Hankering after the handmade Even paint is brushing up on the look. Layering of colours and textures to produce personalised pads, will be key, according to Crown paints. Intimacy is Crown's theme for 2007. It's all about being drawn in by an interesting surface or relief decoration, and the uniqueness of the handmade.

"There is a new appreciation of the handmade. People are concerned that traditional skills are being lost and there's a revival of interest in traditional finishes and fabrics, with west Cork duo Clavin and Brophy working on developing a new bedlinen range combining Irish linen and embroidery. It's almost a reaction to mass production, " says Pat McCarthy whose Kilkenny studio specialises in design, trend and retail consultancy.

Find yourself through Crown's five palettes with grey the colour that matters this season. 'Structured Whites' create raised relief and texture, adding interest and depth to a scheme.

'Neutral Skins' provide a feminine feel but with a funky edge. The soft selection blends delicate pastels with modern neutrals. 'Natural Surfaces' takes inspiration from crafts and celebrates textures with a rough, unfinished effect.

Making a statement in bold, dense tones of orange, red and green, it harks back to the strong shades of the '50s.

Both natural and manmade environments influence 'Sparkling Greys'.

The base takes the tones of more manufactured greys while cool blues and earthy browns layer to create light and depth.

'Colours on Black' celebrates contrast. Its black base is brought to life with flashes of vibrant hues capturing the playfulness of '70s glamour. This combination of moody tones and bright highlights causes a conflict, with the sharp bolts of colour making the dark hues even more dramatic. "Seventies retro is holding on but will probably shift by autumn to more glam rock style embellishment including darker paint, " says Will Seaman of Merton Homes & Gardens. Try Crown's Tailored Fashion for Walls matt emulsion or Bubble Bath easyclean emulsion.

Chocolates are becoming much stronger, edging towards black mixing with limes, corals, tangerine and teal, all with iridescent effects, says Claire Vallis, design director, Harlequin fabrics and wallcoverings.

Continuing our penchant for pattern "Pattern and colour return with everyone taking a much braver, more confident approach, " says Vallis.

"Whether it be a feature wallpaper or a feature pattern, on curtains or furniture, the look is much more flamboyant and eclectic, " she remarks. "In carpets, wallpapers and fabrics, think William Morris prints, beautifully embroidered silks, " says Ruth Kennelly of RK Designs. "The print will be small and delicate and move away from the brocade and Roccoesque patterns that have dominated interior schemes over the last year."

Loving luxe - with a twist In 2005 and 2006, interiors, Kennelly observes, moved quickly from minimalist to decorative with an emphasis on flock wallpapers, thick pile carpets and inter-lined curtains. "Although the luxury finish will still be a dominant factor in 2007, I feel that a fresh modern twist will be added. Papers with a delicate self-pattern will make an impact, " she says. "Opulence will become even stronger this year, " says Pat McCarthy. "Gilded and gold leaf looks are fashionable. There is also a mixing of contemporary furniture with classic and antique pieces to eclectic effect to create a very sumptuous, warm environment."

Giving a polished performance Shine and shimmer are the new effects, according to Vallis. "Soft glazes and polished finishes give Buy one key organic-inspired object this year, like this eggvase by Marcel Wanders understated glamour. The obvious golds and silvers are replaced with more sophisticated coppers and silvers."

Vallis refutes any suggestion that flock is on the wane.

"Flock is this season's musthave. The contrast between matt and shine is still an important feature, " she says.

Growing a love of big blooms Flower power continues to reign while lacy looks also linger. "There has been a real interest in florals and this is now developing into an emphasis on wild flowers, forest-like motifs and botanicals, " says McCarthy.

"Oversized florals and fretwork lace panels create interest and depth without being overpowering, " says Vallis. Harlequin's Fortuna floral range of papers and fabrics is inspired by archive documents. The spring collection from Designers' Guild is full of florals, with five new lines evoking the essence of Japan. Habitat's Maisy range of cutlery features a floral pattern laser etched onto 18/10 mirrored stainless steel.

Taking the soft option Sofas should be upholstered in soft, neutral shades, Kennelly says. "Leather is definitely last season.

If you must buy leather, try softening the look of the room with an upholstered occasional chair or ottoman in a complementary colour and then add some cushions in the fabric of the ottoman to dress the sofa, " she says.

Letting our appliances do the thinking for us Intelligent kitchen appliances are making light work of domestic duties. By simply touching on Miele's new Navitronic interactive screen, you're guided through the functions, complete with tips on the most suitable programmes.

It's impossible to go wrong, as controls only become active when they make sense, gently prompting you through each stage. The Navitronic touch control collection includes the H4681 single oven, H4081 integrated oven and microwave, DG4080 steam oven and the CVA 4080/CVA4085 coffee machines.

The Miele@home SuperVision system makes light work of keeping up with the status of all your appliances. Stylishly contained within the oven display, the device provides a status report on the activity of other appliances, including error alerts. Clocks are automatically synchronized, says Pat McGrath of Miele Ireland: "With our own inhouse research and development, we specialise in making high quality products using cutting-edge technology. The electronic controls on our appliances are designed to simplify operation and offer greater consumer benefits in the form of meaningful programmes and higher safety. We're very excited about the Miele@home SuperVision. It is currently available on the German market and we hope to introduce it to Ireland sometime in 2007."

Looking back in elegance with vintage chic The revival in interest in pieces from the past will strengthen, predicts interior architect Jon Cheung of HKD. "Decorative details are being introduced to contemporary fabrics and textures with bold colours playing a vital part in encapsulating the look of the new vintage chic, " he says.

"Boundaries will be pushed to new limits. Wall coverings have made a welcome return with bold opulent patterns dominating the books and fabric colours and textures have exceeded all previous palettes, " he remarks.

"Designers have replaced creams and browns with new swatches of ornate vintage influence and the interiors of 2007 will be colourful with an affluent feel, " says Cheung.

Marks & Spencer's new Courtesan look is a fresh, modern take on a classic vintage style, inspired by pre-revolutionary France - and at high street prices.

Products are characterised by heavy embroidery, patchwork, ruffles and volume, with strong metallic accents and a palette of pastels, mauve, cornflower blue and teal.

Doing some clear thinking The trend for translucent furniture and fittings has extended to radiators. Young designer Daniel Ashley has created an electric version of the traditional column radiator for Bisque, made completely from glass. Real hot stuff, the heating element on the Silhouette style is screen-printed onto glass, creating a delicate and distinctive pattern. Glass and Perspex furniture, such as Marks & Spencer's set of clear glass nesting tables, are great for making the most of small spaces.

Becoming more multicultural "We're seeing a lot of mixing of cultures with exotic influences coming through in interiors, especially bedlinen, " says McCarthy.

"There is a fascination with different cultures, especially the Asian culture and this is coming through in the shapes and colours being used by designers." Sustainability is also to the fore, McCarthy says. "People are looking at the sourcing of goods, at how items are made. They are also more concerned about the environment and fair trade.

A lot more bamboo and salvaged woods are being used, and people are looking for objects in their raw state."

USEFUL CONTACTS »Bisque radiators:

www. bisque. co. uk » Jon Cheung, interior architect;

www. hkd. ie » Designers' Guild:

www. designersguild. co. uk » Harlequin fabrics and wallpaper: www. harlequin. uk. com » Ruth Kennelly, RK Designs, 120 Baggot Lane, Dublin 4, 01-667 8659; www. rkdesigns. ie » Pat McCarthy Design Studio, The Rower, Inistioge, Co Kilkenny, 051-423857 www. patmccarthystudio. ie » Merton Home & Gardens:

www. mertonhomeand gardens. com