Team Metamorefix is made up of former flight attendants, so when airline news and interior design cross paths, our ears perk up.

Southwest Airlines is the first to announce a “green” airplane: a Boeing 737-700 that will fly lighter using less fuel, thus creating fewer emissions. Each seat is two pounds lighter as well, and the interior will be carpeted with FLOR squares, which can be replaced by the square rather than an entire length of carpet. Here’s what it looks like:

Cabin interior w/ FLOR carpet tiles

You can just make out the individual FLOR carpet tiles in the aisle, each laid on a right angle to the other. What a great idea! The next time a small child or messy adult grinds pretzel pieces and mustard into the floor, voila! Just pull up the stained square and replace. I know — you’re wondering where the mustard comes from. The $9 sandwich box?

SWA's Recycling Logo

If you see this logo on your next Southwest Airlines flight, you’re on the Green Plane. They’ve started an in-flight recycling program as well, but I have to say that our former airline, United, was already recycling over 10 years ago by sending aluminum cans to recycling centers at their major hubs. I hope they’ve expanded the program since then but if not, get with it, UAL! And you, too, American! We’ll let Delta/NWA concentrate on their erring pilots for now… thank goodness an on-the-ball flight attendant finally got through to them.

Check out FLOR tiles for your home at www.flor.com . They make great area
rugs, too.

We’re busy preparing for our area rug seminar! (Wednesday, Nov 11, 5-7p at The Great Rug Company, 7501 Burnet Rd Austin TX)

We’ll be talking about all kinds of styles and sizes of rugs and how to use them to enhance your room, using pictures and a real-time demonstration to give you the know-how you need to choose an area rug for your home . After all, a floor without a rug can keep a house from becoming a home — it’s that critical to interior design. Rugs bring color, comfort and magic to any space, and we’re going to show you how!

Here’s a few of my favorite contemporary designs. Each is big and bold in its own way and sure to add a wow factor to any room. Don’t let the price tag concern you! We’ll be showcasing beautiful rugs at all price ranges at the seminar. Above rugs 8×10, $1200 to $5400, from Design Within Reach www.dwr.com

The Dining Room Metamorefix we did recently reminded me of some of the other cross collections we’ve done in the past. I love crosses: you can use any style, size, or color combination to create a great design for any wall. Here are a few examples — enjoy!

I just adore this chandelier from Design Within Reach, but its $2600 price tag left me hanging:

Cellula Chandelier

But look what I spotted the other day at the brand-new west elm store, celebrating their first Austin location:

Capiz Pendant

Price tag? Only $259. Now that sparkles! www.westelm.com

Got an empty corner in your living room or bedroom? Add an accent chair! Here’s a few that recently caught my eye:

Zuo Modern Bounce

Edgar Swivel by Sam Moore

Neblan

Complete the vignette with a small table (a round one would be perfect for each of these examples) and you’ve got fabulous interior design. It’s that easy! Priced from $349.98 to $880 at www.hayneedle.com

Carousel Leopard

Aries Chenille

Here’s a wonderful example of what to do, and what not to do, when you’re decorating the interior of your home.

DR Before

This dining room has all the right ingredients: a nice, big dining table with six chairs, a beautiful, rustic china cabinet to display family collectibles, and a soft, buttery wall color that is very soothing.

Yet the before picture shows a room that is not as inviting as it could be. In fact, it has an overall busy look that can make diners want to eat and run.

For starters, the items in the display cabinet have no rhythm to them. There is no unifying theme that makes this a dining room display. The story is there — it just hasn’t been revealed yet.

And the wonderful collection of crosses is on the wrong wall. It fights whatever  could be happening in the cabinet, and is half-hidden behind the double doors, which are usually opened.

DR After

We “Metamorefixed” this room by giving it a strong focal wall, highlighting the best pieces in the cabinet, adding air to enjoy them, and topping it with the cross collection. The crosses are laid out in a pattern that is both strategic and asymmetrical. The family can continue collecting, adding crosses one at a time either end of the display, eventually extending the collection down the sides of the cabinet.

And that brass light fixture? Not to worry — it will be replaced as soon as the budget allows. But I think I need to warn you that brass is starting to make a comeback…

These fauteuil chairs are the very latest in color and fabric:

Fauteuils upholstered in Ikat fabric

Ikat fabric is made from tie-dyed yarn, usually in a large repeat. The tie-dye effect softens the edges of the bold pattern. Note the purple. Blue Iris was the Pantone 2008 Color of the Year and is just now filtering down through high fashion clothing into home furnishings. These chairs are finished in a glossy black enamel and are so high-end that they weren’t even priced.

But here’s something that is:

Ikat wing chair

This Ikat wing chair is from Pier 1, recently on sale for $319.99. Great style, the very latest in fabric (if not color) and a pair would be perfect for a stairwell area, a bedroom nook, or other secondary seating area. Comfy, too. www.pier1.com