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2007 interior design trends are pointing in an exciting direction. Rather than focusing on just one look, one color palette, one set of decorating “rules” which we are never supposed to break, our homes will take their cue from an “eclectic” style. Eclecticism is all about imagination, unexpected contrasts and delightful surprises. It’s a mix of furnishings, colors, design elements and quirky accents that adds up to a very interesting and personal style, and will make every room in our homes unique and one of a kind.Forget what you think you know about how things go together. Forget what everyone says something is supposed to be used for. Forget the way your mother used to decorate…and combine the things that surprise and please you the most. Brighten a room with color…create cozy spaces…let in lots of light…blend old and new….The buzzword in interior decorating circles for 2007 is color, color and yet more color! If there’s one thing that all of the experts are saying, it’s that consumers are no longer afraid to use color in the home. Whether in paint, home furnishings or decorative accessories, color will be very important this year. Color is an easy way to personalize our environments – it can make a room come alive and tie things together. Pick a few colors, repeat them in a variety of ways – upholstery, wall color, etc. – and your room will have a polished look with a minimum of effort.Of course, there are several different color palettes that are being touted for 2007 – after all, we wouldn’t all want to decorate our homes in the same color! Color forecasting groups like the Color Council and the Pantone Color Institute have come up with some terrific palettes for home décor. Perhaps the most talked-about trend is the use of travel-inspired colors – richer, deeper hues that evoke thoughts of far-off places. Think of the rich jewel tones of a Persian rug – red/purples, rich gold, deep sapphire and peacock blues. These dramatic colors work well in dining and family rooms, and add a feeling of warmth and excitement. They can be paired with neutrals for a more traditional look, or used together in patterns for a more contemporary feel.If you’re not quite ready for such vivid and exotic tones, a slightly softer color palette is being discussed that may be right for your needs. Based upon lush natural landscape shades, these earth tones have more pop and are a bit brighter than in previous years. Rosy browns, dusty blues and lavenders, golden olive greens suggest rich minerals and stones. These colors are soft and welcoming, and are good choices for kitchen or bath.The spa-inspired color trend of 2006 continues to be a hot with homeowners looking to create relaxing retreats in their own homes. This year, the colors are soothing and serene – a neutralized version of pastels. Dusty coral, silver gray, watery blue and barely peach work well in both contemporary patterns and more classic styles, and would work well in a bedroom or bath where tranquility is key.For 2007, furniture designers are putting the spotlight on the rebirth of “new classic” styling after several years of touting contemporary looks. Contemporary is still a force to be reckoned with in home interiors, but the transitional classic looks add a dash of detail and glamour to the picture. Wood furniture finishes will be either deep dark brown tones or au naturel. Gentle curves will be seen on chair backs, table bases, headboards. Upholstered furnishings follow one of two paths – either contemporary streamlined shapes, or the softer, rounder lines of the classics. Nailhead trim and piping are making a comeback.Leather upholstery continues to be very important for 2007. Leather looks great in a wide variety of furniture styles, from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. It works beautifully in every variation of earth tone colors as well as neutral shades and - a point not to be dismissed- is extremely hard wearing and easy to care for!Because flooring is such a substantial feature in a house, the type you choose will go a long way in defining the style of your space. And, here as well, the choices and trends for 2007 will give you room for thought….Wall-to wall carpet seems to be waning in popularity these days, but today’s carpeting is coming in subtle tone-on-tone patterns, in “shaggier” surface types and in deeper neutral colors than before. Sage greens, bronze and khaki tones are most popular today, and show less dirt than our mothers’ very light colors did.As we use less carpet in our homes, hardwood is fast becoming the flooring surface of choice for many of us. Wood floors are beautiful, easy to clean, will last more than a century and can be refinished when necessary. Most exciting are the wide plank looks in distressed finishes. Laminate flooring is an alternative to hardwood. It is less expensive and is easy to install, but cannot be refinished and sometimes has a hollow sound to it.Stone flooring surfaces are very popular today. Natural slate tile is especially interesting, both for its texture and its interplay of warm colors. Limestone and tumbled marble are options for a slightly more formal look. One of this year’s newest and most unique flooring choices, and a growing favorite of designers and homeowners alike, is stained, or patinated, concrete. Using an array of acids and chemicals, concrete floors can be colored in a variety of earthy tones. It can be a very artistic process, with swirls and splatters incorporated into the design and scoring and saw cutting can be used for decorative effect.Two rooms that we all have in our homes and are spaces in which we can indulge our creativity and personality are the kitchen and bath. We can take inspiration from the design trends for 2007 and really put them to work in these two spaces.The kitchen is a room in the house that is getting lots of attention (and remodeling dollars) devoted to maximizing its design and function. And well it should, as it, along with the bath, is one of the rooms in which you are most likely to recoup your investment when you sell and move on to an even dreamier home.Today, consumers want a large open floor plan, tons of storage, lots of work space and the latest in professional appliances in our dream kitchens. The kitchen is often the main activity and gathering spot in the home – not only is it used for cooking (often by multiple family members at the same time) and eating, but often the kids’ homework is done here, household finances are handled, and guests are entertained. After all, you know that when you throw a party in your home, everyone always seems to end up in the kitchen!Separate stations for baking, cleaning, entertaining and cooking create efficiency and allow all family members to join in the fun. Some of the newest high-end kitchens incorporate a wine bar, with the requisite wine storage cooler, or a coffee station with espresso machine into the room as well.Kitchen appliances are becoming more focused these days – refrigerators are either larger, with more doors and specialized compartments – or they are becoming smaller, in the form of built-in under counter drawers. Dishwashers also come in “drawer” versions, so that smaller loads can be efficiently washed, and a second dishwasher can be added if needed. The star of the kitchen is usually a professional-grade range, often with six burners, warming and oven compartments and pot filler faucets. It’s topped off with an eye-catching hood, whether in stainless steel or decorative tile and paint finishes.Deep apron-front farmhouse sinks of porcelain or soapstone are being paired with decorative faucets in brushed nickel or oiled bronze finishes. And it won’t be so easy to make a decision on countertop surfaces, as the choices are endlessly varied. Everyone loves granite, in its myriad of natural colors and patterns, but alternatives include butcher block, stainless steel, copper, stained and colored concrete materials as well as the ubiquitous tile and solid surface materials.There’s lots of room to indulge our creativity and personal style in cabinetry design and selection this year. Old World looks are really popular, combining functionality with European flair for an eclectic look. Wood finishes are back in vogue, but with glazed finishes in which a topcoat that is lighter or darker than the base color is applied and then wiped off, adding a wonderful depth of color. Traditionally, cabinets are stained or painted a single color, but, in today’s kitchens, designers are likely to mix colors in a single room. Perhaps the center island is done in a different color, or maybe the upper cabinets are painted in a soft color, while the lowers are stained in a deep, rich finish.Cabinets of different heights and depths can be combined to give more prominence to a certain area and to create a more interesting façade. Different door and drawer styles can be used – perhaps one group of upper cabinets is fitted with seeded or wavy glass inset doors, while banks of drawers are used on some base cabinets instead of the more commonplace doors. Short legs can be added to lower cabinets to give them the “unfitted kitchen” look of separate pieces of furniture.Lighting is key to an effective and attractive kitchen design – hanging pendant lights or a single multi-light fixture over an island can add stylish ambient lighting to the room. Under-cabinet task lighting is important, as are recessed ceiling fixtures which bathe the room in a warm glow.The bathroom is undergoing its own modern design renaissance these days. According to industry experts, consumers are demanding the same ambiance and features in our baths at home as we are experiencing and enjoying at luxurious spas and resorts. Creating that spa-like space at home is becoming more and more important to many of us, so we are installing whirlpools and jetted tubs with air-bubble massage functions, chromatherapy (at the touch of a button, a sequence of rays of color, which practitioners believe can have a holistic healing effect on the body, are shone through the water) and other indulgent options. Tub styles are diversifying as well, from the of-the-moment infinity edge look to the classically sophisticated claw foot and pedestal versions.Those of us who prefer to shower instead of soak have plenty of high-end choices to ponder as well. Luxury shower systems with overhead rain-forest-style shower heads, steam generators, saunas and multiple body-jets create an oasis-like atmosphere. Add in a wall-recessed gas-fired fireplace, heated towel bars, radiant heat flooring, whisper-quiet ventilation, a flat-screen hi-definition TV and decorative lighting and you’ve got your very own five star spa resort right in the comfort of your home.This pampering spa experience calls for updated design and upscale style in the other elements of the room as well. In 2007, the bathroom vanity is morphing from the utilitarian cabinet of yesterday into a stylish piece of real furniture, with a decorative sink set into its surface or an above counter “vessel” sink - often a piece of art itself in glass or stone – mounted on top. And his-and-hers separate vanity areas are a conveniently functional feature on those busy mornings when two people are rushing to get ready at the same time. Instead of a single piece of plate glass mirror mounted on the wall above the vanity area, a decoratively framed mirror adds a warm touch. Wall sconces provide task lighting with an upscale feeling, while a chandelier or pendant fixture overhead supplies ambiance and style.Glass tile is emerging this year as a favorite material for the bath. It shimmers, it shines and it can be used on walls, counter surfaces and floors. Homeowners are designing showers with glass tile in ocean colors and mosaic patterns to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere.The distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces continues to blur as we spend more time outdoors whether entertaining, playing or just enjoying a quiet, peaceful respite from the busy workday world. The desire to entertain year round has created a design movement to develop outdoor “rooms” that provide comfort and style across the seasons. The simple “barbeque grill in the corner of the patio” of years past has now developed into a complete outdoor kitchen, providing all the amenities of a full service cooking center. This year, “barbeque islands”, which can be custom built or purchased ready made, can include not only the aforementioned grill, which has morphed into a stainless steel state-of-the-art gas grill, but also storage space, warming drawers, a small refrigerator and plenty of bartop area for the crowd to gather around as the steaks are grilling.Whether you want to settle in solo with a good book or enjoy a lively conversation with friends, comfortable outdoor seating is essential. Outdoor furniture has now become almost indistinguishable from its indoor cousins, with sofas, chaises, club chairs and ottomans upholstered with plush cushions in vibrant fabrics. Add a small table to accommodate a tall iced tea, an area rug especially designed for outdoor use, accessorize with candles and pillows, and your outdoor living room will rival the refinement, comfort and style of your family room indoors. Of course, a sparkling pool, spa or hot tub, firepit or outdoor fireplace, trickling water feature or sport/play area will only add to the enjoyment of your backyard sanctuary!Now is the time to take advantage of 2007’s eclectic style trends and create a unique atmosphere in your home that friends and family will never want to leave. Never before has there been a better time to cultivate your style, your imagination and your dream home. Get started it’s only a fantasy away!
Article Source: http://www.content.onlypunjab.com
Pam Milam, IADA RES, is the Owner of Reinvented Rooms, an interior design firm located in Fresno, CA. Reinvented Rooms is California’s only nationally certified interior arrangement and design firm. She can be reached by telephone at 559.435.0850 or by email at pam@reinventedrooms.com. Be sure to sign up to receive her FREE design newsletter, "Rethink.Renew.Reinvent!", filled with decorating tips and expert “tricks of the trade”. You can subscribe via email at pam@reinventedrooms.com or by visiting her firm’s website at www.reinventedrooms.com.
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