Hot Decor Trends for Fall 2010

by Elaine Williamson

With temperatures still hitting record highs, thoughts of autumn seem but a woeful wish. The fall season evokes thoughts of home and hearth, as families and friends eagerly anticipate re-connecting with one another amid busy lives.

Of course, most want a home design and décor that will impress, and help de-compress, impending company -- one with that autumnal sensibility that exudes comfort and warmth… and duly stimulates the senses.

With this in mind, here are ten top home design and décor trends for fall:

1. Vintage accents. What's old is new again. French-burlap is no longer just for sack-racing. This Earth-friendly fibre is being utilized for chic pillows imprinted with a vintage stamped design or even a family initial. Accent chairs can also be seen covered in grey linen imprinted with vintage "document" script writing. Vintage couture lamps (and their replicas) are utter perfection this year, especially those with milk glass and natural material bases, drum shades, and antique brass finials. Aged, colour-washed wood accessories such as candlesticks, urns and bowls are popular as oversized accessories to accent and update a time-worn look.

2. Wallpaper! With a decreasing demand for faux finishes and walls painted in solid primary colours, wallpaper is making a comeback in a big and decidedly fashionable way. From bright and bold to subdued and elegant, today's wallpapers are easy to apply and even easier to remove, making updating the seasonal look of a room easier than ever before. There are a seemingly endless number of choices from solids to patters, and everything in between.

3. Timeless art. When shopping for items to occupy wall space, ditch the quick fix, "matchy-matchy" picture. Art doesn't have to be expensive but it should certainly have meaning. Buy what you love. Mix mediums and styles. To add depth and character to your pieces, forego the glass cover that can be distracting and casts a glare that actually detracts from your interior design. Remember… if you love it, it works!

4. Elemental colour. While neutrals have made a strong showing in design this year for primary design elements like walls and baseline furnishings, boldly coloured accent pieces give a space visual interest and appeal. Brightly coloured and/or patterned pillows, rugs and other accessories will bring an otherwise bland space to life. Of course, these accessories can be readily transitioned to exude the spirit of a given season.

5. Space simplification. With a strong desire to ease and reprioritize our homes and lifestyles, de-cluttering -- even with respect to editing down furnishings and accessories - is the best way to gain control of your surroundings and feel a refreshed sense of purpose. It is very important to streamline not only the lines of your furniture, but the bulkiness as well. But, this does not mean giving up comfort for style. Many times we place too many items in a room by way of accessories, pillows, throw rugs, and family photos. Pick and choose very carefully the most important items and then pare down from there. There is brilliance in restraint.

6. Rug rage. There has never been a more exciting time than now in the area rug industry. Whatever style, shape, and design you can imagine is within your reach. Even if a space has wall-to-wall carpeting, place an area rug to establish a layered look and add depth and personality to a room and also tie in other disparate colour components. A rug's colour palette and pattern can easily establish the desired style and tone of a season.

7. Bed basics. Bedding has also changed this year. The pomp and circumstances of overstuffed pillows that seem to multiply in the night are out. Way out. Exquisite, neutral coloured linens are in, especially when paired with a luxurious top blanket and a clean lined duvet. For those who desire more colour that's representative of fall or any other season, indulge in two medium sized pillows placed in front of each sham.

8. Pillow talk. Today's pillow designs offer an array of textures, colours, shapes, sizes and accents, and can completely transform a room's aesthetic. Accordingly, pillows have become the ultimate interior design accessory, especially since they are so versatile. Choose an assortment of pillows for the spring and summer and another set for the fall and winter. This is an easy way to seasonally transition a room in an easy and budget-friendly way. Also, resist the urge to "karate chop" pillows to give them a centre crease, as this look is not style savvy.

9. Window treatments. While many love luscious fabrics, an overuse of material on your windows can quickly overpower an otherwise streamlined room. Linen panels are now very trendy since they beautifully outline and soften windows. This classic and timeless fabric is now available in a staggering array of colours to coordinate with any interior palette.

10. Brass. Yes, brass is back but now it's a bit older and wiser. Antiqued brass and even antiqued gold have both made a large comeback on everything from drapery rods, to cocktail tables, to door and cabinet knobs to décor figurines. The light reflecting surface of brass adds warmth, glow and movement to a space and, thus, is perfect in a room with a fireplace.

Luxury interiors expert Elaine Williamson is the principal of Elaine Williamson Designs -- a full service, award-winning firm specializing in high end custom interior design for luxury residences, high rise properties, and commercial establishments. She may be reached online at www.ElaineWilliamsonDesigns.com and followed on Twitter at "ElaineWDesigns".