DECORATING in 2010

Maybe it’s the economy, maybe it’s the housing crunch, or perhaps it’s the environmental push but 2010 is bringing out a slate of new colors for interior decorating that are more exciting and inspired than the past few years. These colors may be the cutting edge of a new decade defining look so hop on that train before it pulls out of the station and you can be an interior decorating trend setter.
Purple/Lavender
In the past purple has been used very sparingly in interior decorating and lavender was reserved for little girls’ bedrooms but in 2010 this is changing dramatically. Purple and lavender and any related shade in between is bursting onto the decorating scene.
This color has often been associated with royalty and luxuriance but has lost a lot of that connection in the past years and suddenly its back. Decorate a room with lavender on purple on maroon and instantly it’s a winning combination this season. Accessorize purple hued room with metallics and rich fabrics to carry the color to a higher level.
Pink
Another color that has been reserved for little girls’ rooms in the past has really taken the decorating world by storm is pink, pink on pink to be exact. A bold saturated pink sets the stage for a room that is not girly but strong and feminine. Using a statement pink is also warm and sophisticated. And the best way to set off a deep pink is by pairing it with a softer pastel pink and a medium tone that gives layers of depth and contrast to the look.
Pulling from the purple trend, a little lavender can be mixed in as well to provide a bit of contrast that is pleasing yet pops for the eye. Accessorize with metallics, and sharp edges with smooth lines. Bring strength into the color scheme to avoid giving it a baby soft feel.
Soft Greens
The popularity of green is no surprise as it reflects on the environmental trends and the concern everyone currently has about the economy but the green colors that are pulling ahead of the pack are soft, diluted greens. Jewel tones and deep forest greens are not even being used to accessorize the soft greens so stay away from these saturated hues.
Look for greens that are so soft they border on yellow. In fact, pairing a soft green with a similarly toned yellow is a great way to go. To add interest and depth mix in a very pastel turquoise or robin’s egg blue, the key is to make all of these colors as washed out as possible, creating a soothing palette. Accessorize with muted or brushed metallics, deep woods and wrought iron to add a bit of force to a soft decorating scheme.
Hopefully these colors won’t become as staid as the avocado green and harvest gold of the '70s, but they’re definitely making a splash that is nearly as big. 2010’s interior decorating color trends may be the first step in defining the look of the future.

* What's in?

“Sophisticated Glamour” is our second defining design trend from The Decorating Diva.com’s interior design and decor trends report for 2010. Each day, starting November 30th through December 9th, a new post highlighting our forecasted design directions will publish. Please subscribe to our RSS services (feed or email) , follow us on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to be notified when the articles publish.
SOPHISTICATED GLAMOUR
Last year’s glamorous trend of Hollywood Regency design takes a turn to modern sophistication with touches of white, silver and color married with black. Streamlined glamour is brought in with the use of rich, opulent details such as glass mosaic tiles, crystal chandeliers, upholstered headboards, and memorable one-of-a-kind decorative accessories. Our favorite implementation of “Sophisticated Glamour” is Matthew Quinn’s Intarcia bath collection at the MTI Whirlpools’ exhibit booth at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2009 (shown below).
How Sophisticated Glamour Applies to Home
Implementing this trend at home requires moderation and a sense of balance. Using too much black can be overpowering and visually harsh. Take your cues from Matthew’s use of black, blue, and silver as well as his exquisite (and balanced) mix of feminine and masculine design elements used to create the sophisticated, and elegant bathroom vignette below.

What's hot: in 2010

"Rooted" colors. Several different kinds of colors can get popular at once. One of these is "rooted" colors – hues that reflect African, Native-American and aboriginal influences, says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. Think colors like deep amber, red tomato, midtoned sand colors — even the deep teal of African waters. "There's so much depth and character to those colors," says Jordan, who foresees more influence of Africa on design, craft, color and textiles in the coming years.

What’s here to stay?
- Wall units with flat screen TVs and long sideboards, highboards and lowboards
- The “kitchen – dining – living area” as a spatial unit
- Aubergine shades for a dignified splash of colour
- Furniture that looks good from the back too and can be placed in the middle of the room
- Adjustable upholstered furniture
- Walk-in wardrobes
- Rococo ornaments as patterns, e.g. as wove

What’s on its way in?

- Dining armchairs that you can sit on comfortably for a long time
- Garden furniture that looks like living room furniture
- Outdoor kitchens and showers
- Lounge chairs for chilling
- Private spa oases where the bedroom and bathroom merge into a single unit
- Large-format dining tables
- Blue covering fabrics
- Dark wood, preferably in combination with glass and stainless steel
- Feminine forms: organically designed upholstered furniture
- High-gloss and handleless kitchens
- Gold for accentuation on e.g. little cupboards, chair frames or decorative cushions
- Greenline furniture
- LED lighting technology in cupboards and shelving

*What's out?

Small dining tables
- 1-2-3-seater suites without any functions
- Dark rustic kitchens
- Smooth covering fabrics for upholstered furniture
- Bulky furniture

* What's out?

In December, the New-Jersey-based Pantone Color Institute named mimosa yellow as its color of the year for 2009 because it "exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance."

But that's not to say that when times are tough, we're all expected to go out and buy a yellow couch.

"On big-ticket items like the sofa, the carpeting and the window coverings, people are being more thoughtful and practical (choosing light browns, grays and muted greens), knowing this is going to be something that is going to have to last a long time," Eiseman says.

Meanwhile, she says, they're adding a little cheer and whimsy with bold hues on accessories and walls.

FLOORING

*What's in?

Carpet tiles. Bamboo. Glass.

* What's out?

Wall-to-wall carpet

* Why?

Colistra says bamboo is light and environmentally sustainable. Glass lets lots of light through, making a smaller home look larger and brighter. And carpet tiles (flor.com) are made with renewable materials, allow for a creative yet easily changed design and are easier to replace when worn then an entire wall-to-wall carpet.

A Hollywood Regency style of decorating is emerging as glamorous, elegant and an electric mix of styles such as Neo-Classic, Asian, Baroque and Art Deco. Showcased are sumptuous and luxury fabrics, shimmering finishes, mirrored furniture, chinoiserie, bamboo, lacquered furniture, bold color, clean lines and symmetry, said Carmen Natschke, editor of "The Decorating Diva."

FURNISHINGS: