(ARA) – More and more Americans today are looking at their homes as a place of refuge in a stressful world of challenges and economic instability. Instead of going out to dinner or social events, they’re cocooning with their families. Now, more than ever, their homes need to be restful and soothing, yet stylish at the same time.

Interior designers and industry experts across the country have noted this trend as well, along with an increased focus on cost-consciousness as homeowners become more selective about how their money is spent.

Here are their top 10 home decor trends for 2009:

1. Color Your World
Colors will literally be across the spectrum next year. On their Web site, the Pantone Color Institute forecasts lively colors and sophisticated, grounded hues with Fuchsia Red, Salmon Rose, Palace Blue, Lavender, Rose Dust and Vibrant Green predicted to be popular.

Andrea Vollf, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), believes strongly in “transforming an ordinary home into a living oasis” using neutrals, especially warm and cool grays, along with bold accent pieces. Deep shades of blue are in demand by customers of Jan Hubbard, ASID, and Candice Mathers, Allied Member of ASID, with Hubbard also noting a draw to spice, bisque, toast and green/gold tones to create a warm ambiance. On a brighter note, both Mathers and Susan Pantaleo, ASID, see yellow emerging as a very versatile color. Popping up in every shade from Sunlight to Dijon Mustard, Pantaleo lauds yellow’s attention-getting appeal and ability to add life to any room.

2. Light up Your Life
Because residential interiors are incorporating more intense paint colors — not only as accent walls, but throughout an entire room — more light is needed to properly illuminate a room. According to Jeff Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, lighting manufacturers will introduce chandeliers with more arms or multiple lights per arm, as well as pendants and wall-mounted fixtures that accept higher-wattage bulbs.

3. We’ve Got You Covered
Wall murals will continue to be in high demand in 2009, according to Todd Imholte, president of www.MuralsYourWay.com a leader in the production of decorative wall murals for more than 35 years. “Wall murals are a very cost-effective way to completely transform the look of a room,” says Imholte. “We recently introduced 90 new mural designs including bold graphic patterns, contemporary designs and murals inspired by nature such as birch trees and bamboo.” Murals Your Way offers a gallery of more than 5,000 images, as well as the ability to personalize an existing gallery image or create a custom mural from a personal photo or artwork.

4. Establishing a Pattern
In a press release distributed earlier this year, Michelle Lamb — co-founder and chairman of Marketing Directions, Inc. and senior editor of “The Trend Curve” — stated that patterns are being constantly updated and reinvented. Some ways to keep them fresh include combining classic and contemporary styles in one piece; utilizing tiny, country patterns that include calico or patchwork; and trying distinctive materials, like foil, or embellishments that cluster and layer upon each other.

5. Comfort is Key
Vollf sees 2009 as being the year of comfort, with furniture that is comfortable and functional, yet still elegant. More and more people are interested in creating a personal refuge that is chic, peaceful, inviting and easy to maintain so that they can relax and unwind at the end of a busy day in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

6. Wood is Good
According to Kathy Peterson — celebrity design expert and co-host of Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act” — wood flooring is blending into an eclectic mix of wood tones. She also forecasts hardwood wall coverings (wood, resin, metals) with seamless panels of custom designs becoming focal points of a room. Dross echoes the popularity of wood throughout the home, seeing floors, walls, ceilings (bead board) and furniture incorporating wood at their center.

7. Shining Stars
Metals will continue to shine next year, according to Lamb. She envisions them being translated into modern metallic finishes and textures that create a sense of visual excitement and high energy. Particularly noteworthy are platinum, dark silver, rose golds and copper, and colorful metallics.

8. Hooray for Hollywood
Carmen Natschke — editor of “The Decorating Diva” — sees a revival of “Hollywood Regency.” According to her Web site, this style is “glamorous, classy and elegant; composed of an eclectic mix of styles like Neo-Classic, Asian, Baroque and Art Deco; sumptuous and luxury fabrics, shimmering finishes, mirrored furniture, chinoiserie, bamboo and lacquered furniture; bold color; clean lines and beautiful symmetry.”

9. Embrace the Outdoors
Seamless transitions from indoor to outdoor space are envisioned by Pantaleo, who says the most successful outdoor spaces will be an extension of the home’s interior style and color scheme. Using nature as a backdrop, she suggests pulling colors from adjacent rooms to maintain a visual connection. She also recommends accessorizing gourmet cook centers and plasma televisions with weather-resistant chandeliers, rugs and artwork to create a cozy, appealing and relaxed ambiance.

10. Go Green
Eco-friendly products will continue to be in demand by today’s energy-conscious and environmentally-aware consumers. McKinley Adams, Allied member of ASID, predicts consumers will be interested in sustainable building materials that may cost a bit more up front, but will save money in the long run. He also sees a surge of interest in vintage furnishings for inside the home, while Mathers anticipates increased use of grass cloth and natural Sisal finishes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

“In the rooms where we begin and end each day, it’s important to add decorative elements that refresh and relax, invigorate and inspire,” says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “Our vast selections of colors and 2009 Lifestyle Collection provide a rich palette to do just that; vibrant yellows and reds offer warmth and energy while earth-inspired neutrals bring a calm and cozy feel to our favorite spaces.”

Whatever your inspiration, color is a great way to freshen up your favorite rooms. Consider one of these expert tips as you begin redecorating:

* Spice up your kitchen with globally influenced oranges and greens, and try mixing details such as traditional lighting fixtures with rustic vases and serving pieces for a one-of-a-kind look. Bold accent colors are now available in Sherwin-Williams designated GreenSure paints such as Duration Home Interior Latex — a low-VOC product that offers exceptional durability and stain resistance.

* Even in the room you snooze, don’t be afraid to add eye-opening, vivid blues and greens. Your bedroom can pop with an eclectic mix of vintage and modern touches, or add an unexpected animal print throw rug to complete the space.

* Create a luxurious, spa-like bath with cosmetic-inspired corals and pinks, or botanical tones. And don’t forget the accents, like a new shower curtain, candles and fresh flowers to retreat in style.

To stir your imagination as you make color choices, collect larger paint chips to help coordinate with fabrics and other accessories. Or, test several color options with custom-tinted samples from a local paint store. You can even preview selections with an online color visualizer.

And share your love of color with others at a Web site like colorofinspiration.com, a forum dedicated to expressing creativity in color. There, you can upload your favorite colorful photos — whether they are of a vacation sunset or backyard garden — and see and comment on the hues that inspire others.

Incorporating a new color palette into your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom is a great way to brighten your daily routine. For more color ideas, visit sherwin-williams.com or your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams paint store.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Simply click on the image to open in a new window, print the card, cut the Valentine card out, and fold in half.  (The lower two copies have a border around the card section which may help make cutting the card out easier).

Click image to open in a new window, then print.

Click image to open in a new window, then print.

Click image to open in a new window, then print.

Click image to open in a new window, then print.

In fact, the word through the grapevine is that the California Dancing Raisins are turning 25 in 2009. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the 1980’s phenomenon. In addition to their status as pop-culture icons, California raisins have long been a family-favorite snack, as well as a tasty addition to recipes.

A perfect reason to celebrate is all of the nutrition that is packed into tiny California raisins. They are fat- and cholesterol-free, high in antioxidants and raisins also deliver valuable potassium and dietary fiber. Just 1/4 cup is a serving of fruit, which makes raisins a wise choice for snacking and ideal for adding naturally sweet flavor to recipes.

To kick-off the birthday festivities, try this delicious Happy Birthday Chocolate Cupcake recipe. Pureed California raisins are the secret ingredient that makes these moist and chocolaty cupcakes a wholesome treat. For more California raisin recipes to keep the celebration going all year long, visit www.LoveYourRaisins.com.

Happy Birthday Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 18 to 20 minutes

Cupcakes
3/4 cup California raisins
2 to 3 tablespoons hot water
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup softened heart healthy vegetable spread
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
4 egg whites
1 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
1/4 cup softened heart healthy vegetable spread
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F and line 12 muffin cups with cupcake papers. Set aside.

Combine raisins and hot water in food processor or blender; process until smooth. Beat raisin puree together with sour cream, spread and extract in a large bowl until light. Beat in sugar, then egg whites. Add dry ingredients and beat until well mixed. Spoon into lined cups and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool before frosting.

For frosting, beat together 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar with remaining ingredients until smooth; spread the top of each cupcake with a thin layer. Stir remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar together with a few drops of half-and-half until thick and smooth. Drizzle a swirl on top of each cupcake.

Makes 12 cupcakes

Courtesy of ARAcontent