Spring is nearly here and the new color forecast is ready!  Pantone has long been the harbinger of color trends and their palette for Spring 2012 is alive with neons and soft pastels.  Apartment Therapy editors were especially enthused with "Back To The Fuchsia", which combined purples and pinks with green accents. 

Almost polar opposites are the Pantone "Resilience" and "Transending Time" collections.  Both feature muted neutrals and pastels that would find comfort in many interiors. "Resilience" brightens its selection of browns and greens with a flash of flamingo orange.

"Transending Time" relies on wine, plum, and rose blended with wood tones to achieve a soothing harmony.
                                                                                                                                                                      

 

     Pastels are also on the season's trend list for Benjamin Moore, whose "Eclectic Elegance" and "Earth and Sky" selections offer calming neutral tones that can be either warm or cool. 

    

In furniture styles, Mid Century Modern still remains popular. Its clean lines and imaginative pieces fit well with today's open floor plans.  Who says an oldy can't be a goody?

Of course, there will always be traditional.  It has always been the style that most people feel comfortable with and it will continue to be.  But thanks to this year's new color palettes, traditional doesn't have to be boring.  The new brights or the subtle pastels will look equally well.

And what home would be complete without accessories?  These are as essential to the home as they are to fashion.  This year, the trend seems to be transparent, according to Lamps Plus.  A dramatic, clear glass or acrylic ceiling fixture paired with a glass table lamp will complement virtually any setting.

In fabric pattern and throw pillows, bigger is better according to The Trend Curve, who based their prediction on the items seen at the recent International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC.  These bigger, bolder motifs are coming after several years of small patterns and will quickly insert color and pattern into an existing interior. This trend is seen spreading to upholstery fabrics as well.  The Trend Curve is so confident in their observations that they predict bold patterning to dominate fabric accessories in 2013 as well.

The trend toward large motifs is also showing up on other accessories, such as thus lampshade.  At any rate, the year is young, and we can watch and see how all of this year's predictions hold up over time.