Finding Your Own Design Style: Will you love it in 5 years?

It is difficult to separate design and fashion from the economy. They have always reflected what is happening and how it makes us feel.  Some of the trends that we are seeing now are refreshingly Soft palate from Pottery Barn.optimistic and we wanted to share a few.  Decide what works for your own decorating style:

Softer palates. Understated style. Forget perfection.

Green is the new black. Grey is the new brown.

Turquoise is the hot color for 2010.  Mix it up with violet for a dazzling effect.

Creative use of collections:  these are what make a home.

Running away from trends.  Think:  Will I love it in 5 years?

Wallpaper.  It is reappearing but it is not your grandmother's wallpaper. Just for fun, check it out! 

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Tops in 2010: The Color Turquoise

What is it about the color turquoise? 

Imagine our happiness to learn that this blue-green gem-like color has been named the color of the year by global color authority, Pantone.  The color gurus say that turquoise evokes thoughts of  "soothing tropical waters and a languorous escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while restoring our sense of       well-being."

 We have known and loved turquoise for years.  Living in Florida and surrounded by the cool blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it fits right into our lifestyle and decor.  For more traditional homes, we are able to put just a tiny splash or pop of a turquoise accent into the decor and it immediately changes a room.  For beachouses, well, they scream for turquoise!

Turquoise has long been believed, because of its water and sky tones, to be healing.  But we love turquoise because it is rich and beautiful and can do so much to change a room with a minimum of fuss or expense.  It also works with any style decor.  I have not yet seen a room that did not look great with some accent of this color.

Think about how great a chunky turquoise necklace looks with an outfit.  It literally transforms your look  as well as how you feel about yourself when you are wearing it. 

So, without going completely crazy (although it is fun to do that with turquoise) consider some of our favorite ways to incorporate some turquoise accents in your home to add a little decorating magic. The best news:  it looks great with ANY color. 

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