At the “International Home + Housewares Show,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone® Color Institute, revealed what color and design trends we can expect to see in 2018. As a world-renowned color authority and provider of color systems, designers and consumers alike are turning to this market leader for predictions on what the trends of the upcoming year will be. Once known for just “Color of the Year” predictions, the team at Pantone has expanded its expertise to include seasonal color forecasts and general home design trends based on worldwide pop culture, movies, the art scene, architecture, retail, theater and consumer goods.
Brace yourself for five home design trends and eight color palettes that are sure to grace homes in the coming year.
Pantone Predicts Home Design Trends for 2018
Geometric Patterns
Geometry may not have been your best subject in high school, but incorporating geometric patterns into your home décor can truly add up when it comes to creating a dynamic look. This versatile mosaic tile pattern (named “Murano”) can be applied to any room in your home – from the backsplash in your kitchen and bathroom, to striking wallpaper in living rooms and bedrooms. If you’re not ready to give this the full treatment, try adding a pillow or throw with a geometric design as a test.
Typography
Saying it “like it is” continues to be a hot trend, as messaging on everything from pillows to home goods remains a fun way to complement the “story” of a specific room. People have a fascination with using letters and words as a design element, as this is a form of expression and personal passion.
Photo credit: Pottery Barn
Wood Treatments
Next year, if not already, will be the time when design trends are brought back down to Earth for a while and reconnected with natural elements – like wood. As technology continues to advance, design experts expect to see wood showing up in unexpected places, such as ceilings and accent walls. Below, rustic wooden cabinets play a starring role in this all-white contemporary bathroom. For a subtle look, try placing plants in natural wood planters around your home. Or, show off hand-carved wooden bowls to add richness to a space.
Fringe
What was once old is new again. Next year, look for fringe on everything from throw pillows, blankets and window treatments to smaller pieces of furniture like ottomans and footrests. It’s a classic throwback to visits to grandma’s house, when fringed lampshades and bed spreads were all the rave.
Iridescent Accents
The shiny new trend of iridescent colors may be new to the design scene, but experts predict this to be around for a while. Prices will become more affordable as the look becomes more popular. Featured below is an iridescent glass mosaic tile backsplash named Liberty Diamond from Granite Transformations. It shines and sparkles in the sun, making it a gorgeous focal point of any space.
Pantone Predicts Trending Colors for 2018
As the color authority, you wouldn’t expect anything less from Pantone than a spectrum of color palette predictions that has something for everyone. Last June, Leatrice Eiseman presented the company’s 2018 forecast for interior design color trends, and she said: “Intense colors seem to be a natural application of our intense lifestyles and thought processes these days.”
Here are the eight palettes you can expect to see in 2018:
Resourceful: This palette shows off complementary colors on the color wheel, such as oranges and blues which combine warm and cool tones. As Eiseman says: “You just can’t avoid looking at.”
Verdure: These colors are reminiscent of nature as they reflect colors found in plants and vegetables like celery, foliage, and berry-infused purples and eggshell blue. This palette is symbolic of health and well-being.
Playful: Coined as whimsical and quirky, this palette is a fun combination of bright-hearted colors with names such as “Minion Yellow,” “Lime Popsicle,” “Green Flash” and “Skydiver.”
Discretion: Pink takes on a new meaning in this palette as subtle hues such as “Elderberry,” “Burnished Lilac” and “Hawthorne Rose” are combined with strengthening tones. According to Eiseman: “Pink has developed more power than ever before.”
Far-fetched: This palette embraces a host of different cultures and showcases warm, earthy tones like “Cornsilk Yellow,” which are combined with rosy tones and others such as “Iced Coffee” and “Ruby Wine.”
Intricacy: Metallics are the new neutral and they are captured in this dramatic palette which features “Holly Berry Red” and “Sulfur” (Yellow).
Intensity: Appropriately named, this palette is an eclectic mix of colors that Eiseman says conveys, “a certain strength, power, depth and sophistication.” Hues such as plum, blue and blue-green are paired with the brightness of orange “Emberglow,” “Molten Lava” and “Bossa Nova.” This mix is rounded out with golds and blacks to complete the look.
TECH-nique: In today’s high-tech society, it’s no surprise there’s a palette to reflect this current age. This palette features colors “that seem to shine from within,” according to Eiseman, and includes vibrant hues such as blue, green, fuchsia and purple, which are paired with iridescent peacock tones like turquoise and hot pink. They are all offset by beautiful neutrals that include “Brilliant White” and “Frosted Almond.”
Pumpkin fever is everywhere these days. It seems you can’t turn around without seeing pumpkin-spiced everything. While there is no doubt pumpkin is the flavor of the season – pumpkin fanatics are looking beyond the traditional pie to tempt their palettes even more.
This Thanksgiving, try switching up your dessert buffet by ditching the standard pumpkin pie and surprising your guests with some of these decadent pumpkin baking recipes. They’ll be expecting the usual – and you’ll be expecting them to come back for seconds.
Pumpkin Bread with Eggnog Glaze
Bread makes for the perfect treat for pumpkin baking. This decadent bread is fancy enough to serve at your dinner table and also doubles as a comforting breakfast treat the next morning.
Grease the bottom and 1/2″ up sides of two 9″ x 5″ x 3″, three 8″ x 4″ x 2″, or four 7 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ x 2″ loaf pans, and set aside. In a very large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil with an electric mixer on “medium” speed. Add eggs and beat well. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Add flour mixture and water alternately to sugar mixture, beating on “low” speed after each addition, just until combined. Beat in pumpkin. Spoon-batter into prepared pans.
Bake in oven at 350° F for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans.
To make eggnog glaze, stir together powdered sugar, eggnog, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Combine until smooth. Drizzle or pour over warm pumpkin bread. Cool completely on wire racks. Makes 2 loaves (32 servings).
Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake Bars with Streusel Topping
Just the name will have your mouth watering. This creamy wonder combines two fan favorites of pumpkin and cheese cake to create mini-bites of delight. Make enough for your guests to come back for more. (Bet they can’t eat just one.)
Crust
1 and 1/2 cups (~10-11 full sheets) cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
6 tablespoons melted butter
Cheesecake
2 packages (8 ounces each) full fat cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling and not entire can)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Streusel and Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup white flour
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter softened (not melted)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line an 8″ x 8″ baking pan with parchment paper (leave an overhang to be able to pull out these bars easily), and set aside.
In a bowl, combine the crust ingredients and mix until a thick dough forms. Press evenly into the bottom of the 8″ x 8″ baking pan.
In another bowl, combine the cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla. (It is very important for the cream cheese at room temperature for a smooth texture. Leave out for at least an hour before baking. Microwaving the cream cheese will give it a bumpy texture.) Beat with hand mixers until completely smooth and creamy. Add in the eggs (one at a time) and beat until each is combined.
Remove 1 and 1/2 cups of this mixture and pour on top of the prepared crust.
Add the canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice to the remaining cheesecake mixture and stir until completely combined.
Being careful not to combine the two layers, pour the pumpkin layer on top of the plain cheesecake layer.
Streusel
In the same bowl you used for the crust, stir together the brown sugar, white flour, quick cooking oats, and cinnamon. Add the butter and vanilla and mix together until well-combined. Avoid melting the butter entirely, as it will make the streusel too wet. Sprinkle this streusel topping evenly over the pumpkin cheesecake layer.
Place in the oven and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the cheesecake has set.
Allow to cool for about an hour and then place in the fridge for 1-to-2 hours.
Top each bar with caramel topping of choice.
Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies
Discover brownies in a whole new way, as chocolate meets pumpkin in these unsuspectingly delicious bites. This is a crowd pleaser that is sure to satisfy every chocolate and pumpkin lover.
Preheat oven to 325° F. Line a 13″ x9″ x 2″ baking pan with foil. Extend foil over the edges of the pan. Grease the foil and set pan aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and the 1 tablespoon butter with an electric mixer on “medium-to-high” speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar. Beat until well-combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in 1 egg, the pumpkin, 1 teaspoon vanilla, the cinnamon, and ginger until combined. Stir in the 1 tablespoon flour. Set aside.
In a small bowl, stir together the 1 1/4 cups flour, the baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, combine the chocolate and 3/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Gradually add the 2 1/4 cups sugar, beating with an electric mixer on low speed, just until combined. Add the 4 eggs (one at a time), beating well after each addition. Beat in milk and the 2 teaspoons vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture, just until combined.
Spread chocolate mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture, in several mounds, on top of the chocolate batter. Using a narrow metal spatula, gently swirl the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate batter. If desired, sprinkle with walnuts.
Bake about 60 minutes or until center is just set when pan is gently shaken. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of pan. Cut into brownies.
Gluten-free/Dairy-free Crustless Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
For a delicious gluten-free (GF) dessert, try these scrumptious pumpkin pie cupcakes. Whether you’re meeting your own dietary needs or catering to your GF guests, this dessert will be much appreciated.
INGREDIENTS
15-ounce can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned coconut milk
2/3 cup Erin’s Grain-Free Flour Blend or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend of choice
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
For Topping:
Coconut milk whipped cream
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Generously spray the bottoms and sides of the liners with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and egg yolk, vanilla, and coconut milk until smooth.
In another bowl, sift together the flour blend, pumpkin pie spice, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to fully combine.
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan. The cups will be fairly full. Bake the cupcakes for 25 minutes.
Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Top with coconut milk or regular whipped cream. Enjoy.
Cinnamon-Sugar Bourbon Pumpkin Muffins
To really scratch that pumpkin baking itch, try this richly flavored muffin recipe. These muffins really get their kick from a drizzle of bourbon in the batter. The sugary crunchy topping makes these muffins fancy enough to serve on your Thanksgiving dessert buffet.
INGREDIENTS
3 1/3 cups sugar
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1/4 cup bourbon or water
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line twenty-four 2 1/2″ muffin cups with paper bake cups. In a small bowl, combine 2/3 cup of the sugar, the pecans, and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Set aside. In a very large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Make a well in center of flour mixture, and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 2/3 cups of sugar, the pumpkin, oil, eggs, and bourbon. Add egg mixture (all at once) to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Sprinkle with nut mixture.
Bake 25-to-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool on wire racks. If desired, drizzle with Bourbon Icing before serving.
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Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Last Updated on November 6, 2017
Let’s talk turkey. Well, not exactly. We all know Thanksgiving isn’t all about the bird. (And we’re not referring to football, either.) Setting a beautiful Thanksgiving table is part of the tradition, as it welcomes guests with your own personal charm and sets the stage for the bountiful feast that lies ahead.
We’ve found some easy and elegant Thanksgiving tablescape and table setting ideas that are sure to bring a sense of nostalgia to your guests and a touch of beauty to your day with family.
Picture This
Let your guests find their place at the table by finding an old picture of themselves. These personalized place cards are sure to touch their hearts and spark conversation of times gone by. Accent your table settings with a striking centerpiece of your favorite fall foliage to round out the look.
Simple elegance goes a long way when you’re designing your Thanksgiving tablescape. Below, a crisp white tablecloth is the perfect backdrop for soft-colored pumpkins, seasonal foliage and fresh pinecones. This natural theme is a great way to show off your favorite china and crystal, while bringing a sense of warmth to the table.
If dining al fresco is not an option at your house this Thanksgiving, you can still bring a touch of the outdoors inside by using wood accents and creating a centerpiece of fresh fruits and flowers. It’s a beautiful way to pay tribute to the season while adding elegance to your table settings.
For larger crowds or casual dining, a buffet is the way to go. By serving buffet style, pressure is taken off you, the host, and your guests are allowed to help themselves to your delicious feast. Below, the serving table is adorned with beautiful garland and accented with white tapered candles and a festive floral arrangement.
Keep the kids busy with these easy-to-make placemats. It’s an inexpensive and fun way to make them feel part of the holiday, while also keeping them entertained at the table. Kraft paper makes a great coloring surface for them to draw or stencil their favorite Thanksgiving designs. To free up time for yourself beforehand, consider recruiting older kids to help out with the stenciling. Add some crayons and watch them go.
A beautiful Tthanksgiving table setting doesn’t have to break the bank. Try shopping – in your house – to repurpose assorted treasures into a festive tablescape. Below, white pedestal candleholders make the perfect display for mini-pumpkins, while a brass planter adds just the right touch as a rustic centerpiece.
Fresh cranberries are bountiful this time of year and can be used in ways other than as an accompaniment for your turkey. Below, fresh cranberries fill the base of a clear vase to hold stems in place. This is a festive way to add a splash of color to your centerpiece. (Just be sure to give them a good wash before submerging them in water.)
