Sphere Trending

Color Caffeine - Tangerine Dream

2012-02-01T09:01:00.004-05:00

We're bursting at the seams with great color to share with you now that we've wrapped up our crazy busy month of full of tradeshows... Our first hue shows you just how energetic and enthusiastic we really are! Tangerine Dream is a juicy citrus color - vibrant and full of life, a perfect bridge between the yellow and red families.

Stay tuned for more Color Caffeine palettes inspired by shows like Heimtex, CES, Auto Show, Maison & Objet and more in the coming weeks. As always, for custom color work, contact our creative design team to learn about our services.

Christmasworld 2012 - Trend Hall Inspiration!

2012-01-31T10:32:00.000-05:00

It's never too early to start thinking about Holiday trends! As always, the trend halls at Christmasworld are a great place to start... Here is a quick summary of the creative halls and are a few of our favorite shots that inspired us!!

Cool Vibrancy

Modern, clear brights mixed with white and manmade materials

Fancy Folk

A colorful country story with a touch of rawnature

Late Night Glam

Deep, dark luxury mixed with glamour

Soft Cloud

A light and fresh approach with soothingneutrals and a hint of color

Paperworld - Fruit Friends

2012-01-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

On our first day of Paperworld we met some ofour neighbors from the North at the Canadian company Botanical Paperworks. This design savvy team create unique paper goodswith embeded seeds so they can have a new life after they've been enjoyedas greeting cards.

One of their newest products is a line ofValentines for kids to hand out at school called "Fruit Friends"embedded with floral seeds. The company actually approached local schoolsin their area to rescue used paper that was being discarded. They divert this paper from the waste stream, recycle it and useit as the base for their Valentines which then go back into the kid'shands to spread the love in school! Talk about full circle! As a bonus they aresuper cute - It's good on so many levels.

IQ University - Family Formation

2012-01-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

Auto Show 2012 - A Real Crossover!

2012-01-25T15:47:00.003-05:00

We are always looking around for inspiration and it’scontinually inspiring to see the crossover of design among differentmediums. This micro studded detail shown by Chrysler at the latest AutoShow reminded us of something but we couldn't quite put our finger on it…all ittook was little scouring through our many pictures files and there it was!

Wehad seen the same type of detail in September at the Maison et Objet homedesign show in Paris on a Kelly Hoppen cabinet. And, even in our fashion finds... check out those tiny studs on the shoes by Madly Juicy. It is continuallyinspiring to see how these unique details manifest themselves in new places.

Other similarities from the two shows:

Maybach car color from the Auto Show and KitchenAid’s newappliance color from Maison et Objet

MINI Union Jack at the Auto Show and the same type of grayeddown Union Jack at Kelly Hoppen/Maison

And, a fun similarity from CES and the Golden Globes? Who knew that Audi and Angelina had the same stylist??

Color Caffeine - Petal Red

2012-01-24T09:16:00.001-05:00

We're in the thick of all of our early 2012 tradeshow coverage and one color is a stand-out at each and every show. True red hues, in clean bright and unabashedly bold applications have been seen at everything from the Auto Show to Heimtextil to Maison et Objet and even the Consumer Electronics Show. Here's a peek at a palette of reds we love!

iQ University - The Personal Business

2012-01-19T08:53:00.000-05:00

It's time for iQ University! This week's feature is all about the growing small business sector and what it means for product and home design. To stay current on all the posts in this educational series, click here. To learn more about our custom Consumer & Design Trend Forecasts, contact us today.

Heimtex 2012 - Trend Halls!

2012-01-18T10:45:00.001-05:00

One of our favorite spaces for inspiration while covering tradeshows are the creative, and sometimes surprising, trend halls. Here are a few shots of the "Montage" trend halls from Heimtex this year, which one is your favorite? I think I'm voting for Color Riot!

Color Riot: A vibrant and stimulating rainbowof color, radiating positive energy, ultra modern and grown up contemporary.

Dark Lux: Seeing the dark side of the modernelegant vamp. A strong desire for luxurious beauty. High quality meets modernbizarre.

Craft Industry: Handcrafted combines withindustry, recognizing natural craftsmanship through native rural and folktraditions, rough yet stylish, the counterpart to digital reality.

Split Clarity: Simple, functional andessential - less is more. A harmony of opposites, sustainability, quality, hightech new materials.

Auto Show 2012 - Clean Red

2012-01-17T12:59:00.003-05:00

This clean red stood out at theAuto Show because of what it was missing - any kind of glitter or sparklycomponent. While we saw plenty of layered finishes throughout the show,this optimistic red didn’t feel like it needed anything more. It had amodern, lacquered appearance that felt fresh and sporty on everything from theLF-LC concept car at Lexus to the new Q3 Vail, a compact SUV from Audi.

Auto Show 2012 - First Impressions

2012-01-16T10:25:00.001-05:00

At this year’s Auto Show cars are making a good firstimpression through the use of interesting, innovative, and high style grilles.Overall the theme was bold and dramatic with the use of oversized shapes andaggressive styling. These statement making pieces are often an iconiclink to the brand and auto makers seem to be taking this a step further. BMW added a pop of color to sleek shapes while Ford put the model names frontand center. Although the majority of grilles were still seen in chrome,matte and shiny black offered an interesting contrast to brightly paintedexteriors.

Heimtex 2012 - Green Exhibition

2012-01-12T20:41:00.000-05:00

The second annual Green Exhibition "Let It Grow" at Heimtextil brightened up in it's return appearance to the show this year. Colorful hues, creativity in recycled materials and innovative eco-friendly printing processes were a brilliant wake up call for the green textiles movement. We'll be going into deeper detail on the innovation and technology in our full report back (contact us to order) but for now, here are a few great images from the show floor. Enjoy!

Sphere Trending's iQ University!

2012-01-12T00:33:00.003-05:00

New for 2012 - Sphere Trending's taking you back to school!

Each week we'll be putting on our teaching hats to bring you ongoing education that ties key macro (consumer) trends to the critical micro (design) trends you need to know to stay current and relevant to your consumer. These quick hits of information pair our insight and research along with our global trendspotting and design forecasting to give you an easily digestable take-away of news you can really use.

This week's topic - Understanding the changing make-up of today's modern household means a lot more for design and function than our old expectations of traditional rooms having traditional uses. How are you using rooms in your home for new purposes? Leave us a comment, we'd love to hear from you!

Trends to Watch in 2012: Materials

2012-01-10T09:02:00.000-05:00

Looking for trends in materials and design?? We've got a solution that you can't live without in the new year! Our Materials Report 2012 subscription service is an amazing reference for the latest in innovative textiles, glass, metals, surfaces and more.

With 40+ pages covering a wide variety of materials, this carefully curated report keeps you up to date on new innovations in technology and fabrication. Clear and concise, each material includes a descriptive recap, potential applications and a sourcing guide for ordering samples. At only $300 per issue, this is a great bargain to keep your innovation focused and creative all year long. You can get a preview below, or contact us for more information on ordering your copy today.

Materials Report 2012 Vol 1 Preview

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Color Caffeine - Neutral Territory

2012-01-09T11:02:00.001-05:00

Today, our office is buzzing with excitement and preparation... This week our trendspotting teams head out to different corners of the globe kicking off our tradeshow coverage of 2012. First up? Heimtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, CES in Las Vegas and the International Auto Show in Detroit. Read about our coverage and report offerings to learn more. As a prelude to this crazy month, our Color Caffeine post this week is the calming antidote to our whirlwind emotions!

Neutral territory exudes timeless elegance with a sense of luxury and style not often found in these hues comprising the most basic of color palettes. These light warm neutrals are refreshing and refined with just a hint of glamour, especially when paired with crisp white. Bring in an element of sensory texture by incorporating natural and earthy materials to make the refinement more approachable - think creatively using elements of burlap, cotton, kraft paper, hemp and more. To work with our color experts to create your customized palettes for design and product development, contact us today.

Trend Report - Women in the Workplace

2012-01-03T08:44:00.003-05:00

Good Morning and Happy New Year! We're making news today... Tune in to Fox 2 News Detroit at the 9:00 a.m. hour to catch our own macro trend guru Susan Yashinsky sharing highlights and trends from our most recent report with Inforum Michigan on "Women and the New Working Environment". You can view the report below, or visit our Slideshare channel for a free download!

Women and the new working environment - Inforum Report Winter 2011

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Trendspotting - Gilded Bronze in NYC

2011-12-22T14:20:00.000-05:00

We wish you a very happy holiday and joyous New Year! We're just about ready to depart on an extended holiday break and are wrapping up the year in trends with a Gilded Bronze color story seen while trendspotting in NYC for our 2013 Christmas trend forecast. There's no better way to end another fulfilling and hardworking 2011 than on a note of golden tones and a shiny outlook for the year to come! To take a look back at our entire year of color, visit our flickr page for palettes and palettes of inspiration. See you in 2012!

~ the Sphere Trending Team

Trendspotting - Paris Snow

2011-12-21T10:16:00.001-05:00

We're winding down the working week here at Sphere Trending and gearing up for all our holiday events. To celebrate the last few days before we take some time off, we're sharing a few more of our holiday trendspotting finds. Today's feature - Paris Snow - captures a gorgeous color palette of quiet luxury blended with a refined rustic appeal from the various retailers throughout the city. We love the varying shades of white, cream and the palest of icy gray tones often seen in combination with raw wood, simple touches of metallic embellishments and a hint of hand-knit comfort. Here's wishing you a White Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Holiday Windows - Bergdorf Goodman

2011-12-15T11:19:00.002-05:00

The holiday windows were all shades of stunning loveliness at Bergdorf's this year... The mermaid blues and the ethereal whites turned their nature-themed windows into something spectacular for the senses! Enjoy!

Holiday Trendspotting - London Red

2011-12-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! Trendspotting abroad always gets us right in the mood for celebrating the holidays and what better way to kick it off with a dose of vibrant London Red? It's an iconic color for the famous city, from buses to telephone booths, and you can't help but smile when you see it. This year the Brits have taken country pride (and getting geared up for next year's Olympics) into a full blown holiday theme with this bright hue splashed across decor, textiles, paper goods, furniture and even the occasional modern chandelier. Happy Holidays!

Window Shopping - Printemps in Paris

2011-12-09T10:40:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again... Our teams are on the road, trendspotting in cities across the globe for our Holiday Design Forecast report. Here are a few stunning pictures from the Printemps Men store in Paris that really caught our eye. If you're out doing your holiday shopping this weekend and spot something great, please tell us about it, we'd love to hear!

Inspiration from 'Down Under' - Tommy Bahama at High Point

2011-10-27T10:52:00.000-04:00

This find from High Point Fall was spotted by our 'artist in residence', reporter of all things color & textile and famed colorist Cathy. She hand-paints our custom finishes, creates stunning color palettes and has an eagle-eye for pattern, texture and materials in the news. She wanted to share this collection from Tommy Bahama with you because she says 'it spoke to the artist in her'. Learn more from Cathy's take on trends from High Point:

Here's a neat brand new group by Tommy Bahama, takinginspiration from Australia down under. Creative Aboriginal patterns on fabrics to decorative nailheads to drawer pulls, lots of textures, natural materials and more.

The littletabletop was actually branches bundled together and cut horizontally and thedye was allowed to seep into the exposed wood. Once the color was accepted thewhole tabletop was treated and sealed in a clear coat, a fascinating story. These were just a couple of my favorites because theyspoke to the artist in me!

Conversations & Storytelling - Baker Furniture

2011-10-26T14:56:00.000-04:00

One of the stand-out trends across High Point this season was the notable increase in conversations, storytelling and new ways to communicate. A great example is Baker Furniture, who took a decidedly trend / counter trend approach with their high-tech use of QR codes and social media as a connection point and then their low-tech use of storytelling, authenticity and hand made craftsmanship.

We loved this neat little room specifically designed for the McGuire furnitureline.

Didn't the visuals and the stunning photography just make this space feel special?

Love seeing the personalities behind the piece!!

Pride in American craftsmanship was the focal point of the story, well done Baker, this was a wonderful tale.

Smile! It's our visit to Jonathan Adler at High Point

2011-10-25T11:12:00.001-04:00

SMILE!! It's time to visit Jonathan Adler at High Point. We're always so excited to see his unique use of color, the fun patterns and the creativity in materials. What did you think about this year's display - was he one of your "People's Choice" votes? Or did you choose someone else? Let us know, we're excited to learn the outcome of the voting! For now... here's a few pictures of our tour of Jonathan's showroom and some of the products that inspired us to smile:

Color Caffeine - Spicy Rouge

2011-10-17T11:53:00.001-04:00

It's time for a little spice in your life! Of course, since it's fall and we're obsessed with warm, rich and comforting colors, this Color Caffeine palette came together with ease. Spicy Rouge is a color that is just as gorgeous in it's natural state in the changing leaves as it is in home decor, paint and fashion. Here's the Sphere Trending take on how to use this color to celebrate the season! For our entire collection of palettes, head on over to our flickr photostream.

Trendspotting Detroit - Sugar House

2011-10-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

We love our hometown of Detroit - and think it's pretty darn special when it comes to creative retail, innovative entrepreneurs, award winning cuisine and even awesome sports teams. (Go Tigers! Go Lions!)

It's never hard to convince us to look in our own back yard for trendspotting venues and even easier when it's a unique new bar making 'craft cocktails for thirsty Detroiters'...! Not to mention, it's around the corner from Slows, our go-to spot for the best BBQ in the state. Here's a few snapshots of Detroit's revitalizing Corktown neighborhood and the vintage design of Sugar House. It's another great example of American's returning to their roots and celebrating craft, local suppliers and our own heritage.

If you want to visit, check out their hours and menu here. Cheers!

Now & Then - Retail Deconstructed

2011-10-11T11:04:00.004-04:00

We're announcing a new 'macro trend' feature today... Our Chief Innovation Predictor, Susan Yashinsky, is now authoring her own blog, 21st Century Insights, over at the Consumer Goods Club - a global business and networking forum. We'll always share a brief excerpt here on the Sphere Trending blog as well as a link to the full post for your reading pleasure!

We are very excited Susan is sharing her innovation and intelligence news with you... Read on for her first post on Retail Deconstructed:

What a difference a decade can make! The year 2000 was characterized by a global economy that had begun a significant recovery from the 1997-1998 recessions, fueled by consumer demand and complete with strong housing sales and employment.

Ten years later and we are facing some of the strongest economic challenges since the Great Depression. Yet, in the same decade, we have had significant technological advancements for consumers: The first hybrid car (2000), the iPod(2001), YouTube (2005), Wii (2006), the iPhone (2007), the iPad (2010), and the list goes on.

While technology continues to lead us positively into the 21st century, empowering consumers in ways we couldn’t have even dreamed of 20 years ago, economics are pulling us back as lost skills of saving and living within our means must be relearned as a society. These two forces are interweaving to reconstruct retail in a way that matches an industrialized world with declining consumer interest in more material possessions. Key societal trends driving the future 21st century retail store include...

(Continue reading on Consumer Goods Club)

Trendspotting Detroit - Reinventing Convenience

2011-09-22T08:06:00.001-04:00

We've been out and about in our own backyard, doing some trendspotting in the Metro Detroit area. There's such a wealth of interesting and innovative businesses, shops and services that this project is going to take us quite awhile! One we wanted to share with you is a simple concept - reinventing the corner convenience store.

The General Store in Royal Oak offers a new take on what we Michiganders often call the 'party store'. By thinking creatively about paint and color, offering some gourmet local items and paying close attention to their brand, this small store has a lot to offer. Fresh sandwiches and fruit, a streetside dining area, funky lighting, a great wine selection, hardwood floors and an exposed brick wall offer a 'boutique' feeling - even when you're just picking up a Coke and some chips!

Trendspotting Chicago - All Saints

2011-09-19T10:41:00.001-04:00

An eclectic mix of old and modern, rugged and chic, industrial and sleek - All Saints in Chicago is a oasis of retail trends to watch! We loved the collection of vintage Singer sewing machines sharing the message of handcraft and quality in the front window of this unique store in Chicago located on Michigan Ave. The rugged, yet polished, style of the clothing, shoes and accessories tell a story of durability and fashion all in a very unique setting with displays made of industrial materials, gears, wheels and machinery. All juxtaposed with the sleek, high tech feel of iPads placed for customer interaction and modern screens playing intriguing videos. If you're looking to be inspired by cool displays and inventive retail spaces, All Saints is a must see when you're in town!

Trendspotting Paris - We're in a good 'mood'!

2011-09-14T10:16:00.000-04:00

Today's Lunch & Learn e-newsletter (sign up here) is all about "The 'M' Factor" and how Mood really matters in product design, advertising, retail and social campaigns. Nothing sums this up better than our recent trip to Paris to trendspot in this wonderful city and attend the Maison et Objet show. Here's a collection of images our trendspotting team captured that really brightened my mood! Enjoy...

Fun with color - Smile! (@ Merci)

TV embedded into creative steamer trunks - Happiness! (@ Renault)

Help me with packing for a long flight? Thankful! (@ Merci)

This?? Well, this is just so cool that we had to include it! (@ Renault)

Sustainable & practical reuse - Appreciative! (@ Merci)

Halloween 2011 Design Trends - Victorian Seance

2011-09-12T14:20:00.001-04:00

There are always lots of thrills and chills in our Halloween Design Trend Forecasts... 2011 is no exception! Check out the very spooky "Victorian Seance" trend from this year's report. To learn more about purchasing this report or the 2012 edition that is hot off the presses, please contact me for more details. Happy Halloween!

Halloween Trends 2011 Design Forecast

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Color Caffeine - Water Hyacinth

2011-09-08T09:25:00.000-04:00

A great palette to segue from summer and into early fall this collection of water hyacinth hues makes us think of crisp pears, tart apples and early chrysanthemums as they begin to show their blooms in anticipation of the cooler weather. We love the weathered, mineralized and aged effects you can create with this color as a finish treatment, glaze or even a stain. You can find more of our famous Color Caffeine palette collections right here on the blog.

Color Caffeine - Watercolors

2011-08-08T10:10:00.000-04:00

In celebration of vacations, crisp blue water and soothing beach shores, this week's Color Caffeine post is all about the serene watercolors of the season. These vibrant, yet calming, hues are the perfect accent to bright white tones, weathered and worn finishes and armfuls of fragrant garden flowers. You can find our entire collection of Color Caffeine palettes on our flickr photostream.

Color Shot - Half & Half

2011-08-02T14:26:00.002-04:00

A quick shot of great "half and half" combinations of color from our trendspotting trip to Vancouver, BC. How gorgeous is this smooth, subdued hue of gray blended with the vibrant jewel-tone teal? Beautiful! For our entire collection of colorful palettes, visit our flickr photostream.

Color Shot - Caramel Cream

2011-07-20T10:05:00.004-04:00

Our City Trendspotting tours continue... And, always on our radar are the creative color combinations we find along the way. A quick shot of inspirational hues from our trip to San Diego is a warm, sun-bleached and desert inspired shade of caramel cream. Used outdoors and in - this color has a southwestern feel with a hint of desert chic. If you need an extra buzz of inspiration, you can view the entire Color Shot collection on flickr. However, if you need an extra-large dose of inspiration, our Color Caffeine series just might do the trick!

Peek inside our City Trendspotting Tours!

2011-07-18T14:18:00.004-04:00

We've been to quite a few cities around the country and in Canada already this year and we thought you'd like to learn about trends we've captured, such as "living streetside" and "FUNctional". This "Thought Bubble" presentation on SlideShare from the trendspotting team at Sphere will give you a peek into cities like Boulder, Vancouver, San Diego, Portland & more. Enjoy!Thought Bubble City Trendspotting Early 2011

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Color Caffeine - Perfect Plum

2011-07-13T15:20:00.004-04:00

The heat of summer is on and everything is lush, ripe and at the height of the season. This week's Color Caffeine palette reflects this rich and flavorful time of year with a Perfect Plum hue. Whether it's cool and frosty or deep and saturated, we love this color for everything from popsicles to handbags! For more of our free Color Caffeine palettes, visit our flickr photostream or stay right here on the blog for detailed collections.

Craftsman Inspired - Murray Franklyn Homes, Redmond WA

2011-07-12T10:59:00.005-04:00

During our trendspotting trip to Seattle, WA we made our way out to see Murray Franklyn Homes in Redmond. We loved these craftsman inspired, tradition-with-a-twist new homes that bring together the warmth of craftsman inspired design along with the functionality of traditional spaces, rooms and floor plans. Gorgeous use of stone, iron railings, rustic hardwoods and cozy lighting make these homes welcoming and inviting!

Creative & Cooperative - NeoCon 2011

2011-06-30T08:24:00.003-04:00

What college graduate (or, let's face it - those of us tired of beige cubicles!) doesn't dream of working in a "cool office" like those of Google and Facebook fame? Cooperative, flexible and innovative workspaces are on the rise to meet the needs of the continuously growing telecommuting workforce and the desires of a worker looking for a more inspiring place to hang their messenger bag and recharge their iPad. Some of our favorite "Creative and Cooperative" designs from NeoCon:

Trendwatch! "Living Streetside" in Portland, OR

2011-06-27T10:00:00.003-04:00

We spend a lot of time trendspotting across the globe... One of our favorite trends is the revitalization of "living streetside" and these creative and colorful homes and gardens in Portland, OR are the perfect example! For more from our 10 City Trendspotting Tours, click here.

NeoCon 2011 - Herman Miller

2011-06-24T08:45:00.006-04:00

As you all know, we LOVE color here at Sphere Trending. So, needless to say, we thoroughly enjoyed these creative and colorful collections from Herman Miller at NeoCon this year. How much fun are the combinations of hues, prints and textures? For more, check out our photo album from the show on Facebook!

Color Shot - Coffee Berry!

2011-06-20T09:55:00.004-04:00

Looking for a quick and inspiring shot of color? Here's an infusion of "coffee berry" color from NeoCon 2011! You can catch up with our Color Shot collection of mini-palettes or our in-depth palettes in the Color Caffeine series on our flickr page.

Color Caffeine - Fern Green

2011-06-16T09:25:00.005-04:00

Summer is in full force and so is the growing season... Everything is lush, green and abundant. (Including the weeds in my garden, but they're green too, right?!)

This week's color caffeine palette, Fern Green, take a walk through the garden for all shades of gorgeous green hues perfect for a summer day. Visit our flickr photostream for our entire collection of Color Caffeine Color Palettes.

Colorful & Creative Homes in Portland, OR

2011-06-15T08:52:00.004-04:00

Maxine spent sometime wandering around the Nob Hill area of Portland, OR yesterday as part of her trendspotting trip to the Northwest. We loved these welcoming (huge!) front porches she captured, as well as the lush streetside gardens and colorful exteriors. Which one is your favorite?

Creative Retail Exteriors

2011-06-14T07:26:00.000-04:00

Maxine is off again, trendspotting on the west coast and currently in Seattle, WA. Always a great stop on our list, with creativity literally around every corner of this great city. Here are a few creative retail exteriors that make you really very curious about what they might have inside the store. What we call... "Raising-the-Sightlines"!

Trendspotting San Diego - Cutest Kids Rooms!

2011-06-02T08:39:00.005-04:00

We're back touring the country on our trendspotting adventures... One trend you can bet on are the cute, cute kids rooms we've been seeing. Creative paint on the walls, adorable personalization ideas and unique storage are just a few ways to create space for the kiddies with energy and fun. Here's a few from San Diego that we love...

Color Caffeine - Buttered Caramel

2011-05-31T09:24:00.006-04:00

Our color inspiration and free palette collection is back - and just in time to kick off the new season! And, we're ushering in the summer with a warm, sun toasted shade of buttered caramel. A hint of bronzed metallic for natural hues creates the perfect solution for decorating with or wearing neutrals in the summer. For our entire Color Caffeine palette collection, please visit our flickr photstream.

Eclectic Retail in Vancouver

2011-04-20T12:42:00.003-04:00

It's trendspotting season! We're covering cities from coast to coast, looking for unique trends, retail, homes and communities that are on the leading edge. Our trip to Vancouver was really surprising, with lots of unexpected design and architecture styles, as well as inspiring communities and very cool retail. For example, we love this very traditional looking store "Front and Company" with a welcoming collection of eclectic displays, new products and consignment merchandise inside. Stay tuned... Lots more from our spring 2011 Ten City Trendspotting tours yet to come!

We Love Color....

2011-04-18T08:26:00.005-04:00

... so, doesn't this collection from Company C at High Point Markets this spring really sum up our our passion for all things bright and cheerful? In case you missed last week's newsletter, it was all about things we love, so this week here on the blog we're going to continue that theme with a collection of things that make us excited each day. And, color is probably one of our most inspiring topics - enjoy!!

Color Caffeine - Sandbox

2011-04-14T09:33:00.005-04:00

It's Color Caffeine time.... We really must be thinking spring, because this week's palette, Sandbox, makes you think of enjoying your backyard with family and friends with sand between your toes and sunshine above! Simple, warm and comforting, this color is a fresh take on neutral tones for the season. Enjoy!

Trendspotting Vancouver - Smallworks Homes

2011-04-11T12:09:00.006-04:00

Our 10-city tours are back and first up this week - Vancouver!! We're traveling around the country scouting trends in unique cities and communities - have a tip, a place we should see, a secret hot-spot to share? Let us know!

Small, beautiful and sustainable - homes by Smallworks in Vancouver, Canada aren't just cute as a button, they're fabulously functional! Specializing in small scale and "laneway" (backyard) homes this boutique builder turns traditional home plans into modest footprint designs perfect for urban living and family happiness. Here are a few of our favorite small home pictures from our time spent here during our trendspotting trip to this great city:

High Point Markets - Trendwatch! Coral

2011-04-07T08:26:00.005-04:00

Rowe Furniture featured the creative use of cheerful coral hues across their showroom at the recent High Point Furniture Market that welcomed in spring with a breath of fresh air. We love their bold use of the color as an accent for leather, bright pops of pattern against warm mocha brown and in combination with crisp sky blue and pea shoot green. This is truly a color to watch this season... Enjoy!

Color Caffeine - Stonewashed

2011-04-05T08:01:00.003-04:00

Spring really hasn't "sprung" yet here in Michigan and we've been treated to lots of chilly temperatures, a sprinkling of snow and lots of gray skies so I wasn't surprised when our Creative Collective Design Team here at Sphere Trending sent me this week's Color Caffeine - Stonewashed. A moody gray with subtle undertones of blue and violet, this hue is perfect for chic home interiors with a hint of subtle sheen and makes a stunning impression as an exterior color. Enjoy this weeks weather-inspired palette and hopefully the sun breaks through the clouds up here and next week's color will be reflective of sunny skies and daffodils!

Trendspotting - ISH Bathroom Experience

2011-03-22T08:51:00.006-04:00

Another trip to Frankfurt!! Yes, we could have team stationed on the ground almost year-round there, it's the hub of tradeshow excitement... Ever find yourself in Frankfurt - feel free to call us for hotel recommendations, restaurant reviews and fun side trips - we're experts!

Our team just returned from the ISH Bathroom Experience show, an every-other year event showcasing the latest and greatest in water conservation, innovative bath design and unique faucet and bath installations. Here's a sneak peek at some ambient lighting trends that will soothe your mood and brighten your day!

Powdered Amethyst

2011-03-18T13:22:00.006-04:00

Have you missed us...? Sorry for the delay in programming here! An extra long trip to SXSW in Austin, TX for me (more on that coming later!) and the flu going around our offices and homes has had us a little down for the count! Without further ado.... Our Color Caffeine of the week is this soft, soothing and elegant shade of Powdered Amethyst. Beautiful and rich, it offers a serene and simple take on the purple tones for fashion, home decor and furnishings. Our entire collection of Color Caffeine palettes can be found here if you want to get caught up!

Color Caffeine - Mystic Pink

2011-03-01T14:28:00.005-05:00

It's time to think spring and we're ready and waiting to usher in the new season with this raw and edgy shade of Mystic Pink. Fresh, fantastic and a little bit funky, this hue is an off beat favorite for handmade designs, vintage finds and sweet home decor accents. If you've missed any of our drop-dead gorgeous Color Caffeine palettes - you can find them all stashed right here!

Trendspotting Ambiente - Firehose Fashion

2011-02-28T08:50:00.004-05:00

Be green and salute your local fireman in these eco-friendly designs fashioned from old firehoses by Feuerwear. The material is tough and rugged - perfect for belts, protective cases, wallets and unique design statements. We're loving the faded fonts and the awesome storytelling in each piece!

Tradeshow Trendspotting Early 2011

2011-02-23T09:13:00.001-05:00

Would you like a (free!) download of some insider trend news from our early 2011 tradeshow travels? Take a peek at some sample pages of from our in-depth color, finish, pattern, material and product development trend reports from these key shows... Enjoy!

Tradeshow Trendspotting Early 2011

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Trendspotting Ambiente - Can You Believe It's Plastic?

2011-02-22T10:44:00.003-05:00

We can't! Check out these designs from Plasthill - created to look like aged iron, these plasticware pieces are sure to fool you into thinking you're dining in the rugged outdoors straight out of the chuck wagon! It's amazing how far technology has come...

Trendspotting Ambiente - Colorful Le Creuset

2011-02-21T10:18:00.005-05:00

We all covet Le Creuset here at Sphere Trending... So, it's no surprise that their new coffee press and mugs we spotted at Ambiente are high on our must-have list this year! Not to mention their stunning - as always - new colors and very sweet new shapes. We hope this bright and cheerful post will brighten your Monday morning!

Trendspotting Stockholm - Granny Chic

2011-02-17T14:12:00.004-05:00

From teacups to chunky knits to afghans and cozy footstools - all of the treasures from your dear granny's house were absolutely fun and fantastic in Stockholm. We love the brightened color palette, the bold florals and unique patterns. Who knew granny was so hip??

Trendspotting Stockholm - Spring Fever

2011-02-14T09:44:00.004-05:00

While the first picture in this post is a perfect representation of what was going on OUTSIDE in Stockholm.... however, INSIDE each of the stores spring fever was breaking out all over! Bright colors, fun prints, cute collections, creative patterns were alive and vibrant on the store shelves. Here's a few of our favorite pictures that are keeping us warm with anticipation for the spring season just around the corner!

Paperworld 2011 - 50's Fun

2011-02-08T12:01:00.003-05:00

We're wrapping up our coverage of Paperworld 2011 with a little trip down "retro road" with this kitschy & cute 1905's inspired designs for paper goods and back to school products. You can catch up on all of our Paperworld coverage here, or contact us for purchasing options for our full reportback or custom design services. Enjoy!

Paperworld 2011 - Loud & Bold Color!!

2011-02-03T09:20:00.006-05:00

A complete 180 degree turn around from the basic black and white contrasting combinations we shared earlier this week, today's post from Paperworld is a loud shout out to the vibrant colors we love to talk about. And... for those of you buried in snow (like us!!) it's a bright shot of happy hues that you might need just about now!

Paperworld 2011 - Graphic Black & White

2011-02-02T10:20:00.004-05:00

Maybe it's because we're all snowed in and outside is a bright sea of white, or because we're just loving the black and white combinations like the Wild Zebra post from yesterday.... Here's a great collection of fun & edgy graphic black and white patterns from the halls of Paperworld 2011:

Paperworld 2011 - Wild Zebra

2011-02-01T09:17:00.005-05:00

The animal skin print of choice from Paperworld 2011 has to be the classic black and white zebra pattern. In graphic and skin print applications, this trend is right out of Africa and onto the shelves just in time for Back to School!

Paperworld 2011 - Wonderfully Woven

2011-01-31T08:05:00.004-05:00

Trendwatch! These wonderful woven textures in both actual and implied applications are a trend were gathering from the halls of Paperworld in Frankfurt, Germany. Bold colors, unique weaves and eco-friendly materials are key for this look! Stay tuned... there's more office, stationery and back to school trends to come...

Retail Trendwatch - Darkroom

2011-01-28T07:29:00.006-05:00

Darkroom is a new concept retail space on Lamb’s Conduit Street in London. During our trendspotting trip to London for our Holiday Design Forecast, we had the opportunity to visit this shop filled with an eclectic mix of high-end fashion, interior and lifestyle accessories alongside bi-monthly art and sculpture exhibitions. Buying straight from students to support the creative culture in London, the shop brings in completely new themes every 2-3 months so there is always something fresh and new to browse through each time we are in town. Their next exhibition, LOVE FROM DARKROOM, will feature Valentine's Day themed pieces this February, all sold at a set 150 pounds each with the proceeds benefiting the amazing Kids Company – a charity that works with vulnerable and neglected young people across London. Here are some of our favorite pictures from our holiday trip, but if you are in town during February, please stop by and let us know how much you LOVE their newest exhibit!

3D Display Trends from Heimtextil 2011

2011-01-26T08:41:00.003-05:00

We certainly saw and expected all the 3D technologies as a trend leader at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (watch a video on our Facebook page), but imagine our surprise to find 3D trends at the Heimtextil material and fabric show in Frankfurt, Germany? We love this concept from Froca that creates an interactive 3D experience for signage and displays, and now we wonder... how much longer until we find 3D fabrics and materials? Hmmm....

Color Caffeine - Peony

2011-01-24T10:59:00.004-05:00

Isn't this an optimistic, bright and cheery punch of springtime color we're sharing with you in the midst of a very chilling cold snap that's creeping across the Midwest? While it might be cold outside, we're warming things up in anticipation of the spring season with our latest palette of cheerful "Peony". Petal pretty with a accents of bright citrus tones and a wash of pale pink, the hue of Peony is sure to brighten your day! See the entire Color Caffeine collection here.

The Gamification of Heimtextil 2011

2011-01-20T12:14:00.004-05:00

Gamification is a hot buzz word across many industries these days, from gaming your way to a larger discount on a brand's facebook page to grabbing one-day only deals through crowdsourcing sites - playing to win is fun! We love how gaming is affecting design with these video game throwback prints and patterns from Heimtextil 2011. What do you see? Tetris? Bubble Breaker? Pong?

Optimism at the 2011 Auto Show

2011-01-19T07:10:00.006-05:00

It's a great day in Detroit when we can report on the optimistic trends from the 2011 North American International Auto Show. Colors bright and inspiring, small cars had zest and personality, luxury vehicles were creative and appealing, finishes were innovative and unique and sports cars still had muscle, but with a lighter, greener footprint. And, the list goes on from here... We'll share a few of our favorite photos here, but you can always find more on our Facebook page in the photo album section. If would prefer a deeper dive, feel free to contact us for pricing on the entire 2011 Auto Show reportback.

Fun can come in small packages!

Sports cars still have that aggressive edge!

Luxury now comes in fresh shapes, colors & sizes!

Heimtextil 2011 - Enormous Watercolor Florals

2011-01-18T10:56:00.004-05:00

Get ready for an eye-opening experience from Heimtextil 2011! These watercolor florals jumped out and grabbed our attention with their enormous size, intense color and unique applications. Here are a few of our favorites:

Essenza:Esprit:Coelima:

Heimtextil 2011 - The Green Exhibition

2011-01-14T12:38:00.006-05:00

We're knee deep in our Heimtextil coverage in Frankfurt, Germany as we speak (or, type!) and there are so many wonderful patterns, materials and colors to share with you it's hard to choose one. So, we decided to start with one to inspire you - The Green Exhibition. Eco-friendly, earth-conscious and stunningly beautiful, this collection is the perfect combination!

Jam Session - CES 2011

2011-01-12T10:11:00.006-05:00

Upbeat and inspiring, the Bob Marley launch at CES 2011 was absolutely fun and funky right down to the in-house DJ and afternoon jam sessions. But, enough about the booth! Here's a sneak peek of our favorite headphone and sound systems designed around the attitude, music and lifestyle of the great Bob Marley. Visit The House of Marley to learn more about their eco-friendly product lines that also support charities and build community in the name of this great musician.

Color Caffeine - Baked Bronze

2011-01-11T15:49:00.005-05:00

It's the first Color Caffeine post of the New Year and we're excited to be bringing you this fun, inventive series of color palette inspiration again in 2011. Toasty warm, yet brilliantly elegant, the metallic hue "baked bronze" is a wake-up call for boring neutral tones. Add a touch of metallic or shimmer for a luxurious application, or tone it down with an elemental flat finish for an earthy feeling - either way baked bronze is the perfect way to kick off color in the new year! (Hint: Click on the main trend board collage to see a larger image or to be directed to our entire collection on flickr)

The Colors of CES 2011

2011-01-10T09:45:00.006-05:00

CES (otherwise known as the Consumer Electronics Show) attracted a crowd of 130,000 to the Las Vegas Convention Center. While 3D TV, tablets and connected home trends certainly ruled the show floor, we were also on the lookout for the new-news in color, finish and material that are hidden gems throughout the show. Here's a few of our favorites, stay tuned for more coverage and for details about purchasing this report contact us today!

Sony:

Griffin:

Eton:Edifier:Bob Marley:Razer:Speck:Kodak:Dragonfly:

Trendspotting - We Love Local in Detroit, MI

2011-01-05T08:42:00.005-05:00

The "buy local" movement has been a key trend in recent years and remains a strong retail trend moving forward in 2011. To celebrate this movement, we would love to share with you some pictures from our own local favorite - Detroit Eastern Market.

Many of you might not know that this market has been feeding the Detroit area since 1891 and is the nation's largest historic public market district. We're very proud of Eastern Market here in the D and as many as 40,000 individuals head to the district on Saturdays for the local produce, flowers, jam, syrup, meat, spices and baked goods you can find all within it's 6-block radius. If these pictures don't make you hungry, we don't know what will! When you're in town, make sure to visit this historic and important part of the local movement in Detroit.

Tile Trends from Cersaie

2011-01-04T09:01:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!! Here at Sphere Trending we all feel like we've just woken up from a long winter's nap after a lovely 11 day holiday break... So, we're refreshed, energized and enthused about a new year of trends and innovations spotted around the globe. Our first post of the year is this video trendspotting tour of the Cersaie Tile and Bath show in Bologna, Italy. Catch up on bathroom and tile trends inspired by fashion, geometry, nature and the classics! Enjoy!

Trendspotting: Handmade Holidays in London

2010-12-23T12:29:00.005-05:00

The handmade look was abundant across London this holiday season. Felted wood, embroidered looks, hand knit, hand stitched and hand crafted designs were all the rage! Here's a few of our favorites from Liberty, Heals, Conran Shop, Anthropologie and more!

Happy Holidays to all!

A Holiday Gift from Sphere Trending!

2010-12-22T11:15:00.003-05:00

Happy Holidays!! To celebrate our love of everything color - we're giving you a free download to our entire 2010 collection of Color Caffeine palettes! We hope these bring you colorful inspiration in 2011 and stay tuned... This fun and inspiring series will be back in the new year with exciting new palettes!

Color Caffeine 2010

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Trendspotting - A Colorful Holiday in Stockholm

2010-12-21T10:49:00.007-05:00

Despite the cold weather and the frozen fog, our holiday trendspotting trip to Stockholm was a wonderful experience. We covered both the outdoor Christmas markets and the unique retail and department stores found in the city. Here's a colorful collection of a few of our finds and even some bright and cheerful "guerrilla knitting" we found on the street!

We wish you all a colorful and happy holiday season!

Color Caffeine - Russian Red

2010-12-21T08:41:00.005-05:00

Happy Holidays!! Our last Color Caffeine palette of the year is a celebration of the rich and bright Russian Red hue that is gorgeous everyday, but is extra special during the holiday season. In a shiny, gloss finish or with touches of sparkle, jewels and metallic, this color is a perfect choice for holiday celebrations or to brighten your decor all year long. Our Color Caffeine will be back in 2011 with another year long celebration of color! Review our entire 2010 collection of palettes here.

Trendspotting - It's a White Christmas at ABC Carpet & Home

2010-12-20T08:39:00.005-05:00

It's holiday week here at Sphere Trending and we couldn't be more excited! If you love color, holiday decor, gorgeous displays and shopping across the globe - stick with us this week here on the blog, on facebook and twitter, because we're sharing our favorite pictures from trendspotting in London, New York City, Stockholm and more!!

Starting us off with an elegantly white Christmas is the lovely ABC Carpet & Home in NYC. We love the mixing of the elemental pieces, such as quartz and stone, along with the ethereal glass and traditional icons, like poinsettias and flowers. One of our favorite places to visit when in the city, ABC Carpet & Home is a must-see store during the holiday shopping season!

Color Caffeine - Gilded Green

2010-12-14T12:56:00.007-05:00

It's that time of the year where our Color Caffeine series turns to thoughts of holiday decorating. Our trendspotting teams have been in NYC, London, Stockholm and in retail hot spots across the country covering the holiday trends, colors and product innovations and our first color story to share is "Gilded Green". Shimmery and metallic, this tone is perfect for a new twist on holiday green tones and traditional decor schemes. Get caught up on all of this year's Color Caffeine palette inspirations here!

Trendspotting - Frozen in Stockholm

2010-12-13T08:23:00.005-05:00

This is a fitting post this morning as Michigan, and much of the Midwest is literally in a deep freeze... We're snowed in, how about you??

Our recent trendspotting trip to Stockholm, Sweden was not only a lesson in unique Christmas trends, but also in the stunningly cold temperatures, icy streets (ouch!?!) and wondrous sights from mother nature. In these two photos below, would you believe that it was SO cold that the fog froze into an icy mist creating this aura / rainbow effect in the middle of the day. There are more trends and innovation to come from Stockholm, London & NYC... stay tuned!

Holiday Trendspotting - Bergdorf Goodman

2010-12-08T10:15:00.003-05:00

We've got trendspotting teams on the west coast, on the east coast and across the pond in both London and Stockholm as we speak... Tracking holiday trends and gathering color, material, finish and product design implications for our upcoming Holiday Design Trend Forecast. In celebration of the season, please enjoy our coverage of the fabulous windows from Bergdorf Goodman!

Trendspotting - Boulder, CO

2010-12-06T12:57:00.006-05:00

We're back from Boulder! A hot city on our trendspotting list for 2010, this is one of the final towns rounding our our 10 city selection for fall. To brighten your dreary Monday (we don't know about you, but Michigan in winter is NOT so colorful!!) we thought we'd share a post from the very vivid and very unique Holiday Neighborhood development.

A new urban community centered about a pedestrian friendly concept, the neighborhood offers community gardens, business spaces, art studios, green construction practices and easy access to miles of trails and open space. That all sounds wonderful... But today, on this dreary and cold afternoon, what we're really loving are these great colors - Enjoy!

city

2010-12-06T12:57:00.001-05:00

Color Caffeine - Elemental Earth

2010-11-30T10:25:00.004-05:00

Who couldn't use a little warmth and coziness this time of year? Our hue of the week, Elemental Earth, is a toasty color with hints of brown, gold and amber. With a hint of metallic finish or a rich, glossy application, this color is a perfect fit for seasonal decor or year-round warmth. Our entire Color Caffeine Series can be found here on the blog or in our flickr photstream.

Trend Tour: Nike Headquarters

2010-11-19T14:30:00.002-05:00

It's another Trend Tour! Take a video trendspotting trip through the Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon to get a behind-the-scenes peek into life at this power house brand. We expected basketball courts, an homage to Michael Jordan and playtime galore... What we didn't expect was the gorgeous outdoor spaces, a stunning lake and spectacular views. Enjoy!