2012 Color Trends

There are several color trends that experts are predicting you will see in home design and decor over the next year. 

Benjamin Moore Color Pulse has named the 2012 Color Trend- Preservation. With four major categories- Heritage, Process, Protection & Enlightenment. The major changes you can anticipate are:

      -More earth tones with darker/richer colors

      -Neutrals with be more saturated and rich in color

      -Red/Orange will be used to contrast gray

    -Stainless Steel & Reflective surfaces will still be very popular

traditional kitchen design by seattle architect Bosworth Hoedemaker

    -Black, Gray & Slate colors will remain popular.

traditional entry design by Houston interior designer Carla Aston, Aston Design Studio
 

   -Gold will try to make a comeback this year with a satin finish to help change up the classic look; but Bronze and Silver will continue to have a strong presence.
     -Metallic & Pearlized colors will good accents

 

Pantone has also named their color of 2012 as Tangerine- Tango.

Looks like 2012 will be filled with some fun home design changes, hopefully you can incorporate them into your existing home or add them as you start a new one.

 

2011 Color Trends

With the start of the New Year comes new colors trends for 2011. One of the hardest choices for your home can be deciding on a paint color. 

Benjamin Moore’s Color Pulse 2011 conference theme this year was Balance with a trends this year stemming from the following areas:

The Farm: Vibrant colors that can be found at any local farmers market. These colors would include yellows, green, milkier whites and the move from gray to earthier soil/brown. 

Order: A return to minimalistic design, along with stacking, geometric lines and primary colors

Escape: Like many dreams or fairy tales tend to shimmer and shine, look for more pearl, satin or frosted finishes.

Tribe: A return to the simpler things in life. This translations to red berry tones, beaded elements and fire orange.

The color of the year for 2011 as chosen by Pantone, LLC is Honeysuckle. Look for this color to spring up in the latest fashions and in home décor. It should make for a nice accent color on place mats, table linens, and much more. 

Another trend this year, according to the Paint Quality Institute is going back to the basics. Neutrals have always been a practical and prudent choice when choosing a paint color for your home. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to enhance or modernize a room without doing a complete remodel. This year’s neutrals will be warm whites and tawny tans. Green will still be a hot color this year and barely there coral will be nice addition this year as well.

Look for higher sheen and metallic finishes this year as well. These finishes would be in great in a dining room, Master bathroom or bedroom. For more information from the Paint Quality Institute see http://www.paintquality.com/homeowners/paint-design/paint-color/color-trends.html

These are a Few of My Favorite Things….

With Christmas music playing everywhere we go this time of year I was reminded of the song from The Sound of Music “My Favorite Things”.  I started to think about some of my favorite things in the houses we have built or what I like to see in a house floor plan when we are designing a new home. Here are some of my favorites.

Jack and Jill bathroom- Like below. They are a great use of space and great for guests and kids to share with their siblings.

Mudroom- These little additions have become very popular the past couple of years.  They are very practical and dress up transitional spaces inside your home that might have been dead spaces before. It is a great place to hang backpacks, coats or purses when you walk into your house.

 

Closet Space- Whether it is separate his and hers closets, a large closet under the stairs or a large hall closet. It is nice to have space in your home to put things away out of sight, like Christmas decorations. 

 A Living room that is functional. The living room is where you, your family and your guests spend a lot of time. It is important for the room to flow nicely into the other areas of your house and also provide a good arrangement for your furniture and a set up that you feel best suits the space.

 Knee space in the Master Bathroom- Most ladies spend time each day getting ready and it is nice to be able to sit and do your hair and makeup.  

These are just a couple of my favorite things in houses. Now let me know what yours are. Please post some of your favorite things in your house or that you would like in your dream home someday.