Interior Design Color Outlook for 2009

Interior Design color trends in 2009 are affected by, really no surprise; fashion, nature and the economy. These are the three motivating factors that shape color trends overall and they tend to shift and evolve each year in regards to how they impact consumer trends.

Since our economy has been in a recession we are seeing more conservatism in decorating. Colors have been shifting to neutrals with bolder colors for accent. Everyone is thinking "Green" these days too and nature is much more mainstream and on the minds of almost every consumer.

Fashions seem to be running counter to the more conservative trends. We are yearning for art, culture, beauty and fun. With many of us staying in our existing homes much longer than before we have been searching for options to renew and reinvigorate our living spaces. We are beginning to find comfort in colors that are familiar, yet at the same time we are embracing colors that make us happy. The demand for products that reflect an environmentally "greener" world is going way beyond a passing trend. Exotic places in the world have become fascinating to everyone and oranges, turquoises, teals, reds and yellows bring these places into our homes. These colors are optimistic touches in accessories, dishes and our clothing. Believe it or not shades of white are becoming more popular when painting our interiors so that these colorful accent pieces really pop with childlike exuberance.

Rex - Our Shop Dog & Best Friend

Rex - Our Shop Dog & Best Friend

It is with a great deal of sadness we must report that Rex our Cocker Spaniel left us the day after Easter 2009. He came to work almost every day of this life from the ripe old age of 3 months until his death 14.6 years later. He never complained about the management or his clients, he never stayed home because he was lazy and wanted to skip work - in fact he beat us to the car every morning when it was time to leave for work. Rex had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful clients during his years; he would greet every one who came into our shop with a sniff, a wag of his little tail or maybe he'd bring them his ball. He used to lay on the carpet in the front window and several times through the years people turned their cars around and came into our store to see if he was a stuffed dog in the window; no, he was just waiting for me to come back from an appointment.

What a wonderful friend he was. Trixie, his companion the last two and one-half years has big PAWS to fill! Oh, we have a new puppy Teddy, who was born on March 26th, he is a nephew of Trixie's. But, Rex no one can take your place and we will always miss you!

Spring Hunter Douglas Rebates - Stop the Great Energy Giveaway

The best rebate program ever offered by Hunter Douglas started on February 1, 2009 and will be in effect until April 30, 2009. The rebates will be offered on selected products and there are limites to the number of shades that will qualify for the rebates.

Rebates will be from $50 to $300 per shade, up to 10 units on each product below:

$300 for each Duette VertiGlide with Duolite honeycomb shades

$200 for each Duette VertiGlide honeycomb shade

$200 for each Luminette Privacy Sheer

$150 for each Park Lane Privacy Sheer

$150 for each Skyline Gliding Window Panel

$100 for each Silhouette window shading

$75 for each Pirouette window shading

$50 for each Duette Architella honeycomb shade

$50 for each Duette LiteRise with Top-down/Bottom-Up or Ultraglide with Top-Down/Bottom-Up

$50 for each Vignette Modern Roman Shade

$50 for each Nantucket window shading

(Duette Architella rebate is not combinable with Duette Vertiglide or Duette LiteRise/UltraGlide TDBU rebate. Only one rebate submittal allowed per client during this offer.) Please allow approximately 8-10 weeks for delivery of rebate checks by US mail after products have been installed.

Hurry - this is a great opportunity to add beautiful new window covering products in your home and receive this special rebate offer too.

Making GREEN Beautiful - Saving Energy at the Window

Heat flow through windows is graphically shown in the infrared photo above, where red areas indicate energy loss. The dramatic color difference between the walls and windows shows the contrast in resistance to heat flow. How can we make the windows more like the walls? By adding insulation. Not with the fiberglass you would use in the walls, of course, but with window coverings - products that also control light and privacy, and add a fashion statement to each room.

This infrared photo illustrates that by simply adding an insulated shade to the uncovered window means saving a lot of energy when heating your home. Energy loss, both in heat loss and heat gain, is through the windows; when they are insulated this means that you are saving money. The Duette Architella shade can add R-Value to your windows up to +4.

R-Value measure resistance to heat flow. The walls of a contemporary home typically have an R-Value of 19, while standard double pane windows only have an R-Value of about 2. By adding window fashions like Duette Architella honeycomb shades can add up to four points tripling the energy efficiency of a standard double pane window and cutting heat loss through it by up to two-thirds. Imagine the impact of this much increased insulation on your utility bills!

When you choose Hunter Douglas products for your windows you're doing more than saving energy resources and money. You're also enhancing the look of your home with remarkable beauty and style at the window plus you're increasing the resale value of your home as well. Come into our showroom at Drapes & More Interiors to see a sample of this fine product. We will be happy to come to your home to give you a free estimate too.