Design Trends for 2010: Weathered and Treasured

This week and next we're looking at some of our favorite design trends for 2010 (check out "have some fun" right here). Today's trend comes to us courtesy of the design folks at Sherwin-Williams, who have predicted a couple of cool new trends for 2010. Our favorite? They call it "treasured."Here's how they describe the treasured look:

"Treasured" is the third trend, where natural aging and weathering enhance the design. Jordan cites the Rough Luxe Hotel in the United Kingdom, where the original layers of peeling paint and ancient wallpaper are still visible on the walls. This "less-than-perfect aesthetic" also includes the use of distressed leather, vintage tapestries, found objects, and patina.

Pretty cool, right? We love the mix of luxe and rustic, the fading star-Grey Gardens aesthetic.

That's why we fell in love with the kitchen at the top of this post. It's modern in terms of technology- the stainless steel confirms that - but all that rough wood just looks like it has a story behind it. We'd pair it with a pendant lamp in a pretty print that might look old-fashioned, if it weren't for the very current color scheme, like the Suzani pendant in Cream, Blueberry, Light Spring Grass and Gray.

Sometimes we think that Paris has a corner on the "treasured" look. The city does, after all, lay claim to one of the greatest flea markets in the world in La Marche aux Puces. And where better to find items that bear that fabulous patina than at a flea market?

Plus, Paris is home to rambling old decaying mansions with rooms like this one:

The room above is in a Parisian home that's used these days mostly as a movie set. Easy to see why, right? We love the look of faded luxury. It's almost as though you can see the years peeling away from that majestic mantle.

A space like that demands equally regal lighting. Our vote goes to a three-pendant lamp in Silver and Sage Modern Damask:

The treasured look isn't all about rough wood and damp chateaux, either. Consider this antique sugar chest, topped with a vintage cocktail shaker and a very bright, modern (and funny) painting:

The chest has definitely seen its fair share of use, but careful care has helped it retain luster that makes it a good match for bright colors and a fun, Jetsons-like mid-century aesthetic. (We admit, we're a little stuck on this sugar chest, since it's in our own dining room!)

We'd love to see the wall behind the chest papered in something just as bright and fun and with the same retro vibe as the cocktail shaker - something like Maven in Light Spring Grass, Caribbean Sea, Pink Berry, and Sand Dollar:The bedroom is a perfect place for a single piece of furniture that's both treasured and repurposed, like this amazing bed made from antique doors:
The bed is such a showcase piece, we wouldn't want to overwhelm it with lots of accessories. But wouldn't that warm wood, with all its age, look fantastic with a couple of Napa throw pillows in Cream, Hampton Blue, Light Spring Grass, and Dark Goldenrod:

We especially like the way the Dark Goldenrod picks up the warmth of the wood.

What do you think about this trend? Are there any pieces in your homes that fit the "treasured" profile? Please share in the comments!

[Photo Credits: Rustic kitchen from Apartment Therapy. Paris apartment, sugar chest, and wooden bed from Houzz.com. All product photos from Alluminare.]