Sleek lines, clean finishes, bold colors, evolutionary pieces and “green” products lead the way in home furnishings as we embark on 2008. As the current housing industry continues to shake-out homeowners will turn their efforts toward refurbishing and remodeling their homes rather than replacing them. Consumers want the best value they can find, and the best value is seldom the lowest price.

Break out the Lemon Pledge shiny furniture is back in style. Distressed finishes are back in the closet. Truthfully, rich wood finishes never went out of style with high-end furnishings — and the wet look has always been popular. But Barbara Barry, Hollywood designer to the stars, was one of the first to make shiny look cool, not cold. The look is masculine — like the stateroom of a really elegant yacht — with lots of figured walnut, stone accents, bronze hardware, ivory, obsidian, and Chinese red lacquer. The high-gloss sheen is flattering to woods and veneers. Continuing to be popular, case goods, the industry term for chests, tables, and other wood furniture, are made from several different wood species, and showcase obvious grains, crushed bamboo and incredible, intricate inlays.

Bold is Beautiful . . . The return of color is the big story this year. The season’s hottest palette is straight from your parent’s 1970’s earth-toned den with natral colors and bold accents: persimmon (think burnt orange) paired with brown or alternately, shades of green mixed together for an eco-friendly look. Shades of plum round out the 2008 pallette accenting rays and blacks. Watch for more information on color straight from the runways of the World Market Show in Las Vegas the end of January. 

Generation X-ers and Baby Boomers typically shop quality and value, rather than price. Gen X-ers want style and function, but a different scale of furniture; meanwhile, Baby Boomers, who may be buying less furniture, are buying better products.

The Eco Chic trend brings home new textures with a variety of natural wonders. Stone, grass, shells, bark and more give new meaning to green pieces. Consumer committment to green products will continue and build steam in 2008 as some of the materials we all use are a diminishing resource, and renewable materials are in ever-increasing demand.