In his Design Trends 2008 report, C. Davis Remignanti, lead design consultant at Furniture.com (www.furniture.com), counsels consumers, “Good design is an organic and changeable thing—partly achieved by considering current trends and partly achieved by ignoring them. There are no hard and fast rules for achieving good design. Embrace or reject these trends as suits your taste. And, remember that however well put together a room may be, it’s meant to be used. If a room isn’t comfortable and inviting for those inside it, it’s a design failure, no matter how stylish it may be.”

Here’s a sample of what Remignanti is telling consumers will be hot trendwise in the coming year:

Luxe Redux:

A renewed appreciation for sleek lines and finishes and post -Deco refinement define a return to glamour. Strong geometric forms, silhouettes with limited embellishment, graceful case pieces with gently swept lines and jewelry inspired hardware, and tightly finished upholstery are all included in Luxe Redux. “The look is glamorous, but in an approachable way that’s meant to be incorporated into rooms that are welcoming,” Remignanti says. “Let each piece’s architecture be the defining characteristic.”

An Economy of Scale:

After years of oversized and upsized furniture, pieces are finally scaling back to normal proportions. But as the contours are receding, patterns are expanding. “Large scale prints and decorative patterns are growing and found in fabric, floor, and wall coverings like never before. Upholstery with large repeats adds visual weight to the smaller scale pieces,” Remignanti says.

Black, White and Blue:

Color trends continue toward darker, mineral tones for stylish interiors with black and white making a classic statement. “When care is taken to let one or the other dominate, the results can be refreshingly and maturely chic,” Remignanti says. Complementing the darker interiors is an accent color palette in clear, natural looking tones. According to Remingnanti, the hottest hues will be acid green, carnelian, flax and russet. “And in 2008 watch for a strong—and I do mean strong—return to grace of the color blue,” he reports.

Accent Keys Light Up:

Accent materials that reflect and refract light are another key trend resulting from the use of darker interior tones. “Silver, chrome, mercury glass, mirrors, crystal, and Lucite are being used as decorative accents and incorporated into furniture pieces itself,” explains Remignanti.

Mix & Match:

The still strong mix-and-match trend of combining the old and new continues in 2008. “Incorporating vintage pieces helps guarantee the uniqueness of your décor, it gets one thinking in new and different ways about what complements what,” says Remignanti.

By Shannon Kennedy, High Point Market Authority