Report from Dwell on Design L.A.

Once again summer begins here in Los Angeles with what's supposed to be the largest modern design fair on the West Coast, Dwell on Design. Filling up the LA Convention Center, it was great fun taking in all of the latest products, vendors and trends both domestic and international, upscale and affordable, for inside and outside spaces. Oh how the stars were aligned that this was also the weekend that the ultra-modern Wilshire Grand opened, now the tallest building west of the Mississippi, just blocks away.

Yours truly ready to take that caffeine buzz into some serious design territory...

At Dwell on Design there were three full days of programming, including home tours around L.A. (no time for that for me sadly) and informative talks and special speakers on the main stage (as seen in the image above). I was happy to learn at this panel discussion that in terms of color trends, blue is still as "hot" as ever despite it being a rather "cool" color...Way to go cobalt, indigo, and cerulean!

The classic modern (and very Dwell Magazine) showstopper for me had to be these fantastic geometric wood light fixtures from Secto Design, a vendor from Finland. Crafted of wood, they emit a warm light while also maintaining this open form. What a statement piece this would make for the modern or mid-century home.

Texture is a growing trend seen all over Dwell on Design. As a fantastic graphic linear backdrop to these vibrantly patterned stools, these wood wall panels from San Francisco company Plyboo seem part of this trend that's a return to a more pronounced floor-to-ceiling wall treatment just like mural wallpaper. Are white walls--the current rage--all over? Maybe so...

Wood/rattan/grasses and fabric in woven forms were also widely present at the fair, as exemplified by my dream dining room chairs with caning which seem to dodge that Victorian label and enter the 21st century by being placed atop this bold, tribal print rug.

The marriage between warm, camel tones of leather mixed with rich, bohemian patterns is alive and well. No couples therapy needed.

Rise Up, People! Barn doors are still here with a variety of increasingly luxe hardware or fun, incised designs as seen for this bathroom above with its fun tile play on words for the deeply bath immersed...

Stay tuned for Part Two of my visit to Dwell on Design when I share the best of design for outdoor living. Any trends that you've noticed being more than a flash-in-the-pan fad?