Designer Insight

Like all the rest of us, designers have their pet loves in terms of style, product and color and some are vocal about the other side of the fashion coin — what they really don't like. This month, we asked our design panel to tell us what color and/or trend they just don't like, don't want to use. The answers are, as you would expect, all over the color spectrum, as well as being a lot of fun.

Mark Abrams

Trends and colors I dislike are probably the same as so many other people. Harvest gold/avocado/orange kitchens and dens. Even though I love these colors in tones and accents, I do not want to see the application of these colors in appliances in the near future. It reminds me of my youth (we had the harvest gold appliances and avocado wallpaper kitchen in our house, too). I think the colors are great in accessories or even paint colors, but please, not used with Mediterranean iron trim, flocked wallpaper and furry rugs.

One of the additional trends I wish would not appear (and it seems to be here again) — '70s style furry rugs and pillows. I love the idea of texture, but it's rather difficult to clean. The trend in furniture and accessories has embraced the '60–'70s glam look, but maybe we could all learn from the past and not do it again! Do we really ever again need Naugahyde sofas, ugly overscale lamps and bold wall patterns that snap your head off? Contemporary can be fresh, striking and youthful without being ugly! Pull out old photos when you were a kid or rather when I was (circa '60–'70s) and look at the background. The next thing will be paneling! I hope not.

Nina Campbell

My philosophy is to always keep an open mind. When trends come and go, I like to look at them and see how I can incorporate them into my style, make them my own. I love color, all colors and as a designer will not rule any color or trend out.

David Landis

I really do not dislike any style or color trend. It is all based on scale and timing. If the scale of the item is correct for its current time, it may be attractive. I am not really one for lots of flowers but if the scale is current, i.e. very overscaled, it can have an interesting and an intriguingly beautiful effect. The use of animals in prints, etc., is also somewhat a current fashion-forward style, if overlaid with layers of patterns like a doilie pattern or even an Asian flower pattern. Who would have thought this would be something I would find attractive?

I don't like frogs, for example, but I have seen a few that have caught my eye.

I believe what goes around comes around. Look at the current colors. What a throwback to the '50s and '60s! As a designer one should be open to all of these trends in order to stay current. If those are one's tastes — never say never.

Doug Wilson

"For me, mauve is the epitome of bad taste and tacky design. Overused in second-rate hotel upholstery and catering halls in the 1980s, I will always associate this color scheme with the worst in interior design!

Dorian Webb

Unrelieved BEIGE in all its forms! It doesn't matter what you call it — ecru, sand, honeyed cream — it's just unspeakably dull. There is no quicker route to making your surroundings look like a hotel lobby.

Why on earth would anyone want that? Live a little. Even in the desert you have a wonderful blue sky and occasional desert flora!