A Look Ahead
Bessie Nestoras -- Gifts and Dec, 12/1/2011 2:00:00 AM
THE OUTLOOK IN HOME FOR 2012 ISN'T AS GLOOMY AS ONE MIGHT EXPECT. Color is making its way back into the home. Gray may be the neutral tone, but orange, reds and hot pinks are going to brighten things up. Blue continues to be an important color, with green coming up behind it.
As far as decor, consumers are still carrying on their love affair with French-inspired decor, as well as the vintage, handcrafted look. But make no mistake, consumers still want to mix in various looks to make their home their own - eclecticism still rules.
"People are not backing away from eclecticism. This really is personalization. They are following trends, but putting them together in their own way," said Michelle Lamb, editorial director of The Trend Curve.
Tell Your Story
When decorating one's home, people are looking to make their mark, to add their personality to the place. This is an obvious point. Gone are the days of cookie cutter styles. Nowadays, consumers want to make sure their home tells a story - their story.
Gold tones are on the upswing. Sullivan polished brass perforated lantern features a removable top. 10½"x6½". $210. Arteriors Home. |
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Tennyson linen stool with nickel studs is featured in a trend-forward plum shade. 23"x20"x19". $900. Arteriors Home. 877.488.8866. |
Vintage looks will continue. Handcarved wood trays. $45-$115. Vagabond Vintage. 404.351.6484. |
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"I always tell my interior clients to make the room(s) look like you have purchased over the years, from various sources, countries, etc., and with a sense of personal expression," said designer Paul Thompson of Paul Thompson Signature. "This allows decor to look personal and not just a suite of furniture from x, y or z designer or store. Vintage implies a history and that is what I believe the consumer is looking for. Keeping and featuring family items/heirlooms seem to be significantly more important," he went on to say.
So in 2012 we'll still be seeing furnishings with a handcrafted, vintage look. According to Rick Janecek, creative director/lead designer at Global Views, the look is going to be refined. "Hyperdecoration on furniture is going away. Modern, clean lines are important. Lots of ornamentation, fluting, carving, that's all out. Texture is still very important, but not in a shabby way," he said.
One only needs to look at retailer Anthropologie for a little guidance. The store is known for its selection of stylish, handcrafted items in both fashion and home. "It's natural, not perfect, but is perfect," said Thompson. Anthropologie has shown women how to be casual, yet polished at the same time both in what they wear and how they decorate. "People understand better now that a room gains warmth with that look," said Janecek.
Just look at Restoration Hardware. The pieces have an aged, antique look. "But these looks have to be complete or used with care not to create an ‘antique' space, unless that's what you're aiming for. The consumer is looking to decorate in an eclectic style, but with refinement and good materials. There can be age and weathering in the various finishes as long as the finishes complement the new," said Thompson.
Jet'aime, Paris
"People love the French look. That layered look with glass, sheet metals, mercury glass. This is holding on," said Lamb. This popular look can also fall into the same category as the handcraft ed, vintage look in that it, too, is stylish, polished, yet unfussy. Parisian women have mastered looking chic, but looking like they haven't tried too hard. It's an easy elegance that people want to bring into the home, as well. Especially now, when they are looking for a more relaxed, yet refined look for their abode.
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Classic looks will be updated and refined. Klismos table and chairs and Twig pendant. Global Views. 214.956.0030. |
Blues will be popular in 2012. Hand-painted ceramic plates. $25; $60. Vagabond Vintage. |
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There will be a deliberate clashing of colors next year. Ziz Zag pillow. 16"x16". $70. Peking Handicraft. 800.872.6888. |
But it is going to change a little next season. "The French look will be subtly refined," explained Janecek. "People are putting color with it to lift it up. The finishes are going to be lighter, in depth and in [the weight and ornmentation of] furniture. Furniture won't be as heavy; it will be a simplified version, not as historic as it was before," he said.
As the look continues in popularity, consumers are going to want to see something a little different, to keep it fresh. "People are looking to update; to take the French look and update it. They might contrast it with something unexpected like a vibrant fabric. They might buy modern shape pieces to go with it," explained Janecek. They want something that will revitalize it in some way.
Color Play
Gray has been the strong neutral and will continue to be in 2012. Going forward, we will be moving away from grays, according to Michelle Lamb. "All the grays [we have been seeing] are cool grays. So during 2012, we see grays that are warmer and take a step toward brown. We'll see browns and taupes coming in 2013-2014," she said.
Along with the neutrals, we are seeing pops of color on the horizon. Color is going in "several directions. [There's] aqua in various shades. The blue will
Get Mad!
The media has a huge influence on what is going on in interior decorating. HGTV is showing the masses how to decorate with style and encouraging consumers to take chances. "Things are evolving. The media has the most to do with it. People are exposed to so many things. One can go online and find things easily," said Rick Janecek of Global Views. And they want to bring what they see on TV or in a magazine into their homes.
According to Michelle Lamb, another style trend on the upswing is mid-century modern. And we have Mad Men to thank for that, she said.
Fashion, we all know, also plays an important role in the home. Color blocking and the deliberate clashing of colors were seen on the fashion runways, and according to Janecek, we'll be seeing it in the home as well.
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Richly Colored According to Rick Janecek of Global Views, orange was once considered a cheap color that was "associated with discount stores. Three years ago, it began its transformation as a trend color. The orange Hermes box had a lot to do with that," he explained. Shown here, Ikat melamine plates by Dena. Dinner plate, $10; salad plate, $8. C.R. Gibson. 800.243.6004.
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Get Mad!
The media has a huge influence on what is going on in interior decorating. HGTV is showing the masses how to decorate with style and encouraging consumers to take chances. "Things are evolving. The media has the most to do with it. People are exposed to so many things. One can go online and find things easily," said Rick Janecek of Global Views. And they want to bring what they see on TV or in a magazine into their homes. |
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