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Market Trends

Reality Check

Decorators should focus on how clients really live.

Home is not the place to live with cutting-edge design trends," says Albert Sardelli, design director for Waverly, New York, NY. As for such trends in principle, Sardelli adds, "There are too many different kinds of people, representing a range of valid tastes. It's inappropriate for someone to dictate one particular must-have style or look. People should surround themselves with the patterns, colors and textures that they love, not with fabrics, wallpapers and window treatments that they think they should buy because they are told that something is 'in'." To capture the way people really decorate and live, Waverly characterizes design preferences by lifestyle: Past Perfect, Beautiful Things, Modern Living and Town & Country. "Increasingly, we find that home owners, renters and apartment dwellers surround themselves with decorative elements that reflect their favorite recreation," Sardelli says. To that end, for fall 2000, Waverly is introducing the Sporting Life collection filled with Adirondack-inspired sporting images in the great outdoors, surrounded by log cabins, lakes and pine trees. As the new century moves on, more patterns and styles are being recycled, which has been the case for a period of time. "I have a few theories about this," Sardelli says. "One, that the mainly Baby Boomer-aged product stylists are looking back in the hopes of finding something new. Actually, much of the imagery is new for the 18- to 38-year-old Generation Xers who are establishing their homes. "Second, that some product designers may be looking for familiarity as a balance to the cold, unknown world of technology. In any case, we continue to see retro 1970s Bohemian looks that celebrate the exoticism of ethnic patterns and colors, " Sardelli says. Following are more of Sardelli's design forecasts for home interiors. TOP OF BED Sardelli predicts there will be more wovens and fewer prints on top of the bed. "Today's culture makes a point of complicating things. Our lives our insane. To counter the frenetic pace, our homes—and bedrooms in particular—are places we can control and therefore, simplify. They are our sanctuaries. "In this spirit, I know art collectors who display only one piece from a large inventory of paintings. Interior designers tell their clients to put away some of their framed photos, dishes, souvenirs and collectibles. It's easier on the eye and mind than seeing many pieces at once." FABRIC, WALLPAPER AND COLOR Texture is king. "In fabric, Waverly is becoming more experimental with texture, using familiar imagery combined with appealing color palettes," Sardelli says. For example, the company's Williamsburg® wall covering collection is printed on a 100 percent combed cotton moiré base cloth and more all-texture wallpaper collections are expected this fall. Colors feature earth tones including ivory, jute, sage, taupe, cocoa, ebony, straw and banana. Tropical patterns will be seen in more typical coral and bright green as well. The saturated colors of southern France at mid-day, dawn and dusk will enhance North American homes as well along with a range of neutrals from straw and putty to black. Color combinations will be important such as blue with either white or pink; green with pink, white or tan; as well as red jewel tones with hunter green or white. WINDOW TREATMENTS "Sheers have never been more important," Sardelli says. "We attribute this to today's interesting window shapes in new construction and remodeling projects which people like to show off. Further, they don't feel the need to hide behind draperies as they may have at one time. And, they want the outdoor landscaping more accessible when they are indoors," he adds.