2011 Home Decor Trends - There’s nothing bland about Neutrals

In a recent video posted on her website, Michelle Lamb – co-founder and chairman of Minneapolis-based Marketing Directions, Inc. and editorial director of “The Trend Curve – spoke about a resurgence in neutrals in 2011. These more complex “chameleon” neutrals will have more color, and will shift and change based on the light and whatever’s around them. Lamb claims that these neutrals will be “the likes of which we haven’t seen in 20 years or more.”

2011 Home Decor Trends - Illuminating Insights

As living green becomes more ingrained in our lives, LED lighting will continue to light the way, according to Jeff Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, who will introduce several new under-cabinet systems and landscape products with an ultra-efficient technology next year. For a casual, contemporary twist, Dross also suggests hanging chandeliers in new areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms and closets, and embracing today’s art glass applications, which are much more chic and casual than the Tiffany lamps of the past.

2011 Home Decor Trends - The Trend that will Stick Around

A small change in a room can make a huge difference – and wall coverings make a dramatic, yet cost-effective statement. With their innovative new SmartStick repositionable wall murals, Murals Your Way has made it easy for homeowners, renters and even college students to add a fresh new look to indoor and outdoor walls, floors, doors and windows.

“Easily replied and removed, SmartStick murals boast a high quality, lightly textured finish and can be reused and reinstalled hundreds of times.” Says Todd Imholte, President of Murals your Way. “It’s a perfect temporary – or long-term – decorating solution for consumers.”

2011 Home Decor Trends - The Mad, Mad World of Furniture

Taking a nod from the award-winning AMC series “Mad Men,” Linda Fougerousse of Interior Transformation, Inc. also sees furniture styles returning to the ‘50s and ‘60s with round tapered legs on angles, geometric accents and seating with curved backs. Jas Frederick of Jase Frederick Sustainable Interiors adds that classic wood pieces made from sentimental stock like fallen trees or scrap wood from ancestral or historic structures will become heirlooms to pass from one generation to the next.

2011 Home Decor Trends - What’s old is new again

Whether they’re genuine period pieces being re-purposed or home furnishings reproduced from popular items from the ‘50s, ‘60s or ‘70s, vintage will be hot in 2011 according to Kenneth Ludwig of Kenneth Ludwig Home Furnishings, Ltd. Examples include chair frames redone in new upholstery, traditional lighting fixtures in newer brass or pewter finishes or products imported from Russia, Poland, and the Czech Republic, such as chairs done in old grain sacks, or old carts from factories used for end tables or coffee tables.

Eighth Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

Feel At Home

Active adult communities help make the transition an easy one. Not only will you feel welcome right from the start, you will feel right at home on one of their large, sprawling grounds. There’s plenty of space to be yourself as well as enjoying an active lifestyle. There are often beautiful water features, grand landscaping and large park grounds.

Seventh Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

Company Reputation

There are several quality name national developers of active adult communities and you can feel secure knowing that they a well established reputation. Every large metro area has communities built by some of these developers, as well as quality local builders.

Sixth Reason to Live in an Active Adult Community

The Fun Atmosphere

It may sound like a cliché, but living in an active adult community is like being on an extended holiday. There is a real air of fun and excitement in these communities. The residents are happy and excited to be there. It might even bring back memories of going away to college! The community and social atmosphere brings with it a very fun vibe.