Presenting

16 August | 2022 Feature common periwinkle (Vinca minor) and greater periwinkle (Vinca major) plants. While we're aware that periwinkles are typically sold as perennial outdoor plants, they can be grown in pots and placed on windowsills indoors—or outside, on patios or decks. Keep in mind permanent, preserved and dried botanicals as well as fl ower containers and plant pots in blue-violet hues; they occupy a prominent space in the decorative accessories marketplace. In addition to " Very Peri," other trend-forward hues for 2022 include: Greens, from mint and olive to pistachio and sage; Mustard yellow, which is taking over from terra-cotta as an accent color ; Deep, dark blues, which are popping up everywhere; Aqua and other blue-green "ocean" hues, which some say are the hottest colors for this year. To be considered a trend-forward retailer, it is important to show your awareness of color trends to consumers, especially ones as prominent and global as Pantone's "Color of the Year," and to stock decorative accessories and create displays in those trend colors. ART, NATURE AND SIMPLICITY e 2022 ideal is to showcase a visual connection with nature, including incorporating more natural light, earthy colors, warm-hued woods, natural textiles and, of course, live houseplants into living environments. BH&G points to the rise of biophilia, which is the innate instinct of humans to connect with nature and other living beings. One standout segment of the current natural, less-is- more aesthetic is Japandi design, which is the fusion of Scandinavian functionality and Japanese rustic minimalism, to create a feeling of art, nature and simplicity in a perfect blend of function and form, focusing on clean lines, bright spaces and light colors. CreativeCandles.com KEY LOOKS FOR 2022 Key themes for 2022 include bringing the outdoors in, incorporating more patterns and textures, and taking inspiration from decades past—specifi cally the 1970s and 1980s, as well as mid-century-modern infl uences from the 1950s. Home Accents Today reports that Chairish, an online retailer of vintage furniture, art and home accessories, says that bright colors, sophisticated striping and fl oral prints are big trends for 2022, in upholstery, lampshades, throw pillows, fabrics and more. With furniture, light, "blonde" woods are popular for creating airy-feeling environments. Kitchens, however, appear to be a diff erent story, according to BH&G, magazine, which says that dark woods are again making inroads in kitchens, with dark wood cabinets, matte black appliances and all-around darker décor. COLORS OF THE YEAR e Pantone Color Institute created a new color for its 2022 "Color of the Year." " Very Peri" (PANTONE 17-3938) is a blue with a violet-red undertone (less blue than lavender). Since 1999, Pantone's "Color of the Year" has infl uenced product development and purchasing decisions globally, across myriad industries including fashion, industrial design (like product packaging and graphic design) and home furnishings. " e 'Pantone Color of the Year' refl ects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that color can hope to answer," explains Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. "Creating a new color for the fi rst time in the history of our Pantone 'Color of the Year' program refl ects the global innovation and transformation taking place." In the world of cut fl owers, blooms that grow naturally in this hue are fairly limited. Blue-violet varieties of New York asters (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, formerly classifi ed as Aster novi-belgii); China asters (Callistephus chinensis); and garden Phlox/perennial Phlox (Phlox paniculata) immediately come to mind, but there are also, of course,

• Cover