It’s that time of year again! Design trends for 2009 have been compiled and are ready for showing. I picked the top ten decor, furniture and design trends that I think will have a major impact through 2009 and onto 2010.
1. UNIQUELY ME CHIC Personalized and eclectic approach to design. Re-emergence of styles like Hollywood Regency where furniture and decor is mixed and matched to suit the homeowners personality and showcase decor they have collected “along the way”.
2. ARTISTIC LOVE Desire for one-of-a kind items and an appreciation for the artisan, hand-crafted products for the home.
3. PATTERN PRIDE An increasing movement toward Art Deco and Art Noveau inspired shapes and patterns, paisleys, geometrics, floral, botanicals, animal prints and birds.
4. STYLE SHOCK Mosaics and patchworks on everything from soft textiles to furniture. One of my favorites and rather ambitious mix of styles, materials and patterns is the Bellini Chair from Versace Home.
5. LUXURIOUSLY GREEN Silky eco-bedding and other high-end objects get the Green Treatment. Green goes Luxe will be huge for 2009 and beyond with companies like Anna Sova and SDH Linens bringing to market eco-linens that feel like and look like silk.
6.MODERN EMBRACE Not really a new trend, in itself, but rather a continued movement toward contemporary design at home. A fun stylistic twist gaining prominence and becoming “mainstreamed” is the re-interpretation of class period pieces in new , fresh vibrant forms and designs. One personal favorite is Louis XVI Medallion Chair (Gilles Nouhailhac) painted a modern color and wearing an updated 21st century upholstery.
7. FASHIONISTA FINERY Dressmaker details on soft textiles brings the glamour and beauty from the fashion runways home. Accent pillows will be wearing belts, crystals, sequence, 3d floral embellishements and other details that will make the Fashionista in you swoon.
8. DESIGN WITHOUT BORDERS Merging of multi-cultural designs – Inspired from cultures and nations across the globe – with specific focus on China, Russia, Morocco, several Latin American countries and India.
9. LIVE RESPONSIBLY Green, Sustainable and Fair Trade in products for the home. Consumers want more than a “Green” label they want the story behind the product. They want proof that what they buy meets their Green Standard and allows for societal responsibility. One company of several that I like to highlight that produce “Live Responsibly” products is Malaika. Their linens are created from organic cotton that is grown, spun, woven, sewn and embroidered in Egypt by underprivileged women who are taught how to embroider.
10. SANCTUARY HOME Designing and decorating the home in soothing earth inspired colors and creating a serene, secure and happy environment (through design) in which to retreat from the crazy economic upheaval, global conflicts and the multitude of stresses outside the door of your home.
Written by Carmen M. Natschke. For more on Design Trends 2009.
