Plum Lovely

Maybe this recession stuff isn't so bad for my field. Except that architecture firms are laying off left and right, but perhaps there is a glimmer of hope....for me anyway. :)

From Sherwin Williams "Stir" by Andrea Penney

Feathering Your Nest for Recession, Stagflation and More

Today, more and more Americans 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, they want their homes to be restful and soothing, yet stylish and chic.

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

So with this in mind, here’s a look at some home décor color trends for 2009.

Dress your recession in purple. This past fall, when Michelle Obama made an appearance in St. Paul, Minn., during the 2008 election season in a purple dress, she almost single-handedly assured us that this popular color, called a "new neutral" by some because of its versatility, would not be considered played out anytime soon. And for her President-elect husband, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and virtually every news anchor and talking head, purple has usurped red as the color of the power tie. The color of royalty and enchantment is the "it" color this winter. Its many shades and hues are showing up in fashion apparel, accessories, cosmetics and personal-care products. Its hues range from deepest amethyst, grape and plum to delicate lilac, wisteria, orchid and pansy. Depending upon the shade, purple can be formal (eggplant), feminine (lavender), or warm and cozy (violet).

And purple’s popularity doesn’t end there: The royal hue is popping up on walls, textiles, tabletops and even home furnishings. "Purples, especially red-cast purples, are going to be important in 2009," said forecaster Michelle Lamb, editorial director for The Trend Curve. "I’m seeing dark, passionate plums, used along with black, and layered purples. It’s a feeling of luxe. Think purple velvet." Why? Because purple symbolizes both luxury and fun — both things that people feel they can use more of these days. (end of article)

At this point, I would totally put pictures of my room on here, which I did last year, and gives me a little ego boost that I was ahead of the fashion curve, if I didn't feel that it sort of invaded my privacy. So I'll just sum it up, my room is done in a monochromatic color scheme of reddish purples, and I have deep plum velvet curtains. :)