Think Green – the focus in this design trend is moving to the environmental colors, environmentally kind products, & recycling.

Color trends and titles below as forecasted by Benjamin Moore

Heat in the winter and cool air in the summer are lost through uncovered windows. Window treatments help to lower your energy bills. Drapery thermal linings lock out cold air in the winter.

Comfortex honeycomb shades offer an insulating comfort-track system to seal in the heat in winter.

PRIVACY TREATMENTS
for your windows from Hunter Douglas.

There are several new alternatives to vertical blinds.

• A Gliding Window Panel System;
• Top down/bottom up fabric roman shades and honeycomb shades - great for baths & bedrooms;
• Persona - create you own customized roman shade from over 800 colors & a myriad of designs;
• A woven wood shade with a privacy liner that can be operated separately for privacy or to view the outdoors.

Tapes, fabric banding, and tassel trims can be added for interest and accent color.

IMPORTANT! WINDOW CORD SAFETY
Be aware of window cord hazards.

Especially with young children who may be living with blinds or shades that were purchased prior to 2001 when manufacturers changed the window cords on all their products to prevent strangulation.

The Window Covering Safety Council offers cord-safety information as well as free cord-repair kits and instructions to retro fit your shades.

Why not look at the cordless shades and blinds for both safety and ease of operation?

CUSTOMIZE:

Choose from collections of patterns and then customize to your window treatment with color, trimmings, fabrics, drapery jewelry, etc

The age of technology offers motors and remotes for window treatments with and without timers. They let you control light, privacy, and are energy efficient. Also perfect for those hard-to-reach windows, e.g. skylights, 2nd story high ceiling windows and over bathtubs.

Technology and digital printing also enable you to custom design your own prints for fabrics for windows, as well as china, wallpaper, and more.

Decorative hardware: Create your own custom finial (the end piece on a rod) with jewels, metallics, baguette bands, iron bands.

PLAN:
If you want to implement a new design trend and/or redecorate for a special occasion, remember other people are thinking the same thing. Allow time to get it done.

VICTORIAN ROMANCE: soft colors & delicate floral patterns define this theme

CIRCLES: seen in circular graphic patterns and circular furniture shapes

METAL: offers a sense of luxury. If a product is not made of bronze, gold or silver, look for metal accents on pieces

NEW ANTIQUES: think Ancient Italian & Old French design trends & look for an aged archaeological feel in special finishes and treatments

NAILHEAD: trim on everything

EAST MEETS WEST: Exotic charm of Asia mixes with high style European motifs

CLOISONNE: Ancient techniques are reworked in a more modern sense e.g., geometric patterning

FLORALS: Bold blossoms & sultry flowers, e.g. rambling roses, lush orchids, and cherry blossoms

LACE: Add elegant femininity with touches of lace

ENCHANTED FOREST: Contemporary patchwork of trees, birds, and branches

MONARCHAL MOTIFS: Inspired by French Neoclassic design trend with an emphasis on crests, fleur de lis, crowns, Napoleonic bees

DUOS: Balance chic & contemporary design trends with white hot combinations of white/silver and white/gold colors

YELLOW: accent shades of daffodil, canary, &/or marigold “pop up” black, brown and white or add to "warm" pale blue and aqua colors

NAUTICAL & BEACH themes use corals branching out into shells

2010 Benjamin Moore Colors and Their Influences

GENESIS: cork, tree bark, patterns, florals. Some of the colors in this trend: Abbey Brown, Sherwood Tan, Forest Moss, Granite, Yellow Finch and Fruity Cocktail.

THE NEW LUXURY : exclusive, global luxury, satin, leather, quilted velvet, flash. Some of the colors include: Glowing Umber, Persian Violet, Caponata, Summer Plum, Blue Macaw, Pale Petal, and Gold-10 Metallic.

INGENUITY: fun, humor, old finishes, alternative materials, icons, numbers. Some colors in this trend: Salsa, Mesquite, Midnight Navy, Seaweed, Fairview Taupe, Hummingbird, and Bronze-30 Metallic.

PROJECTIONS FOR 2011: Striving for balance, individually and in harmony with others.

TRENDS FOR 2010

Light Layering: Chiffon and tulle have shown up adding volume and movement. Ethereal bridal look.

Modern/Traditional: French chairs with a modern table; antique table newly painted

Couture details: Swarovski crystals, sequins, beaded buttons, crystal handles, feathers and ultra-long fringe

Lace: Add elegant femininity with touches of lace

Embroidery: Embroidered silks & crewel-work on wools

Equestrian: Is on the rise. Belts and buckles on pillows. Cowboy boots, nail studs

Pattern Mixing: Mixing intricate and colorful florals with checks and stripes

Iconography: bags with icons, emblems, icons into napkin rings

Oiled-rubbed bronze: today’s hot finish

Chocolate brown and pink

Orange: pillows, tabletop, trays, ribbons. Orange and lime green combo

Blue: all shades, matte and sheen. Peacock. Orange and blue. Black and blue.

Black and white: pillows, animal skins, beading.

Pink: breast cancer symbolism, throws, pillows, top of bed

COMBINING COLOR & DESIGN TRENDS

SIMPLIFIED: Well-tailored lines, sophistication, sheer translucent materials, tailored upholstery, soft matte or glazed finishes. Scandinavian and Japanese influences. Colors in the gray green family, grayish purple, and creams dominate.

ROOTED: Enduring and natural, creating a new tribal style. Colors are rich and earthy, such as amber and red tomato. Elements include feather and fringe, tie-dye, ethnic patterns, hammered finishes and animal prints and skins.

REFRESHED: Fresh and optimistic, take a vacation and forget your cares. Fresh florals, bright colors, a kaleidoscope of the 60's married to the jewel tones of the 80's with a global twist. Colors like pickle, violet, sapphire, coral and fun yellow dominate

TREASURED Artisan and aging, reflecting the beauty of natural aging, mellowing and weathering. Flea market finds to quality materials that become heirlooms. Elements include distressing, vintage patinas, weathered woods, and oxidized metals. Colors include smoky blue, deep green, brown, sequin, and deep coral.

EXTRA MUCH: Minimalism but with embellishments and detailing. The color palette is built around a vibrant peacock blue/green, sunny yellow and orange for punch. Mix in softer tones of apricot and cream.

NEAR AND FAR : A contemporary approach with a muted color palette. Hints of green, pink and blue to lighten up warm and cool greys. Bamboo and seagrass are natural materials in this trend.