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Forecasters see Mother Nature gaining influence on decor
The Plain Dealer
August 16, 2007
By Susan Condon Love
Las Vegas- There is an "Eco-Revolution" under way, and consumers are about to be inundated with furnishings and accessories that reflect the colors of nature and "global friendly" materials, according to the owners of Design Options, a Los Angeles-based trend and color forecasting company.
Arnold and Fran Sude made predictions on what will be the most popular hues and styles for furnishings and home decor in the next two years during a session at Las Vegas Market, a twice-yearly meeting of home industry leaders and manufacturers.
Some 1,300 exhibitors and 10,000 retailers and designers attended, flocking to the more than 3.8 million square feet of exhibits in two buildings and two temporary buildings set on 57 acres. The weeklong show ended Aug. 3.
The Sudes spoke midway through the show to a packed room of primarily retailers.
"Green" design has become, "to put it mildly - huge," said Arnold, a fast-talking obvious fan of the movement. "The public is grabbing on to it. It is now cool to think out of the box. And the No. 1 trend in the U.S. and globally is the eco-revolution."
Going green involves incorporating Earth-friendly building, growing and recycling of all the accoutrements of our life. And with that in mind, Arnold said, there is a natural inclination when buying furnishings and decor to go with Mother Nature`s own color palette.
The primary color of choice, said the Sudes, is green, with gray as a close second.
Key accent colors, especially in the 2008 fall palette, will be lavender, orange (the paprika kind of orange, not bright orange) and, of course, red. "It`s a very powerful color," said Fran. "It makes a room come alive."
Arnold added, "Mother Nature`s favorite neutral is green. It`s eco-friendly and neutral. It goes with everything."
An added bonus, he said, is that the colors of nature tend to be very peaceful.
And just when you think you have the future trends in mind, the couple added a wrinkle: metallics, metallics, metallics. The colors discussed will become all the more trendy if they are shimmery.
So what is the average home decorator or do-it-yourselfer to do, keeping in mind that trends need to reflect personal style as well as a growing commitment to eco-friendly products?
First, said Arnold, use wood as a starting point. It`s natural and goes well with browns, grays and - adding a certain amount of flair - lavender, he said.
Creating a sense of peace and well-being in your home environment is vital, said Fran. That could mean using sustainable products as well using the colors of nature in your home (with punchy accents, of course).
Neutrals are the basis of all color coordinations, Fran said. But step out of the box. For example, mix gray with red or coppery brick accents. Combine mauve and gray in furniture, but throw some scarlet scarves on the couches.
The Sudes said that edgy design usually involves a combination of old and new. But "stay with clean lines," said Fran. And never, ever use the color yellow as your prime decorating color, she warned. "Only use yellow as an accent."
Two final points from the couple: While green is the hot color, bold, bright green is out. Sophistication and subtle coloring are the way to go.
Looking ahead to spring/summer 2009, the key home decor color will be variations of pink, Fran said. "Everyone loves pink. It will be back." To read full article, click here. © The Plain Dealer
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