(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.

(ARA) – If you’re like the majority of Americans, you care about the environment — so much so that you’re willing to change your spending habits to go green. According to a recent survey by Information Resources, Inc., a leading provider of retail market intelligence, half of all U.S. consumers consider at least one eco-friendly factor when shopping for consumer products, and it appears green living is taking root at home.

“Whether you’re motivated by environmental benefits or long-term cost savings, demand for eco-friendly home products is at an all-time high,” says Jeff Dross, senior product manager at Kichler Lighting who also is a member of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. “Increased demand means companies are coming to the table with new green home solutions, from sustainable furniture to organic sheets and everything in between.”

If you’re looking for new ways to go eco-friendly at home, one of the easiest places to start is with your lighting. Today’s green lighting isn’t limited to the fluorescent light bulbs we’ve all been quick to purchase. LEDs are gaining in popularity as a viable — and affordable — home lighting source.

In the past, this energy-efficient, semi-conducting light source was used only in bold outdoor signage and in electronic equipment displays, such as the clock on your DVD player. In addition, LED used to mean unattractive blue hues and an expensive price tag, limiting its use in the home. Recent strides, however, have created an LED with the same bright white output as incandescent lighting. Plus there is an affordable price tag to go with it.

Other benefits of LED lighting include:

* Energy/Cost Savings: LED lighting uses 75 percent less electricity than the standard incandescent light sources we use in our homes. Think of the savings for your electricity bill over time!

* Longer Life: LEDs offer an average 20 years of use — 50 times longer than the incandescent light bulb. You’d have to buy more than 50 regular light bulbs to equal the service life offered by a single LED.

One of the latest buzz-generating LED products is Kichler’s Design Pro LED under cabinet lighting. Not only does this new solution use 75 percent less electricity than typical under cabinet lighting, it’s virtually invisible because it’s only half an inch thick. National TV programs and magazines have been singing its praises, and it even earned the prestigious Lighting for Tomorrow Award, the lighting industry’s highest honor for energy-efficient products.

Because landscape lighting is left on for extended periods, it’s important to use energy-efficient lighting outside too. Kichler also offers LED products for the outdoors, including products for your deck,and steps, as well as accent lights for use throughout your landscape. Even though LED lighting is in the spotlight, don’t forget about fluorescent lighting. It too continues to make important strides. Kichler, for example, offers more than 100 energy-efficient fluorescent fixtures in a variety of finishes and designs for every area of the home.

Making energy efficient home improvements doesn’t have to mean sweeping changes. Starting with a simple change in lighting you can save time and money and also help the environment.

For more on Kichler’s energy efficient lighting products, visit www.kichler.com or call (888) 659-8809.

Courtesy of ARAcontent