woodbridge Pacific Group have had a fantastic working relationship and mutual appreciation spanning over 26 years. Our first project together in 1996 was Fairway Estates in Dove Canyon, and we’ve worked together ever since! Bradley Davis, the Marketing Director at WPG, states, “The Chameleon team is second to none, and I could not imagine working with anyone else for our design needs. Their eye for design speaks for itself, and the level of service they provide is outstanding. They push us to take risks, are flexible when we throw them curveballs, and are never satisfied with good enough. They are one of the most important pieces of the Woodbridge Pacific team, and it’s a privilege to work with them.”

The process of working with Woodbridge has always been an inspiring one, and our respective teams work closely on all aspects of the design process—from design inspiration to installation—and we share a mutual love for the homes we design, bring to fruition, and sell out! Over the years, our teams have had the honor of being chosen as finalists and receiving many top awards for the interior design of these model homes, sales offices, and communities. Having participated in award shows like the SoCal MAME Awards, The Nationals, and the Gold Nugget Awards, it’s clear that the collaboration between WPG and Chameleon Design is a beautiful one.

At this year’s 2022 MAME Awards, six of our model home designs for Woodbridge Pacific Homes—at University Park and Signature PGA WEST®—are finalists for the gold award. With interior design, trends are ever-changing, and it’s a top priority to make sure the home designs appeal to the target buyer. There are a few current trends we love talking about that, we think, helped us snag the judges’ eye! You can head over to the Woodbridge Pacific Group blog to see our top trends, but here are three to give you a sneak peek:

Earth Tones and Desert Hues

As demonstrated in Plan 7 at Citrine at Signature PGA WEST®.

White Interiors

As demonstrated in Plans 1 and 2 at Jewel at Signature PGA WEST®.

Slab Door Cabinets

As demonstrated in Plan 7 at Citrine at Signature PGA WEST®; Plan 2 at Nova at University Park; and Plan 1 at Jewel at Signature PGA WEST®.

A Dash Of Drama ft. Dark Wood

Pristine, white interiors had their moment in the sun, but now we’re seeing dark and moody spaces taking the spotlight. While soft, Scandinavian shades and blond woods have been a favorite in recent years, we’re embracing high contrast interiors with dark wood tones that envelop and welcome you. Deep brown colors evoke sophistication and bravado, and when paired with soothing houseplants, can have a calming effect. This style beautifully complements contemporary aesthetics and furnishings, which playfully aligns with the resurgence of modern home decor. We are careful to ensure the space doesn’t become overly dim by incorporating light, contrasting elements. In a kitchen, dark wood cabinetry looks great in conjunction with a pale-colored island and countertop. However, this effect isn’t limited to cabinetry or any other finish in the home. In our projects, we’ve used porcelain tile with the appearance of natural wood across an entire wall as an accent wall, and the effect it has is showstopping and unique! We’ve also used wood veneer wallpaper to create a feature wall for a similar effect. Dark, dramatic wood undertones stylishly elevate any interior, and provide a handsomely grand vibe.

Leather: A Classic Textile

Leather is a classic, timeless textile that continues to build in popularity in 2022, and for good reason. Homebuyers are focusing on natural materials that provide comfort in their ideal homes, and leather accomplishes this goal in a variety of ways. Our designers will often add just one leather element in a space, and its unique, textural contrast makes it truly stand out among the other pieces in the room. Incorporating leather seating at a dining table, or via a barstool, club chair, or ottoman, adds a flair of desirable sophistication and drama that draws in the eye and creates a showstopping effect. This textile, with its variety of textures and colors, can easily be incorporated into a modern, contemporary, or vintage aesthetic. From the typical warm brown tones, to stark black, or even brightly colored hues, there’s a shade of leather to fit every home.

Bold and Beautiful: Wallpaper Accent Wall

When someone says “accent wall,” does your mind instantly gravitate towards paint? If so, you’re not alone, because most people would say the same. And understandably so – paint is a great low-commitment way to transform a room. However, there’s another great way to create a high-impact accent wall. We’re all about choices here at team Chameleon, and we’re looking at you, wallpaper. We’ve been singing wallpaper’s praises for years, so you know we love incorporating it in our clients’ model homes (they love it, too!). The right wallpaper has the design superpower of creating a bold focal point and setting the tone for the rest of the room’s design. It acts as a foundational base for other layers like color, texture, wall decor, and even greenery.

Wallpaper as an accent is about captivation and drawing the eye into a room in an unexpected way. It can add an upscale feel to model homes and unify a room’s theme. A wallpaper accent works especially well in kids’ spaces, acting as a narrative design element that tells a story, like the adorable woodland and insect-themed rooms our team created below. When incorporating an accent wall into a space, we’re always intentional and strategic about which wall gets the full wallpaper treatment, and which elements work best alongside it. It’s a delicate balancing act, and our clients and their home buyers love the results.

Easy Spring Style — Pretty Pastels

Spring is here, and it brings with it a desire for fresh and clean interiors. We’re saying hello to pretty pastels, a collection of subtle colors that can create a calming, sophisticated, or whimsical look depending on the application. And while pastels for spring aren’t exactly groundbreaking, hear us out. Once reserved for nurseries or kids’ rooms, these cheerful hues have made their way into every room in the home. And their appeal, uplifting feel, and versatility make them a great choice any time of year. A softer palette is a lovely way to invigorate a model home — we like pairing pastels with florals for something playful, or with wood and metallic accents for a modern touch. Millennial pink in particular has had a moment, with soft green, powder blue, and pale peach cropping up in living rooms, bedrooms, and even home offices. Pastels also play well with each other, allowing us to create unique and custom looks for our clients, though we prefer sticking to a maximum of three for a clean look (and to prevent a room from resembling an Easter basket). From cool and crisp or warm and cozy, there’s a pastel shade to suit almost any preference, the pale blue sky’s the limit.

Bask in Black

People are saying black is back, but in our view, it never went away! The chic sophistication of black accents never goes out of style. Some shy away from adding black to the home because they mistakenly think it makes a room appear dark and less spacious. In fact, a bit of black can add dimension to a room and create focal points that camouflage a small space. Pretty cool if we say so ourselves.

We love black’s visual impact and are thrilled to see its resurgence in the home. It’s always great to use black to accentuate a room’s features, but if you’re obsessed with this shade as much as we are, you may want to use it as a main focal point in a room’s design. Be brave and use black from floor to ceiling on an accent wall or opt for an eye-catching contrast with black-and-white striped paint. Go architectural with black interior window panels to frame and separate spaces while maintaining sightlines. In a room layered with whites and neutrals, a pop of black is an edgy counterpoint that helps ground and balance the space’s ethereal quality. Like a metallic accent, a little black goes a long way — even a small pop of black hardware or trim will bring out the colors that surround it. It’s a fail-safe way to add depth and intrigue, no matter your palette or style preference!

Calm Seas Ahead — Aleutian Allure

Like Pantone’s Very Peri, the color of the year chosen by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams is a departure from all the lovely shades of light green selected by most color experts and paint manufacturers for 2022. And we love it! Aleutian blue, reminiscent of the sparkling sea surrounding the archipelago that bears its name, is equally calming while symbolizing a spirit of refreshed optimism. Blue signifies trust and creativity in color psychology, and this balance of dependability and imagination is what’s transformed it into a neutral in home interiors. Aleutian’s washed indigo hue with red undertones calls up feelings of serenity. A bit of added grey keeps the shade muted and soothing, making it a wonderful choice for creating a tranquil oasis at home. We especially appreciate its versatility, and we’ve used similar shades in many of our clients’ projects. Bathe a wall or ceiling in Aleutian to jump into this color head first, or play up a space with cool-toned accents like rugs, bedding or artwork. Like a true neutral, Aleutian works well with almost any color, though when paired with whites and warm wood textures it’s worthy of a chef’s kiss.

Snow Place Like Home – White Interiors

How much do we love white? Let us count the ways. A home or room with a predominantly white palette is a blank canvas rife with possibilities — when the design is done right. Without proper planning, too much white can have a stark, even clinical look. The gorgeous, bright white spaces on Instagram, TikTok, and glossy magazines are what we’re after-those light-filled rooms that welcome and inspire. White opens and expands to give the appearance of volume in smaller spaces and open layouts. It can also be a source of negative space in a room, a necessary element to give the eyes a place to rest. While natural lighting is ideal for these bright and open spaces, artificial light is a necessity, too. For sun drenched spaces, bulbs on the cooler end of the spectrum are fine; opt for warmer bulbs for darker rooms to avoid a sterile feel. If you want to bathe a room in white, add layers of texture to create dimension with fabrics, woods, rattan, leather, pillows and a rug. In fact, a rug is practically essential in white-dominant interiors to anchor the space and reinforce other textural features. White is also the perfect backdrop to show off a bit of color, but be sure to proceed with some restraint. Keep things to accents or artwork for the most impact. Add warmer tones for a cozy feel, and don’t forget a houseplant or two to bring things to life.

The New Neutral: Gray Sofas

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the gray sofa is THE furnishing for 2021. It’s everywhere right now, from high-end glossy design magazines to style influencers on social media. It’s easy to see why — it’s versatile and goes with everything, from era and motif to mood and vibe. There’s always a showstopping design element in a room (at least there should be) and this neutral sofa acts as a jumping-off point for creativity, color, and pattern. It’s a neutral blank canvas unbound by seasons or color palettes for layers that are bold and bright or luxe and textural. A gray sofa pairs well with Scandi or Japandi design, which have both become increasingly popular as we seek to create calming spaces in our homes. And if you’re a long-time gray lover and use it throughout your home, prevent a cold, austere look by dressing up the sofa with pops of color and playful decor. Our recent project at Rancho Palma is a great place to look for inspiration. Also, as a plus, a gray sofa is both kid and dog-friendly because dirt, stains, and pet hair will be relatively hidden. A smart design choice that’s also chic!

Imagination Station: Kids’ Bedrooms

It’s October and we’re heading into the dress-up and decorated months of the year (our favorites!). We express ourselves and tell stories in our clothing and costume, and there’s no good reason why our homes shouldn’t do that too. In the spirit of make-believe and pretend play, kids’ rooms can be an extension of their personalities and style. Like grownups, they deserve a thoughtfully created space they can call their own. Unlike other rooms in your home where you might proceed with caution in design, kids’ bedrooms invite an adventurous ‘go for it’ attitude. They present an opportunity to experiment with vibrant color, pattern, and shape. Need a creative nudge? Start with a theme – one of their hobbies or interests will do – or even a fun piece of statement furniture. Bold walls are next, like bright color, a mural, decals, printed wallpaper, and stencils for unique paint accents. Don’t stop there — you’ll need places to keep their toys and books. And in a kids’ bedroom, simple storage simply doesn’t cut it. Fancy it up with a woven basket or two or shaped shelving and cubbies (clouds, houses, and geometric shapes are good bets). Before too long, they’ll enjoy a bespoke bedroom that’s as playful as their imaginations!

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design

Photo credit: Chameleon Design