Pratt and Lambert - Personal Expressions 2008 - (Page 23)

ex Feeling Each year, representatives from leading industries — including automotive, furniture and fashion — decide on something that has major universal impact: the current hot color. For 2008, the powers that be have snubbed green and moved on to blue. According to Barbara Roessler, ASID, “Blue is the new green. It’s a color between a teal and navy, very vibrant, a deep, saturated shade.” Before redesigning your entire living space, however, consider introducing blue accessories. “Especially if the home has a neutral background, it’s the perfect opportunity to change the palette occasionally,” she says. “Consider a blue occasional chair, pillows or accessories. Add the color in small doses.” What is especially interesting about trendy colors is that the palette changes take place over the course of an era. In the sixties, for example, psychedelic colors were popular. However, as the decade ended, those colors weren’t quite as pronounced, and eventually, rich browns and earth tones ruled. What is consistent is that, in every instance, the fashion industry slowly works its way through trendy color palettes. So, if you’re thinking green, don’t be dismayed. There are hues of green that are still very much in fashion. “Even though green is not so hot for box stores, certainly predominant greens have muted in fashion, says Roessler. “There’s a new pear color with more Kelly green that’s still fabulous.” Blue? Factors to Consider While narrowing down the list of potential designers for your job, ASID suggests looking for the following characteristics: • An accredited interior designer (If, like Florida, licensure is a requirement, ascertain that the person is licensed.) • Experience in the type of project you are doing • Demonstrated creativity, talent and resourcefulness • Attentive and responsive communication • A record of reliability and good work habits • Because ASID members must adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional conduct, look for the appellation after a designer’s name as confirmation that he or she meets the association’s standards. Safari 8-29 The Bigger Picture Too often we think that one element will create a perfect room. We see the new colors on a TV show or love a particular window treatment. The reality is that experimenting can ultimately be quite costly. ASID professionals look beyond the aesthetics of the room, giving consideration to practical and technical elements that make up an interior atmosphere. There’s more to making an attractive living space other than color. Interior designers recognize this and create an environment of elements that interact with each other. They are problem solvers who, when all is said and done, save you money by avoiding costly mistakes. Best of all, they create a space that works. A Valuable Resource In addition to its professional interior designers, ASID also has industry partners, more than 2,500 member firms with 8,000 individual representatives who unite the professional designers with manufacturers of design-related products and services. Listings of vendors and affiliated professionals are also available on www.asid.org. ASID membership is also available to students, which allows them to network with area designers, participate in competitions and community service projects, and apply for grants, internships and study abroad programs. There are currently 12,000 students enrolled in student chapters at colleges, universities and design schools with two- and four-year programs throughout the United States and “virtual chapters” through Rhodec International, a leading provider of professionally recognized Interior Design education, and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online. P R AT T & L A M B E R T 23 www.asid.org

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