Ten Percent Rule
Ten percent.  Similar to a food pyramid that apportions fat and sugar with miserly precision, the tip of the home design pyramid is “trends”.  Ten percent refers roughly to the percentage of trendy items a well-designed room might contain.  It’s also the percentage of decorating dollars the smart consumer allocates to purchasing these fashionable finds.    From shag rugs, to Indian silk lanterns, pop art pillows to fluorescent vases, trendy home décor attention getters are best enjoyed in moderation. 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Surviving Design Trends

DO eliminate last year’s trends before incorporating this year’s trends.  Trend overdose is never in style.

DO scour fashion magazines to stay ahead of the trend curve.  Visit fashionable retailers who carry the latest wares and wears for home and body.

DO spice up monochromatic colour schemes with trendy accessories in striking colours.  A shot of tangerine is this season’s cure for boredom.

DON’T ever forget the avocado fridge or harvest gold oven.  Stick to a neutral palette for large investment pieces, which are infrequently changed.

DON’T abuse limited decorating dollars by “filling up” on empty offerings.  The more limited the budget, the more money should be spent on classic pieces of furniture.   A Parsons table, Louis XVI bergere, camelback sofa, Noguchi coffee table, or Barcelona chair never strays from good taste.

DON’T make large purchases on impulse.  When in doubt, walk away.  If you return a week later and it still makes your heart flutter, than it may be worth having.  If decision-making is particularly difficult, hire a professional whose taste you admire.  Many of the designers whose projects you see published in magazines are eager for business and happy to work within a reasonable budget.

Kimberley’s Picks for Trends with Lasting Value
Some trends are destined to have staying power, marked as classics almost as soon as they appear.  Here are my choices for the season’s surest bets.

• Wallpaper.  Do-it-yourself faux finishes move over.  Wallpaper has always been a sophisticated choice.  Graphic prints are extremely hot, lending instant drama and depth to contemporary settings.  Look for unique ways to use patterned wallpaper such as on ceilings or lining the back of glass front cabinets.  
  
• Animal Prints.  Non-directional zebra, giraffe and leopard patterns are turning up on everything from stair runners to pillows, dishes to bath towels. Their natural appeal is a welcome note of strength in any room.
• 18” mattresses.  Deeper and more luxurious than ever, the newest beds are all about pampering.
• Compartmentalized bathrooms.  Separating the toilet from the rest of the ensuite, even if it’s only with a half wall or a frosted glass or acrylic wall, connotes a feeling of graciousness in this hardworking room.
• Graphic pattern is bigger and bolder than ever.  Look for pop art punch in fabrics and furnishings. Names to watch for: Jonathan Adler and Kelly Wearstler.

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