For this first color forecast, we’ll take a look at color trends inspired by nature.

The “green” movement in design isn’t only limited to promoting environmental friendliness; nature is also helping to inspire new color trends. Nature has always been a source of inspiration for design, but now it is really a great source from which to choose colors. A great amount of inspiration for color is coming from the Earth, like that of mossy greens and botanical inspired bright colors. Dark greens, purples, reds and yellows are going to be popular in the coming season. Along with these vibrant colors come neutrals that are also representative of the Earth. To accent any of these colors in your space, you can also use natural printed fabrics, like an animal print or a leaf/ floral.

The main point of this nature-inspired trend is to give balance between your home and the outdoors. By mixing these neutrals and pops of color, your space will mimic nature in a way that is comforting as well as chic.

-K. Munks

Let’s begin with yellow, which is the first color the eye sees. Yellow is energetic as it signifies the sun, and it brings feelings of happiness, warmth and excitement into a home. Yellow is a welcoming color and is great when placed in entry ways and foyers. It is also a fantastic color for childrens rooms and family areas as it will enhance the mood and create a light and cheerful environment.

Following yellow on the color wheel is orange. Orange is a highly emotional color that provokes many human responses.  It often creates feelings of excitement and enthusiasm due to its energetic qualities.  As with yellow, the sun is often symbolized by the color orange, and it has the ability to dramatically lighten up a space with its warming qualities.  Orange stimulates conversation and is best applied in dining and living areas. It has been proven to boosts creativity and also works well in a children’s play area. One rule of thumb is that you must use caution when experimenting with orange because it can be overwhelming in a space and create the opposite effect, causing tension and irritation. We suggest using orange in small doses on pillows, furniture and upholstery pieces.

The most vibrant and commanding color of all is red. Red demands attention from its viewers and has a passionate, yet daring impression on a room. When used in moderation, red can create a sensual atmosphere as it is the color associated with lust, so what better place to utilize than the bedroom. Apply red to a bed spread or piece of artwork, but we do suggest you avoid applying to walls as it can be distracting and unsettling. Red also reads nicely in dining areas and kitchens with its ability to cause people to lose track of time. A helpful tip when working with red is that as with orange, it is best executed in small amounts. Red may cause restlessness and distract emotions; therefore it is a better option for accents rather than walls and furniture.

A step down from red is the color pink. Pink is a fun and lively color, and often associated with love and femininity. We suggest you use pink in a powder room or little girl’s bedroom as it will lift the mood and soothe the senses. Because pink is a very dramatic color in all tones and shades, it works wonderful on everything from wall color to upholstery. Pink is perfect when desiring a pop of color in a room.  It can be manipulated in to fabrics for furniture or even as bold patterns for wallpaper. It has been proven that pinks gentle and sweet qualities have positive effects on humans and environments and it will make a space feel beautiful and lovely.

A color which has recently become very popular in the design world is purple. It is a mysterious and magical color and because of its high intensity, it must be used sparingly in order to have the desired outcome.  Try toning up or down the color for a variety of effects. A lighter shade of purple such as lavender or lilac gives a more subtle and delicate result, while the deeper shades such as plum and eggplant give a sexy and elegant feel to a space. Because purple boosts creativity, it works wonderfully in children’s rooms. It is also good for healing rooms and meditation spaces because of its symbolic nature associated with good health and spirituality.

The most calming and relaxing color of all is blue. It is an excellent color to integrate in to the bedroom because it may contribute to a better night’s sleep and it sets the mood for a more peaceful and calming environment. A light shade of blue or “baby blue” is great for nurseries and children’s rooms to soothe and relax the mood of the space. Blue is a wise color to use in a study room or work area as it enhances clearer thinking and boosts the attentiveness of its users.   If you are part of a large family, try using blue on the walls or furniture upholstery in a living area to calm down a busy and chaotic environment.

Last but not least is the fresh and energetic color green. The very best way to bring green in to your home is through plants. It not only carries the color but also enhances the overall indoor air quality of your home. Green works best in kitchens and areas of the home associated with balance and health. It is the representative color of new beginnings so you newlyweds who are on the hunt for the perfect home, keep green an option for your color palette. Green is a restful color along with blue, and is a wise choice for nurseries for its positive reaction on newborns.

We hope you no longer fear the usage of color in your home. When used properly and effectively in a space, color has the ability to set a desired mood and contributes to the emotional state of your home. It is always a good idea to research the effects and responses of a certain color before applying it in to your home, as it will enhance the overall quality and well being of the space.

-K. Clark & The Home Decor Solution

First Up: “How to Choose with Confidence” A great article Annette wrote several years ago about the importance of (the right) accessories in a room.

Accessories can give the design of a room the finishing touches it requires to make it come alive by giving it personality and pizzazz. In choosing accessories you need to keep two interior design elements in mind, mood and harmony. Function is a third design element but most accessories don’t fulfill any function.

MOOD

If you remove all the accessories from a room, the room would lack interest, warmth, character, and charm. Before choosing, you need to realize that accessories have a strong relationship to the mood of a room. Ask yourself: what is the mood I want to achieve? For example in a rustic room you may choose an antique basket or a hanging oil-type lamp. In a traditional room you may choose a marble clock or brass candlesticks for a display on a mantel. So, you can begin to see how accessories help to establish the mood of a room. If you were to switch the accessories between a rustic and a traditional room the accessories would not be in harmony with the rest of the décor. So when shopping, remember that all accessories are not equal. Consider the mood of the item and match it to the mood of the room.

HARMONY

The second design element to think about when choosing accessories is harmony. Ask yourself does the item harmonize with the color scheme and scale of the room? Is the size of the accessory the correct size for the table or mantel it’s on? Look at the color scheme of the room; if you are using all muted tones, then the accessories should be similar in tone. If you are using vibrant colors then the accessories can also be vibrant. Are they harmonized in both hue and intensity with the rest of the room? Brass, pewter, copper or silver can be used in any room and are considered neutral, but generally you use only one metal finish. In thinking about scale, accessories need to be in proportion with the size of the room and with the items placed around them; to use a large object on a small coffee table would not be in harmony.

So there are two points to remember:

1. Choose items that are appropriate for the mood of your design or the mood you want to create.

2. Accessories need to be in harmony in color and scale with other objects around them and also with the size or dimension of the room itself.

QUANTITY

Quantity is another element we can think about when choosing accessories for a room. The style of the room will help you decide on the amount of accessories to use. In a traditional setting you usually find more accessories than in a contemporary or modern one. To harmonize with the clean lines of a contemporary or modern setting it usually requires fewer accessories. If the space features more complex designs it will call for more accessories like in a traditional or country setting for example.

ARRANGEMENT

When placing accessories decide, do you want a formal or informal arrangement? Casual settings lean toward asymmetrical groupings and formal settings lean toward symmetrical groupings. When placing accessories on a mantel or table, alternate the height of items to give the grouping more interest and try to create a focal point. Spread color around your room using accessories in your accent color to give your room a well-balanced feel.

So let’s review:

Balance in Elevation- Vary the heights of the objects used in a grouping.

Scale- Are the objects in scale with other objects around them, with what they are sitting on and with the scale of the room itself?

Balance of Color- Spread accent color around the room using accessories; take into consideration the hue and intensity of the room’s color scheme.

Style- Formal vs. Informal, are they in harmony with the mood of the room?

Focal Point- Does the arrangement have one or need one?

Accessories are the jewelry and sparkle of any room and they help make your room come alive. Keeping a few design elements in mind can help you choose your accessories with confidence.

In the unique and vast world we live in, inspiration can be found in all forms. You must start by slowing down, and take the time to observe the things that surrounding you in your day to day lives. Use nature and its beauty by pulling colors from the fresh new flowers of spring, or find texture and richness from the leaves of fall. Begin recognizing color schemes presented in logos or road signs as they were placed together for a reason by professionals. Look to fashion for the most up to date styles and designs of the season. Most always, fashion design and interior design will go hand in hand with current trends and color forecasts. Begin paying attention to ads in magazines, and browse websites for colors and patterns that you feel compliments your style. One thing you must always remember is that you are designing for YOU. Make sure your choices appeal to your emotions. In the end, you will be happier and more comfortable in a space that evokes positive emotions and attracts your attention. What better way to do this than choosing your favorite color and have a room work around it.

Inspiration may come from something as simple as a pillow, or a rug that you absolutely love. An entire room can be transformed around its main foundations; rugs, furniture, upholstery and accessories, so begin with a starting point and go from there. Find the perfect painting, and pull out colors used within for wall paint and upholstery. Art has the ability to completely transform the style of a room. You may choose to go with a modern and contemporary route, or stick with the classic traditional style. If you are interested in purchasing new art work, we suggest you take a look at a few of the local artists Vermont has to offer on our website. These artists include Lorraine Manley, Jim Hill, and Bruce Wilkie.

If your inspiration is still lack of, stick with one of the many classic color schemes available. Depending on the amount of contrast you wish to incorporate in your space, use an analogous scheme with tones and shades of a similar color, or use a complimentary scheme with colors located across from each other on the color wheel for a more bold effect. Another great idea is a themed room. Blues and greens work well for a beach themed room, or try deep purples and pinks for a bohemian chic space. The possibilities are endless, and you have the ability to choose what to do with them.

Hopefully we were able to lend a hand in your inspiration quest. For more great tips and ideas take a look around the website. We hope you enjoy!

-K. Clark  & The Home Decor Solution

http://www.thehomedecorsolution.com

Soon we will be ready to start sharing some great designer tips with you. Keep an eye out for them.

This blog is an extension of our website : www.thehomedecorsolution.com where you can find over 75 professionally designed groupings of accessories for your home. We spent 7months organizing our favorite rugs, pillows, throws, art, lighting, mirrors, bookends and accessories into beautiful groups by color and style. We would love to hear what you think about it.

That site just wasn’t enough for us,so we have created this blog in order to offer real design tips! We are professional designers that work with new clients everyday. After being in the business for so long we have found that a lot of people have the same questions when it comes to design. This blog is our chance to answer all those questions and give little tips to make everyday living a little big nicer.

We hope you enjoy it, and please feel free to ask us any questions you might have about your interior design challenges.

–The Home Decor Solution Staff