HOME DECOR

**Menaal** · Subject: HOME DECOR Tue 18 Aug 2009, 3:40 pm

TOP TEN HOME DECOR TRENDS....

In
the spirit of David Letterman''s much-loved Top Ten lists, interior
designers and industry experts share their predictions as to what will
be hot in home dÃƒÂ©cor in the coming year.

Certain themes will
continue from previous years, with some gaining momentum as they become
more widely accepted. Still others will explode onto the scene as
fresh, inventive options for today''s decorating enthusiasts. All of
them will be woven together seamlessly by the thread of personalization
and comfort.

Color

Color is key in home fashion,
according to Lori West, ASID, of Everyday Spaces, Inc., with red taking
a turn to the softer side with offerings of peach, melon, and muted
yellows and oranges. Blues, greens, aquas, purples and pinks will
continue to evolve, and be featured in both brilliant and more subtle
hues.

Sarah Anderson, ASID, of Sarah Anderson Interiors, agrees
that this year''s fashion colors will focus more on natural but
slightly muted brilliance in the mineral and jewel tones, and sees
browns remaining strong as backdrops for more potent splashes of color
for impact and drama. Based on PANTONE''s Home Furnishings Forecast for
2007, Anderson suggests consumers look for hints of violets within
taupes; deep browns and grays; and hues like "Adobe Rose," "Deep Taupe"
and "Grape Nectar" added to the natural palettes of greens and desert
tans.

Style

Vicki Ingham, senior editor and group
manager of Home Decorating & Design Books, sees formal and
traditional decorating styles enjoying new popularity with younger
homeowners, as GenXers look to historically inspired design as an
anchor. Pairings of traditional and casual, or traditional and modern -
once the preserve of high-end designers - will also become increasingly
main stream. Ingham cites Vera Wang''s new line of home goods for
Kohl''s as directly targeted at the consumer who wants "classic style
with a modern twist."

Textures

According to West,
anything goes with regard to textiles - from opulent layering of
shimmering tones and earthy textural weaves, to sleek modern and retro
chic (retro in line and shape; chic in the combinations of current
color and texture.) Anderson adds that in addition to variations on
textured leathers, wovens and textures made from resins intertwined
with bronzed and antique silver metallics will add a glimpse of
glamour.

Wall Treatments

Madonna''s newly adopted son
has one. So does Andy Roddick. For years, decorative wall murals have
been popular and cost-effective ways to change a room''s appearance.
According to Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics, which
produces the Murals Your Way line of wall murals, this trend will
continue to gain strength in the coming year. "There''s no better way
to customize a home or office than by adding a decorative wall mural,"
says Imholte. "By reflecting your individual tastes and interests, it
creates a very distinctive look, plus fosters a warm, comforting living
environment."

The Murals Your Way Web site contains over 5,000
images licensed from world-renowned artists and photographers. Also
available are custom murals that can be made from personal photographs,
artwork, or illustrations.

Ellen Sideri, founder and CEO of
ESP Trendlab, also recommends hand-painted murals, printed murals,
wallpaper, upholstery, wood paneling or walls clad with a "skin" of
tiles or mirror. She sees "wrapping" or "enveloping" rooms as one of
the hottest trends in home dÃƒÂ©cor, as it adds texture, warmth and
glamour to even the most minimalist setting.

Functional Design

Today''s
consumers are seeking a look that''s beautiful and sexy, but also
practical for daily living, says Scott Yerkey, ASID, of Scott Arthur
Yerkey Design, Inc. Rather than having a certain style imposed on them,
consumers will continue to design their homes to reflect their
individual habits and lifestyles. Trevira decorative and upholstery
fabrics will be popular options, as they''re full of life and texture,
yet also user-friendly and functional.

Furniture

Well-designed
rooms are about finding the "wow" factor in combining seemingly
disparate finishes, materials and textures in new ways, according to
Furniture.com lead designer C. Davis Remignanti. Grain, imperfection,
age and character will continue to dominate wood finishes, with a focus
on time-proven styles rendered in finishes that emphasize the natural
quality of wood.

Cabinets

Paula Peterson, ASID, of
Interior Viewpoints, predicts kitchen and bathroom cabinetry will
continue to boast a more customized, furniture approach. Cabinets will
take on a more casual look by receiving painted and glaze finishes, and
may also feature a combination of wood, glass, stone and metal
(including wire mesh in cabinet doors.)

Metal Influences

Stainless
steel''s dominance as the "in" metal is over, says Frederick Miller,
ASID, of HKM Architects + Planners, Inc. Warm-toned, oil-rubbed bronze
and copper will become more prevalent in hardware, plumbing and
lighting fixtures, and will also take center stage in both large and
small appliances. In addition, the shiny, mirror finish of chrome will
make a strong comeback, appearing in unexpected places like decorative
accessories, vases and small furnishings.

Environmental Influence

Miller
also cites a focus on "sustainability." The availability of green
products is increasing dramatically, thereby allowing professional and
amateur designers to create aesthetically pleasing homes and
workspaces, while minimizing their environmental "footprint."

Comfort

The
relaxed yet ultra-stylish cottage look has recently taken off, adds
Remignanti, with even the trendiest pied-a-terres in New York, Chicago
and Los Angeles adopting a "lake retreat" attitude. This cozy ambiance
fosters the prevailing theme that "every room should be a living room"
of comfort and relaxation.