Home Decorating Trends

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(ARA) - Cocooning at home is in. Feng shui never went out. And the "hot" colors for 2002 are, literally, all over the spectrum.

According to interior decorators and industry experts, these are among the major influences that will shape the latest home decorating plans.

Embraced by Americans mainly in the past decade, the 4,000-year-old Chinese art of feng shui continues to prove its staying power. By creating an aura of positive energy, harmony and balance through the skillful blend of colors, woods and home design elements, feng shui has evolved from an interior design trend into a classic.

"Char green, sand, white, red, black, dark brown and all colors of nature are typical feng shui colors," explained Los Angeles designer Juan Forteza, residential forum director of the International Interior Design Association. "Mahogany is the wood of choice since it enriches the environment, and slate flooring and polished concrete walls help create a natural, minimalist feeling."

Taking a similar cue from Mother Nature, the Color Marketing Group (CMG) envisions colors for 2002 as lighter, softer and more complex, with yellows and greens remaining strong. "While blue will maintain its enviable position as the most important color of the decade, orange will be the hue of optimism and happiness in 2002," said CMG President Jay de Sibour of Material Connexion, whose association of color designers forecasts color as much as three years in advance.

Margaret Walch, director of the Color Association of the United States, noted recently on hgtv.com that complex colors reflect today's complex lives. She sees the "bread and butter" colors as strong and sophisticated neutrals, including pale celadon (reflecting the popularity of gardening and growing bamboo), orange and brown. "There's security in brown," added Walch - which she believes is something people especially long for during uncertain times.

Ever since Sept. 11, Americans have been faced with unsettling world events and challenging economic situations. Small wonder that more and more people are spending more time at home, which in turn, has affected the importance of home improvements.

"While the phrase 'cocooning' has been a part of our lexicon since trend analyst Faith Popcorn first coined it in 1981, it's never been more relevant than it is today," explained Environmental Graphics president Todd Imholte, whose company produces decorative wall murals for home and office.

"People are going out less and staying in more, which has made them increasingly aware of ways in which they might make their homes more comfortable and reassuring. Dining room furniture sales, for example, are growing as families spend more time at the dinner table. The need for home offices continues as more men and women find they enjoy working in a non-traditional office environment. These are but a few of the trends we'll continue to see as people 'nest' and 'burrow' more at home."

At the same time that Americans see the need to make improvements to their homes, many are constrained by tighter household budgets than in recent years. Consequently, some may paint a few rooms; others may hang no-sew window treatments, and still others may add throw pillows or new bed linens.

Bathrooms are a simple and relatively inexpensive area of the house to upgrade, especially with Stick'n Stile peel-and-stick Design Appliqués. Easily applied to tiles, shower doors, mirrors, and plastic or fiberglass tubs, Stick'n Stile appliqués create the look of custom ceramic tiles within minutes.

"The bathroom is certainly one of the most frequently-used rooms in the house, and just a few subtle changes can make the difference between a cold, sterile environment and a warm, welcoming one," said Imholte. "Our Stick'n Stile decorative bath appliqués have been specifically designed with today's trend-conscious, do-it-yourself homeowners in mind. While they reflect the latest color palettes and coordinate beautifully with other bath accessories, their popular hues are also timeless. You can keep up with trends in design and remove them later when the trends change."

Appliques come in several popular sizes and are available in contemporary designs such as Fiji Palms, Geo Squares, Water World and Summertime. They are easily affixed to cleaned surfaces, and removal is just as simple with the heat of a blow dryer.

"Our Stick'n Stile appliqués allow you to make a big change in the appearance of your bathroom with relatively little investment in time or money," added Imholte. "A change in décor can boost your spirits, which in times such as these, is certainly appreciated."

Stick'n Stile appliqués are available in many Bed Bath and Beyond stores. For the nearest retailer, visit www.sticknstile.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information, call Kimberly Crumley at (888) 204-4838.

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