Interior design trends are a product not only of time, but also of place, and so to get a sense of what trends designers are seeing - and creating - in the coming year, we interviewed some top designers from around the country.

What we found is that there are some real similarities, even though, of course, each designer has a unique take on what is on the cutting edge this year, whether it’s in certain colors being used or in an emphasis on a particular room in the home.

By and large, the designers we asked said they see the current trend of a simple, clean look continuing. Perhaps this is a response to the over-decorated, ornate styles that ushered in the new millennium; perhaps it’s a reflection of people placing a higher value on the family that lives in the home than on dressing the home up wildly.

Whatever the reason, the focus this year continues to be one of simplicity.

To Arlene Lord Ruby, with Mosaik Design in Portland, Oregon, the interest in simplifying "is more of a movement" than a trend. This simple look is often thought of as "contemporary," but Ms. Ruby makes the important distinction that "contemporary" doesn't have the same meaning that it always has.

'Contemporary' is being given a new face. It's no longer cold, hard and unapproachable. Contemporary is just simple and uncluttered," she says.

Ms. Ruby sees this as a direct result of the way many people live today, stretching themselves too thin, arriving home exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of each day - in short, needing more of an oasis than ever before.

"Our lives are so busy and visually full, we need our homes to be easy to live in and with, which means less fussy and more relaxing," she says.

Along these lines, Rise Krag of Rise Krag, Inc. in Menlo Park, California, sees master bedrooms as "evolving into private ‘retreats’ for adults."

"These luxurious suites often include a sitting area with fireplace, spa bathrooms with individual toilet/bidet rooms, and spacious "his and her" walk-in closets, replacing the need for large bureaus and dressers," she says. "Bed size is generally the California King and bedside nightstands are often unmatched. A pair of swivel chairs or a chaise lounge with a small table for a beverage and book, with possibly a bench at the end of the bed, is the major furniture elements. Wood and metal headboards are being replaced with comfortable upholstered head/back rests. Coverlets, duvets and luxurious soft spreads are preferred to formal heavier looks."

Laurie Bornstein, of Living Space Designs in Lawrence, Kansas, also sees a surge in demand for simplicity.

"I think natural, simple lines and styles will continue to be strong through out this year," she says. "There is a return to a more informal look, and color will continue to be a strong influence."

Ms. Ruby sees this look as allowing for more focus on elements of design that too often are overlooked.

"This leaves room for appreciating the architecture, art on the walls, unique furnishings and even the textures of the surfaces and furnishings. This concept isn't only for homes that are modern in their architecture; this also holds true for traditional and transitional designs. The simplification makes you appreciate details more, as they don't get lost in minutia," she says.

One trend Ms. Krag notes is an increased flexibility in various rooms’ designations. No longer are people set on using the study as a study or the dining room as a dining room; instead, clients are willing to allow the room’s function to change according to the family’s needs.

"With family size, age, and the configuration of households changing, a definite trend is in the way spaces are being used in the home," Ms. Krag says. "We see families utilizing space in ways that work for them, abandoning traditional or formal designations for rooms. Dining rooms are being used for home offices, guest or spare bedrooms as activity/craft rooms, and living rooms as home office/family activity centers.

The idea of home-as-sanctuary is expressed in particular in the living room, Ms. Krag has found, with many clients using the living room as "an adult sanctuary, a place for reading (with excellent lighting), or a quiet place to visit with friends--without television."

"Living rooms are smaller with formal elements such as a large fireplace - cast stone or other natural materials - and architectural detailing," Ms. Krag says. "Many clients are finding that the central "family room" adjoined by the kitchen is the true hub of the home, and some are opting to use the traditional living room for other functions, such as a home office."

This reverence for the home, and a recognition that the home can - and should - act as a sanctuary from the over-busy, stressful world outside, is reflected in a client’s color choices, Ms. Ruby notes.

"I see a continued interest in the sanctity of home, which is reflected in the classic, soft use of blues and greens combined with earth colors: sand, soft browns etc., that are safe, enveloping colors. The greens and blues are very clear, clean colors which are almost ethereal," she says. "Pinks and lavenders are making an appearance as well. The Northwest likes to use its spice colors for warmth and interest. This is a national trend as well it seems, with more of a Turkish or Moroccan twist," she says.

For Ms. Bornstein, the colors that she forecasts as being influential include the same tones cited by Ms. Ruby. When asked what colors she sees as coming into their own this year, she says, "Golden tan tones, mossy green, purple and cinnamon as well as clear, clean shades of lavender, and blue."

"Ms. Krag predicts similar colors for the coming year. "Our current favorite colors are cinnabar, lichen, warm buttery yellows, and blue violets in combination with warm neutrals," she says. "Although neutrals pervade, saturated accent walls or entire rooms with deeper, more vibrant colors are increasingly requested."

Ms. Bornstein sees this simpler, natural look as being reflected as well in fabrics.

"Fabrics will continue to be used in simpler styles - for example, a burlap weave linen in a roman shade. Or simple drapery panels emphasizing the texture and tonality of the fabric versus extreme styling," Ms. Bornstein says.

Ms. Ruby sees similarly natural fabrics as remaining popular with her clients. "I also feel that textures like suede and leather will continue to dominate. Good, interesting, earthy textures will be - and stay - popular. Also, the hints of Asian accents in design are strong and fit in beautifully with all things clean and simple."

For Ms. Krag’s clients, the use of brushed metal is one way to bring in a natural look, often with dramatic results.

"Brushed nickel continues to be a strong favorite for many people," she says. "However, for clients who are asking for more warmth in their metal finishes, we recommend oil rubbed bronze or use hardware that combines mixed metals such as brass and chrome."

The trend toward using simpler designs and more natural colors isn't a superficial one. Increasingly, designers across the country are looking to use more natural products in the home, conserving the earth’s resources and making home interiors safer.

Ms. Ruby says,"As an Earth Advantage Remodeling company we are committed to finding alternatives that are more earth friendly. In the Northwest, there is an inborn interest in preserving the beauty that surrounds us, so we have always had clients that are environmental minded. It is an important part of our design specifications and something that our clients always want and appreciate."

Ms. Bornstein agrees. "As we become more educated on the advantages of using natural products, I think we will use them more. It is easy to create a serene environment when utilizing natural products, and it is a much better choice environmentally."

So the watchwords for the new season of design are natural simplicity. And as you can see, this approach still leaves a lot of room for a wide variety of individual expression in the home.