Color Cues!

Greetings from sunny - yes, sunny! Seattle, where I'm spending most of the week at the Color Marketing Group's Spring Conference. We're ere to determine the upcoming color forecast for all industries, and of course, my main interest is what's happening with color in Home.

I can't give away all our secrets, but I can share this with you:

Red is getting warmer, and moving towards yellow, which means it can pass itself off as a red-orange. Blue-based reds are going away for now. Coral is back plays well with dark browns as well as with gray. Orange remains browned down and earthy - a continuation of the warm, spicy oranges that have been popular - think terra cotta. The look is "comfortable" yet upscale. A new, bright, juicy orange has been introduced that will make a great fun accent color.

Yellow-green is still strong, as is a mid-tone yellow, but the news is that greens are moving towards blue (think blue spruce) and yellow is moving towards green (think lemongrass). A new blackened green - darker than hunter green - has also been added to the forecast.

Two very different purples are forecast - one is a bright saucy purple that will enhance yellow-greens, caramels, and charcoals. The other is a blackened plum - deep, dark, and rich that can stand alone or work with copper, grayed greens, and yellow-oranges. Both move away from lavender and lilac and have much more chroma.

Browns are lightening up, yet a new true chocolate was introduced. As Seattle has a historical underground, this was appropriately named "underground brown", in tribute to our host city.

As mentioned in a previous post, it's no surprise that several gray hues made the forecast. Gray makes the perfect background for other bright colors, so it's very versatile.

My last morning in Seattle brought the normal colored sky - gray with rain. A perfect ending to a great conference, and just the right shade of gray at that.

Bruce Knott CMG

Fashion Show debuts on Bravo

Calling all fashionistas! The Fashion Show premieres on Bravo on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Fifteen professional designers will compete in this fashion creative competition series for a chance to have their designs sold in the retail market and win a $125,000 prize.

If you’re a Project Runway watcher, you know that it has been over a year since we have seen Tim Gunn, Nina and Michael Kors dice up the designers on Bravo’s Project Runway. If you aren’t a fanatic, here’s the reason why. Bravo and parent NBC got into a nasty legal battle when Harvey Weinstein, producer of the show sold it to the highest bidder. NBC sued for breach of contract and Weinstein alleged lack of promotion. The suit has been settled so Bravo is getting set to launch its PR wannabee-Fashion Show- with hosts Issac (Yea!) Mizarahi and Kelly Rowland. So if you need a fashion fix tune in.

To make it even more interesting, join the Trend Team in Fafarazzi’s Fashion Show Fantasy League. (The trend team played as we religiously watched PR and then dished about the wacky designers and the clothes they created post show.).
By the way- Lifetime was the highest bidder and season six will start airing this summer. Oh can’t wait that long? Check out the finalists from February’s Bryant Park shows – no names were revealed!) See the Trend Team at Vision'09 when we present our very own Fashion Show.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Spring in New York means the opening April 17th of the 37th annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House. The annual showcase for A-list designers that is eagerly awaited event for their devotees, this year’s edition will makeover the doublewide limestone mansion of real estate tycoon and art patron Aby Rosen on the city's Upper East Side. In a nod to the this year’s Design Icon honoree, Albert Hadley, the Show House will feature designers who studied with Hadley, America's preeminent designer and the creative force behind the homes of Brooke Astor, Babe Paley, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

The list of participants includes several design legends in their own right, from Gloria Vanderbilt and Amy Lauto a trio of Interior Design Hall of Famers: Jamie Drake, Juan Montoya and Bunny Williams.

Lau's contributions also recognize another luminary, Maya Romanoff, who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his namesake wall covering company. Lau collaborated with paper artist Jo Lynn Alcorn on a 3-D installation that will utilize Maya Romanoff products in a stunning display that will transform a skylight-topped spiral staircase between the second and third floors.

Tune Up Your Marketing Tool

Your portfolio has helped you win clients and close deals, but with a changing design market, your most important marketing tool may need a bit of tweaking, some freshening up or maybe even a thorough overhaul. At Vision '09 , May 13-16, 2009 in Atlanta , GA we'll be offering a complimentary Portfolio Review, where editors, design directors and other industry professionals with offer constructive feedback and straightforward advice on improving or enhancing your portfolio.
Use This FREE Review To:
* Help reposition yourself
* Sharpen your message and presentation
* Go after new areas of publicity (getting published, becoming a speaker, etc.)
* Leverage your investment in your portfolio
and much more...

Sessions will be held in the TrendSpot each day from 10:00 – 12:00 . Each session is 10-12 minutes and begins on the quarter hour. You'll walk away with:
* a tip sheet on how to improve your interior design photographs
* a fool-proof outline for putting together a press release
* ideas and resources for how to most effectively update your portfolio for your desired market

RSVP ONLINE
Email us with the following information and let us know you’re coming
First Name Last Name E mail address
First choice for time slot
Second choice for time slot

WHAT TO BRING
Your portfolio and other main marketing pieces, can be printed or on a CD
If possible, a second copy of your portfolio and marketing pieces, to leave with the review panel for potential follow up.
Spots are filling fast. Sign up now.

German Engineering and Blinds

Ahhh….German Engineering! HotSpot Blinds specializes in supplying blinds with special requirements like shipyards. This horizontal wood blind is fully functional – meaning it’s able to be drawn up and down and the slats turn. Plus it’s motorized. But the cool thing about this blind is their proprietary side cable guidance system that allows for angled blinds up to 55 degree angles. U.S. manufacturers might want to check it out.