IN: “Stone, slate, and carpet squares to create interesting geometric patterns” –FP

OUT: “Wall-to-wall carpeting. Hardwood flooring is so much [easier] to clean, easier on the eyes and much healthier!” –LS

IN: “Exotic and aged wood, especially in flooring, is really hot right now.” –FP

OUT: “Oak is definitely out. Get creative and mix it up.” –CP

IN: “Walls should have depth and texture. Natural fibers like bamboo and woven grasses are hot.” –JW

OUT: “Faux anything!” –FP

IN: “Keep it clean and simple. Choose something with a 40s style, sleek but without sacrificing comfort.” –JB

OUT: “Stuffy is out!” –JW

IN: “Comfort is the key here. Your sofa is like your car in terms of it being a very social space; it should be as comfortable.” –LS

OUT: “Fat furniture is out. If it is over-stuffed or super-sized, it belongs at McDonald’s.” –FP

IN: “Dark rich browns are definitely the new black.” –FP

OUT: “There are no ‘out’ colors as long as color is handled correctly and put in its appropriate place.” –JW

IN: “Cleaner, sleeker lighting. Lighting is so important from so many aspects. It should have aesthetic appeal and functionality, and it should enhance your well-being. It should focus on how you live, what you are really doing in a space, whether that is reading or just searching for your CD in the middle of the night. Use dimmers. Your eyes need harmony.” –LS

OUT: “No bare bulbs, night lights, or low-voltage tension wire (the 2000 version of track lighting). And no torchiere lamps from Home Depot (the black ones with 1,000,000 watt halogen bulbs you can fry eggs on).” –FP

IN: “Choose something artful. Choose something hand-made, such as blown glass or neatly carved wood.” –JW

OUT: “Knicknackery! It was your grandmother’s collection.” –FP

IN: “Wrought iron is huge. Keep your metal accents functional, simple and elegant. Don’t let it distract from the architecture of the home.” –CP

OUT: “There is no sass in brass unless you are Bette Midler.” –JB

IN: “Theatre rooms, game rooms, wine cellars, and personal spa rooms are all hot right now. With all the new electronic gadgets, many people are also designating a clean, safe space as the mechanical room.” –FP

OUT: “’Sitting Rooms’ are totally impractical. Space is a premium — especially in California — so why would you reserve a room just for show?” –JB

IN: “Window treatments are like the clothing fashion of the home. You should keep it clean and simple so that you can change it out as you like, for seasons or even events.” –LS

OUT: “Puddling on the floor, swags and jabots are all out.” –JW

IN: “Composite doors that look like wood — with clean Venetian glass!” –CP

OUT: “Fiber glass doors that look like plastic.” –CP

IN: “Gardens are becoming calming spaces. Hot features are anything that helps you relax — Zen gardening, water features, clean sculptures.” –FP

OUT: “English gardens gone wild.” –FP

IN: “Flexibility is the key with yard space. Choose furniture that you could use inside or outdoor. Make the yard an extension of your interior.” –LS

OUT: “Not taking care of your yards — especially in Southern California — should be a crime!” –JB

IN: “Whole house systems with scene selector lighting is really hot right now. And, of course, flatscreen TVs.” –JW

OUT: “Wall-mounted telecom systems. That’s what phones are for!” –FP