Design

For decades, television and film have been inspiring prom looks in young women around the world. Whether your style is classic or alternative, whether you’re looking for petite ensembles or plus size prom dresses, there’s no inspiration greater than the TV shows and movies that are known for some of the best and most unique looks in history.

I’m JJ’s House designer, Jessica, and my specialty is special occasion wear. If you’re in need of some prom dress inspiration, I’ve got you covered. I’m here to walk you through some of the greatest prom moments in television and film history so you can find a dress that makes you feel like a superstar.

80’s and 90’s Inspiration

Maybe you’re an old soul who’s really into 80’s and 90’s pop culture, or maybe your prom has a throwback theme. Whatever the case, there are some really unique prom looks from the TV shows and movies of yesteryear.

One of the most iconic dresses in 80’s film history comes from Pretty in Pink. The main character in the movie goes to prom in a pink polka dot and lace dress with a very unique cut. Off-the-shoulder puffy sleeves are paired with a lace halter-style neck and the whole thing is fitted but loose at the same time. It’s definitely a show-stopper.

The 1984 movie, Footloose, is full of inspiration, but one of the best in the prom scene is a loosely-fitted white dress with off-the-shoulder ruffles.

The prom episode of the hit 90’s TV show, Beverly Hills 90210, features a sexy off-the-shoulder black lace mermaid dress that will never go out of style.

Alternately, if you’re looking for a more casual, country-style dress, grab the look from Saved by the Bell and wear a fitted denim dress with black fringe.

The Current Trends

Some of today’s most popular shows and films have handed us glamorous, elegant and unique prom dresses to draw inspiration from. Whether you’re looking for something classic and chic or bold and adventurous, there’s a look for you on the big screen.

If you’re looking for a bold number that will keep all eyes on you, check out the prom look from Gossip Girl. The bold black gown with large gold print can’t be missed. Another elegant and bold number comes from Vampire Diaries. The red sleeveless ball gown is a timeless hit.

The OC featured two unique floral-inspired prom dresses that were a bit simpler than the gowns from Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries. One dress was fitted with floral print, while another was loose and ruffly with large flowers. She’s the Man featured another excellent chic piece with a fitted mint green satin gown with thin straps.

Whether you draw inspiration from the pink polka dots and lace in Pretty in Pink or the simple mint green gown from She’s the Man, you can make a grand entrance and be the belle of the ball in one of these head-turning TV- and movie-inspired pieces.

If you love the current trend of layering more than one necklace at a time, perhaps you are wondering how to make it look good and not create a complete mess when it comes to time to take them off.

Necklaces are not like putting your wedding ring next to your engagement ring London because in the first place they don’t have to go together at all. How do you go about making the layered necklace look?

You must have at least three

Wearing two necklaces doesn’t qualify as layering. It just looks as if you’re not sure which of the two necklaces that you always wear you want to wear today.

You have to have at least three for it to count as layering, and they will all three be different.

Next is lengths

The next point is that however many you wear, they all need to be different lengths. Necklaces start at about 14” which is approximately the size of your neck. It will sit either right at, or choker like above the jugular notch.

From here you will find that chains tend to go up in two-inch increments, all the way down to your navel (33” or 34” long). 30” will reach to the sternum for most people unless you’re especially tall.

Besides creating the look you want, having one of each length is going to help you take them off without them getting snarled together.

Start with the shortest chain and then add them one after the other, shortest to longest.

Chain style

Although each necklace can be totally different, try and go for the same chain style and color. The effect will be to create a cohesive and obvious connection of necklaces which have something in common.

What you’re trying to avoid is a punk collection of mismatched items, or perhaps a Bohemian collection of items which came together by happenstance.

The effect here is to create something that looks curated. Keeping the chain style and color the same will do that for you.

Try and have an effect through the length

If you plan to wear a 16” and a 33” chain, the third needs to be somewhere between the two. You don’t want it to be either 18” or 30”. This too is about balance. Like the style and color, the balance will look organized and thought out. Imbalance will look like a hodgepodge.

Adding interest

This is where you can let your creative mind run free. Add different shapes and types of decoration. If you have a horizontal bar at say 18” then try to add something that will take the eye downward from there like a triangle or a pendant.

What does it say about you?

The real answer is that it says what you want. The way you construct can be bold or conservative. You can add a color in the form of a bead or colored decoration for interest. You could add a charm here as well.

 

If your home is in need of new furniture pieces and you’re curious about 2018’s hottest furniture trends, continue reading to discover 7 furniture trends which you may be interested in purchasing.

Furniture Trends for 2018:

1. Sleek leather sofas

Sleek, modern leather sofas are skyrocketing in popularity, so if you’re looking to invest in a high-quality piece of furniture which will look just as stylish in your home in five years as it does today, it’s well worth investing a high-quality leather sofa.

If your home has a traditional look and feel you may prefer to opt for a brown leather sofa, whilst if your home has a more modern vibe, you may want to consider purchasing a black leather sofa. Although you may also want to consider purchasing a bright, bold red leather sofa!  If you’re stuck on where to look for some new furniture pieces and ideas, Hudson Furniture has a large selection.

2. Leather coffee tables

If you don’t feel like switching out your current sofa, you may want to incorporate 2018’s leather furniture trend into your home, by purchasing a chic, stylish leather coffee table.

3. Ottomans

If you visit your local furniture store this year, you’ll notice that ottomans are an extremely trendy item this year. Not only will a patterned or leather ottoman add an extra touch of style to your lounge but ottomans are also practical as you’ll be able to use your ottoman as a footstool or a minute table to place your coffee cup or TV remotes on. Some ottomans even open up to reveal handy storage space.

4. Velvet pieces of furniture

If leather furniture doesn’t interest you or fit your home’s interior decor, you may prefer investing in stunning, luxurious velvet pieces. Such as a velvet chaise or a velvet sofa. If you browse online furniture stores for velvet pieces you’ll probably notice that the most popular colors of velvet furniture this year are dark hues such as navy, forest green, and burgundy.

5. Marble

Another furniture trend which you may want to experiment with is marble. By simply placing a marble coffee table or a marble kitchen island into your home, your home will instantly look more polished, luxurious and stylish.

6. Bright yellow pieces

If you’re not afraid to take risks and love bold colors, you may want to consider purchasing a bright yellow piece of furniture, which will make happier each time you look at it. If you’re on a budget, you can also create your own DIY yellow bookshelf or coffee table by purchasing a pot of yellow paint and a pot of furniture stain. Which you can layer over your coats of yellow paint.

7. L shaped sofas

L shaped sofas are perfect for large families or for individuals who frequently enjoy entertaining their friends and family members for house parties as they provide more seating than your average 2 or 3 seater sofa.

So if you want to give your home a new lease on life and are interesting in investing in a few new furniture pieces this year, it’s well worth deciding which of the furniture trends listed above, you’re most interested in.

Each new year comes with an exciting array of interior design ideas and 2018 is no exception. This year brings new style trends for everyone to enjoy. Gary G Friedman believes we’re seeing a blend of new looks coming into shape and a few old aesthetics coming back into the scene. From patterned ceiling décor to confident and assertive wallpapers, several interior design trends seem to stand out. So far, 2018 looks be a year of color, experimentation and thinking outside the box.

Statement Ceilings

Statement ceilings have become a growing trend this year. Gone are the days when the ceiling was just a wall to ignore or tone down. Instead, people are embracing this new trend by incorporating bold designs using textured or printed wallpaper, exposed beams, timber moldings or striking paint colors.

The Wallpaper Trend

Wallpaper is taking on a greater role as a work of art. From simple stripes to a botanical garden on the wall, wallpaper provides a great way to incorporate design and add texture to a wall. People are feeling braver with wallpaper than ever before. Rather than just paper feature walls, homeowners are taking the bold step to paper all four walls. The most recent techniques in printed vinyl are allowing the making of high quality, beautiful and strikingly detailed wallpapers. There’s also an increased acceptance of darker colors that exude confidence and assertiveness.

Mixing Finishes

Combining different elements and materials of interior design creates a more artistic feel and sophisticated look. Layering natural and painted woods, bare iron and stone with touches of metal is gaining popularity. Mixing different types of woods and blending pieces from different eras and styles without letting any theme or style dominate is the secret to success in mixing different materials for a harmonious feel.

Metals

Metals are again a force to reckon with in 2018. Copper lamps and accessories have served their time and silver is taking over as the new trend. Silver has the unique ability to add a cool yet elegant charm to interior décor. Picture frames, lamps and other accessories with the look of silver create a sense of class, especially when combined with other metallic shades or rich fabrics.

Materials with Purpose

2017 saw a wide array of sophisticated recycled materials emerge and take center stage in interior design. Interior tiles made from corn husks, leather alternatives made from pineapple leaves and furniture made entirely from cans are just but to mention a few. 2018 is an even more exciting year for design and materials. We are going to see a rise in materials being made with purpose. There’s a clear shift towards a design approach that considers our carbon footprint and society in a much more positive way.

Comfort

Overall, we’re leaning towards design that is more casual and focused on experience. The boundaries between work and leisure are getting blurrier. If you feel overwhelmed by making these choices yourself, you can look into an interior designer as well. This trend is reflected in furniture and surface finishes with fabrics such as velvet growing in popularity in 2018. Leisure-based designs such as those in restaurants and hospitals are finding their way into different sectors, from retail to office, fashion and beyond.