Kick up your heels for style
Women's shoes provide a hint of trends to come in home furnishings
By Susan Pantaleo, ASID -- Furniture Today, November 16, 2008
You can talk to Susan by clicking on Behind the Design on the www.furnituretoday.com home page, or at http://www.furnituretodayonline.com/BehindTheDesign/.
While having a Cinderella moment in Nordstrom's shoe department, I was rudely interrupted by the design side of my brain that started to notice amazing new looks in pattern, texture and color. Shoes happen to be a perfectly condensed and advanced version of the latest trends. These trends will be influencing home fashion design in the very near future. The shoe department becomes a true discovery zone for style.
One trendy pair of shoes can update an outfit and one piece of furniture that captures a trend can update an entire room. But just as overdoing accessories hints of a QVC shopping addiction, adding too many new trends in furnishings will overwhelm a space. Instead, zero in on one smart new idea to pep up a room and it will be the perfect style statement.
When it comes to fashion, it is hard to ignore the impact of metallic finishes —this is a trend with longevity. Mirrors used to be the choice for bouncing light around a room, but now almost any furniture piece becomes the shimmer when done in a metallic finish. The reflective quality is now being done in advanced textures that create light and shadows for even greater interest.
Animal prints never go out of style, and they are currently coming on strong. From realistic renditions to stylized replicas, they are known for adding zest and adventure to a room. Surprisingly, zebra, leopard and snake prints mix well with many interior styles and provide relief from traditional patterns in the room.
The popularity of sentimental retro styling and the increasing desire for simplicity in life are resulting in a modern look that references classic design. It is often neutral but never boring. Furniture that has clean lines and neutral coloring can provide the much-needed relief in the landscape of a busy room. Gray and beige will vary in intensity and anchor a room in a timeless, somewhat organic sense.
Expecting the unexpected is another principle that will carry us through the next few years as materials are made to perform in unpredictable new ways. Classic shapes will be embellished with bold trimmings that renew their appeal. Chunky modern passementerie will accent traditional patterns and prep them for the next generation of chic. Zippers and buckles move from functional to decorative, and long swingy fringe contributes subtle movement for a touch of sex appeal.
So take these trends for a walk outside of the shoe department and let your imagination play with ways they can add a fresh new look to your customers' rooms.
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