While painting and wallpaper are great ways to spice up your fifth wall, there’s a third option that maximizes ceiling style with a minimum of trouble. Let’s take a trip into a unique style of ceiling that’s gaining a lot of attention in the design community. Welcome to the wonderful world of stretch ceilings!

The New Tautness

The stretch ceiling is a suspended style that takes flexibility to new heights, both figuratively and literally! Though the first stretch ceiling was installed in 1969, the technique has remained fairly specialized outside of Europe for the past 45 years. In the past few years, we have been seeing   it more in installations, trade shows, and commercial applications. There are a lot of new lightweight materials that are strong and have become popular for in home applications.  

Stretch ceilings are a suspended ceiling system that use two components: a lightweight perimeter track (usually aluminum), and a lightweight canvas-like membrane that is stretched taut and clipped into the track. This system is great for supporting wall coverings, light diffusers, floating panels, and is often used in exhibitions and pop-ups.

Due to their reliable nature and uncomplicated setup, stretch ceilings are flexible and can  fit rooms of all shapes. A large selection of background supports mean that stretch ceilings still allow you to incorporate all types of lights (including existing fixtures), smoke detectors and vents as needed. 

A Simpler Ceiling

Stretch ceilings have many advantages, but the biggest advantage is installation. Installers secure a perimeter track, add fixture mounts, stretch the ceiling membrane, and make cuts for fixtures. Installing a stretch ceiling doesn’t require any demolition, plastering, drywall cutting, or painting, making it quick and clean compared to other treatments you could apply to a ceiling. 

Modern materials mean that stretch ceilings are stable and durable, fire and safety certified, and waterproof. They’re made from non-toxic and recyclable materials, are self-deodorizing, and resist mold and mildew. Maintenance is easy: a simple dusting or wiping cleans the stain-resistant surface.

In terms of aesthetics, a stretch ceiling grants you the flexibility to pursue just about any mood you want, from opulent and glamorous to purely functional—and everywhere in between. There are 3D design options, integrated LED lighting, backlit ceilings, even wallpaper patterns and textures. You can choose a color that will enhance your design of the room. And stretch ceilings give the feel of a higher ceiling due to the reflective nature of the materials used. 

Serious Potential

Sklar Furnishings believes that bold is best when it comes to stretch ceilings: creative shapes, integrated lighting, exciting colors and textures are better than ever when they’re built into the ceiling! There are so many creative possibilities! We are certain it’s not a stretch to say that these ceilings are poised to become much more popular and common in the future.

The four walls of a room are where we focus a lot of decorative energies: they help make a room what it is. But there is also a fifth wall. The ceiling can be taken for granted: it covers up the electrical, air, and plumbing systems above and often we let that be its only purpose. There is a lot of potential over our heads, and a lot of the time it’s unused.

Changing the ceiling from so-so to spectacular is worth it, and can make a big difference in the style and mood of a room. Small differences in lighting, texture, and style can add up to make a big difference. Wondering how to do it? We’ve got some pointers to inspire you!

Beyond the Four Walls

Most ceilings are pretty boring. Often they’re left as a flat surface painted white. Your ceilings don’t need the intricate frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, but even some slight texture can add a lot. We’re not talking about popcorn ceilings. While it may sound crazy, you can get excellent results by applying wallpaper.

Yes, it seems like a challenge (it’s much easier with modern wallpaper) and can be tricky to pull off, but wallpaper can make a dramatic difference—much like how applying patterns and texture to the walls can create gorgeous environments. Brands like Casamance and Villa Nova create wonderful patterns and textures that look gorgeous and work on ceilings. Wallpaper can make a room seem ‘taller’ than it is, and contrasting colors can create breathtaking effects. Even using wallpaper to compliment furniture or accessories can tie a room together.

Lighting Elements

You don’t have to wallpaper your ceiling to make it pop. Sometimes a great light fixture will do wonders for a space, as they send light up and down in different ways, and provide a focal point which draws the eye upwards. If your ceiling is papered or painted, lighting will subtly cast the color across the room, increasing the effect.

Gorgeous and impressive lighting fixtures such as the Macchina della Luche, Fil de Fer Nuvola, or Gold Moon Chandelier can transform a room or build a mood. Less imposing pieces such as the PostKrisi suspension lamp can be used to add both illumination and contemporary style without challenging the atmosphere. The Lederam Manta is an excellent choice as its style is very flexible, allowing for a mix and match approach and ensuring it will work when furniture, paint, or wallpaper are changed.

Start Looking Up

The ceiling can make an incredible contribution to a room, and to really get the effect you want, you should include it in your decor planning. An interesting ceiling can finish a space, especially if it compliments or contrasts in an interesting way. Want to look up to something a bit more beautiful? Check out our showroom and speak to our designers, or browse online for the fixture that will build up your fifth wall!

It’s the dawn of a new decade, and we expect to see plenty of innovation. You may be wondering which styles, fabrics, and designs will define this year, and there’s some trends coming up we think are going to be big. So let’s check them out!

Rounded Edges

In 2020, boxy designs will take a back seat as more rounded styles are gaining plenty of popularity. This trend is best expressed in pieces such as the Boheme low back chair as well as the curvaceous Berlin and Sara chairs. Rounded edges are excellent at making rooms seem more spacious, are a bit safer for children (or loose-fitting clothing) and are highly aesthetically pleasing!

Tech-Infused Furniture

We’re entering the second decade of the 21st century, so technology-infused home furnishings are a no-brainer, but we’re expecting less intrusive and more useful designs than internet-connected speakers.

Fjords makes motorized recliners that deliver cutting-edge, gorgeous design and classic comfort. The stately Madrid is a great example.

The Harlequin adjustable mattress uses technology to offer comfort, support, and improve your day-to-day, instead of providing yet another thing to get weather reports from! Unlike ordinary motion beds, the Harlequin does not sit on a separate platform, as the mechanism is inside the mattress and thus will fit on any existing bed you have. It truly is, one of a kind.

The Icon nightstand has an optional wireless charging station, perfect for when you want to keep your phone charged without the clutter of cords everywhere!

Upholstered Beds

Upholstered beds are certainly making a splash in design circles, and we think they’re poised for serious popularity this year. Their design aids in heat retention and they look amazingly elegant, adding a touch of class to the bedroom. The Kenobi is a timeless example, the Boiserie is a focal point that makes a statement, and the Menlo Park is exquisitely designed and easy to fit into just about any bedroom.

European Furniture

Some trends never fade, and European design is one of them—from entry-level furniture to bespoke pieces and elite design, Europe always delivers with style and craftsmanship. The Segno Buffet designed by Pininfarina offers unexpected touches and novel design elements that embellish the dining area. The Segno Sofa is bold and makes a splash in any living room. The glamorous Il Loft Free Spirit sofa also demonstrates a commitment to form and craft that will never go out of style!

Performance Fabrics

Performance fabrics are going to gain a lot of interest this decade, as they’re durable, beautiful, and flexible. One common example is microfiber, which is stain and dust resistant, very comfortable and durable, and easy to clean.

The Vondom Suave and Sunbrella Diva Daybed are great examples from brands that use impeccable design, resilient materials, and performance fabric to create pieces tough enough for outdoors and stylish enough for interior use.

Looking Ahead to 2020

In a field as creative as designer furnishings, trends can be wild and unpredictable. We always keep our eyes out for fresh ideas so we can continue to bring you the best. We’re looking forward to seeing how these trends develop, and the unexpected ones which will emerge!

As the importance of well-being in our lives grows, we find ourselves seeking to optimize our health and well-being in every space we occupy. The best place to start focusing on yourself is at home. It can be easy to overlook home decor and furnishing as a part of your well-being, but it can truly be beneficial.

Many aspects of the home can have a subtle impact. For instance colors can make a big difference. Painting a bedroom with bright colors can have a negative effect on sleep habits, reducing wellness (and health) over time.

Decluttering

Clutter adds up quickly, and can quickly increase feelings of stress by creating a sense of disorganization. Decluttering can be as simple as it is rewarding. Solutions like the Liber A in Fume Glass help create storage to keep clutter organized and out of sight.

Officially Versatile

Your home office can be made more inviting by introducing furniture such as the Muvman chair and Sola sitting/standing desk. This gives you the flexibility to sit or stand while working. Studies have shown that standing helps improve your health, energy and productivity.

Balanced Lighting

Balanced Lighting helps filter artificial light to give you natural colors. You can balance lighting with floor lights such as the Quadra, and chandeliers like the Stella.

Adding Warmth

Rugs provide the best way to add warmth into a room. Elements such as pattern, weave and color can change a room completely. Consider the Mapoon or Maya area rugs, or the Gaius carpet to treat the senses and reward your feet after a long day.

Versatile Furniture

Having furniture that adjusts to your needs can make your home spaces more versatile and comfortable. The Siegfried recliner will always ensconce you in comfort, and the Harlequin mattress offers adjustable support to give you a good night’s sleep!

Before We Finish

One’s well-being can even be affected by the finishes used on furniture. Choosing furniture with water-based finishes such as those offered by Huppe or Trica will help you avoid other types of finishes which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals which evaporate during outgassing even at room temperature. This same process creates that ‘new car smell’, but in your home it can severely impact air quality.

Wellness Within the Walls

The spaces we inhabit for most of our lives should refresh, nurture, and energize us. By being careful about how we furnish and decorate, we can optimize our homes to reduce stress and create islands of calm. Versatile furniture, balanced color and light, and careful selection can create a wealth of wellness and enhance quality of life.

Sofas and sectionals are enjoyable year-round but they really shine during the holiday season, when the bustle and activity make sitting and relaxing so attractive! Having a cozy afternoon on the couch with some loved ones and hot beverage or by yourself with a good book is what this season is really about!

Sofas and sectionals are the anchor and heart of any living room. They make a house feel like a home, offer generous seating for loved ones, and help establish as social and relaxed atmosphere. Quite often it’s the sofa or sectional which is the most used piece of furniture in the living room, so making the most of it is important. A clunky sofa can close off a room and make it feel smaller. The pieces we’re showing today are perfect for maximizing both the seating and creating an open concept in a room.

Mellow Sofa

Koinor’s Mellow sofa is a wonderful piece with a very stylish design that’s as comfortable as it is beautiful. With a number of colors available for the upholstery, this couch can blend seamlessly into any room. We love the graceful curves and almost architectural design of this sofa, and it’s quite comfortable as well! Elegance and timeless style are always a winning combo.

Anderson Sofa

The Anderson sofa from Ditre combines spare and clean lines with plenty of seating. Folding headrests allow you to make the most of the situation, whether you’re casually lounging or having company over. We are huge fans of how substantial this couch is without being bulky—there’s a fantastic balance between size and presence that keeps this large sofa from overtaking a room, while still being a strong anchor.

An Il Loft Trio

Il Loft has designed many wonderful sofas and sectionals, so we’d like to quickly highlight three excellent choices.

Free Spirit is an absolutely breathtaking sofa, with curved and straight variants available. The organic shape of the pillows frame plenty of seating space and add a homey, comfortable, and cozy touch.

The Fly sectional combines lively design and classic comfort to create an impression of elegance and playfulness, making it an ideal focal point for an active and busy living room.

The elegance of simple and effective design makes the Mercury sectional a standout. Sitting low to the floor, this sectional leaves plenty of open space above it, allowing sight lines and light to flow freely, while still offering plenty of seating.

Get comfortable

The right sofa or sectional is the anchor of a well-appointed living room. The examples we’ve explored today combine comfort and design to enhance the sociability and atmosphere of the rooms they’re in, they represent the epitome of what living rooms should be. In this season when guests and family are visiting, or when we’re recovering from being busy, there’s nothing like the relaxing coziness of a sofa.

Finishes can really enhance the qualities of well-designed furniture by showcasing their surfaces. The finish makes a huge difference in how a piece fits into a room or sets a mood. While we see the value and potential in all finishes, and even unfinished surfaces, today we’re focused on two finishes: matte and high gloss.

Matte finishes are a perfect fit for contemporary furniture. They’re definitely subtle, but they can enhance the natural grain of wood, especially when applied to exotic woods. Matte finishes are easy to work into decor, and very good at creating sophisticated, understated impressions. Matte finishes are created by creating paints that contain less binders and more pigment, which scatter light, creating a richer color and matte effect. We saw lots of matte finishes in Milan last year, so we’re thinking a North American comeback is on the way.

High gloss finishes are more timeless than matte finishes and always in high demand. Perhaps this is because high gloss calls to mind luxury for many people. High gloss finishes look clean, and have a mirror-like reflectiveness and gorgeous sheen. High gloss finishes incorporate more binders that don’t scatter light, making them reflective.

Aria Table

We love Aleal’s Aria table in a matte finish. The strong and angular design of this dining table, combined with a matte finish, creates an attractive sense of gravity that’s ideal for a piece which already creates a focal point. A strong presence can be complemented by a subtle matte finish.

Shiva Table

Il Loft’s line of Shiva tables demonstrate the power of simplicity. These low tables are unassuming at first glance, but the craftsmanship and design are strongly demonstrated by the curved and graceful surfaces. A matte finish adds the perfect touch.

Alchemy Dining Table

The Alchemy dining table from Giorgio is a masterpiece with a larger than life presence and elegance. Supported by a remarkable stainless steel base, the tabletop is crafted from tiger African sycamore with mother of pearl and white maple inlays. Nothing short of an opulent, durable, and high gloss finish could complete such a regal presence.

Spectacular Surfaces

High gloss finishes are popular for a reason: they’re clean, they gather and reflect light and really pop, especially in subdued rooms. The popularity of matte finishes varies, but when done well they create an unmatchable aura of sophistication. The pieces we’ve listed have different finish options, but we think their essence is best captured by the ones we’ve shown. If you want a closer look, please come by our showroom and learn more about how the right finish can make all the difference for you.

The fountain of inspiration for interior design is overflowing! Color, form, even texture and material can all come from many places. One of the most common sources of inspiration is water. It’s backed by a long tradition that includes visual art, music, film, and design. Many people around the world choose to live near water to find a calmness and tranquillity.

It makes sense to bring elements of water indoors to help you create an enchanting and relaxing space. If you’re looking to transform your surroundings, we’ve got some inspiration and pointers to get you started.

Rippling Colors

To introduce aquatic elements to your space, the best place to start is by refreshing the color palette. We recommend blue and purple, as they are a very flexible power combo that blends the best of tranquillity and calm. These two colors offer a wide array of hues and shades that can create a calm beautiful aesthetic.

Blue and purple in complementary shades can impart a serene atmosphere to a room because of their coolness. Whether you want classic painted walls, or to impart a little more texture with wallpaper these colors are transformative. Area rugs such as the Nourison Prismatic Sea Glass Rug. To brighten up your outdoor, the eye-catching Kartell Dune Tray captures the color of the water.

Flowing Furniture

To help you create an open feeling in your home, you need to choose the right furniture.

Consider opening a space by using bench seating at the dining table. Benches like the Grado, help create a closeness and intimacy during dinner parties and meals and can be tucked away when not in use. We love the Air Shelf 0381 by Lago, which features glass supports that enable storage and won’t obstruct views.

In choosing the right furniture there are practical elements to consider. Swivel chairs such as the Arno Accent Chair are an excellent addition to any space. They allow you or your guest to look out the window and turn back to the room easily which helps establish a flexible and serene atmosphere.

Splashy Spaces

The expansiveness of water makes it an excellent inspiration for styling any size space. Complementary colors like blue and purple, and open furnishing choices can help create a flowing space, while decor accents can enhance the atmosphere. Whether you’re dipping your toes in or fully immersing yourself in a water motif for your home, we’ve got expert advice and wonderful pieces at our showroom.

Wall units combine the best features of cabinetry, shelving, closets, and entertainment units to provide very flexible and adaptable storage options. The best examples are large and well-designed, which makes them excellent additions for a well-organized and beautiful home. While the living room is an obvious space for wall units, some are so customizable that they can fit in anywhere, while others are designed to solve specific problems. Here’s a sample of some of our favorites.

Tumidei On-Off Alcova System

Let’s start with the big one. Tumidei’s On/Off Alcova System is incredibly flexible and can suit just about any space from your bedroom to the living room or even office. An integrated bench and storage space makes this unit flexible and adaptable, offering a blend of beauty, capability, and seating. Additionally, the panels fold downward to unveil a bed on all of Tumidei’s On/Off units. It’s complemented by modern lines, chic styling, and plenty of color and finish options.

Lago Air Storage Wall Unit 0439

With its ethereal glass supports, floating solid elements, and natural wood shelf, the Lago Air Storage Wall Unit is truly a sight to behold. The play of solid elements and tempered glass creates an extremely open storage unit which allows light to flow through, increasing placement options and ensuring that it elevates any space.

Pianca Spazio Large Wall Unit

The Spazio Large Wall Unit possesses and provides plenty of space, as its name implies, but it also delivers a dollop of modern style that creates a sense of calm. Since the Spazio has a modular design with plenty of finishes and materials, you can create combinations that offer exactly the look and storage capacity you need.

Gloriously Organized

These examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to wall units at Sklar. Excellent design, plentiful storage, beautiful form and materials, and endless configurations are just some of the advantages of investing in a quality designer wall unit. Our selection of high-quality units and systems can help you declutter and beautify your space. Come by our showroom, or browse our selection, and find a wonderful wall unit for your home!

Few things have the power to completely change the style and mood of any space quite like quality lighting. In the world of designer lighting, there are many fixtures that do more than light up a room: they give it a new life, and enchant the people within it. From understated forms that blend into existing rooms, to marvellous centerpieces that build focus, we’ve got a wide range of top lighting. It can be hard to choose with so much style available, so we thought we’d highlight some truly breathtaking handcrafted lighting. 

Gold Moon Chandelier
If you want to make a stunning statement, you cannot go wrong with the expansive Gold Moon Chandelier. LEDs on the tips of copper curls, shine upwards onto richly textured gold wrap shades that reflect and diffuse light. A delight to behold, and configurable to fit any space, this chandelier confers a warm, intimate, yet otherworldly atmosphere.

Lederam Manta S2 Pendant Lamp
Inspired by the graceful manta ray, the sinuous Lederam Manta S2 Pendant Lamp is a restrained exercise in natural form. A hanging, shapely and lithe aluminum shade with textured wrap is lit from below by an LED source that fills it with light, creating soft yet thorough illumination. This pendant light is cozy, welcoming, and serene—an inspired choice for a dining room.

Macchina della Luce Chandelier
A triumph of form and texture, the Macchina della Luce Chandelier is a bold fixture that can complete and enhance the mood of any room. Foiled diffuser disks stacked above light sources uses the strength of simplicity to create a sense of peace and order. An outstanding combination of verticality and texture make this lovely light flexible enough to fit and refine nearly any space.

Fil de Fer Nuvola Chandelier
Some lights have a passive presence, but the Fil de Fer Nuvola Chandelier is one of those fixtures that can draw an audience and hold them in rapture. A scintillating cloud of aluminum filament lit from within by LED bulbs, this design masterpiece can give a new lease of life to any room. This dynamic and enchanting light will capture your imagination.

PostKrisi Suspension Lamp
Imaginative, lovely, and immediate, the PostKrisi Suspension Lamp uses a fiberglass shade to astounding effect. The two hemispheres of the lampshade are separated by an almost frost-inspired open border, creating a cool and thoughtful atmosphere that adds a subtle yet impressive effect to any space where it stands.

Light stands for many things—evoking hope, wonder, security, and comfort. Even purely functional lighting can do so much to improve a space. Introducing creative and inspired design takes lighting a step further by making any space more inviting and remarkable. Even a well-appointed and beautiful home can reach new heights when graced by gorgeous lighting. So dream a little: visit our showroom to see these stellar pieces in person, or browse our selection online to find something that inspires you to light up your life!

Art bridges the gap between emotion and expression, and can give a voice to things that are often unsaid. Accessories fulfill the same function in decor, and can make any space much more outspoken, welcoming, and intriguing. Bring together accessories and art, and you’ve got the recipe for truly breathtaking decoration.

Many accessories are great at elevating a space or setting a mood, but at Sklar we strive to provide accessories that verge more into the world of art: to inspire you, delight your guests, and breathe fresh and original style into your home. Here are three of our favorite designers who provide some wonderfully artful accessories:

Vanessa Mitrani
Vanessa has been working in glasswares since 1998, and in that time has experimented with a lot of other materials to create interesting textures, shapes, and finishes. Glass is her medium, and with every piece her design house creates, a truly unique mastery is demonstrated. We’re huge fans of her pieces where glass is restrained with metal, all of which create an interesting bulbousness—from lights and candle holders to vases, they add a remarkably playful element to any space.

Athena Jahantigh
Athena works in sandstone and ceramic and makes absolutely gorgeous animal sculptures. Her wonderful bull statues bring to mind the stylism of cave paintings as seen through the filter of her Persian aesthetic, and bring a serenity and reflectiveness to any space due to their melding of past and present. Truly unique and highly remarkable, a Jahantigh piece elevates everything around it.

FOS Ceramiche
FOS (Form-Object-Surface) Ceramiche have been innovating in the field of ceramics for over 30 years, working in the historic city of Faenza. Masters of their craft, they create beautiful, flowing, and organic works with a variety of glazes and finishes. Their ceramic hearts are particularly breathtaking and lovely: using a natural form and natural material to create a supernatural impression on the viewer. These pieces are amazing for bringing harmony and balance, as well as texture, to a space.

Serious About Accessorizing
Good accessories do more than enhance a space and match decor. They can embellish it by bringing harmony, or adding diverseness. Unique accessories do even better, by introducing unexpected elements that really invite and reward their viewers.

A decor accessory becomes art when it really transcends the material it’s made from: this can happen on a personal level when some object has deep personal significance, but when that object is imbued with art, it can have that same impact on first-time viewers.

By their nature, accessories that blur the line between decor and art can be hard to find. That’s why we go out of our way to find them. It’s our pleasure to locate great design in all forms and bring it to you. Beauty should never be hidden, and the best part of our job is to help bring it into the world.