Welcome to Designer’s Corner! I want to encourage you to think of this site as your own, personal “go-to” place for decorating news and answers. There is no doubt that interior design is ever-changing, and I am looking forward to sharing with you insights and information on design basics, outstanding new products, and true color and design trends. As a contributing member of Color Marketing Group International, the trends I will be sharing with you have the credibility and consensus of over 1,000 international color and design professionals behind them. The information CMG generates shapes the color landscape of products that surround you daily. Everything from the car you are driving to the espresso maker sitting on your counter, was probably influenced by Color Marketing Group forecasts. But before we ever get down to the business of color projections, we have to identify key design and marketing trends. It is the influence of these key trends that shapes the colors we will live with.

To get started, I want to make a distinction for you as to what is a fad and what is a trend. You don’t want to get caught up in the frenzy of fad decorating. That is a waste of time and money. It’s short-lived and not always supported by sound design principles. By understanding real trends, you can decorate in a fashion that is tasteful and timeless. Trends have staying-power and will be fresh and relevant for years to come. Fads fall by the wayside very quickly, and can actually date your home. So where are real trends leading us in the world of design?

Trend #1: Draw your colors from nature

The new colors for 2009 and 2010 represent a melding of youthful vibrancy and mature subtlety. All of the colors are rooted in nature. Some of them are reflective of ancient natural dyes. We see a departure from intense brights and their secondary hues. Look for colors to be softened by special effects such as pearlescence, opalescence, and iridescence. This explains the growing popularity of glass tile for home interiors, and a resurgence in the popularity of glazed ceramic with special finishes. (Be on the watch for the “Home Interiors Color Forecast for 2010” to be published in an upcoming article!)

Trend #2: Strive for authenticity through sustainability

Choosing products for our homes will take on an awakening that all of us are global guardians. As the trends in housing are evolving towards smaller, more efficient floor plans, interior design is becoming smarter, more scaled-down, and environmentally responsible. Flooring and furniture manufacturers are offering more sustainable products than ever before, with an eye on using natural, local, and renewable materials. Look for “vintage” to become fashionable and very much in demand. As an example, there are manufacturers who are crafting hardwood floors from vintage, reclaimed woods (old school houses, churches, wood barns). How exciting to have a bit of history living in your home! Also, when you see the “FSC-Certified” sticker (Forest Stewardship Council) on wood flooring samples, you are choosing a new floor that is actually helping the environment. For every tree harvested to make that floor, three were planted in its place. Recycling, re-purposing and restructuring will create desirable arts and crafts for use in interior design. Craftmanship will become a highly valued element in our design choices, bringing us back to a time when quality was the hallmark of good design. Embracing sustainability in our homes is not only good for our environment (and the world we leave to our children), it also delivers a higher level of sophistication in design, and that’s what good design is all about.

Trend #3: Shape your environment with light!

Up-lighting, soffet lighting, directional track lighting all have the ability to create a soft interior ambience, and in some cases—add intentional drama to your home. In the future, you will have the ability to change your wall color with remote controlled washes of light. Professional wedding planners do it all the time to create custom colors in huge ballrooms. And now you, too, will be able to alter the mood of a room with a quick change of color. What a great way to create flexibility and mystery.

While we are on the subject of lighting, as you are choosing new floor coverings, especially carpet, be sure to view a larger sample of the flooring you are considering in many different lights. It will look quite different seeing it under the store’s fluorescent lights, as compared to natural daylight or the lighting in your home. The best way to choose carpet is in natural daylight. Suggestion: be sure to bring personal swatches with you (perhaps a sofa pillow, drapery swatch, or paint chip) when you are out shopping for carpet. Look at the samples in every light to see that they are compatible. Seeing your future carpet in every possible light will avoid any unwanted “surprises”. Design can be tricky, but understanding light and its chameleon effects is the first step to success.

There you have the top three trends that are affecting color directions in interesting ways. The coming palette for home interiors is cleaner, crisper and reflects a new optimism. Colors are not as grayed-down as we’ve seen in years past, but still offer softness and warmth. Remember the earlier reference to special finishes (iridescence, opalescence) coming into play in interior design? Imagine those same finishes combined with directed, specialty lighting. Picture your room with a special glow that has the ability to change with the light. That’s pure magic-- and that’s how to make your interiors memorable, exciting AND timeless.