Furniture Trends 2010/2011; We are on to Something

As a furniture designer, it is important that I keep up with the trends while keeping in mind classic design. I am happy to report that almost every one of my sources agrees that refurbished and recycled furniture (referred to in our world as "reincarnated") is all the rage for 2010/2011 and will not be going out of style any time soon! Even Pantone is {reincarnating} their colors, stating that their

"Foundation colors are rediscovered and revised in Deconstructing/Reconstructing. We need to dismantle to understand how to give a second life."

Pantone is on the cusp of the design world and is known to be the world-renowned authority on color, which inspires all areas of design. By them reevaluating many of their colors, one can assume that this will possibly be a trend in many markets. In my opinion, this is because consumers are becoming more eco-friendly and are trying to do their part to recycle. While Pantone does not necessarily have a product to recycle, they recognize the movement to reexamine what is offered and alter for the better. In almost every industry (interior design, furniture design, exhibit design, fashion design), the word "green" is used in abundance. Almost all major manufacturers have at least one line that claims to be environmentally friendly, although most have not yet figured out how to make it as cost effective as the "other" stuff.

{Reincarnating} furniture, or any other product that is revised and made new again, is a wonderful way for us to create custom pieces that have a history while also getting "new", trendy pieces that suit our own personal style. Whether you are motivated by mother nature or the sentimental value of an ugly old piece, recycling and reusing is no longer a thing for extremists. Just about anything can be {reincarnated} and often what makes a piece so interesting is its unique combination of styles. For example, mixing today's color trends with your grandmother's old bentwood rocking chair brings together style and emotion that cannot be purchased online.

If you think it cannot be saved, consider this: how would it look if it were repainted or refinished? Think about using a bright color that you may not have thought of immediately. Would new hardware simply re-vamp the piece? What about adding hardware to an odd place where is was not before? How about adding appliques? Are there other materials that could be incorporated to make it more interesting? Could it be re-upholstered, even if it is not currently upholstered at all?
If what you have is a solid piece and you cannot figure out what it needs, don't just toss it; find someone who can give it a little TLC and make it shine again.

Among the eco-friendly and recycling trends are:
*Bright/bold colors on furniture - Just about any bold color will make the cut. I love coral, pumpkin, and hot pink. I am always a sucker for the cool blues as well.
*Neutrals - gray being the hot neutral shade on walls and accent pillows/throws
*Modularity or multi-purpose furniture - This goes along with efficiency, a word related to "green"
*Bohemian
*Wing chairs, or other classic styles with a pop of color or bold pattern
*Painted and distressed wood made to look old - give the impression of recycled or {reincarnated}
*Comfortable & casual - In this economy, people are getting cozy in their own homes and creating more "livable" spaces, think slipcovers and soft slouchy pillows. Curvy lines too.
*Metallics - The new "mirrored" finish (although I am still a fan of the mirrored effect, I am aware of it's movement toward the door)
*Smaller footprint - Think thinner tv's lead to thinner entertainment centers. Consumers are also downsizing and are leaning toward smaller pieces in general
*Outdoor living - We are learning to appreciate our world and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. We are also trying to use every bit of our space
*Nailheads - they are on everything from chairs, to ottomans, to headboards, to side tables
*Chalkboard Paint - while nearing the end of it's time as a wall paint choice, still popular on accessories and in quirky applications
*Lacquer paint - the brighter and glossier, the better! especially on accent pieces
*Architectural elements as art - they add a timeless and classic element to any space
*Do-it-yourself - people are pinching pennies and taking on new projects around the house
*Benches - at the end of beds, as coffee tables, almost everywhere
*For the super trendy, neons are big. Pantone has introduced 566 new colors for winter 2010/2011 in the solid, neon, and metallics categories.

The beauty of trends is the ability to mix and personalize them to create a unique style to fit your individual personality. They are meant to be played with - so go have some fun!