This week, color authority Jackie Jordan, Director of Color Marketing for Sherwin-Williams, shares fascinating findings from a recent designer survey on color trends. This Fall, Jackie will travel to all 15 Robert Allen | Beacon Hill showrooms across the country to present colormix 2011, a CEU –accredited Color Forecast for the year ahead.  For a list of locations and dates, visit Robert Allen’s Facebook page for updates.

Jackie Jordan, Director of Color Marketing, Sherwin-Williams:

In addition to Sherwin-Williams’ ongoing and extensive research on color trends, our company recently conducted a survey of 1,000 designers nationwide concerning color on a local level. If you think you know your region’s color palette, you may be in for a surprise!

The majority of the designers surveyed believe their own region has its own distinct color palette. Their feedback on the colors of each region is displayed in the preceding image. Many designers noted that a growing number of design clients are getting more adventurous in their choices and appear to be developing a more sophisticated understanding of what color can do. Another common theme was the economy’s impact on color choices, underscoring color’s role as a barometer of our times.

These designers believe color is changing based on global influence and the green movement.  Travel and the internet were sited as influences blurring geographic lines and triggering the evolution of a global color palette.  The green movement is also seen as an influence on changing color palettes.

Overwhelmingly, most of the designers we surveyed see greens, blues and neutrals in the lead. 

As you can see, about a third of our designers saw red and purple losing some influence in their palettes.

The biggest story was sustainability’s impact on color palettes, according to our survey. Other recurring themes were the influence of metallics, the rise of matte black and color on ceilings.

For more on the results of Sherwin-Williams’ color survey, see “The State of Color STIRvey,” an article in the latest edition of STIR magazine.   Visit www.swstir.com to order a free copy of this annual publication for Sherwin-Williams’designer customers.

Germaine Murray, Manager of Trimmings and Drapery Hardware for The Robert Allen Group, is our guest blogger this week.  She joined Robert Allen in 2007 and has been designing trim for the past six years.  We asked her to share her insights on the latest ways in which designers are using trim.

Germaine Murray

I love designing trims because they enhance a room’s design like jewelry complements an outfit.  A good trim designer will create styles that are unique, fashionable, and classic.  To do this, you must have an in depth knowledge of trim constructions, while at the same time staying abreast of design trends surfacing throughout the world.  With the growing popularity of transitional/contemporary interiors, I’m seeing more and more requests for bandings.  I’ve pulled together the following images to show some of the modern applications and tailored looks that can be achieved with this popular style of trim.

Bandings encompass braids, tapes and gimps, each of which offer designers a way to accent a contemporary (or traditional) room without the elaborate details that tassels and fringes usually convey. The image above shows a decorative gimp applied inside the stripes of a pillow to add a little embellishment.  Pairing the gimp with a subtle cording along the edges helps to define the shape without getting too frilly.

The folds in this Roman shade are highlighted by applying a banding vertically.  This can also help to bring complementary colors from a room scheme into the window without using a multi-colored fabric in the treatment. We’ve introduced many different styles of bandings in recent Robert Allen collections and each gives a window treatment a completely different flavor.

Page from Southern Accents 

The image above is from my folder of “favorites” – this one from the now defunct (and sadly missed) Southern Accents magazine. The valences here show a contrasting tape applied in a mitered design.  This treatment adds a playful element to a traditional space.  It also brings a visual pop to draw your attention to the top of the window.

Page from Metropolitan Home

Another favorite, this one from an article in Metropolitan Home magazine. Who can believe this great magazine is gone as well? The solid black banding in this room helps to unify the modern outlines defined within the black and white décor.  The yellow pillow was mitered with an inset banding and the drapes show the banding running along the outside edge of each panel.

Page from Veranda

In this image from Veranda magazine, they show a more traditional room where bandings have been used as a subtle contrast on pillows and drapery panels. Just this touch of embellishment adds a decorative element to the look that makes this room distinctive. I just love how the trim here plays such an important roll in tying the room’s color story together.

Page from Veranda

Another great interior featured in Veranda, this image demonstrates how patterned braids blend in smoothly when used in a two-toned color scheme.  The Greek key along the edge of the drape breaks up the solid walls and complements the striped dining chairs.   It’s a subtle and elegant use of trim in a space that feels very current. 

The possibilities for bandings are endless and you can expect to have many more choices of this popular trimming in the future.  I’m working on some of them now!

Our guest blogger – Julia Noran of editoratlarge.com, was on the scene at Las Vegas Market last week.  She's sharing with us the observations of noted designers Mary McDonald, Darryl Carter and Kishani Perera.  A video of their Market Panel Presentation, "Ahead of the Curve," can be viewed on Robert Allen's Facebook page, posted on our "wall".

Three leading designers: Darryl Carter, Mary McDonald and Kishani Perera revealed their forecasts to a live audience during the Ahead of the Curve panel at Las Vegas Market last week.

“It’s always exciting to identify stand-out pieces and trends,” said Susanna Salk, the panel's moderator and Today show contributor.

Each panelist scoured 5.1 million square feet of showrooms containing more than 1,400 product lines before identifying the following trends:

Plush Dotscape in Peacock from DwellStudio for Robert Allen

Geometric Forms: Bold yet subtle designs expressed with simple lines appear in couches, chairs, tables and fireplaces, among other items. The absence of embellishment and the visual simplicity of pure forms and shapes take these pieces beyond traditional or contemporary to timeless.

Rug wall by Four Hands, www.fourhands.com

Textural Fusion: Amalgamations of various reclaimed textiles, these hand-stitched pieces marry worn antique styling with a new character born of the blending of their previous elements. The innovative constructions result in the reclamation of the originals in a unique artisan patchwork.



Page from The World of Interiors

Patina: The authentic hand that accompanies aged wood and leather or unlacquered brass was on prominent display in showrooms throughout World Market Center. The suggestion of wear that results from exposure to sunlight and weather conditions cannot be reproduced, creating a credible sense that they are organic and ensuring their appeal will be enhanced over time.

Photo by Jamie Kingman

Industrial: Finding new interpretations of familiar items breathes new life into a wide range of products. Exposed light bulbs, metal swingarms, repurposed bar carts and multi-element sculptures stand out as bold design statements in virtually any setting.  (Photo from exhibit “Trophy Hunter” at the Nevada Museum of Art, work by Bryan Christiansen, bryanchristiansen@rocketmail.com.)

Library designed by Scott Sanders at the 2006 Design Showhouse of New Jersey

Collections: While a single elaborate piece can be eye-catching, creative collections can become the dynamic focal point of any environment. Grouping can set a prominent tone for an entire room, whether the elements are oil cans, hanging lanterns, baskets, decorative bottles or children’s prints.



Headboard by Christopher Guy

Metallics: From hammered lamp shades to gold tones incorporated into outdoor furnishings, metallics are inspiring a wide range of pieces and categories at August Las Vegas Market. Elaborate shapes and unconventional implementations make for counterintuitive features that will define the character of any given environment.



Chairs and table by Bolier

Klismos: The classic curved backs of this ancient Greek style are prominently featured in everything from dining chairs to barstools to indoor-outdoor home furnishings. Appearing with contemporary wovens and reclaimed woods, the shaped-back styling defined items suitable for any room or patio.

Chairs by Christopher Guy

Wovens: Open, woven patterns are being widely incorporated into table bases, chairs, tables and screens. Appearing equally as geometric and asymmetrical patterns, the trend marries form with function to create visually appealing designs in a wide selection of pieces.



 
Quintessence in Tourmaline by Larry Laslo Designs for Robert Allen

Ethnic Ikat Patterns: Tribal patterns have been around for centuries, but these textiles are making a comeback in the design world. Featuring Far East ethnic qualities and vibrant color palettes, their mainstream appeal has exploded of late, defining toss cushions, bedding, draperies and throw rugs.

For coverage of all the latest design industry news, visit www.editoratlarge.com, a community for interior designers, design professionals and design editors that also offers event listings, jobs and help getting published.