Design trends in 2010

As homeowners pack up their holiday decorations, they cast a critical eye around their now unadorned living spaces, mentally forming “honey-do” lists of updates needed this year.

If you’re planning to paint, keep in mind that the Pantone Color Institute — official arbiter of the nation’s color trends — has already announced turquoise is the color of the year.

“Turquoise has energy and drama and yet can also be calming and restful,” said Hank Matheny of Haskell Interiors of Cleveland, Tenn.

“Turquoise provides optimism to a world coming out of recession, excited about a new decade and wanting to feel pampered and rejuvenated,” he added.

Layering textures is another national trend predicted on numerous Internet design sites. This look mixes nature-inspired materials such as stone, wood and glass. But it’s not an “anything goes” fad; the finished look appears deliberate and meets a purpose.

Before remodeling, check what 10 local designers say are coming trends in 2010.

* Juliet Bauer, Classic Cabinetry: “We’re seeing people move away from the standard polished-granite countertops. We’re looking to more interesting materials such as quartz composite, concrete or granites with different finishes such as flamed, honed or leathered.”

* Tim Bryant, Tim Bryant Interiors: “We’ll see a lot of shades of blue, but one in particular is true indigo blue, a rich and sexy blue. It will be used with silver and grays. The new neutral is gunmetal or battleship gray. We’re doing a lot more gray tones than black.

“Wallpaper is back; not the original floral, fluffy stuff but textured with relief finishes. For example, a damask finished with a raised material such as crushed stone. Also, flocking like we used to see in the 1960s is coming back.”

* Adele Glascock, Adele’s Interiors: “Eco-awareness will influence people’s decisions when it comes to purchasing and remodeling. People won’t buy on a frivolous whim but buy for longevity. We won’t see ‘buying trendy’ anymore. In the past, people would buy something just to make do. Now clients will wait on a purchase to make it part of a permanent collection they can enjoy for a long time.”

* Linda Higgins, Linda Higgins Interior Design: “Less is best — clean, sleek and not a lot of junk. When I look at a room, I choose fabrics that are rich. Fabrics make the main statement in a room, followed by your art.”

* Peggy Laney, Curtis Laney & Laney The Design Co. Inc.: “It’s simplicity: clean lines, more green. The trend is to be more user-friendly. That big overstuffed furniture and huge houses aren’t going to be part of our lifestyle much longer. People want to be able to go home and nest, feel secure and comfy in their homes.”

* Hank Matheny, Haskell Interiors: “A style trend will be to bring the outdoors in. We’ll see a lot more natural products used. It’s all about things of the Earth, natural textures: raw woods, concrete, stones, bark, grass.

“The use of LED lighting will continue. It’s a very green product, stays cool to the touch, and LED bulbs last longer.”

* Marty Stanley, Anything Goes: “The new year will feature an eclectic blending of classic and contemporary furnishings. Interior furnishings will show a sense of being collected over time, having purpose and meaning to the individuals living there.

“People will surround themselves with colors that suit their lifestyles, pieces that express their personalities and interiors will show more individualization.”

* Nancy Waddell, Nest Feathers and Kinder’s Furniture: “I think there is going to be much more effort in being green, being careful to recycle, use natural materials.

“The color green will be popular, but the big color is turquoise. In economic hard times, people want bright colors that make them feel better. I’m also seeing a lot of white walls; walls painted white with pops of bright color in the accessories. But accessories are streamlined; everything counts and has a purpose.”

* Dolores Wolfe, Wolfe Studio Interiors: “People are ‘decluttering,’ less accessories in their home. They want a more simplified, efficient environment.”

* Marsha Yessick, Yessick’s Interior Design Center: “A transitional look in furniture is a trend we’re seeing: not contemporary, not traditional but somewhere in the middle, with less ornamentation.

“The color for 2010 will be green, either emerald green or lime green. Brown has been popular the last two or three years and will continue to be strong, but we’ll see it now mixed with green and often red.

“The other color palette I see is black-and-white. I think that stems from the fact it is timeless; people are more conservative with their money and are looking for a lasting color palette that they don’t have to change as frequently.”