Good Taste / February 2007
On the Home Front
Interior designers and industry experts are sharing their predictions about what’s hot in home décor for 2007.
Color remains key in home fashion, but red has taken 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.
This year’s fashion colors will focus more on natural but slightly muted brilliance in mineral and jewel tones, and browns will remain strong as backdrops for more potent splashes of color for impact and drama.
Consumers should 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.
Formal and traditional decorating styles are 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–are becoming increasingly mainstream. Vera Wang’s new line of home goods for Kohl’s directly targets the consumer who wants “classic style with a modern twist.”
Apparently, 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. In addition to variations on textured leathers, wovens and textures made from resins intertwined with bronzed and antique silver metallics will add a bit of glamor.
Although decorative wall murals have been popular and cost-effective ways to change a room’s appearance for years, the trend will continue to gain strength in the coming year. There’s are few ways more perfectly suited to customizing a home or office than by adding a decorative wall mural. Wall murals reflect individual tastes and interests and create a very distinctive look. Plus, they foster a warm, comforting living environment.
Hand-painted murals, printed murals, wallpaper, upholstery, wood paneling or walls clad with tiles or mirror are ready choices. The “wrapping” or “enveloping” of rooms is one of the hottest trends in home décor, since it adds texture, warmth and glamor to the most minimalist setting.
Today’s consumers seek a look that’s beautiful and sexy, but also practical for daily living. Rather than having a certain style imposed on them, consumers will continue to design their homes to reflect their individual habits and lifestyles. Decorative and upholstery fabrics will be popular options, as they’re full of life and texture, yet also user-friendly and functional.
Experts say well-designed rooms are about finding the “wow” factor in combining disparate finishes, materials and textures in new ways. 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.
Kitchen and bathroom cabinetry are expected to continue to reflect a more customized, furniture approach. Cabinets will take on a more casual look with painted and glaze finishes, and may also feature a combination of wood, glass, stone and metal.
However, stainless steel is no longer the dominant “in” metal. 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.
The availability of green products has increased dramatically. Professional and amateur designers are able to create aesthetically pleasing homes and workspaces, while minimizing their environmental “footprint.”
The relaxed yet ultra-stylish cottage look has taken off, giving even urban dwellings a “lake retreat” attitude. This cozy ambiance fosters the prevailing theme that “every room should be a living room” of comfort and relaxation. Both fresh and continuing themes are options for 2007, all woven together seamlessly by the thread of personalization and comfort.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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