Ann's Corner

Dear Friends,


I hope that everyone is doing well and loving this incredible late summer weather!

In the world of design, so much is influenced by color; paint, fabrics, wallpaper, and area rugs, just to name a few. We are so tempted to use the most current trending colors, but are they really the correct choice for you and your home? 

To quite the fabulous Coco Chanel, "the best color in the world is the one that looks good on you." That declaration is so very true! Colors are very emotional and personal. Why not surround yourself in layers of your favorite tones? Think of a color that makes you smile you wake up in the morning or gives you a hug when you walk into a room!

A great designer can create a palette of colors that will make you and your home sing.

Make an appointment with one of our designers and open up a refreshing new world. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

Have a great day, be safe, and see you soon!

Ann Hoffman

Enjoy images featuring Thibaut fabric and wallcovering selections below.

Ann's Corner

Dear Friends,


I hope that you are enjoying a fun filled summer! It's amazing that we are winding down the month of July already.

When it is 90° outside, the last thing that I am thinking of is the winter holiday season. But as the days are getting shorter and August is around the corner, it is the perfect time to plan for an interior design refresh. 

I always suggest to my clients to begin the design process now to allow plenty of time for any special orders to arrive and avoid a last minute panic. 

It is also a great time to take advantage of our annual Summer Sale savings now through September 6th. Extra savings are available on all stock and special orders. For all of the procrastinators, there are some amazing pieces in stock and available for immediate delivery.

Enjoy your pool time and when you dry off, make an appointment with Heidi, Diane, Cynthia, or me. We're ready to begin the magic!

So grateful for all of you. Be safe and take care.

Ann Hoffman

It's Not Your Grandmother's Kitchen

It’s Not Your Grandmother's Kitchen

Kitchens have been evolving over the past 50 years.

I’m sure you have seen pictures of the kitchens of the 50’s-The postmodern era of aqua and pink appliances with chrome trim, How about those metal cabinets.

Here is a blast from the past!

The next notable style changed happened in the 70’s Frank Lloyd Wright’s wood element style began to take hold. In higher end homes some of the styles were quite nice, however, the everyday representation of this style became overwhelming with all that wood. You'll notice that the appliances still come in color!

The colors of the 70’s were dark & warm.

During the 80’s, the colors were bright, and vivid for the most part, although some colors were a bit gaudy.

During this decade, kitchens transitioned as design evolved, between the Frank Lloyd Wright era, and modern day. The 80's really did become a pivotal step to a more current style.

However, the timelessness of traditional and period design have always stood the test of time.

During the 80's, simplicity and toned down color emerged. Wood cabinets continued and painted white cabinets and became popular.

The Kitchens of 2025

Kitchens have evolved along with color being used as an accent to compliment the design of a room. Refrigerators have really become a hidden feature behind veneer siding. You still see a lot of stainless steel for appliances.

The design of a kitchen has become so important, adhering to the rule of “form follows function.”

This creates a better design for cooking or food prep, and family gatherings. Color has come back as accents, such as an island cabinet in the accent color to compliment the rest of the cabinets. Quartz has replaced formica for counter and back splashes. It is all about function, simplicity and elegance.

Ann's Corner

Dear Friends,


I hope that you're getting ready to kick back and start enjoying the beautiful summer months in Cincinnati or your favorite happy place.

In May, the city of Cincinnati, once again, hosted the amazing and highly successful Flying Pig Marathon. Throughout the race, there were many runners dressed in their "pig" attire. In tribute to the city's nickname, Porkopolis, the pig will long be recognized as the official mascot of the city (no offense, Fiona!).

As I walk around my neighborhood, I'm always entertained by all of the adorned statues of these adorable creatures! Of course, the creative seasonal outfits are an added bonus and I'm always excited to see the next selection.

I've included my favorite pig friends and would love to have you send picture of your friends, as well! Let's identify the most cutest pig!

Enjoy a great day and look forward to seeing you soon.

Gratefully,

Beautiful Never Goes Out of Style

Timeless Meets Trend:
Breathe New Life Into Old Favorites


Do you still love your classic pieces?
Not a fan of trending colors and furniture styles?
No problem! 

Keep what you love and add a fresh palette of color. Tweak your favorites which can add refreshing beauty to your old 'friends'!

In this dining room, I added painted chairs and very regal host chairs with a wonderful fringe for detail. A fresh aqua on the accent wall and window treatments really added a great dose of the 'secret sauce'!

Remember, "beautiful never goes out of style"!

Have a great day!

AnnHoffman
 

*photo courtesy of Ryan Kurtz and Cincinnati Magazine

Ann's Corner

Dear Friends,


Now that we have conquered another winter and are enjoying the beautiful flowers and lush landscaping and trees, our thoughts and activities are taking us outdoors.

What a perfect time to create a fabulous refresh of the exterior design of your home. As an extension of your interior spaces, it should be equally breathtaking!

Over the years, we have carefully acquired amazing outdoor resources, ranging from furniture, fabrics, lighting, and of course, beautiful area rugs. 

Make an appointment with one of our talented designers now and let the outside magic begin!

Have a great day and hope to see you soon.

Gratefully,

Ann Hoffman

**Enjoy the following beautiful Thibaut selections. Like what you see? Reach out to our team today!

Ann's Corner

Dear Friends,


As we all know, everyday life can be hectic, stressful and often exhausting. 

What a relief it can be to walk into a beautiful home at the end of the day and be embraced by your favorite colors, fabrics, art, accessories, and of course great furniture!

A great design doesn't need an unlimited budget; it just needs to be planned carefully. A professional designer can coordinate all of the ingredients necessary to make the magic happen. 

Start your journey with one of the talented Hoffman & Albers designers and create your stunning haven of relaxation. You deserve it!

Have a wonderful day and as always, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Gratefully,

Ann Hoffman

Make Your Space Truly Yours

Your home should feel like you — cozy, comfortable, and completely personal.

1. Don’t just follow trends — unless you actually live in a shoe. Trends fade, but what you truly love lasts.

2 . Stay true to you — even if you’re a twin. Your space should tell your story, not someone else’s.

3. Find a designer who gets you — the right one will listen, connect the dots, and bring your style to life, not erase it.

4. And always remember — there’s no place like home. It’s where comfort meets personality, and where you should feel most yourself.

Let’s create a space you love, with selections and style that seamlessly and timelessly reflect your personality.

By Heidi Thorn

heidithorn@yahoo.com

Ann's Corner

Dear Friends,

A great designer can not only make your home amazing once you've moved in or settled into that beautiful addition, but can also envision and guide you through invaluable decisions before any remodeling or construction begins.

Last week, I met with a long time client who recently purchased an existing home that fits into their 'right sizing' plans. I was able to guide her through making modifications for wall revisions and door elimination to create a more streamlined and functional room. By enlarging and adjusting the placement of built-ins, we were able to create a fabulous bar and display/storage cabinet, eliminating the previous bar in an alcove and creating a stunning niche welcoming them into their main bedroom.

Any of our exceptionally talented designers can assist you through this invaluable process. The more quality time that is spent before you begin your project will result in a stunning home and provide years of enjoyment.

Have a wonderful day and as always, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Gratefully,

Ann Hoffman

Amazing Color!

Over the years color trends have become more vibrant and allowed for greater creativity in our homes. Color is a most important tool to develop a landscape for comfort and pleasure.

I remember a time when the trending colors were all dark jewel tone colors, then there was the mauve era (which I would like to forget.) Then the years of gray as a neutral took over. It's amazing how society seems to wear a good thing out. You know they say that everything that goes around comes around repeating itself.

However, with color trends, I believe the colors of yesterday are reinvented to give us more options and allow for more creativity. I like to follow the color trends from fabric companies, like Thibaut. Their colors are fresh, invigorating, and just make you feel plain, old happy. They are great about taking more traditional patterns and elevating them through style and color to something new. I would like to share some new ideas for spring that you may want to freshen up your favorite living space. Hoffman and Albers would love to partner with you to help you with the latest color trends that will stay in style!