Strong color, West Indies influences among trends

Casual has been the key to design in the last half decade, with color schemes focusing on a variety of neutral shades. These neutrals have been played out throughout homes using casual textures such as chenille with splashes of other textures and colors in cottons, linens and silks.

However, a major fabric show held earlier this month in Como, Italy, featured new directions in color, design and fabric. Some of the key trends were towards dressier, more luxurious and more colorful fabrics. This represents a major change from the basic beige and chenille that has been widely used in recent years.

The other important new trend introduced by key fabric designers is color. "Hot color" was in the forefront at the fabric show, much as it is in fashionable apparel. Red was also a very popular accent color at the spring International Home Furnishings Market in North Carolina.

Red is now being seen as a vibrant accent in upholstery and accessories. It can be used throughout a home, from kitchen to bedroom, sometimes with an ethnic feel. This colorful new accent is already being used among trendsetters in the Ozarks, as well.

In our area, casual will always be in demand because of how we live. We are attracted to the Ozarks because of its casual lifestyle, and this is reflected in how we create our home interiors. For example, we may design a more formal dining room but use a sisal area rug on a hardwood floor to create an elegant but inviting and casual feel.

In the last couple of years we have been involved in design projects throughout the Ozarks using country French, casual contemporary, or arts-and-crafts styles of design. The country French style continues to be a very popular look here, as well as nationwide.

In addition to the introduction of strong color at the spring market, we saw Oriental influences and many introductions of interior design elements with a West Indies feel. This West Indies look includes the use of decorative motifs such as palm trees in soft greens and neutral colors, which can be seen on a wide variety of accessories, from pillows to decorative mural details. The West Indies look is tied together with other accessories, such as sisal rugs and linens, that have a natural texture and appearance.

We are already incorporating these new national and international design trends into interior design and home furnishing projects throughout the Ozarks.

Whether you are designing a new home or updating the look of your current home, using some of these new trend-setting ideas can freshen your home environment while still reflecting your personal lifestyle and tastes.

(Jeris Ferguson, allied ASID, is owner/designer at Habersham Interiors, Commercial and Residential Design.)