At the start of a new year, everyone wants to look and plan ahead. A lot of this starts with a good ol’ New Years resolution. Sometimes it starts as a not so simple question “What do I want to accomplish this year?”.  Either way, lots of predictions are being made for 2016. When it comes to design, we look to a few major companies for color and fashion predictions for the New Year.  From what we’ve seen 2016 looks to be very interesting. The leader in design color prediction is a company called Pantone. Typically they have a color of the yearthat they feel will take over the fashion and design world. This year Pantone has named two colors; “Rose Quartz” (a soft pink hue)  and “Serenity” (a sky blue hue) as the colors of 2016. Pantone has selected these colors because they “demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.” These colors also mix together a masculine and feminine feel which is very popular in textiles (including carpet and rugs!)


To contrast Pantone’s, Benjamin Moore is calling Simply White (#OC-117) their color of the year.  I know, how exciting! They suggest to either layer your whites for contrast (putting a gray based white against a true white) or using Simply White as an “outline” color and having a big punch of color to contrast.


What are the 2016 trends for color in carpet and rugs? Good question.  We’re seeing a return to warmer colors (grey mixed with beige, purples, and navy’s) in nylon carpets  as well as a return to brighter accent colors (greens, yellows, reds, teals etc) in our area rugs and wool carpets. Ulster has a great line of plaids (a hot texture and fabric trend for 2016!) that mix the softer grey/beige neutrals with bright shocks of teal or purple or navy.  Some mills are blurring the lines between masculine and feminine in their new introductions.


Fabrica’s new styles Beverly Hills and Grayson mix a more masculine pattern with a little shine that adds a feminine touch.  Karastan is introducing a lot of new rugs that mix together more traditional colors like navy in a traditional diamond pattern with a punch of coral pink for contrast.


It seems 2016 is going to be a mix and match kind of year. Contrast your classic jewel tone Karastan Multi Panel Kirman rug with accents of Simply White or redo your living room carpet with Fabrica’s Beverly Hills and add some new metallic finished end tables. Either way, we’re always here to help and offer suggestions of how to add some spice to the new year!