This year, and over the next two to three years, color is evolving according to predictable influences: the Economy, given our recent recession woes, Fashion, as usual, and Nature, in alignment with a continuing concern for living “green.”

First, economic concerns have initiated a trend toward rising conservatism in decorating. Many homeowners are choosing to “stay in place,” and are looking for viable and affordable ways to refresh and invigorate their homes. Practical remodeling decisions are one way to do that—expanding living spaces or creating more storage, for instance—and color is another. The conservative trend is being felt in a resurgence of safe but updated neutrals, and a trend in pattern toward plaids. Gray is the new black—halfway between black and brown, gray can be warm or cool, but is always calming, solid and assuring. Plaids are reflected from menswear, seen as safe and traditional, easily updated with a color accent; a colorblocking trend in runway fashion also plays into plaids resurging in home design.

Despite economic concerns, a return to optimism is seen in bold, updated color as accent—just as a man’s tie creates that same color burst within his gray suit. This year’s showstopping color is yellow. The quintessential color for optimism, yellow is warming and energizing. Yellows with a citrus cast, in either green or orange undertones, dominate this year.

Fashion trends, however, are running counter to the conservative trend noted above; instead, Fashion is influencing Interior Design in a different way: focusing on fun, whimsy, and escape. Influenced by the runway, the bold accent colors noted above are adding the fun “twist” to otherwise neutral decorating schemes. Bold accents are easily—and economically—changed with the times or the trend. Colors reflecting this fashion forward trend are reflected in a significant return to purples, especially those that are red-based. Purple as accent will be seen in a variety of hues and saturations, and will even enter the neutrals category as a “grayed-out” plum.  Confident, luxurious purple runs a close second to yellow as accent for 2009. Bright pinks and oranges are also hot, along with a retro trend to paisley, spiral, and psychedelic patterns, as Fashion revisits the 60’s and 70’s.

Finally, the Environmental movement has us all going back to nature for inspiration. “Being green” is a fixture in society these days, and color trend is strongly influenced by it—though this year, the new green is blue! The spectrum of blues highlight the oceanic side of our Earthly concerns, as green takes a backseat to this soft, soothing color that is as changeable and versatile as the ocean itself. Blues translate to tranquility and calm, safety and security, and will be used in every shade from deep navy to watery aqua.  A return to nature also influences our bolder tones, bringing in citrus and other produce-inspired colors, as well as exotics, such as oranges, reds and teals.  As our world becomes more multicultural, and our access to formerly out-of-reach places extends, exotic colors and influences increase.  This will also be reflected in use of unexpected materials, such as exotic woods, reclaimed metals, shells, and grasses.

Color choice is a reaction to the world around us. When making yours, while trend and influence is important for inspiration, in the end, be sure to choose those that make you happy in your home.

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For immediate assistance with your interior decorating project, please call Sandra Hambley at 703-599-0648.

We serve the Greater Washington (DC) area, Northern Virginia and Maryland.

Virginia
We serve the following areas of Virginia:  Aldie, Alexandria, Amissville, Annandale, Arlington, Ashburn, Bowling Green, Bristow, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Dahlgren, Dale City, Dulles, Dumfries, Dunnloring, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Falls Church, Fort Belvoir, Fredericksburg, Fort Myer, Gainesville, Garrisonville, Great Falls, Haymarket, Herndon, Leesburg, Loudoun, Lorton, Lovettsville, Manassas, McLean, Merrifield, Middleburg, Mount Vernon, Nokesville, Oakton, Occoquan, Prince William, Purcellville, Quantico, Reston, Roundhill, Spotsylvania, Springfield, Stafford, Sterling, Tysons Corner, Vienna, Warrenton, Waynesboro, Winchester, and Woodbridge.

Maryland
We serve the following areas of Maryland:  Aberdeen, Abingdon, Annapolis Junction, Baltimore, Barstow, Bel Air, Bel Alton, Beltsville, Bethesda, Bladensburg, Bowie, Brandywine, Brentwood, Callaway, Capitol Heights, Chase, Cheltenham, Chesapeake Beach, Chevy Chase, Churchton, Churchville, Clarksburg, Clarksville, College Park, Columbia, District Heights, Dunkirk, Edgewater, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Galesville, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Glen Echo, Glenn Dale, Hagerstown, Hanover, Kensington, Laurel, Montgomery, Potomac, Prince Frederick, Prince Georges, Riverdale, Rock Point, Rockville, Sandy Spring, Silver Spring, Upper Marlboro, Valley Lee, Waldorf, Washington Grove, West River,and White Plains.

Washington DC
We serve the Greater Washington DC area, including:  Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Downtown D.C., Dupont Circle, and Georgetown.

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Decor & You offers outstanding commercial decorating services with comprehensive solutions for these vital business interests.

Work Efficiency Matters
Businesses in every sector and size share the same concern. Large corporations, hospitality, healthcare, retail, commercial-scale developers –– even small business owners who work in a home office –– agree that efficiency impacts the bottom line. The Decor & You Advantage enables you to protect your bottom line through a planned and coordinated commercial interior, custom-fitted to your space, your taste and functional needs.

How You Invest Matters
Decor & You offers a spectrum of products from hundreds of manufacturers – with solutions for every price point, functional need and style. We create interiors that reflect the image your individual business needs to maintain: from the luxurious to the money-conscious. We take your budget just as seriously. Decor & You charges no hourly fees for interior decorating services. We work on the basis of up-front contracts, so you will know total project costs before the work begins.

How You Partner Matters
Expect consistency and reliability from Decor & You, decorators expertly trained through our certified design education program (CIDI).  Partnering with Decor & You is an unbeatable value proposition for our commercial clients with multiple locations.

Some companies have a main design team to address foundation design features such as carpet, wall covering, window treatments, and general lighting. They call in Decor & You to manage design detail work, such as lobby, waiting room and boardroom furnishings, accent lighting, area rugs, artwork and accessories. We work adeptly with other design teams to ensure that your interior reflects what’s best about your business.

However your Request for Proposal (RFP) is structured, Decor & You has a vendor portfolio with hundreds of collections, from the latest styles in environmentally-friendly, commercial-grade carpet to low-energy recessed lighting. Our collections include:

• Furniture (upholstered and occasional)
• Case Goods
• Flooring (hard surfaces, carpeting and area rugs)
• Window treatments (full spectrum of top quality hard and soft treatments)
• Lighting (accent, general and task)
• Wall coverings
• Artwork and accessories
• Color consultation

How We Respond Matters
We’re a full-service business with everything you need to furnish and refine your commercial interior. We provide master planning and comprehensive, hands-on project management, from start to finish… right up to installation. What’s more, we bring our service to your location.

We mean it when we say, “Decor & You simplifies how America furnishes and refines interiors.” We know it matters. Contact us for more information about our commercial interior decorating services.

Contact: Sandra Hambley
Decor & You DC
1039 Sterling Road, Suite 104 Herndon, VA 20170
Serving Virginia, Maryland and the DC Metro Area

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