Design bloggers' 11 top decorating trends for 2011

With the arrival of 2011, it's time once again to contemplate which decorating trends will be making an impact in the coming months. (If they're really good, make that the coming years.)

Who better to give us the scoop on what to look for than design bloggers? Between the hours every day they spend scouring the Internet for inspiration, their frequent interactions with designers and merchandisers, and the news releases that regularly flood their e-mail inboxes, these online scribes are constantly exposed to the new and noteworthy. (OK, and some of the not-so-noteworthy as well.) We asked 11 of our favorite bloggers, most of whom are local, to discuss their top decorating ideas for 2011.

1) Small homes

Leslie Webster, A Simple Life Afloat (www.asimplelifeafloat.blogspot.com)

"I get bored quickly with trends like antlers, the color of the year, the poster that pops up everywhere. I like trends that don't seem, well, trendy, but are simple, classic, practical and more long-term. My favorite is one I've loved for a long time, and which will only gain in popularity: small homes. When I started blogging about my life on a houseboat, I realized how many people are interested in downsizing. Living in a small space forces you to prioritize. Having only what you love, need and use simplifies things, is more economical, and leaves time and money for fun."

2) Celebrating the classics

Katie Armour, The Neo-Traditionalist (www.theneotraditionalist.com)

"2011 is the year to celebrate the classics, shaken and stirred. I am eager to mix up timeless pieces I already own to show them off in a fresh light. Reinterpreting heirlooms and flea-market finds is not only green, it can also be terribly charming! I will be hanging more vintage plates, styling my stacks of out-of-print design books to serve as side tables, and re-covering my grandmother's dining chairs with a classic navy gingham. Why not stick a pheasant feather collection in a pencil cup or repurpose your favorite brass figurines as bookends? What's old can be new, and 2011 is the year to prove it."

3) Black and white

Victoria Smith, sfgirlbybay (www.sfgirlbybay.com)

"These days, I still seem to be mad for black and white with a Scandinavian slant. I like the clean look of it, mixed with midcentury modern pieces - like my Saarinen dining table, black bentwood chairs and the sprocket-like lamp fixture from Schoolhouse Electric. It's a nice, unexpected mix of old and new. And the Victorian moldings and hardwood floors help warm up the room."

4) Interactive design

Jaime Derringer, Design Milk (www.design-milk.com)

"Interactive design is going to be the next big thing - and it won't stop by for the usual 15 minutes of fame. Expect to see more creations that allow us to interact with them and with our devices. From 3-D televisions to Apple's FaceTime to the Xbox Kinect, these days technology is all about making us feel like we're part of it. The goal is to give us an experience and make a connection that goes deeper than just skimming the surface of our senses. For example, Canadian company Rollout has created wallpaper covered with QR codes. Using a QR code reader on your mobile phone, the wallpaper will take you to a variety of inspiring websites."

5) Marbleized paper

Jordan Ferney, Oh Happy Day! (www.jordanferney.blogspot.com)

"Bookmakers have been using marbleized papers for hundreds of years. Marbled paper made by hand is special because each sheet comes out differently and is completely unique. In 2011, I'm going to use it in my home - on a lampshade, to decoupage an Ikea side table, and in my stationery designs. It's a fresh take on an old look. Some local paper makers, like Ingrid Butler at Moth Marblers in Sausalito, produce gorgeous pieces. PaperMojo.com is another good source."

6) Travel mementoes

Caitlin Flemming, Sacramento Street (www.sacramentost.blogspot.com)