SPRING of 2008 marks a true change of direction for the design world; for the past few years we have heard more and more about eco-friendly products, sustainable design, and organically grown materials. Not only has this movement taken over both Hollywood and High Point, it is finally taking on significance nationwide. The result of this change is that not only will we seek more responsibly produced and healthier products for our homes, but shoppers will be looking for quality.
The days of shopping as a form of entertainment, and replacing furniture every few years, are soon to be a thing of the past. As we become more conscious of where things go when we discard them, we will be purchasing pieces that are designed to wear better and last longer. In fact, the best selling fabric in our shop is a velvet that has a rating of 100,000 double rubs on the wear scale, which means it will last five times longer than the average sofa fabric, and it can go in your washing machine! Once our customers see it, they look no further. There is something appealing about choosing a piece for your home knowing that it will be with you a long time; you can decorate around it, knowing it will be there, and the money that would have been spent replacing a worn-out sofa in five years can be used for something else.
Since our interiors will be designed to last, we’ll be seeing eclectic looks continue to be popular. Handcrafted items such as embroidery, felt, beading, carving and handblocked fabrics are being appreciated more and more in the home, as the outside world becomes more technology focused, modern and cold.
Rather than a complete redo every few years and having things perfectly matched, we’ll take a more old-fashioned approach to design and see the home as a constantly evolving project. Well-made, inherited pieces will stay and perhaps be updated with new fabric or paint. Used furniture will take on more appeal, as it is becoming chic and sensible to have reused and repurposed pieces in the home. In the living room of today, the clean lines of a mid-century chair will go right next to the old leather sofa, bringing an energetic vibe and sophisticated flair to a classic look. Built of hardwood, a good quality sofa is a bigger investment, but it will last a lifetime, and recovering rather than replacing upholstery will be the norm, as it was years ago. All of this makes sense for today’s world. It also creates the opportunity for a family once again to build a home with a more personal style, a place for memories to be created and passed down. The classic American family home is making a comeback.
What will the colors be? According to the Pantone Color Forecast, lilacs, grays and blues will be popular, replacing the vibrant reds and greens and wild fabrics of the recent British Colonial trend with serene, calm hues and smaller patterns. Warm tones will include a canteloupe-like color, and a very sunny yellow that has an orange undertone. The newest reds have a blue tone, ranging from a deep raspberry to a bright fuschia. Pink and Lilac are fresh and new, being given a grown-up look by mixing with silver, gray and black. Navy blue, which has not been common for a while now, is already making a strong comeback, and the freshest version has a hint of peacock blue in it. Greens are always classic, but are becoming less lime green and more spring green, with a little bit of kelly green appearing now and then. To see the newest colors, check out these tones from Sherwin Williams: Prioleau’s Wharf, Plum Blossom, Vanity Pink, Stained Boards, Stirring Orange, Gracious Entry, Holly Fern, Ironwork, Confederate Flannel, and Cerise.
The true indication of our changing times is the fact that rather than dictating styles to us, manufacturers are listening and responding to consumer demand. Consumer awareness is driving the movement towards sustainable design, improvements in quality, and eclectic rooms. Colors may move quickly from the fashion industry into the home, but the resurgence of eclectic looks will allow us to use our favorite colors as we please, not having to constantly change to reflect the trend of the moment. Truly, a new age of design is upon us that focuses on quality, individualism, and respect for the earth.
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Kerry Ann Dame is an interior designer and the co-owner of Posh Living, LLC, with her business partner, Layla Altman. She can be reached at 238-0078 or by email: KerryAnn@PoshSurfside.com.
© March 2008 By Kerry Ann Dame. May not be reproduced without permission.
