Interior design trends for 2012 promise to personalise your home by taking more care of detail and creating a more pleasant, comfortable ambiance just for you! The recession has had a big impact on the way people are living their lives and their core values — what is truly important to them, their families and lifestyle which of course translate into interiors.

Finally, designers will be working towards bringing together bold, striking colours alongside simple lines, combining the exotic with the comfortable, subtle elegance with ethnic designs and creating masterpieces that feature both the traditional mixes of, for example, white and beige, with the very modern gold and silver overtones. All of this against a neutral grey, the single overlapping trend of 2011, will be making up more households in 2012. Warm metals were back in full force, and this year, more specifically, it seems we will continue to see gold and brass embraced in the kitchen. And if you are weary of permanent fixtures, simply stock up on accessories. Glossy, sleek surfaces and shimmering fabric, vibrant silks and luxurious brocade take top spots for decorating the homes of 2012.

Here, local Interior Designer Toni Suratsingh, owner of Toni Crockett Design gives us her top five interior tips for 2012 and how to achieve them.

1. Embrace Colour: Pantone has presented their pick for the 2012 colour of the year: Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango! This deep shade of orange has red undertones — I would almost call it a blood orange. Emerald, amethyst and sapphire, ruby, coral pallets with yellow tones, vivid turquoise and luscious cream colours, combined with tender ivory, brown, silver, and whites are modern interior design colour trends for 2012.

Why we love it: Last year's hue was a deep pink — Honeysuckle — it seems we are following the same trend of a bright and cheerful, feel-good colour ...How to do it: Consider adding bright, rich colour with pillows and drapery – or better yet, simply re-upholster a piece of furniture that is outdated.

What to avoid: Orange is definitely a bold choice for your home even if it is the colour of the year. Stay away from fluorescent type colours, colour can be bright without wanting to grab for your sunglasses. Personal taste should always be the guide for changes you make to your home; but for inspired assistance, look to a professional.

2. Gold accents: Olympians aren't the only ones going for gold in 2012! The luxurious metal makes many a designer's eye sparkle too, and it is popping up everywhere from frames to mirrors to furniture accents.

Why we love it: Adding a touch of gold brings a richness and sophistication to a room.

How to do it: Fearlessly! Sprinkle it here and there and don't be afraid to mix finishes.

What to avoid: It's hard to do gold wrong, but if gold does not relate to any other design elements in your home then it's not for your home.

3. Wallpaper: We have seen an increase in patterned and textured wallpaper over the past year and interest will keep rising over the next season. Some of the must-have prints will include oversized geometric floral and vintage patterns.

Why we love it: Wallpaper, unlike paint, can add an exotic flair and a striking style statement.

How to do it: Feature walls are the most popular, but if you dare, wallpaper your ceiling!

What to avoid: Overdoing it – like animal prints, these are accent prints. A bold print ceiling, although interesting, might take the expertise of a trained designer.

4. Showing love to your ceiling: Poor, neglected ceilings are finally getting their day in the spotlight! Paint them, stencil them, faux finish them…just don't ignore them. If treating the entire ceiling is still a bit frightening, consider dramatic medallions for light fixtures.

Why we love it: Plain, matte white is soooo boring! It's about time our ceilings got as much love as our walls. Plus, interesting ceilings add a whole new dimension to your space.

How to do it: For the timid, consider your current colour but in a semi- or high-gloss paint to add a little flare. For the braver, choose a complementary paint colour in two shades lighter or darker than your wall colour. For instance, if your walls are light taupe, choose a darker or lighter shade of taupe for the ceilings. This adds interest without being too dramatic. Are you a design daredevil? Then go bold! Black ceilings are utterly gorgeous, as are deep chocolate browns.

What to avoid: Colours, textures, or concepts that don't work with the rest of the room. A painted ceiling really shouldn't scream out and grab your attention.

5. Horizontal stripes: Taking a cue from the runways, stripes have gone horizontal! It's funny how an unexpected shift in direction can add so much interest to a space.

Why we love it: It takes tradition and turns it on its head…literally!

How to do it: Any way, anywhere you wish. Chunky stripes on the wall, pencil-thin on a pillow, or even horizontally-striped drapes. Keep in mind, some items are designed to be used horizontally and some are not. If you fall in love with a vertically-striped fabric or wallpaper, it may require more yardage and more careful measurements to achieve the horizontal effect.

What to avoid: Nothing, just go for it!!

Toni Crockett Design

868.384.9483

tonic@tonicrockettdesign.com

http://www.facebook.com/tonicrockettdesign

www.tonicrockettdesign.com