(Benjamin Moore, 2010)

“2012 Pantone palettes feature something for every taste”

The inspirations behind Pantone’s color-trend forecast for spring/summer 2012 home interiors run the gamut from nature to anime, comic books to twilit skies and jewel-toned gemstones to citrusy popsicles. The palettes could not be more different, offering a little something for everyone. Here, we break down five of the nine forecasted color trends.

Nonchalance: Neutral taupe, gray and off-white serve as the foundation for this casual palette that’s offset with a misty gray-blue and a trio of pink, periwinkle and grape hues reminiscent of lush hydrangeas fresh-cut from the garden. It’s all about keeping it simple, carefree and tranquil.

Indigo: The cosmic nature of Indigo is inspired by the transition from day to evening, when the sky turns a hazy shade of purple, blue and pink. Aurora borealis-like hues such as Celestial, Royal Blue, Maroon and Woodrose are settling accents and perfect foils for the intense blues (Indigo and Blue Indigo) that firmly anchor this rich, mysterious and otherworldly palette.

Back to the Fuchsia: Back to the Fuchsia is most definitely not for the shy. The lively palette dances a jig of near-eye-scorching brights best reserved for fiestas, flashing neon signs and saris. The reds provoke, the pinks pop, peridot green energizes and the purples are hot, hot, hot. Attention-getters will love this palette, which can turn ho-hum décor into something a little more exotic and exciting.

Reflections: Chrome is king and metallic finishes and glossy surfaces once again reign supreme in this palette. Think Jetson-ish kitchen appliances finished in a riveting Garnet, modern Blue Moon or deep Turkish Sea Blue. Traverse the universe with hard-shell luggage enrobed in a sparkling Pale Gold or polished-black Beluga. A touch of shimmery-white Cloud Dancer brings an understated elegance to all the silver and chrome.

The Comics: It’s “FLASH!” “BAM!” “POW!” in the interior design world. Inspired by Japanese animé, the pop art of Warhol and digital animation, the Comics palette offers up a modern take on traditional primary colors. Strong Blue, Fiery Red and Primrose Yellow share cyber spa with Green Flash, Cyan Blue, Sulphur Spring and Red Orange. This year’s “it” color, Honeysuckle, also is thrown into the mix, which is grounded by Phantom black. Nothing goes with the other; it’s a dizzying mash-up of clashing colors meant for nothing more than to add a little whimsy into your ordinary world.

This French style sofa is a great example of ornate feet and legs. The curving cabriole legs end in scrolled toes; both are decorated with carved acanthus leaves for extra decorative detail.

These Napoleon III side chairs from 1870 have turned legs that end in casters (wheels) with brass fittings. The turned legs are typical of this era and have a sculptural quality.

The legs on this chair are highlighted with gilding, which draws attention their carved and turned decoration. The type of carving on the leg is carved fluting. You’ll see this chair often online–in dining room design ideas.

Scrolled toes are highlighted by the gold paint on black on these French armchairs. Cabriole legs typically end in scrolled toes with the ornate scrolling varying from elaborate to subtle.

Acanthus leaves on the “knees” or tops of these cabriole legs are typical of Chippendale style furniture. Ball and claw or without the ball, paw, feet are typical of English and American antiques.

This console table has incredibly sculptural legs called lion’s head legs that end in paw feet. Typical of Empire style, these and the human version, called caryatids, are influenced by ancient designs. Console tables like this one are often seen as the focal point in the interior design of a formal foyer.

Paw feet, sometimes called lion’s claw, can be stylized or realistic, as seen on this 19th century table. The realism can even extend to include fur and is then called a hairy claw foot.

Perhaps the most ornate legs and feet belong to Rococo style furniture like this console table and matching mirror. Scrolls, acanthus leaves, even dolphin heads can be found on Rococo style legs and feet.
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It’s all in the details! To find more detailed inspiration, head on over to Design Shuffle where you can learn about the history of interior design and find spectacular inspiration and more!

Don’t forget to add a little cheer to your table tops!  Check out a few of our holiday inspired table tops here at Ciao Interiors.

Silver wrapped presents and snow filled flutes add sparkle and cheer to our blue and silver themed table top.

Scattered ornaments add a pop of blue.

Plates wrapped in ribbon and ornament filled lanterns add the perfect touch to our red and green themed table top.

Pine cones and greenery add a rustic touch.

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Spotlight

This season Habitat for Humanity would like to recognize Ciao Interiors, located on Main Street in Kalispell, for their generous support of the affiliate. Les Bernabi, Ciao Interiors Principal Designer, and Virginia Eudy, Principal Architect, volunteered to create the house designs for the first two homes of the Columbia Falls Fifth Street Homes project. Thank you Ciao Interiors, your commitment to help Habitat help local families in need is outstanding and deeply appreciated!

We had a chance to talk with Les Bernabi on his experience with Habitat and why he decided to donate his time and expertise.

How has the volunteer experience with Habitat been for you so far?

It’s been great and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. We didn’t know what to expect, but the staff have just been great as have been the other volunteers. They were very welcoming, very enthusiastic.

What are you looking forward to in the process to come?

We’ve had so much fun so far doing it and we’re looking forward to seeing the final product. We’re in the middle of doing colors right now so we’re coming up with a palate to ensure long-term value. We’re putting together an entire look for the development that will have some continuity visually.

Why did you choose to volunteer with Habitat?

We wanted to do something to help and give back to the community other than just giving money. This is a nice fit. It’s an opportunity to offer the kind of services that these families wouldn’t be able to afford. After the design process we will also be available for the homeowners if they want any help with interior design, like picking out cabinets or other features.

How does it feel to give back to hardworking families in need?

What’s exciting about it is when we were in the design process, Virginia and I, we did things with real design features so that rather than just talking about a rectangle and saying there we go, we’ve tried to give the homeowners a sense of spaciousness with real design features. We’ve spent a lot of time coming up with a combination of things that can make their space that much more useful and comfortable. For example we’ve been able to create small porches on the fronts of the units because during summer everyone likes to sit outside and have company over and we thought, why can’t these homes also have that. So we’ve been very cognizant of little things like that that we can implement to make their home more enjoyable. We’re trying to help give them a nice home, not just a cookie cutter house.

Again, Thank You Ciao Interiors. Habitat would not be able to build the safe, decent, affordable homes without support from volunteers like Les and Virginia.

November 2011

Photo: Ciao Interiors/Muses Magazine

Ciao Interiors was recently featured in the November issue of Muses Magazine.  In this issue, you will find photos and highlight’s from Ciao’s Lake House project along with an interview with Les Bernabi, Ciao Interiors Principal and Director of Design.

Belgian blue limestone pedestal

Photo: House Beautiful

Limestone and mahogany floor

Photo: House Beautiful

Antique Belgian blue limestone is used for the counter tops below

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Veranda

Photo: Veranda

Limestone covers the floors and walls below

Photo: House Beautiful



For most people it has become a natural and inexpensive way to extend the livable portions of their property. It is certainly not difficult to build outdoor living spaces, in most cases it as simple an option of flooring and maybe adding a roof overhead. For our northern climate there are many accessories that can extend your enjoyment of the outdoors into other seasons. Outdoor fireplaces, gas and electric heaters that keep you warm through the fall and starting early in the spring.



We now provide a total room environment with these outdoor spaces as most of our clients want comfortable outdoor seating i.e. sofa and chairs similar to what is in their inside living areas. Typically these are combined with an outside grill or more elaborate outdoor kitchens in many situations. We are then able enhance the feeling and the appeal by integrating a great lighting scheme balanced with color to set the mood.

House Beautiful

It is now very fortunate that we have available a plethora of materials for patio and deck surfaces. Many very durable wood like products for deck surfaces are now very popular. We are able to utilize natural stone floor surfaces for these outdoor spaces and concrete products with great color and pattern choices. This gives the consumer a much wider variety of products that can easily join with their existing home surfaces, but offer great durability for outdoor uses.

House Beautiful

So the more conscious we become of outdoor living areas, the more we can design them to suit our needs.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

These types of arrangements works great in apartments, with space at a premium it puts the living room sofa to double use !!!