(Editor’s note: While I’m trying to wrap up January/February, DRS and Associates has offered to blog about new trends spotted at the Dallas International Lighting Market. Thanks!)

If you had any question about where lighting is headed this year, then the 2012 Dallas International Lighting Market (which just wrapped Jan. 19-23) at Dallas Market Center (and home to the American Lighting Association) is a perfect place to start. With over five million sq. ft. of exhibition space and approximately 3,000 buyers visiting from all over the globe (Spanish and French were frequently overheard this weekend), the event is touted as “the International Home of Lighting“ for good reason. We surveyed the scene and pulled together a quick list of the season’s brightest lighting trends.

1. Non-Traditional Materials
Rope, cable and other “found” objects such as vintage glass telephone insulators and jars were perhaps one of the biggest surprises of Dallas Market. Even the most daring of lighting manufacturers this year took a no-holds-barred approach to rethinking what exists, blurring the line between what is chic and what is familiar.

2. Aged Brass
Keeping in line with the weathered looks and “found” object theme, aged brass has made a comeback in the bath (contrary to earlier declarations that it ‘was dead’ a few years ago). This year, lighting manufacturers added more of the vintage finish to their collections for sconces and pendants that range from contemporary to completely timeless.

3. Americana Style
No matter what year it is, the casual Americana style has not gone out of fashion in kitchen and bath lighting. While some buyers may go for the “wow” factor, nothing says “comfort” like hand-worked wrought iron, linen, bronze finishes and gentle, curving shapes.

4. Mirrored Plating
Who said that light must merely illuminate a space? Mirrors incorporated into back plates, shiny chrome stems and reflective detailing give added dimension in and out of the kitchen and bath space. These dazzling fixtures sparked real surprise at Dallas Market.

5. Oversized
Just in time for making bigger spaces seem cozier or making smaller spaces intimate, super-sized fixtures were the rage at Dallas Market. Oversized fixtures—from globes, which feature bubbled and smooth textures, to classic forms and even elaborate ornamental forms—were literally “taking over” several showroom spaces.

6. Crystal Clear
Embellishments continue to rule in fashion, design and in our surroundings. While classic beads and prisms continue to adorn fixtures—clean modern shapes like circles, squares and obelisks were seen as bases, bringing added crystal clear umpf to lighting in 2012.

DRS and Associates is a full-service branding, advertising and public relations agency in Los Angeles. Headed by CEO and founder David Schlocker, the firm has over 25 years of experience in marketing, design, and merchandising to luxury consumers, architects and designers, specific to the kitchen and bath and architectural products industries. For more information on DRS and Associates, please log on to www.drsandassociates.com.

I’ve been noticing a pattern in client requests lately—a softening of colors to monochromatic or soft blends, and a retreat from showpieces. The “flash” is on its way out; understated is in.

This doesn’t mean scaling back; if anything, quality is up. What I’ve been seeing is pro and luxury appliances in bigger demand by my clients than previously, a request for higher-end custom cabinets, and willingness to spending more on lighting fixtures. However, each item no longer fights for supreme “look at me” presence in the kitchen. The varying multiple heights of cabinets are disappearing. Counter edges are square or very simplified. Streamlined is the new byword.

Understated whites and warm tones, streamlined hoods. Design by Joan DesCombes, Joan DesCombes Kitchen Design. For more images, click here.

Is it due to the economy—the sense that conspicuous spending shouldn’t be, well, conspicuous? Sure. I think that that’s partly to do with it. It’s also due to the clientele I serve and my part of the world.

Yet, as a whole, I think our basic human wiring is looking for a cocoon or place from which to hide from the stresses and high pace of everyday. Whether the rooms are monochromatic white on white, or the soft grays, or the browns and warm tones, clients are looking for a safe haven before bragging rights.

Let me know what you’re seeing.

Until next time, Kelly

Color forecasting season seems to start earlier and earlier, doesn’t it? Which is just as well. Who wouldn’t want to get a jumpstart on the hot colors for 2012 and even 2013?

First up is the Sherwin-Williamscolormix 2012 forecast, which offers up four palettes that draw inspiration from color-washing and ombré-dyeing techniques used in fashion. Each palette is comprised of different hues and values within a color family. As noted by Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams’ director of color marketing, “Colors that are analogous or adjacent on the color wheel are a dominant trend.” Also exerting an influence on the forecast: sustainability.

Making up a total of 40 hues, the four color families are:

• Red: A saturated palette, these reds encompass deep fuchsias, red-oranges, violets and delicate pinks.
• Blue: Given uncertainty of the times we live in, is it any wonder that “soothing blues” will come on strong? Sherwin-Williams’ blues are inspired by denim and water and range from dark indigo and the color of faded-jeans to serene shades evocative of lakes, rivers and seas.
• Green: Hope springs eternal? Eclectic, this group consists of lush and “moody” greens; deeper greens that are evocative of forests and oceans; organic greens reflective of algae, moss and seaweed; rustic and natural greens, as well as those one might find in leaves.
• Neutrals: Ever present and ever useful, this “understated yet refined” palette includes everything from gold tones and soft metallics to colors drawn from grain, pebbles, weathered wood and earthen clay; other influences include textural elements, such as linen, unfired porcelain and mixed woods.

Eco-friendly cabinet company Bazzèo has announced its Fall and Winter 2011/2012 color trends, which, according to its press release, can already be seen in the fashion industry. (Incidentally, Fashion Week in New York City is just around the corner—woohoo!) The company is seeing a growing demand for brighter colors, vibrant hues and blue in a variety of tones and shades. Iko Aviv, president and principal designer of Bazzèo, attributes the interest in blue to the “popularity of nautical and ocean-inspired design.” The company has been mixing shades of blue with white for some time, but more recently is fielding requests from customers for more color in their homes and kitchens. Consequently, Aviv noted, “The trend of colorful cabinets with white countertops is taking off.”

Newly founded ColorVoyant, a business-to-business color resource for the interior design and fashion industries, is looking way ahead with its 2013 Annual Color Trend Forecast, which has synthesized emerging trends and commonalities found among art, fashion and pop culture into a theme of “Fusion.” “Our comfort zones are constantly shifting, and some shifts are seismic in scale,” said company founder Doty Horn, who was previously director of color and design for Benjamin Moore. “Fusion references the disruption and eruption that are essential to create new ideas and perspectives.“ Horn breaks the Fusion concept down into four supporting themes, each with its own buzzwords and color palette.

• “Cooperative” reflects the emergence of a communal focus—such as in farming and general stores—which is about relying upon others. (This makes sense: after all, when times are tough, one can find strength in community and numbers, no?) This supporting theme also encompasses a renewed interest in ancient arts and a generation of “ new Traditionalists fusing their heritage with their future.”

• “Modern Primitive” also speaks to a bridging of old and new, of traditional craft and modern technology.

• “Mutant” reflects the energy that drives invention, which is flourishing, to “fuse, bridge gaps and create a new purpose.”

• “Eruption” refers to the shifts in culture, nature and mindsets that are necessary for effecting change and creating a new world. (For some reason, the also calls to mind that article in The New York Times a few years back that talked about how “Design Loves a Depression.” Perhaps it’s the idea that for some, tough times can spark more daring, risk-taking because there’s less to lose?)

More color forecasts are sure to come as we inch closer to the end of 2011. Stay tuned…

—Alice

Tab pulls, like the ones below, have been around for a couple of decades. They don’t mount on the door face—they mount on the door edge so that their pen-thin style is minimized.

With the return of sleeker door styles, I’ve been seeing a rise in their popularity. Check out the following offerings from manufacturers:

DP3 Series (Mockett) – Widths are 1-1/4 in., 3 in., 4 in. and 6 in.

15-in. Tab Pull (Atlas Homewares)

AG Series, satin nickel, 1.8 in. and 3.5 in. without the rounded edge (Sugatsune)

A final note: Tab pulls fit best on cabinets with a flat door edge, although they will work fine on door edges that are slightly rounded. They may also protrude past the counter, and when they’re installed on a double-door wall cabinet, your clients may have to pull both together first to open either door.

Example of a recent project with tab pulls

(Designer: Emily McClure, Main Street Kitchens)

Until next time,

—Kelly