Local Color

Turquoise and white Vivian print chair, refinished and reupholstered by the designer, $2,200, Elephant Walk Interiors & Antiques, Lake Ivanhoe area. Lamb wool Ikat rug, $5,467, Addison/Dicus Co., Orlando, Zebra pillow, $39, West Elm at Millenia Crossings.

by Marianne Ilunga
photographs by Rafael Tongol

Updating the look of a room to take advantage of the latest interior design trends doesn’t have to involve either heavy lifting or long-distance excursions.

We challenged interior designer Catherine Sands of Blue Daze Design (bluedazedesigns.com) to transform a room relying mainly on small accent pieces foraged from Orlando artisans and retailers. She jumped at the chance. “I’m passionate about local resources,” she says.

If you share that passion, check out these tips from Sands on how to give your home’s interior more fun and flair.

Global Design:  Items collected from around the world add interest. Use ethnic accents and cultural prints, such as Ikats printed on pillows. Also try rugs as upholstery on ottomans.  

Animals: As whimsical accents, think tongue-in-cheek moose heads, animal wallpaper and accessories.  

Bold colors: Plums, peacocks and greens are back. Reds are also seeing a resurgence, particularly as an accent color on lamps, pillows and accessories.  

Retro:  Designers are using more retro furnishings and accents that aren’t necessarily true reproductions but fun, slightly off-kilter nods to the past. Mid-century upholstery is always fun.

Metal: Chrome on furniture, burnished warm tones and silvery accessories are showing up in designer showrooms. It’s sleek and lively, especially in a contempory setting.

White “pop art” bowl, $99, Euro Living Furniture in Colonialtown. Set of four ceramic balls, designer’s own.

Mounted swordfish snouts, $245 to $325, and African head rest, $125, Elephant Walk Interiors & Antiques, Lake Ivanhoe area.

Marguerite tealight holders, $4.95 each, are from Z Gallerie, Millenia Crossings.

Mobile dining room table, $680, Design Within Reach, dwr.com. Diptych acrylic abstract wall art, Saturday with Audrey, $2,900, by Martha Jo Mahoney, available at McRae Studios, Winter Park, or at marthajomahoney.com.

Antlers, $150 each, Elephant Walk Interiors & Antiques, Lake Ivanhoe area. Glass candleholders, $59 to $99, Crate and Barrel, crateandbarrel.com.

Green chair by Grako, $139, Euro Living Furniture, Colonialtown.

Aqua blue garden bench, $795, white flower pillow by Que, $49, Elephant Walk Interiors & Antiques, Lake Ivanhoe area. Painting at top, designer’s own. Painting at bottom by Victor Borkas, price available on request by calling 407-247-0674.

Somalian wood milk bowls, $225 and $245, Elephant Walk Interiors & Antiques, Lake Ivanhoe area.

White flower pillow by Que, $49, Elephant Walk Interiors & Antiques, Lake Ivanhoe area.