Tips and Trends

Decorative Home Trends For 2005

How do I choose the right art?
How do I choose the right art for a room?
Do I have to match the art exactly to things in the room?
What size art should I use?
How do I hang the art?

High Point, North Carolina, is the center of the Home Furnishings trends for the furniture industry. It is held in April and October - twice annually. Here are a few of the trends emerging from the October 2004 market held in High Point.

Zen Garden: Sophisticated, quiet, meditation areas; more relaxing. The goal with this look is to extend your home from outside into the inside, thus creating more space. Our homes become a sanctuary for us. This look appeals to both men and women. Buddha has become very important as well as paper lanterns and umbrellas. Any materials that remind you of the garden are popular. Other popular design motifs are leaves, sea grass, water and rocks. Some common design elements are birdbaths, fountains, or water features. This look has a heavy Asian influence. Colors common to this look are cream, moss, or any hue of green. Accent colors are violet, reddish-brown and fern.

Metro Modern: Warm, clean and minimal. The typical traditional interior is going more clean-lined; the typical modern interior is becoming softer. Scandinavian has become the soft-modern and appeals to both men and women. The colors are neutrals. Organic is becoming a big player in the inside. Flokati rugs are back and tweed textures are great as accents. Some items common to this style are linen, cherry wood, maple wood, polished chrome, leather and solid fabrics. Leather is a popular look and is used in all interiors and styles.

Fresh greens: This is sophisticated, botanical - a slightly Asian twist with iced-looking pastel colors. The colors used are moss, taupe, blue sage and brown. The furnishing is more tailored lines. Chrome is an important element. Bamboo, botanical motif and chinnossories are seen in this style. This look appeals to women.

Exotic Fusion: Global tribes; tropical; trendy; and funky-fun best describes this look. Colors common to this style are bright colors mixed at all levels. This is the disposable design; good for only one season. Colors include bright red, hot pink and yellow with accents of black. This is for a young buyer with heavy accents of shiny brass. Young and fun furniture mixed with an African and Asian mix best describes this look. Handcrafted items are popular with smells being an important component. A slight touch of lacquer is an appealing accent.

New Country: This is the most popular trend in America. the colors that represent this look are black, white, taupe, moss, aqua ice, corn silk and sky blue. Some popular items to use are hickory chairs and honey-pine furniture. A combo of painted and wood is a great look along with painted iron - the use of small prints - and black ebony painted woods. A collection of frames hung to tell a story brings this look alive.

These are a few of the new trends for 2005! Look around and observe what's new. It is exciting! Update your look by adding a few new accessories to your interiors. Buy a new piece of art. Art is great as it brings a new look and feeling to your interior.

It is a great bright new world of color and trends waiting out there for you to discover. The challenge is to find a look that fits you best! Happy Shopping!!

Tips

How do I choose the right art?
In art the number one rule is there are no rules! Art is a visual thing, if you like the way it looks it generally will work for you. Look for art that is appealing to you.

How do I choose the right art for a room?
Things to think about when choosing art:

• Furniture wood tones in room
• Fabric coloring or designs in room
• Themes in room (ex: classical, contemporary, rustic, old world, casual, etc.)
• Art that is visually pleasing to you

Do I have to match the art exactly to things in the room?
No, art is designed to be a statement in a room. It does not require exact matches to fit in a room and add to its appearance. Art has great ability to fit in many environments. If the piece looks good alone, it generally looks great in a room.

What size of art should I use?
Size only is an issue when you have restrictions (ex: art cove in wall, small wall space, etc.) Don't be afraid to go larger in your art choices. The larger the art the more attention you draw to the art. That is why we have larger art. We want our art to stand out and have a unique look. To determine the size of art you want:

• Measure the space
• If you are limited in space hold up a tape measure and measure out the largest dimensions you want to see there. Shop for pieces that size or smaller.
• If you have a lot of wall room, don't get caught up on size too much
• If a piece is going above furniture (ex: sofa, hutch, etc.) don't go wider than the furniture.

How do I hang the art?
Art should generally be hung where the center of the art is eye level. The best way to hang art is to have one person hold the piece where you want it and another person tells if it needs to be moved in any direction.