Cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours have us spending more time indoors as fall creeps toward winter. Taking some time to refresh your home now will leave you yearning for those cozy days of December!
The colors to watch for in the upcoming year incorporate many of the tones and textures we have been seeing in fashion for the past several seasons. Believe or not, even the current economic climate has an effect on color trends! Look for four main color groupings in interior home fashion for 2010.
As the economy struggles, people look for a reminder of better times – nostalgia for the “way it was” The reuse of our existing furnishings and fixtures in new ways has been a popular trend. People like to recycle items instead of simply throwing them away. Decorating with flea market finds, and discovering treasures from days past have been common themes in recent months, and this trend will continue well into the new year. Several time-honored and time-worn colors reflect this theme perfectly; look for Smokey Blue, Caribbean Coral or Interactive Cream from paint company Sherwin Williams. These tones are mellow and aged, evoking a sense of a treasured heirloom.
Throughout the country, people are looking for ways to simplify their lives. From books on controlling clutter, to the explosion of yoga classes available today, we want to slow down, relax and create a sense of calm in our lives. Look for this trend to show itself through the continued move toward the gray palette. From warm, putty grays such as Sherwin Williams’ Enigma to cool, steely grays like Magnetic Gray from the same company. This trend does not leave gray to its own devices, however. Look for grays to be paired beautifully with warm tones, such as Butter Up, a gorgeous soft yellow from Sherwin Williams. The mix of warm and cool tones keep this palette interesting, soft and sophisticated, not loud or brash.
Our quest to simplify also leaves us longing to explore our roots. The simplicity of ancient tribes, such as Native American, African or Aboriginal cultures, is reflected in both the colors and the patterns of the upcoming year. Geometrics and tribal patterns will dominate fabrics, in hues reflecting the mystery and enduring qualities of these cultures. Look for Red Tomato, Oceanside and Rookwood Amber from Sherwin Williams to get a good feel for this trendy palette. These are rich, comfortable tones, reflecting the earthy qualities of these far-away places.
Anyone watching the news today longs for some good news. As the economy begins moving forward again, our spirits are lifted. This feeling of hope and optimism about the future is reflected in the last major color palette for 2010. Think of colors that make you happy; how about Fun Yellow, Summer Day, Verve Violet or Animated Coral from Sherwin Williams? These vibrant, fun tones will brighten your day, and make you feel like you are on a perpetual vacation when you incorporate them into your spaces. Just how do you make these trendy new hues work in your home? The key is in moderation.
When fixing your home up this fall, do not fall into the trap of thinking you cannot be trendy without spending your entire budget on a whole new decor. By simply adding a few punches of these hot new color tones to your space, your room will take on a whole new look. For example, that buttery yellow leather sofa you bought 5 years ago? Add some crisp, gray linen pillows and a faux mink throw, and your tired sofa of yesterday bursts into the new year with style. Or, the bedroom with safe beige walls? Bring in a new piece of art incorporating tropical tones or an antique side table in distressed green or blue hues. How about adding a rug to your wood floors, both to warm the space as temperatures fall, and to add texture, pattern and color to your room? Bring in a rug with rich reds and blues in an African or Native American motif to spice things up a bit. Paint the old armoire collecting dust in your attic, and bring it into your family room for extra storage. Add texture to your windows by installing woven wood shades and incorporating a colorful valance or drapery panels to add warm to your space. A new, eye-popping lampshade could be just the thing to add pizzazz to that tired corner in your living room. Mixing the old with the new is the key to bringing the latest trends to your home without spending a ton of money. And, you will get a one-of-a-kind look that no one else can match.
Check out the paint colors I mentioned at www.sherwinwilliams.com, as well as coordinating fabrics and trims at www.robertallendesign.com. A little paint and a yard of fabric can go a long way to creating that cozy winter getaway you desire – even on a budget.
Get the print version of this article in the October/November 2009 issue of Valley Women & Beyond magazine, a free publication found in the St. Croix and Mississippi River valleys of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
