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Design Trends

Design Styles to Watch

While fashions come and go,some design influences create lasting trends.

In interior fashions, design trends come and go. Yet, there always seems to be a few styles that remain popular over the years while others fall from fashion to return in preceding years. As interior design professionals it is important to foresee which trends consumers will embrace as up-and-coming interior styles and which will continue strong beyond the current decorating season. Seabrook Wallcovering, Inc., Nashville, TN, has identified several trends expected to rise in 2001 and continue beyond: • Multicultural Influences: Asian, African, Indian and tropical cultures mixed together into a wonderfully integrated design style. This trend is being influenced by our global world becoming smaller through advancements in technology, travel and the Internet. Batik, wild animals and animal skins, palm trees, banana leaves, monkeys and bamboo are just some of the elements influencing design. We're seeing black, rusty reds, dusty purples, olives, golds, browns and vegetable die colors. • High Mountain Style: This look is characterized by comfort and has been influenced by the desire for a more casual lifestyle. It is a refined mixture of Western, lodge and Southwest looks. Elements of this style can be described as natural. For example, we're seeing animal horns, leaves, tree bark, log cabins, leather, denim and stucco. We're also seeing a whimsical cowboy influence. Colors include bright reds, blues and greens as well as canyon and clay colors. • Traditional: With influences of toile, damask and floral the traditional look is a standard classic that remains strong. We'll continue to see the green and blue color combination, as well as the especially strong red and gold color combination. Another color that is very strong right now is salmon. • Arts & Crafts: The Arts & Crafts style continues to grow in influence as many of the large, older homes located in midtown areas of cities are being renovated. Also, mission furniture, which lends itself to the Arts & Crafts style, is continuing to increase in popularity. • Contemporary: Today's contemporary looks are not modern or high-tech. Rather, they are softer and more eclectic. Wall coverings that fall into this trend can be used with a mix of many furniture styles. Colors range from really bright to desert tones and subtle neutrals with lots of subtle metallic influences. Look for warm grays as a new neutral color trend. MURAL, MURAL ON THE WALL For something new, innovative and out-of-the-ordinary in wall coverings—something besides a monotone painted wall—the look is murals, which will easily spruce up an unlively wall anywhere in any home. For some time, murals have been available as a dramatic decorating option and as an alternative to an expected wall décor. Yet, for many clients, murals haven't always been an economical or time-feasible option. We aren't all Michelangelos. But captivating mural designs can be found in affordable, east-to-apply wall coverings—many unbelievably realistic and refreshing. From realistic landscapes (some measuring more than eight feet by 10 feet and available in manageable-size panels) to life-size trompe l'oeil designs to faux brick wall backgrounds with customized accents murals could be the fresh, mood-setting design your customers are looking for. Market, Design, Retail and Color Trends are regular features in Draperies & Window Coverings noting business, product and merchandising directions to help our readers continue running successful operations. Past trends articles are readily available from our online archive and are categorized by subject and author in the Index to Articles: www.dwcdesignet.com/DWC/ArticleIndex.html.