Bolder is better, local designers say

It's fun trying to predict what decor trends we'll fall in love with in 2011. Money for decorating is tight for many of us, and something's really got to grab us before we'll agree to buy.

Ideas abound — from getting brave with color to repurposing family heirlooms or looking up to make your ceilings something special.

In fact, “adventure” is the word for 2011. Perhaps it's because people are staying in their homes now rather than selling. Not only have we decided that resale is too far off to worry about whether beige is required to please a future buyer, but maybe we're comfortable and familiar enough with our homes to do something bold — or are just looking for a dramatic new look.

Adventure

Young people have more information about decor today than ever before from magazines, newspapers, books, television and the Internet, said Lindsay Bierman, editor of Southern Living. That helps make them brave. “The young homeowner is experimenting in her first house — not playing it safe,” he said.

Color

Color is always the question, isn't it? And as usual you can find someone who picks almost any shade as the one that will shine next year. Here in the suburbs designers say colors found in nature — from red to greens and blues — are very popular. For the neutral lovers, gray is the new choice. Jeanine Zapatka of Interiors by Jeanine in Arlington Heights likes gray paired with canary yellow or plum. Marta Cullen, Dream Interiors of Downers Grove, would probably go along with that because she says you can't go wrong with any shade of purple. Even black and white have their fans!

Ceilings

Things are looking up, said Janet Davidsen of Details in Design in Wheaton. If you have a cathedral ceiling, ditch the boring white and make it an important part of the decor, like she did in the home of Jan and Wayne Ebersberger in Wheaton, with shades of gold, browns and some bronze metallics. We are so crazy about that subtle metallic look that even colors like champagne come with the sparkle.

Wallpaper

Linda Fougerousse of Interior Transformation in Elmhurst says you'll be seeing very bright, large-scale patterns in wall coverings. If you're not ready for this, she suggests alternatives including panels of metal or wood. Southern Living's Bierman plans to install wallpaper in his own home. “It's not just for the realm of high-end designers any more,” he said. “We did a story about a young woman with her first house, an adorable bungalow, and she put wallpaper with a bright motif in the dining room.” Don't forget the wall covering should be recyclable, and if you choose paint, watch those VOCs, said Andrea Vollf of Andrea Vollf Interiors in Schaumburg.

Antiques

Antiques and vintage pieces have always been important in decor. But Bierman is in favor of boldness in this category, too. He knows someone who took a Victorian chair that many stylish folks would consider too “goopy” with “really fussy lines” and transformed it with a big, graphic houndstooth print. The results, he swears, are chic. Linda Navara of LMR Designs in Arlington Heights endorses refinishing and recovering pieces to make them your own — whether they're from grandma or a thrift shop.

Traditional vs. modern

You know the answer here. You really have to mix styles “to make a traditional interior fresh and modern. I don't think of traditional necessarily as your grandmother's traditional,” said Bierman. He raves about an old, Southern house with a traditional black and white checkered floor in the office. The owner spiced that room up with a bright green midcentury chair. “It's so fresh and so pretty,” said the editor.

Kitchen

Will this be the year you bring personality to your kitchen by painting the cabinets — sunny yellow, poppy red, inky blue or milky Jadite green? Amy Hughes, features editor of This Old House magazine, is seeing combinations of these colors in kitchens of all eras. And if you're not the bravest design maven on the block, start with the island or one big piece of furniture like a free-standing cupboard or buffet you can move into the kitchen. Not convinced? Hughes suggests you check out the January-February issue of her magazine.

Furniture

Pick clean lines, and sustainable materials will also be important, says Vollf. Woods are getting lighter.

Etc.

Wainscoting is back — paneled or beadboard, says Hughes. She attributes this to kits that are available to achieve a high-end look with a weekend's do-it-yourself work. Updating recessed can lights with pendants is also very easy with converters that cost $30 or $40, she said. And a dowdy fireplace can look a lot better with a new marble surround, while adding doors will cut your heating bills.

Grown-ups

When the children are finally in their own homes, or at least grown enough to be trusted with nice things, it's time for cut velvet from Donghia, Davidsen said.

Fabric

Zapatka says linen and cotton create that casual, lived-in look. Cullen agrees that texture is important, but she still likes silks for drapes. Vollf adds eco-friendly choices like bamboo and even soy silk to the list of 2011 must haves. And that 1940s Hollywood glam with metallics is great, said Linda Navara, LMR Designs, Arlington Heights.

Artwork

Think urban and graphic, said Navara. She likes a gray-toned cityscape with a splash of color.

Great family photos can serve as accent pieces. Older photos in antique frames still work well with modern decor.