Staying home is a booming business – so why not update your favorite spaces with some fabulous, new and exciting home design trends? This is THE year to clear away the cobwebs, add some fun and excitement into your life – and infuse tons of personality into your home!

So for you design savvy homeowners, here are some fresh ideas you can implement into your home – and enhance your quality of life – one project at a time.  You’ll be glad you did!

What’s Hot!

• Nature Inspired Design: Anything “green” goes!  There is a genuine respect and desire for materials and products that are re-purposed, re-used, re-claimed, re-cycled and sustainable – with colors that reflect the natural elements of the sand and sea, forests, trees and sky.

• Handmade/Artisanal Furniture and Accessories: A return to one of a kind bespoke furnishings, customized to your specifications – where the product is predicated on the highest quality of craftsmanship – and will last for generations to come.

• Traditional With A Twist: Juxtapose your formal furnishings with more natural and relaxed accent pieces.  The key is to mix up traditional furniture arrangements with casual pieces punched up with grace and style.

• Going Global: The inspiration of exploration and adventure. Incorporating souvenirs from your worldly travels or grabbing some unique pieces at a weekend flea market instantly infuses your personality into your home.

• Color Palette: Grey is the new beige.  Pair charcoal and slate gray with hot metallics like pewter and silver and brass – and blend them with luxurious lavenders, warm yellows and dramatic black and whites for a dramatic effect.

• Bold Designs: Layering of fabrics, textures, colors and patterns!  Introduce some large scaled patterned wallpapers (which are hot again) into your space and create an instant focal point.  A little goes a long way.

What’s Not!

• Granite Countertops: The “Builders’ Special”. This material has been on the scene for well over 20 years and it’s time to give it the proper burial. It’s old, predictable and extremely out-dated. Go for honed limestones, concretes, woods and even quartz surfaces.

• Oversized Furniture: Bigger doesn’t mean better.  Machine made over scaled furniture dominated family rooms for years and often was just too massive for the space it occupied.  The matching furniture pieces resembled more of a furniture showroom than a family room – and lacked personality.  Stay away from the “matchy-matchy” syndrome.

• Dark and Heavy Drapery: For some it was a statement of luxury, for others it was a way to create privacy and some drama.  In reality, the velvets, brocades and damasks adorned with chunky tassels and trims, belong in the high school theatre’s art department.  Privacy is important, but consider more natural materials with simple textures of woods, silks and linens.

• Faux Anything: It goes for people and things – be true to yourself and don’t pretend to be something you’re not.  Unless you willing to use the “real” piece, don’t display a plastic antlered table lamp, or faux zebra area rug and expect it to have the impact you’re looking for.  Introduce something authentic with texture and pattern that reflects your taste and style.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca.
© 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc

Did you know that more than half of all U.S. businesses are home-based?  Did you also know – according to the Small Business Association – they estimate approximately 6.6 million of these businesses provide more than half of their household income?

The homeprenuer trend is growing, and will only continue to intensify.  So how do we create that home office to provide us with a positive environment in which to grow?

Since almost 90% of home-based entrepreneurs have families, separating the living and working environments can prove to be a little tricky.  So pick a spot in your home, where noise and traffic are at a minimum and privacy is optimum.  A separate guesthouse outside, or a room above your garage, would be the ideal location for your home office, but the reality is that the typical home-based business is located inside the house.

Entrepreneurs, tend to be highly creative and innovative people – and their work environments should reflect that aspect of their personality.   If your home office space is stimulating and sparks innovation, then your creativity just flows.  When it’s dull, drab and dingy your work will suffer the same fate.

We’ve entered a new decade.  Isn’t it time to “Up the Ante”?

Whether you’re purchasing new office furniture, re-painting your space or simply accessorizing, punch up your home office environment and infuse a few of these cool new design trends into your plan.

2010 Design Trends:

Eco-Friendly:

• Nature-inspired design and green products.
• Natural environmentally friendly furnishings.
• Paint colors that work with your company’s branding, logo and website. (Use Low VOC or Zero VOC paints.)
• Introduce a chalkboard wall to save on paper and brainstorm ideas.

Eclectic Designs:

• Blending and layering of bold colors and graphic patterns.
• Large-scaled patterned wallpapers and grass cloths are back in vogue.
• Clean, simple and flexible office furniture styles.
• Office seating upholstered in bright bold fabrics with neutral pillows.

Color Trends:

Yellow:

• It’s THE color for this year’s palette. Wall color or accessories.
• If it’s good for the White House, it’ll be great in your house.
• Epitomizes warmth and a sunny outlook toward the future.
• Sparks imagination and innovation.

Mauve:

• Defines refined luxury and elegance.
• Represents a sense of royalty and power.

Green:

• Natural colors of sand, trees and moss green.
• Creates a sense of balance and harmony.
• Aqua/Teal will be a hot summer accent color.

Grey:

• Charcoal and slate grays are the new neutrals and showcase the brightly colored furniture.
• Metallic grays in furniture, leather and metals are hot this year – and blend beautifully with each of these trend setting colors.

Neutrals:

• Ecologically driven neutrals and organic tones.
• Muted colors always evoke a sense of calm – but infuse some color for accent to keep you jazzed and awake.

For that finishing touch, check out www.sortingwithstyle.com for the coolest office accessories.

I encourage you leave questions or comments below this post, and fill out the form on the right hand side of this page to receive your free copy of my special report: “How to Avoid the 15 Most Common Decorating Mistakes”

Article by Lori Gilder, Architectural Interior Designer, Los Angeles, Ca.
© 2010 Lori Gilder. Interior Makeovers Inc