Interior Color and Trend Predictions for 2011

From the Oregonian, by Bridgett A. Otto

Michelle Lamb, popular trend forecaster in the design and retail world and editorial director of The Trend Curve, sent this information about color trends for 2011. Yes, I know 2010 hasn’t even breached the horizon. Nonetheless, here’s Lamb’s look ahead.

Here are some highlights:

• Neon could not be newer! So don’t forget to include it in everything from the brightest yellow to purplish blue.
• Don’t be shy with corals — they’ll be taking reds and pinks to all-new levels.

To think forward, go back. These rich time periods will be informing trends, as well as new colors:

• Tudor (through Elizabethan) England will bring back voluminous velvets, tapestry accents and tear-drop pearls.
• The 1940s will again inspire features in light maple, pecan and walnut, as well as seersucker, jersey and cable knits.
• Mayan, Incan and Hopi tribal influences will give us geometric florals, trapezoids and primitive portrayals of the sun.

Lamb is co-founder and chairman of Minneapolis-based Marketing Directions Inc. Established in 1987, Marketing Directions specializes in home furnishings color and trend forecasting, working extensively with clients to provide individual direction and color specification.

Marketing Directions publishes The Trend Curve, which forecasts trends in color, pattern and design for manufacturers, interior designers and retailers.