Swedish home textiles brand Himla (right) and Danish fashion empire DAY (left) have similar feelings about spring this year. I include myself in the same track. Nothing feels more longingly and attractive than just one of those beaches and such a sky. It’s the perfect mood for spring decor – to freshen up the home after a long, dark and drab yet cozy winter.

As for Himla, I particulary fancy their Spring New Linen Look (below). It has a pale and rough-dry expression that feels vintage and bohème. The collection is based on uncomplicated and resistant febrics that can “withstand being loved”. In stores in March.

We tend to always keep an eye on the Swedish Formex fair. It is the largest trade fair for Nordic interior design – and a great roadmap for how the trend-winds blow. Here are some (press-) pictures from the currently ongoing exhibition.

The overarching theme for the SS 2010 fair is Creative Flow.

Now, let’s start off with the trend 2010 talk with denim. Jeans/denim is ALWAYS in trend, but with variations. Spring 2010 runways showed a a relaxed, worn and bitwise patched style. Below’s Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, D&G, Chloe and Louis Vuitton.

[pics: style.com]

How does this fresh denim style this translate into the home decor part? Well, easier than anything! Who does not hold a bunch of old jeans? Too small, too large, too worn, out of style? I have loads, enough for a fine bunch of pillowcases, lampshades, and even a curtain length. This season’s denim style is perfect for DIY. Make your own denim pieces and mix with brown leather furniture, beautiful lace or some fluffy or sleek material. Or combine denim with something plaid patterned. I think the denim-curtain idea isn’t too bad; with the nicest part of a pair of suspenders or a piece of a belt as curtain tiebacks – It’s great fun to translate clothing into interiors!

Never before has interior design and (clothings) fashion been such close friends. Home decor has always been affected by general trends, mirrored fashion a bit afterwards and partly led its own course – but today the two parts flow in parallel. They are intertwined! An (almost too) obvious sign of the interaction has been the growing number of collaborations between fashion and interior design; with fashion companies going ‘home’. When it comes to fashion-fitting collaborations Boomerang (bottom) and Diesel (the two top pics) are two brands with nice denim or denim-looking home items in their current collections.

Personally, I think the ‘fashion fusion’ is both interesting and enriching. Ideas on clothes outfits and room decor:  many elements coincide. Let ‘em! Denim your house :)

While Akzo Nobel chose a light airy optimistic blue for The Colour of the Year 2010, Pantone picked a combination of blue and green – Turquiose. Pantone claims turquoise is a colour that most people respond to positively; whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits.

“With both warm and cool undertones, turquoise pairs nicely with any other colour in the spectrum. It adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.”

Turquoise Transports Us to an Exciting, Tropical Paradise While Offering a Sense of Protection and Healing in Stressful Times..

Today, the Danish super-brand DAY (Day Birger et Mikkelsen) released press photos of their Spring 2010 home collection. The early photos look very promising! It feels healthy, fresh and natural: evocative of the sea and beaches, nature, forest…

There is no doubt the trendiest colour 2010 is blue. Blue is simply the new black! Here’s some inspirational photos, first from the London home of the excellent interior designer Abigail Ahern.

|photo: Mads Mogensen for Sköna hem|

It is easy to spot that these chosen gray-blue hues have many matching-options. Other blues, beige/light brown,- white, copper, wood…it makes an elegant and friendly look.

|photo: Mads Mogensen for Sköna hem|

…and not least, a great combination with attention-grabbing red and yellow (complementary colour of blue) details:

|left photo: Mads Mogensen for Sköna hem, right photo: ATELIER Abigail Ahern|

The book on international colour trends 2010 pointed out a variety of shades of blue along with the light airy Colour of the Year 2010. From airy and optimistic ‘lifting the spirit and lighting the darkness’ – to soulful teals and turquoises and rich, clear ultramarines. Personally I am particularly fond of spiritual and creative blue in a home office/study room, but blue is a colour that fits any room. Below are two dining room-examples: Pale blue crispy walls with white and crystal…a modern quirky look. And white furniture and accessories against a pale blue-greenish background and rustic floorboards.

|photos: HouseToHome|

Calming blue is of course great for bedrooms. Though, the shade and decor does not need to be sleepy. Below, a french country style bedroom with pink roses and turquoise details, – and a strong lively shade of blue together with green and gold in a Spanish inspired sunny bedroom.

|photos: HouseToHome|