|
Approachable glamour will be big in 2008
I am always fascinated to learn about trends in color and home design. This information lets me know what I will be seeing in stores, and also gives me an idea of what my clients might be drawn to this year. While a big part of my business is Interior Redesign — creating a designer look using existing furnishings — redesign projects often lead to updating and redecorating with new wall treatments and furniture pieces. Other clients want to start from scratch, especially those who have become empty-nesters or have moved to a new house. Knowing what the design trends are helps me select the right items and materials that suit the lifestyle and taste of each client.
Trend spotters around the globe have studied many societal aspects including economics, current events and the arts, and determined the elements that will inspire decorators, designers and homeowners.
- Glamour will make a strong statement, but will feel approachable and comfortable. In contrast with the rustic, heavy look of hand-hewn wood, you will see furnishings with more refined lines and finishes. You will see exotic wood veneers on tables, curvy lines on sofas and chairs, and the colors silver and black in fabrics and accessories. Chrome, mirrors, and mercury glass have been, and will continue to be popular for accent pieces.
- Fortunately for those of us who live in average-sized homes with 8-foot ceilings, it will be much easier to find smaller-scale furniture. I am thrilled about this, as I need to replace our family room sofa this year. Our family is short (I am only 5 feet tall) and I would like a sofa that fits us and doesn’t look enormous in our home. I am sure that many of you can identify with buying a sofa that looks great in the store, but looks huge when you get it home.
- While furniture may be scaling down, patterns are “scaling up.” You will see fabrics and wall coverings boasting very large, dramatic patterns. For many of us, large scale patterns will be more comfortable in small doses. For example, a boldly patterned accent chair can really liven up your living room, and your guest bath would be a great place to try wallpaper.
- You will also see quite a bit of black and white as the main color scheme in a room. Accented with bright, bold colors like fuchsia and acid green, this look can be dramatic and energetic. Can you envision a kitchen with white cabinets, black counters and splashes of bright color in artwork and accessories. Fun!
- In addition to black and white, spice colors will continue to be popular in 2008. And to the delight of blue lovers like myself, Pantone has declared the color “Blue Iris” as its color of the year. Blue Iris is a pleasing combination of dependable blue and mystical purple. You will see it paired with colors like plum, red-brown, yellow-green and gray.
What will inspire you this year?
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on Jan. 19, 2008.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
|
