Before I answer this question, let me clue you in on a little something I learned while in the fashion industry. Did you know that there are Color Forecasters at Color Forecasting Agencies that decide, months (even years!) in advance, what the popular color shades and tints will be for any given season and/or year? Did you know that every major design-related house or manufacturer subscribes to this service so they make garments and housewares in *the right* colors for each season? Crazy, right? Its true.

Have you ever noticed that the same shade of sage green was offered at the height of the Shabby Chic fad from everything to t-shirts to bed sheets? Or that the same impossible shade of Robbins Egg Blue could be found in everything from floor rugs to desk accessories to scarves during the Brown and Blue craze? (I realize that some people are still subscribing to that trend, so its not "done" yet- I do have to admit it is a nice color combination.) When I first learned this as a young undergrad, I felt a little betrayed. Did I really have zero control over what I chose for myself and my home? Maybe this is the reason I'm not an overly trendy person, and why I generally subscribe to classic and timeless rather than flash-in-the-pan.

Answering this question comes with a grain of salt, and I would also like to restate that I do not agree with implementing trends into your home unless it fits your style. With that said, lets talk about some color trends or 2009. A great way to incorporate new interiors trends of any kind can be found in one of my previous Weekly Q+A answers  here. If you don't have time to read it- let me cut to the chase and recommend you incorporate trends in small doses, and in ways that coordinate with what you already have going on.

For 2009, according to Vol. 5, Issue II of STIR , a specialty publication by Sherwin-Williams, here is what to expect:

-Gray will act as an important neutral in both residential and commercial spaces

-Intense colors will tone down to more restrained and elegant shades

-Reds and Oranges will have a yellow undertone (the undertone is really important when choosing paint colors!)

-Blues will have a slight undertone of violet (in other words, they will lean more purple)

-Yellows and greens will be more yellow-based (think avocado), and some will have a touch of blue, too (think green gemstone shades).

-Neutrals will be inspired by nature such as stone, wood, and natural textiles like linen.

-Grays will range from light to dark and be utilized as a main neutral, with a touch of brown, that ever popular "natural neutral". To picture gray-brown, think about a set of French Gray markers. In French Gray, brown is used to warm up the color (as opposed to a Cool Gray, which is blue based).

If you have an interior design, interior style, architecture, entertaining or lifestyle question- send it my way at:janelle@jsteinbergdesign.com

-Janelle Steinberg BA, ASID Allied

Principal and Director of Design

J Steinberg Design