Role of Interior Design Centers to Be Analyzed

Courtesy of: Dexigner.com

Design Centers International (DCI) has engaged strategic planning expert David Shepherd to lead a brainstorming session on the relationship between design centers and interior designers nationwide.

The session will be held in November at the Phoenician Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ and is for DCI members only.

Shepherd, president and CEO of Designing Profits, the nation's leading source for interior design business advice and strategies, rarely speaks publicly outside of his own company's semi-annual conferences.

However, recognizing the importance of the design center / designer relationship, he quickly made an exception after receiving DCI's invitation.

"Over the past five years," Shepherd said, "the impact of the Internet and onset of cost transparency has hammered the margins of both design centers and interior designers.

As both have done whatever was necessary to survive, some confusion - and even a little skepticism - about the relationship has arisen."

Shepherd, who is regularly in touch with hundreds of interior designers through his company's Best Practices Network (BPN) will lead a brainstorming session of representatives of many of the nation's premiere design centers.

"My goal," Shepherd continued, "is to identify a path by which these two essential partners - interior designers and design centers - can establish complementary and mutually profitable business models."

Jackie Jordan, forecaster and director of color marketing services for Sherwin-Williams, honed in on hues during a September 2009 Las Vegas Market seminar.

Following the seminar, in a reception at the Robert Allen | Beacon Hill showroom, she showed fabrics that depict the trends she spoke about.

Four categories will color the coming year -- rooted, simplicity, treasured and refreshed.

ROOTED
The tribal aesthetic is finding its way into contemporary interiors. These colors are rich and earthy with a hint of mystery. The deep teal waters of the vast coastline influences our 2010 color forecast.

Aubergine: You'll find wisdom in the storied, blackened aubergine that speaks to antiquity, unearthed treasures and ancient cultures.

Gold: Frozen in time, this once liquid gold is organically earthy with hidden potential just waiting to be revealed.

Teal: The deepest of teals, this color is reminiscent of darkened tidal pools, a peacock's plume or the depths of the sea.

Red: An heirloom red that is deliciously ripe and succulent. It is authentic and culturally diverse.

Mohave: Sonoran or Saharan, this well wandered sandy color speaks of desert landscapes and tribal connections.

Gray: Rock solid and fundamental, this sophisticated deep gray carries its own weight with dignity, formality and masculinity.

SIMPLICITY
"Simplicity is the new sophistication and less is clearly the new more," says Jordan. "The hues are calm, subtle and nuanced with undertones that shift according to their surroundings, for easy versatility."

Yellow: A yellow that is soft and creamy with a gentle but positive outlook. It will warm you up and satisfy your soul.

White: A temperate color, relaxed, restrained and sensible. This white has the potential to be a showoff if used with numerous textures and finishes, but is also accustomed to an understated presence.

Violet: This hue is naturally mysterious and difficult to describe in a single word. It is a veiled, dusky violet sunset, romantic and dreamy.

Gray: Contemplative and complex, this gray is to be taken seriously. Infused with an undertone of blue it keeps cool, sophisticated and very masculine.


TREASURED
From flea-market finds to artisan-made pieces, imperfection can lend rich character to our environments," says Jordan. "The palette reflects the beauty of natural aging, mellowing and weathering, evoking quality materials that have stood the test of time and become heirlooms."

Yellow: This softened yellow is a central part of this trend. This is not last year's bright yellow, but instead a yellow that comes with age and time.

Yellowed: We see new products packaged in materials reminiscent of the past. Faded and yellowed wax paper with a crumpled and authentic essence. Not manufactured, shrink wrapped and shelved.

Green: The architecturally significant colors of the past provide new meaning in our interior spaces today. This century's old green that we now see on window frames, shutters, doors and tiles on our travels around the world are the new look of green for 2010.

Coral: Trader Vick's vintage fifties fabrics and faded Hawaiian shirts are reminiscent of this slightly muted coral that is still full of spirit and possibility.

Oxidized coppers, artistic tiles and appliances reminiscent of old cast iron create a cozy place to form new memories.

REFRESHED
This trend embodies a return to the hip, fun and sure-to-inspire '60's vintage. Spring flowers refresh our winter blues with hope for warmth and sunshine. Look for blossoms of yellow, coral, violet, blue and green as well as butterfly colors and patterns.

Yellow-orange: Rise and shine and smell the flowers. Just like a gerbera daisy in a summer garden, this yellow-orange will lift your spirits.

Green: Decidedly delicious, fresh and crisp, this gregarious green can stand alone but it will undoubtedly add pizzazz to its lively counterparts in this collection.

Coral: Perky and bright, you may even call it comical. This coral is for the spirited and not the faint of heart.

Yellow: Not overly bright, but far from dull, enjoy the optimistic free spirit of this summertime cool lemonade yellow.

Violet: Full of vim and vigor and less regal than last year's purples, this vivacious violet is youthful, spirited and even magical.

Blue: A gem in the true sense of the word, this brilliant blue is seaside and sky, flowers and jewels all wrapped together and prepared to shine.