Tuftex's Lisa Lux: 2014 Residential Color Trends - Feb. 2014

By Lisa Lux

The start of each new year brings with it a renewed sense of optimism and excited anticipation over what is to come. As consumers, we are ready to put the economic blues of the past few years behind us, looking forward to a brighter tomorrow. In 2013, we saw strong profits on Wall Street. Current economic predictors indicate that 2014 will see growth on Main Street.

As designers in the home fashion business, we love trend spotting, gazing into our crystal balls and forecasting how current trends or the latest craze will influence the buying power of today’s consumer. With so much happening in the world around us, it is an exciting time to be in the home interiors business. In this age of instant sharing, we have access to style and design like no other generation before us. Television programming and social media sites such as HGTV, Pinterest and Houzz afford us entry into a world of design, creativity and crafting ideas. Inspiration is but a click away. More and more retailers are offering chic and stylish home furnishings and accessories at affordable prices. Sophisticated design is accessible for all and can be created on any budget. Perhaps influenced by the ever-growing trend of self-expression, we want our homes to be reflective of who we are and how we live. Our homes are a respite from our fast-paced lifestyles and should offer us the tranquility we deserve. We want endless options. Today’s home furnishings and floorcoverings answer the call.

Pop Culture: Pop Culture is a color category for the not so faint of heart. It is electrifyingly bold color inspired by the latest designs trending in fashion, music and art. It is unrestrained and head-turning color that brings a sense of playfulness and fun. Evoking the punchy graphics of comic books, tropical hues and candy bar colors, it is techno color with a rock ’n’ roll edge. Colors such as Tangerine Tease, Sunlit Yellow, and Aqua Essence are all bright, saturated colors that make a statement all their own against a neutral backdrop. Introduced into home fashion, you may see bright pop colors used as small touches in an accent pillow or rug for a more understated approach, on walls in a scene-stealing wallpaper print for a dramatic touch, or in a bold paint color to add instant flair. Bright colors instantly bring joy and exuberance into a room.

Mix It Up: This design trend is defined by the unexpected blending of design elements, colors, textures and shapes. It is taking classic elements from the past and combining them with a modern aesthetic. Think urban hipster meets rustic chic. It is that simple juxtaposition of clean, smooth contemporary design motifs interwoven with rugged stone and wood surfaces. Perhaps influenced by the ever growing DIY trend of recycling and repurposing, we are seeing raw wood finishes being used everywhere from floors and walls to furniture. In furniture you will see artisan wicker with contemporary edges, the sleek contemporary lines of a sofa mixed with reclaimed or raw wood furniture pieces. The use of traditional geometric shapes in non-traditional ways are everywhere in design right now. From fabric patterns in upholstery, carpet and rug designs to lattice fret work, we see the use of traditional motifs intermixed with contemporary style and design. In carpet design, it’s the interplay of yarn mixes that creates striking visual appeal and textural effects on the floor. Colors in this category are varying shades of the oh-so-popular Glamorous Grey influenced by the use of concrete as well as soft neutral tones of Ivory, Dreamy Taupe and Smog.

Fashion Statement: Justin Timberlake put on his suit and tie, taking us back to the style of the Big Band era at the Grammy’s. Leonardo DiCaprio starred in a remake of The Great Gatsby, bringing back all the glitz of the Roaring Twenties flapper era. Old Hollywood glamour is back in a big way. “Who are you wearing?” is the first question asked at red carpet events. Entire shows are devoted to celebrity fashion. The outfits that Princess Kate wears for her social occasions make headline news. On inauguration day in the U.S., everyone takes note of what the First Lady is wearing; fashion reporters everywhere break down each piece, from the dress, to the coat, to the shoes. Classic colors and style details define this trend category. Black and gold in Art Deco themed design is popular in fashion and home interiors. Amethyst, Topaz, Emerald, Nocturnal Navy and Magic Merlot are seen in everything from fashion to automotive to home accessories.

Down to Earth: This design and color category captures all the beauty of mother earth. Botanical themes springing up in wallpaper prints and textiles are suddenly in vogue again. Bold floral patterns in upholstery fabrics are being used in both traditional and contemporary furniture pieces. Evoking fields of wildflowers, blooming motifs are transforming interiors. Pantone’s 2014 color of the year, Radiant Orchid, exemplifies this color category. A luscious purple with undertones of fuchsia and pink, it emanates joy. Colors in this trend category are derived from elements of nature. Rich, saturated botanical hues range from spice shades of cinnamon, turmeric and paprika, foliage shades of eucalyptus, olive and ivy to rugged earth tones such as rustic browns, brick, and terra cotta. Blooming floral shades of carnelian, rose, iris, and orchid round out this earthy collection. Nature’s colors bring peace and tranquility into our homes, creating harmonious interiors.

Going Global: We are no longer defined by borders; travel and the Internet have connected the world in such a way that we have become one global village. Migration patterns in and out of the U.S. have allowed cultural influences on design trends to flourish. Asian, African and American influences blend together with European design trends. Eastern Indian and Latin American countries bring their own perspective on rich, vibrant and saturated colors. From all corners of the world, peoples and cultures draw inspiration from their native land to create beautiful design. Colors in this category have similarities to other color groups, but it’s how they’re melded that makes them each so distinct. Tribal motifs and animal prints inspire earth tones with an ethnic feel. Far Eastern influences inspire soft pastel tints and pearlized finishes. Americana influences inspire everything from denim and prairie looks and handcrafted folksy knits to casual coastal hues. Eastern Indian influences inspire saturated spice shades and deep jewel tones. Latin American influences inspire bright tropical hues and rich spice tones.

The world in which we live offers us so many possibilities. With home décor, just as in fashion, looks go in and out. Interior trends, however, are not as fleeting as fashion trends. Interior trends tend to stick around a little longer. Who can afford to change their space with every season? Consumers are educated and tech savvy. They want and expect choices. In this age of self-expression, we have a need to define who we are and make a statement. We want to bring our own personality and uniqueness into our homes. We want to create experiences and define our ideal space. With so many possibilities, the concept of the perfect room just got a little easier.

Here’s looking to a brighter and more colorful 2014.