JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The color forecast for 2007 is earth-friendly, suggests a sense of comfort and is filled with soft, muted hues, according to Judith Sisler Johnston, president, Sisler Johnston Interior Design President, who attended the High Point Market.  The twice-yearly market brings together furniture manufacturers introducing their new collections and industry experts discussing the latest color and style trends.
“The home furnishings world is ever-changing and adapting to multiple, worldwide design influences,” Sisler Johnston said.  “The top colors and styles featured in home décor today reflect the current issues that people are talking about and the things that are important to them.”

One of the seminars Sisler Johnston attended featured Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, a trend-setting organization that forecasts the top palettes for home décor.

Eiseman talked about color and style’s impact in marketing, design and advertising.  She also discussed the relationship between comfort and colors, and how lifestyle and social trends inspire changes in shades, hues and palettes.

One of the top trends in Pantone’s color report reflects environmental sensitivity and is symbolized by the continuing importance of the color green, which represents nature and preservation as well as healthy foods, grasses and the great outdoors.  In addition to eco-friendly colors, the spring market also demonstrated an increased industry focus on ecology and sustainability from furniture manufacturers promoting home furnishing products created from natural materials. 

Blue, which represents a sense of comfort, is another environmental color highlighted in Pantone’s color report.  Technology and on-demand computerization have brought a faster pace and higher stress to daily life.  For that reason, many wish to seek refuge in their home “cocoons” or seek relaxation at their favorite spa.  Since blue is associated with the calming effects of sea and sky, it remains fashionable in every design area including home furnishings.  Natural products like seashells and grasses are also among new home accessory offerings.

Some of the colors reflect lifestyle and social trends.  The growing popularity of brown has been largely attributed to the coffee shop craze that has created social spots where people gather and enjoy trendy beverages such as espressos, lattes or frappuccinos.
“The newest trend color I observed at Market is charcoal, a sophisticated, new neutral that some are touting as the new black,” Sisler Johnston said. “Chili pepper, a deep spicy red that Pantone selected as the 2007 color of the year, was also very much in evidence.”

Some color trends highlighted new hues in the new palettes, according to Sisler Johnston.  Orange has more of a brownish tone and is expressed as rust.  Aqua, a soft blue-green, is a strong accent color used with chocolate brown and charcoal.  Camel is seen everywhere in upholstery, especially mixed with the sturdy and masculine glamour trends in leather and fabric combinations.
Color trends also influence furniture stains and leather.  Sisler Johnston says brown is the stain color of choice on imported new furniture introductions while mahogany and the red/orange/yellow wood tones are less popular.  Natural leather upholstery continues as a trend, although it has been extended from the family room sofa to appear on formal dining chairs, benches, pillows and bed coverings.  A neutral family of colors continues to dominate the leather furniture grouping.

Color and style also impact the fashion industry, which is definitely considered a trendsetter.  However, the danger with fashionable colors or styles is that they may represent a fad rather than a trend.  Sisler Johnston says the longevity of a fad over time makes it a trend that influences other design areas, such as home furnishings.
“The lifespan of a trend is usually three to five years or sometimes even longer, as in the case of green design,” Sisler Johnston said.

Sisler Johnston Interior Design offers comprehensive interior design services for residential and commercial clients, specializing in luxurious living spaces for exceptional homes.  The company designs residential and model homes as well as community
centers, hotel and office suites.

ASID Allied Member Judith Sisler Johnston and her team of licensed, talented designers help clients enhance their surroundings with timeless elegance and classic style.  Sisler Johnston is Jacksonville’s leading authority on designing spectacular spaces that are beautiful, functional and reflect her clients’ personalities and lifestyles. 

Sisler Johnston’s design work has been featured in numerous books, newspapers, magazines and television programs.  Sisler Johnston Interior Design celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004 and has been recognized with nearly 100 industry awards.

For more information about Sisler Johnston Interior Design, call (904) 288-0908 or visit www.sislerjohnston.com.

Photography:

The High Point Market brings together furniture manufacturers introducing their new collections and industry leaders discussing the latest color and style trends.  Here are some examples seen in model homes designed by Sisler Johnston Interior Design.

1.  Kargar Living Room  – Chili pepper red and tangerine add excitement to the Showcase model at Kargar’s Plantation Bay.

2.  Berkshire Master Bedroom – Soothing aqua blue paint and fabrics bring serenity to this Brylen Homes’ model at Queens Harbor.

3.  Istoria Bedroom – Natural textures and products like seashells and reclaimed painted wood are part of the coastal furniture offerings like these seen at Brylen Homes’ Istoria model.

4.  Istoria Master Bedroom – Environmental greens are great color companions for tropical prints and exotic global furniture at Brylen Homes’ Istoria model.