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Cotton Inc.’s Manager of Home Trend Forecasting, Dana Poor, travels the world to prepare her color and fabric forecasts. For 2007, she says a shift from spa to serenity will signal a move toward global peace and harmony in the home. Color palettes will evolve to reflect these changes in consumers’ priorities.

Americans soon will be taking a break from weekly trips to the spa, instead focusing on trips around the world. For aspiring consumers, a life of luxury will shift from personal pampering to opulent hand-woven products. And global awareness will begin to take center stage in home decorating, according to Dana Poor, Cotton Inc.’s Manager of Home Trend Forecasting. Poor has been forecasting home trends at Cotton Inc. for the past two years.

Color palettes will become more relaxed and fabrics will incorporate cultural, earthy textures, Poor continued. Such shifts underscore a trend that shows a shift in consumers’ mind-sets from thinking about the self to thinking about others.

Poor told Home Fashion Forecast, a supplement to Furniture Style magazine, how consumers’ shifts in priorities will affect home products and influence her picks for 2007 palettes.

Home Fashion Forecast: To begin, how do you predict color trends so far in advance?

Dana Poor: When you study color, season in and season out, you notice the exhaustion of specific colors. But then the colors will re-emerge. I estimate that 50 percent of the palette is decided by what had completely saturated [the marketplace] the previous year. But it’s updated, so it looks new when it hits the floor the next year.

Then, there are always one or two color palettes that are lifestyle-driven. Forecasters look at shifts in the marketplace and shifts in consumer mind-sets. What’s upsetting people? What makes them happy? What’s getting the most hits on Web sites? And how does color relate to those things? There are always a few definite themes that come through, and then colors naturally blend themselves to these themes.

HFF: In 2007, what themes will impact the colors and fabrics in our home?

DP: A lot of ethnic influences have been impacting the environment. This season, we’re calling it “globally inspired”--something that looks like it’s from a distinguishable culture other than one’s own. Instead of putting items together in one room and calling it ethnic, a retailer might display an African artifact with traditional Chinese embroidery, and acknowledge the craftsman from both countries. It’s not a look anymore. It’s an art form and a craft.

The reason this has happened is because most people are more socially aware today than in the past. We are all influenced by the state of the world, and we’re all being influenced by other cultures. We, especially American consumers, are more aware of what’s going on outside of our country.

Also, there has been a huge shift in which countries are producing home products [sold in the United States], so crafts that have been native to India or China are now becoming trendy. Things that never seemed possible because they required so much intricate handwork are now possible. These products are becoming more stylized and less crafty, yet they use traditional craftsmanship.

HFF: What lifestyle trends will affect home decorating in the future?

DP: There is a movement towards the rejection of perfection. People are looking for a personal connection with their home products. They want a product that looks as though human hands have touched it and that it was made especially for them--or, that they made it themselves. Or that looks like it was passed down from another generation, even if it wasn’t. These items give the appearance of being imperfect, and look like they have a story. It’s about looking at flaws and respecting them. It’s a backlash to over-the-top luxury, really.

Home decorating TV programs in which [an interior designer] takes everything out, puts in their ideas and then walks away are becoming less appealing. Shows are changing their tune. Now, they’re telling a story … of the family that’s been through a hard time or has always wanted to do [a specific project] but could never figure out how. Instead of having a crazy designer come in and put his own ideas into someone else’s space, the homeowners have some say.

HFF: And why is that?

DP: It’s the state of the world today and people’s awareness of one another. In the past, every show or article was about overhaul. Now, you are seeing more heartfelt stories, even though things are still being overhauled and changed. The idea here is that when [designers] create a new living space, they’re including the family photos and the one piece of furniture the family said it would never get rid of. The designer does something to honor the family.

HFF: What other changes are occurring because of awareness?

DP: We’ve moved away from the spa trend, thank goodness, into what we are calling serenity. It’s a global movement towards health, wellness and well-being, and incorporating public service, community service, yoga and meditation.

One more thing: Luxury is transitioning. It’s no longer just opulence and decadence. They may be appealing, but they won’t get people’s attention anymore.

Luxury has transitioned into a combination of craftsmanship and quality. And adventure and experiences are a big portion of the luxury market. Instead of just having a beautiful home, travel and awareness are being admired.

HFF: What fabrics will we see in homes in 2007?

DP: A few things will directly influence fabric. Rather than escapism and shock-value interiors, it’s more like, “Let’s make you feel more comfortable.” In fabrics, we’ll see more detailed options: quality versus quantity, less is more, and bigger is not better. We’re going to see traditional craftsman techniques, such as applique, crochet, knitting and quilting, being admired and making a comeback.

HFF: What would you predict to be the hottest home trend in 2007?

DP: Simplicity and handmade, which go hand in hand. Definitely number one, in all areas of product.