An evening of fun, food, and trends provided the opening to the first of the 2009 Design Matters Home seminar series held last week at our office.

The evening started with our stylish Zen cocktails and fantastic food from Louisville Colorado based Jules Gourmet Catering. A packed house of about 40 people gathered to meet and socialize before the 2009 trend presentation started.

The presentation was organized around the idea that trends shape our lifestyles and therefore our home interiors. We presented this idea in the sections below.

Color trends and themes
• Focus was on how colors are changing and being used in 2009. Examples included More muted colors, more layering of greys and other neutrals for tone on tone concepts, and more ethereal colors that create airy and optimistic layers. Blue is the new green and this trend was highlighted throughout the presentation.

General design trends in fashion and interiors
• Examples included metallics, blurred florals, butterflies, mixing patterns, piping on clothing and furniture, stylized florals, layering lace, big bold belts in fashion and furniture, chunky stones, turquoise, black pearls, embossed or imbedded elements in glass or wood, architecture dictating design, tufted headboards, chandeliers in unexpected places, textured/faceted/crackled glass, rubber furniture, and upcycling.

Fabric
• Examples included elaborate weave effects to create different textures such as metallic-shot linen, and fabrics with diamonds and argyle patterns.

Motifs
• Highlighted examples included Bohemian rhapsody, stretched paisleys, Moroccan influences, medallions, abstract flourishes and monograms, modern traditional, concentric circles, moveable/modular furniture, Mondrian influences, country but simpler, Western, and living walls.

Kitchens
• Stainless appliances are fading with bronze, black and champagne coming in (everyone was very happy to hear this as stainless has been a nemesis to many for showing fingerprints easily), medium maple and cherry finishes.

Kids
• Words on fabric, graffiti, camouflage, Manga – Japanese cartoon art, full and queen size beds (raised a groan with the audience), argyles and animal prints.

We had two stations in the room so attendees could get a closer look and feel of the new fabrics and colors for 2009. The color station highlighted the Pantone predictions for 2009 as an example one of many sources that predict colors for the year.

The Fuzzy Antler, an outstanding and popular home furnishings store in Old Town Louisville Colorado, shared the following items so attendees could get a firsthand look at some of the home furnishing trends.

• Giraffe bag, Zebra wallet– animal print• Indoor/Outdoor lamp – outdoor rooms
• Pandora bracelet with chunky stones
• Laundry bag and apron with fresh fun funky fabrics and lace to inspire a fresh country look
• Crackle glass vase
• Grey and white print pillow for ethereal

We look forward to seeing how these trends evolve through the year and we also will be excited to see the new ideas for 2010. Stay tuned to the Design Matters Home blog throughout the year for our observations.