Design 2011: Trends to Build On
Give Us More Small Homes, Bold Upholstery, Gray Kitchens, White Walls, Honeysuckle and Green
It's the time of year when forecasters announce trends for the upcoming year. Several interesting trends for home design have recently caught my eye, and whether or not they are the trends that are being talked about, they are ones that I'd love to see more of in 2011 and beyond.
Wonderfully, the inside lives up to the attention to detail displayed on the exterior of the home. Framed openings, built-ins and quality materials bring in big style.
With a smaller home there is more opportunity to include details such as these richly detailed windows and high-end materials.
Another trend I find appealing is upholstering a piece of furniture in a fabulous print. Sure, selecting a solid neutral for upholstered pieces makes a lot of sense for versatility and longevity, and you can add color and pattern through accessories. But nothing quite adds a big dose of personality as a bravely upholstered chair or sofa! Here a wingback chair is covered in an Ikat fabric...
...while Bergere chairs are also eye-catching covered in a retro inspired print.
Another trend is painted kitchen cabinetry over stain. And grays of all hues are finding their way into the kitchen as the paint color of choice.
While similar to the effect of white painted cabinetry, gray is a bit more individual.
From cool to warm tones, gray is an elegant choice for kitchen cabinetry and is a trend I hope to see more of.
Waterfall countertops, in a wide range of materials, is a striking trend in kitchens. Here a wooden countertop with waterfall edges brings in contrast and warmth into this cool kitchen.
Marble is an elegant and high-end choice for a waterfall countertop that fits right into this updated and modern kitchen design.
Another trend is an extreme mix of styles. Here an oval Saarinen table is placed in a nook filled with more traditional pieces and treatments. It adds an element of the unexpected, making the design much more interesting.
Here the mix is less apparent, but the iconic artichoke light fixture placed in a dining room with traditional built-ins and architecture makes for a dynamic design.
And here's to the color of the year! Honeysuckle. I'm curious to see how it will be introduced into interiors this upcoming year.
Wallpaper has been an emerging trend for awhile, and it is a wonderful wall treatment option for powder bathrooms. (Less commitment, less wallpaper needed!) In this stunning bathroom, gray grasscloth works perfectly with all the other finishes and materials.
A paisley wallpaper in rich tones adds elegance to this powder bathroom.
A trend creating elegant ease and comfort is combining refined and rustic elements. Here a worn table is in beautiful contrast to the sleek light fixture.
The same room from another view highlights the contrast of materials.
Here rustic elements are seen on the floor and chairs, while the chandelier brings in a refined elegance. The room is also light and fresh, with white walls, which brings me to another trend I'd like to see more of in 2011.
White walls. While I love a wide range of paint colors and dark tones on walls, lately I've been drawn to the freshness white walls bring to a design. In this bedroom the white walls are brought up a notch by hanging a wallpaper with a white background behind the bed.
Spaces with white walls needn't be devoid of color. Here a colorful rug runs down a long hallway in wonderful contrast to the expanse of white.
Using a range of white tones not only on the walls and ceiling, but throughout the design, creates an extremely elegant and serene space.
Interiors utilizing a limited range of color can be particularly successful when beautiful color is introduced into the space through the presence of a remarkable view.
Finally, the trend I know there will be increased interest in over the next several years is how to make a home more green through the use of new and emerging products. From paint to fabrics, building materials and surfaces such as this recycled paper countertop, it will be exciting to see what new products enter the marketplace.
What trends do you hope to see more of in 2011?
What trends do you hope to see more of in 2011?
A charming exterior entices one to walk through the front door and see what awaits inside.