I love color and I had a blast listening to the CEU Webinar from Sherwin-Williams forecasting Color Trends for 2011. An inexpensive and bold way to start the New Year is to paint a room in your home or office. According to Sherwin-Williams, trendy is passe’. I love the freedom in design right now. Your home should represent you, your family, your heritage, your hobbies, your hope and desires. Don’t be afraid to let your home mirror who you are in a powerful way. There are four color palettes that were discussed in the Webinar and I will cover all four separately. The first and my absolute favorite color palette is called Restless Nomad. These colors are sultry, exotic and primal. According to Jackie Jordan, this trend is popular because “everyone has a passport to wander the world, soaking up its flavors, images and colors, and stirring them into an eclectic global design stew, pairing Morocco and Turkey as well as Persian paisleys, exotic animal skins and Indonesian batiks. Colors are all over the place, with dusky darks to hot vibrant pinks and reds, to earthy food-influenced hues that evoke eggplants and cabbages.” Enjoy the images that beautifully represent the many layers of the Restless Nomad.
Look at how beautifully all the colors and textures work together.
The wood, tile, fabrics and colors are warm and inviting
This is a great example of so many dramatic and vibrant textures
Layered in a rich mix of luxurious, cozy textures; fur throw is from Prada
What a fabulous wall covered in an 18th century shade of yellow silk
A folk art painting of a horse, once part of a barn, mounted on a track
Gorgeous cozy yet industrial fireplace
One of my favorite homes! Love the purples, oranges and reds
Doesn't this look serene: water, lighting, warmth
Bedroom uses soft colors with exotic reds and golds, as well as a wool and silk shag rug that is scrumptuous
The kitchen backsplash and cabinetry were fashioned from leftover flooring materials; exotic yet elegant
Bedroom is a peaceful retreat surrounded with layers of stunning fabrics
The ceiling mural was painted on movie-poster paper covered in plexi-glass; the patina on the walls combine layers of tinted and textured plaster
I hope these pictures inspire you to add a little ethnic spice to your home!
The second color trend of 2011 recognized by Sherwin-Williams is entitled Gentle Medley which is inspired by hard times = soft colors. Characteristics include innocence, youthfulness, honesty, fresh, airy. Warmth and security come from memories of the simple life; nostalgia with memories of a less than demanding lifestyle and are shown using vintage cookbooks and aprons, confectionary cravings (cupcakes with colors of frosting mimicking softer, sweeter times). 
