Top 10 Trends in 2011
By: Allison Havill Todd
Photo courtesy of AHT Interiors
- Animal Prints. This popular trend continues to roam wild in both home furnishings as well as the fashion industry. These motifs can be found in textiles, accessories and floor coverings in everything from leopard and zebra prints to cowhides. Just don't overdo it!
- Think Pink. The 2011 Pantone color of the year is "Honeysuckle". This is a pinkish red hue seen in fabrics, paint colors and accessories. Rember, a little goes a LONG way. Use this shade as an accent in combination with other more subdued shades of beige or gray.
- Mixing & Matching. Old & new. Elegant & Casual. Masculine & feminine. The idea is to create a look that appears to have evolved over time and truly reflects your style and personality. That way the room is neither in a time capsule nor trying too hard to be cutting edge. Both of which can easily add up to an outdated look sooner than later.
- Lightening the Kitchen. The heavy, dark, Old World kitchens are "lightening up". Why have a kitchen that looks like it is 150 years old when the house is not. There is a definite trend toward lighter cabinetry, flooring and finishes.
- Rough Luxe. I have touched upon this before. We are seeing more casual toned-down finishes on furniture and fabrics. White wash, grayed and well-wprn wood finishes are everywhere. These are often combined with more textured, natural textiles such as linen and hemp.
- French Influences. The Old World romance of vintage French pieces from the 1930's and 1940's is growing in appeal. It has never really gone out of style, but classic motifs like the fleur-de-lis and quatre foil are popping up everywhere.
- Metallic Finishes & Accents. This has been a trend for the past few years and continues to be a strong design influence. Gold, copper and silver finishes are seen on casegoods as well as fabrics and accessories.
- Natural Elements. The influence of nature in design is everywhere from casegoods to lamps, accessories and fabrics. Driftwood-like finishes are particularly popular.
- Glass. From vintage antique styles to more modern looks, glass is being widely used in the design world. Whether in jewel toned colors, more current aqua and turquoise hues or mercury glass this material is seen in lamp bases, accessories and wall art.
- Retro Remains Strong. The cleaner lines and bolder graphic patterns of mid-century design are seen in both home furnishings as well as fashion. Everything old is new again!
The most important consideration is to find looks that you are comfortable with and design your home's interior spaces around that without overdoing any specific trend. This will provide you with a more timeless environment that you can enjoy for many years.
Allison Havill Todd is the president and director of design of AHT Interiors, a North Atlanta design with a reputation for creating memorable living spaces. From our design studio and resource library conveniently located near Lake Lanier, we offer world class service in a relaxed atmosphere. We pride ourselves on exceeding expectations while delivering inviting designs that truly reflect our clients' lifestyle and personality. In 2009, we founded Designing Dreams, a 501(c)3 foundation that shares our resources and talents with our communities' less fortunate. Learn more about us at http://www.ahtinteriors.com/ or call us at 770.887.7612.
