Convinced that your dining room needs to have a formal feeling with beige walls, classic wood finishes, tied together with an unobtrusive color palette, and a traditional suite like this one.

We do love that classic look, but we think it’s time to rethink your dining room philosophy and visit the idea of mixing and matching.  Recently we’ve noticed a shift in design thinking and mixing patterns, colors, textures, and styles is not only common, but encouraged!  We love this idea because it gives you a chance to play with your favorite hues, different touches, and combine styles, all whilst uninhibited by “matchy-matchy” elements.  This being said, there is a fine line between tastefully calculated combinations and all-out eyesores.

You can mix modern with traditional, vintage with new, whimsical with antique, and as long as it shows off your personality, it will work! Proportion, scale, and color become the more important parameters: not ‘match, match, match.’

Here are some of our favorites that we think do a pretty good job.  And be sure to check out our Pinterest Board for all our favorite mixed and matched styled rooms.

It's official!  2014 will be all about "Radiant Orchid" #18-3224, according to the color authorities at PANTONE®    

They've been predicting the hottest color trends for over a decade and are considered the leaders in professional color standards for the design industry.  Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. describes this year's shade as "An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society.  An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

We expect to see Radiant Orchid appear on the interior design stage in accessories, accents, and wall color--livening up neutrals with a warm rosy glow.  PANTONE®  notes that the hue is universally flattering to skin tones, reflecting a healthy glow on both men and women.  And seriously, who doesn't want a room that makes you look good just by living in it, right?

Fabric that’s clean…green…stain, moisture, mildew, bacteria and odor resistant…AND made in the USA.  Contemporary Design Group newest Partner Crypton Home fabrics is lending stress-free, mess-free technology to some of our favorite designs!  
Until recently, people just had to put up with smelly pet beds, stained couches, soaking wet patio furniture and germy placemats. Now there's an answer to those little annoyances, and it's called Crypton Super Fabrics. The development of Crypton Super Fabrics began in 1993 by Michigan residents Craig and Randy Rubin. Fifteen years later they report more than 60 million yards of their sophisticated fabric have been installed worldwide!  

“There are several choices when it comes to protection of fabric, but Lazar chose ‘THE BEST’ in our opinion,” says Robert Luce, President of Lazar Industries. “The new Crypton Home products have a great feel and carry all of the cleanable aspects of [the commercial grade] hospitality products.”I think that this product segment in textiles could absolutely explode in the coming years.” Luce adds. “First, Crypton is made environmentally sustainably which is a characteristic of growing importance to consumers.  Second, it really works well in terms of the cleanable attributes, and third it allows fabric to ultimately compete with LEATHER!!!”

Luce is a fan of Lazar’s Calabasa and Ramona series products using Crypton.  He compares the pieces’ design to a “playground” because the components are intended to be moveable and changeable.  He also recommends the series for the family room or kids playroom because the ability to clean furniture there is crucial.

Crypton Home fabrics are available in a growing selection of colors, patterns, and textures—all with easy-clean, durable, and microbial-resistant properties.  An engineered textile made with pre-tested and approved fabrics; fibers are permanently transformed with a stain and microbial protection before receiving an integrated moisture barrier with a five-year warranty.  Crypton fabrics are also available on select pieces by CDG Partners American Leather and Thayer Coggin.

The Thayer Coggin and Milo Baughman 60th Anniversary "whistle stop" tour continues!  Next week they're hitting the west coast at yet another Contemporary Design Group Store, Lawrance Furniture in San Diego, CA.

Mid-century modern fans, listen up!  Twenty-one exclusive designs will be featured in the Roadshow Event, including the Scoop Chair and Circle sofa, made famous by the duo.

In many ways, a California stop is a bit of a homecoming for these iconic designs.  Milo Baughman was raised in Long Beach, CA and studied at the Art Institute of Los Angeles and the Chouinard Art Institute (later to become the California Institute of the Arts, located north of Los Angeles).  It was here that Baughman began to develop and evolve the trademark style that he and Thayer Coggin would later make famous.

Southern Californians will have two opportunities to attend a cocktail reception featuring a lecture on Thayer Coggin and Milo Baughman, given by Phil Miller, Director of Sales and Marketing for Thayer Coggin.  Select pieces will also be available at Lawrance Furniture locations through December.  To learn more, visit Lawrance Furniture at www.lawrance.com

Have you heard the news?

Contemporary Design Group is expecting twins!  We're adding two exclusive American Leather Comfort Sleepers to our stores and need your help picking out their names.   

These two will be joining their big sister Ashton in Contemporary Design Group stores throughout the U.S.  Far from identical, they each have their own unique look and flair along with American Leather's patented open and close mechanism.

This is no ordinary sofa bed, it's an eye-catching, sleep-inducing, marvel of modern engineering.  And it's only available at your local CDG store!

Listen as Suburban Contemporary Furniture's Jeff Burt and Royale Wiggins of Thayer Coggin talk with News Radio KTOK 1000 about The Design Classics Truck Show coming to Oklahoma City and the history of mid-century modern design!

The Roadshow rolls into Oklahoma City this week with a reception at Suburban's showroom on Thursday,September 12th.   Join them for wine, hors d'oeuvres, and a very special speaker as they kick of a week of promo pricing.  Space is limited--contact Suburban to RSVP today!  www.suburbancontemporary.com

Attention "Austinites"!  We're proud to announce that you now have your OWN local Contemporary Design Group store, Skandinavia Contemporary Interiors.  

Located near Austin's "Arboretum" with dozens of restaurants and shops just a short distance away--it's easy to spend an entire day exploring, with the University of Texas campus, State Capitol,  and fantastic museums all in close 
proximity to Skandinavia's showroom.

Skandinavia is an Austin family owned tradition since 1971, a truly interesting furniture shopping experience.  Don't let the name fool you-- you'll find much more than just Danish modern here!  Skandinavia's beautiful gallery of modern, contemporary and international pieces showcases the best the furniture world has to offer. Like their fellow Contemporary Design Group stores, you'll discover merchandise from all over the globe.  

Don't just take our word for it--check them out for yourself today!
Skandinavia Contemporary Interiors
7940 Shoal Creek Blvd. #100
Austin, TX 78757
 512.451.1868
www.skandinaviatexas.com