Not a novel concept for most, recycling is an environmentally friendly practice that continues to influence home decorating and design, especially color, as ways for re-using products and materials keep evolving.

Pantone Color Institute's interpretation of the recycling influence can be seen in Honesty. “Just as the name implies, Honesty speaks of a very real attempt at recycling — creating treasure out of what was destined to become trash,” Eiseman said.

This palette revisits shabby chic, with a heavier footing on chic than shabby, she said. An appropriate subtitle for this palette could be “designer boutique meets flea market find,” said Eiseman. She cited examples such as re-using discarded glass or ceramics to make artful mosaics, or using eco-friendly vegetable or plant dye to color natural fibers. “Included in the recommended mixes are unbleached whites, tender greens, clouded corals, toasty warm tans and cool gray, unexpectedly punctuated by velvety-red rose,” she said.

In looking at how materials are impacted, there is a movement toward raw and natural, as shown in Benjamin Moore's 2009 Color Pulse Raw palette. The essence of the look is “the simplest form, the natural condition, original, unfinished, uncovered and uncoated,” the Color Pulse states. “Living pared down to the absolute simplest means, unfinished wood, cinder blocks and minimalist 'make-do' materials.”

This monochromatic palette includes layered whites, grays and sand hues. “There is a discernable gray scale to the 2009 colors,” said Doty Horn, Benjamin Moore's director of color and design. “Perhaps it's the neutrality of gray that provides that sense of simplicity.”

“Sands of the world influence the tonal naturals from beige to near black, noting raw crystalline effects,” the Color Pulse states. The idea of unbleached and un-dyed resonates here as well. Textures and materials include sand grains, roughened surfaces, splintered wood, flat finishes and raw or polished crystals.

A bundle of natural wood branches serves as an eco-friendly decorative accessory from Accents by Design.

BCBG Max Azria layers sheer neutrals for a tonal effect.

Texture combines with sand tones on the Raffia with Linen pillow from Barclay Butera Home.

Topped with a raw silk blend shade, the Orion lamp from Thumprints exudes natural appeal with a hand-turned wood base.