Watch for nature-inspired colors and patterns for 2010. We are seeing "safe" neutral colors blending with bold shots of vibrant tones. These tones have taken their cue from "flower colors" such as orchids, intense greens and buttercup yellows.  Color and style groupings also include botanical palettes of hues that include soft greens (leaf green), chalky whites, and aqua as an accent color. Gray appears to be emerging as the new neutral, while the earthy tones and ethnic looks of the African continent enjoy a renaissance in batik and paisley prints.

Lavenders and purples aren’t just for the bedroom anymore...this unexpected shift to larger living spaces creates environments that are soothing to the senses. Red is still hot—from clean and vibrant to rouge and rustic, red remains a constant in the color world. Orange, as an accent, will enjoy renewed popularity. On the radar:  fuchsia along with acidic yellows and greens. And blue will be making a comeback!

Pantone has deemed turquoise "color of the year" for apparel and home for 2010. The color is an inviting, luminous hue that combines the serenity of blue with the invigorating aspects of green. In many cultures turquoise is believed to be a color of deep compassion, healing, faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. With both warm and cool undertones, turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum.

It may take time for this color trend to develop and cross over from the apparel industry, but it is worth watching as the year progresses.

From furniture to fabric finishes, there will be notable raised, knobby or pebbled surfaces adding dimension and depth to many new 2010 home accents.  The new patterns reflect  fresh, clean and crisp lines, with some extremes in scale from large motifs to small simple designs.  You’ll see everything from vintage to contemporary, mid-century modern to traditional, and a heavy transitional influence.

These are just some of the industry style and color predictions. There is no crystal ball...it will be interesting to see how accurate these predictions are after another 12 months!