• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Houston First
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    When Pillows Talk

    Organic home design: Houston store sets out on a fair trade mission of style

    Valeria Turturro
    Jul 25, 2011 | 10:59 am
    • Green Chulucanas vase, $38; blue Chulucanas lamp, $64; shade, $28; cylinder lampin green or blue, $88
      Photo by Valeria Turturro
    • From left: rectangle fabric lamp, $48; Sacred sari throw, $68; purple and goldshoji screen, $114
      Photos by Valeria Turturro
    • Clockwise from top left: blue and green leaf, $51.80; birds and tree of life,$58; butterfly and floral, $64; pillow, $34; brown tree of life, $84; elephant,$54
      Photos by Valeria Turturro
    • From left: bamboo chair, $58 each; bamboo table, $48; bamboo lounge chair; $84;Himalayan bird pillow, $38
      Photos by Valeria Turturro
    • Top to bottom: Pig twine planter, $44; dragonfly pot, $28; bird pot, $24;turquoise fish pot, $24; olive green ceramic frog, $44; rabbit planter, $16
      Photos by Valeria Turturro
    • Blue floral tapestry, $68; pillow, $34; blue and cream pillow, $24 each; duvetcover, $120
      Photos by Valeria Turturro
    • At top, blue and cream pillows, $24 each; set of two blue and green flowerpillows, $32. At bottom, butterfly and floral pillow, $34; bird and tree pillow,$34
      Photos by Valeria Turturro
    • Top to bottom: Set of three colorful ceramic bowls, $45; recycled paper mirror,$88, and bowl $17; relaxed bottle tray, $20
      Photos by Valeria Turturro

    With the rising consumer trend of knowing where products come from — like if that peach you’re eating was grown organically or if the chicken in your sandwich was raised free range — there is also a rising awareness in the world of interior design. Fabrics and furniture are being made from recycled materials and dyes that are better for the environment.

    The people behind these products are shaping the fair trade movement.

    Ten Thousand Villages is one of the oldest and largest fair trade organizations in the world and has had a store in Rice Village since 2000. Fair trade’s mission is simple, really: To help under- or unemployed artisans across the globe market their products and receive fair wages for their work. This allows them, their families and their communities to improve their lives, education, health and overall dignity.

    In the process, Western consumers are able to make the purchase of a pillow or chair mean more than just adding a pretty object in their homes.

    Fair trade’s mission is simple, really: To help under- or unemployed artisans across the globe market their products and receive fair wages for their work.

    Store manager Cassandra Martin says fair trade is very much about building long-term relationships between artisans and buyers. Buyers research markets in Chicago, New York and LA to see what design trends will be coming next season. They then visit with more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries and share storyboards with them to begin brainstorming what to design.

    “Artisans are vitally interested in what consumers want to buy,” Martin says.

    Although everything fair trade is not necessarily ethnic or tribal in design, it’s hard to ignore that ethnic textiles and prints are everywhere right now, from fashion to home furnishings; just check Crate and Barrel, Anthropologie and West Elm. Choosing fair trade items still allows you to keep your own sense of style, from the simple and contemporary to the tribal and ornate.

    Try these simple ways to incorporate unique, handmade fair trade items into your home décor:

    Pillows, pillows, pillows

    Throw pillows are the perfect way to try a new color or style in your bedroom or living room without redoing the entire room. For summertime there are plenty of pillows with hand-embroidered floral patterns in primary colors and ocean-inspired blues and greens.

    If you want to give your bedroom a quick pick-me-up, try the duvet and pillow set in soothing blues and cream.

    If you’re someone who believes anything is prettier with a bird or owl on it (see Portlandia: Put A Bird On It), you’ll find the Himalayan bird pillow just as unique as it is trendy.

    Make a statement

    If you’re inspired by bold colors and interesting textiles, choose one or two items to be statement pieces in your room.

    For walls, choose a hand-embroidered tapestry from India or West Africa, many of which are decorated with a popular “tree of life” motif.

    A dramatic lamp can also make a statement in any room. Be bold and choose a retro rectangle lamp upholstered in rich purple and gold fabric, which adds both light and color to the room.

    A simple bed or couch can get a beautiful burst of color by draping it with a reversible sacred sari throw. Women that have left the red light district in Bangladesh patch the throws from recycled saris.

    Keep it outdoors

    If you’d rather put a little TLC into your backyard, add some whimsy to your garden with an assortment of animal shaped planters. Think rabbits, foxes, roosters and pigs.

    Give the patio furniture a facelift with a bamboo table set topped with a tropically inspired turquoise pot that instantly transports you to island living.

    Stay contemporary

    If you’re a lover of clean lines and contemporary design, keep it simple. Try serving salad, pasta or dips in a set of white ceramic bowls with pops of green, red and orange inside.

    Choose lamps and vases in interesting geometric shapes and solid colors, like the Peruvian lamp and vase made of Chulucanas pottery.

    Recycled materials can find a second home in your design scheme, like a mirror made from recycled magazines or picture frames built from old bicycle chains.

    And for maybe the most unexpected fair trade item, a reshaped glass bottle tray like something you’d find in a modern art museum gift shop — but is instead made in Bolivia — can be an out-of-the-ordinary cheese platter and a great conversation piece at your next dinner party.

    Because after all, the objects in your home are more interesting when they tell a story.

    unspecified
    news/home-design

    more than floors

    70s revival and layers of style lead design expert's top tile trends

    Emily Cotton
    Jan 16, 2026 | 11:00 am
    Home design trend tile wall Floor & Decor
    Courtesy of Floor & Decor
    In 2026, bold statement tile is reaching far beyond kitchens and bathrooms.

    Year after year, trend forecasting is all the rage come January. From bold flooring to cream-colored kitchens, a pair of themes ties all of 2026’s home design trends together — organic materials and vintage vibes reign supreme.

    This week, economical designer and DIY-weekend-warrior favorite Floor & Decor released its four top style predictions, plus its 2026 “Tiles of the Year.” Interestingly, tile is extending its reach beyond the typical wet space parameters. Think bold statement walls in dining and living rooms, and fun textures and patterns splayed across tabletops. When it comes to tile, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of “why not?!”

    Trends this year draw from a wide range of influences — vintage eras, natural elements, and inventive material combinations — allowing homeowners and designers to reimagine kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces in distinctive ways.

    “We're craving the comfort of nostalgia. Vintage-inspired tile is surging, especially styles that nod to the 70s with warm tones, textures, and patterns,” Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at Floor & Decor tells CultureMap. “What makes this revival feel current is the balance against clean lines and modern installation, so it feels intentional and pays homage, as opposed to feeling dated.”

    As far as application is concerned, Biscan points out that tiling walls in dining and living rooms is more in line with a renaissance than a revelation. “Although wall tile might seem unconventional in a dining room, it's more traditional than some might think and harkens back to charming design eras,” explains Biscan. “This year, style is all about curating personal statements through layers of texture, pattern, and color in key gathering spaces. Every dinner party needs a conversation piece, after all.”

    Trendy Houstonians and Round Top regulars — arguably cut from the same cloth — have no doubt taken notice of tiled tabletops popping up everywhere from top shops to the see-and-be-scene patio at the new Hotel Daphne in The Heights.

    “Seeing tile used in unexpected places like tabletops or coffee tables reflects a broader shift toward material-driven design and handmade craftsmanship,” says Biscan. “There are durable options that work really well in these formats that are both functional and beautiful and truly one of a kind.”

    Looking to incorporate tile into an unconventional room or furniture piece, but can’t seem to commit? Mixing and matching new tile trends into somewhat of a quilt or tapestry design is not something to fear.

    “Mixing and matching tile is a clever way to enrich a space, add character, and make it personal,” shares Biscan. “To keep an eclectic look cohesive, layer tiles within the same color palette. A popular example with warm neutrals is the combination of depth and texture through natural stone and ceramic zellige combinations.”

    "This year's design trends celebrate both nature's richness and the joy of personal expression," says Biscan. "From earthy palettes and textured materials to layered patterns and tailored combinations, every space can feel thoughtful and dynamic. The Vetta Elements Collection in Luxe Earth captures this spirit perfectly, offering versatile ways to mix colors, textures, and formats for interiors that are both sophisticated and uniquely personal."

    Biscan has named Luxe Earth from the Vetta Elements Collection as the Floor & Decor Tile of the Year. A versatile porcelain tile designed to elevate any space, its rich, earthy tones bring warmth to both indoor and outdoor settings, providing a welcoming foundation. With a mix-and-match approach, homeowners and designers can experiment with sizes, colors, and patterns to craft a personalized look that is durable enough for high-traffic areas yet refined enough for feature walls. Vetta Elements demonstrates how design-forward style and practicality can coexist seamlessly.

    As promised, here is Floor & Decor's 2026 Design Trends Forecast, showcasing interiors that are bold and full of character.

    Retro Rhapsody: 70s Revival with Modern Edge
    Warm nostalgia meets contemporary polish as the spirit of the 1970s reenters the home. Saturated hues, sculptural forms, and rich wood finishes create spaces that feel expressive yet intentional. Deep ambers, soft burgundies, and smoky neutrals pair with geometric patterns, curved silhouettes, and tactile materials to bring depth and personality to kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. When balanced with clean lines and refined finishes, these retro influences feel inviting and distinctly current.

    Crème Brûlée Kitchens: Warm Neutrals Reimagined
    The classic white kitchen is being refreshed through toasted neutrals, with layers of vanilla, eggshell, and Swiss Coffee bringing warmth and depth to the heart of the home without sacrificing brightness. Subtle tonal variation across cabinetry, surfaces, and finishes creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels timeless yet indulgent.

    Lush Landscape: Organic Depth and Texture
    Natural influence is taking a more textural, tonal form. Colors drawn from earth, sand, and sky are interpreted through layered finishes and pronounced surfaces, adding richness and dimension to interiors with material-driven spaces and an emphasis on depth and organic continuity.

    Eclectic Artistry: Personalized Layers of Style
    Mix eras, textures, and patterns to create bold and unexpected combinations that tell a story with nods to the past. Intentional combinations of color and material create spaces that feel layered and unmistakably personal.

    news/home-design
    Loading...