Home decorating trends for 2004 blend classic with contemporary

Cocooning at home is in. Feng shui never went out. And the "hot" colors for 2004 are, literally, all over the spectrum.

According to interior decorators and industry experts, these are among the major influences that will shape the latest home decorating plans.

Embraced mainly in the past decade, the 4,000-year-old Chinese art of feng shui continues to prove its staying power. By creating an aura of positive energy, harmony and balance through the skillful blend of colours, woods and home design elements, feng shui has evolved from an interior design trend into a classic.

"Char green, sand, white, red, black, dark brown and all colors of nature are typical feng shui colors," explained designer Juan Forteza, residential forum director of the International Interior Design Association. "Mahogany is the wood of choice since it enriches the environment, and slate flooring and polished concrete walls help create a natural, minimalist feeling."

Taking a similar cue from Mother Nature, the Colour Marketing Group (CMG) envisions colours for 2004 as lighter, softer and more complex, with yellows and greens remaining strong. "While blue will maintain its enviable position as the most important colour of the decade, orange will be the hue of optimism and happiness in 2004," said CMG President Jay de Sibour of Material Connexion, whose association of colour designers forecasts color as much as three years in advance.

Margaret Walch, director of the Colour Association, noted recently on hgtv.com that complex colours reflect today's complex lives. She sees the "bread and butter" colours as strong and sophisticated neutrals, including pale celadon (reflecting the popularity of gardening and growing bamboo), orange and brown. "There's security in brown," added Walch - which she believes is something people especially long for during uncertain times.

"While the phrase 'cocooning' has been a part of our lexicon since trend analyst Faith Popcorn first coined it in 1981, it's never been more relevant than it is today," explained Environmental Graphics president Todd Imholte, whose company produces decorative wall murals for home and office.

"People are going out less and staying in more, which has made them increasingly aware of ways in which they might make their homes more comfortable and reassuring. Dining room furniture sales, for example, are growing as families spend more time at the dinner table. The need for home offices continues as more men and women find they enjoy working in a non-traditional office environment. These are but a few of the trends we'll continue to see as people 'nest' and 'burrow' more at home."

At the same time that Britains see the need to make improvements to their homes, many are constrained by tighter household budgets than in recent years. Consequently, some may paint a few rooms; others may hang no-sew window treatments, and still others may add throw pillows or new bed linens.

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