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From the Noblesville Ledger.com article by Bonnie Britton: "Whether it's redoing a kitchen that causes you to lose your appetite, or a bathroom where you never want to linger, 2007 might be the year to think about updates and check out the latest trends.

Home-furnishings retailer ShowPlace Direct has identified some of the top decorating and home-improvement trends for 2007, based on polls conducted with U.S. interior design firms and furniture manufacturers. On the hot list: hardwood floors -- especially bamboo -- still reign, blue decor and furniture to capture the still popular 'cottage look,' flat-screen TVs screened-in porches or sunrooms, and energy-efficient faucets.

Fancier faucets

Judd Lord, director of industrial design for Delta Faucet Co., based in Indianapolis, said faucet trends for 2007 will reflect Americans' need to relax and be more environmentally conscious.

In an e-mail interview, Lord said the 'homeowners want to bring the Zen-like feel of the spa into the home, and both the urban/loft and eco-chic trends play into this need.'

But there's still room for luxury and glamor.

'Many products, including faucets, lighting, etc., take on design cues from the glam heydays of the '20s, '30s and '40s.Warm glamorous finishes and textures such as polished nickel, polished chrome, pewter, glass and cut crystal come into play.'

Flat and framed out

Marian Salzman, recognized as one of the world's leading trendspotters and co-author of 'Next New: Trends for the Future,' said by telephone recently that 'flat-screen TVs are the new artwork.'

'They're here to stay.'

Rosalind Pope of Rosalind Pope Interior Designs in Indianapolis says the nicest thing that has happened for decorators and designers are flat-screen televisions.

'You don't have that huge armoire anymore. You don't have to worry about the depth. You can put it on a slender console which looks smart, or you can hang it on the wall.'

Totally out? 'Conspicuous consumption, heavily branded ostentatious items, unnecessary gadgets,' Salzman said.

Hail the hardwood

Still the champion: hardwood floors. Everyone wants them, home design experts say. And now the floors themselves are evolving.

Distressed flooring is gaining in popularity, says Anita Howard of the National Wood Flooring Association.

'Borders and medallions, anything that is going to customize the floor... hand-scraping, a process that you use to make new wood look antique (is big).

'One of the big trends is reclaimed wood. You take it out of old barns, factories, warehouses and make flooring out of old wood.'

Exotic woods, whatever isn't grown domestically, such as Brazilian cherry, are also going to be big in 2007.

As for tile, it's still holding its own.

Kelly Cheslyn, vice president of Architectural Brick & Tile in Indianapolis, says 'We're still holding strong in our market with glass and metals. Porcelain has absolutely taken over the ceramic market.'

Big sizes in tiles are also a trend for 2007. 'Or, the smaller the better,' she says. 'Twelve-by-12 tiles are definitely in.'

Sunrooms let light shine

Gathering and entertaining outside is still growing, experts say. Leading the way are outdoor kitchens and screened in porches, says Case Design/Remodeling, the country's largest full-service company.

Screened-in [sunrooms] will be as big as ever in 2007. The design of these rooms includes simple square floor plans with screens, to more elaborate add-ons with vaulted ceilings, all-weather glass windows, wallpaper and heat and air conditioning. Not changing: The decor. Rattan is still No. 1.

Blues have designs on you

Home-design consumers are going to have the 'blues' in 2007.

Josette Buisson, artistic director for Pittsburgh Paints, says the latest color trends 'represent the classic confluence of nature's elements and global influence and how their beauty connects and inspires our individual style.'

Pope says crisp blues and whites are back, 'not just robin's-egg but the fresh French blue.' This includes not just paint, but furniture and accessories, too."

'You are seeing more white walls, but color is still good.'

If people had to repaint every time a color trend came along, 'the paint would never dry.'"

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Labels: Design Trends, Home Renovation, Interior Paint