Gerri Hunt — Furniture

WALTHAM, Mass. — Welcome to “The Year of American Design,” says Davis Remignanti, the lead design consultant for online retailer www.furniture.com.

“This year I’m finding that people want to define what it means to be American — who they are and what they believe in,” said Remignanti.

He said the trend has been building for a long time, stemming from the 2000 and 2004 elections, the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina.

“Look at what happened with Katrina,” said Remignanti. “People thought, ‘When disaster happens, my government will be there.’ And then suddenly, maybe that’s not true.”

Now people want their homes to be comforting in a new way.

“People are saying to themselves more than ever that they want their interiors to reflect how they feel,” said the designer.

As they try to figure out what it means to be an American, many are looking to their ancestors, leaning toward imperfection rather than highly polished looks.

“For 2013, there will be a renewed interest in finishes that are textured, slightly rough-hewn, reflecting common histories as make-do immigrants in a new land,” said Remignanti. “And in a single room, diverse pieces can find a common focus through beauty of line, quality of craftsmanship, and connection to the world that inspired their creation.”

He suggests some home décor themes for the Year of American Design:

* American Charm:
Linens, boucles, tweeds, raw silks and cottons and other “rough” textiles are replacing damasks, velvets and other refined fabrics throughout the home, from bed linens to upholstery to window coverings. Their imperfections define their charm.

* Natural Connection:
Materials like seagrass, jute and sisal — used in carpets mostly for casual settings — are also gaining popularity as floor coverings in formal interiors, where their natural characteristics reflect our sense of being rooted in “our soil.”

* Diverse Design:
Overly matched interiors and suites are giving way to a “melting pot” of complementary pieces. This reflects America’s multicultural influences and diversity.

* New and Old:
The desire for typically European or Asian furniture style is waning as people come to appreciate designs, new and antique, with a “home grown” heritage — even if those designs, like most Americans, might trace their lineage to other continents and cultures.

* Rugged Individualism:
Polished materials and finishes are falling into disfavor, displaced by ones a little rough around the edges. Look for woods to show more knots and grain, and minerals like limestone and slate used in place of marble and granite.

“This year, look for home interiors to become more personalized, as we define and redefine ourselves,” said Remignanti. “Each home, though it could be vastly different than the one next door, will feel more uniquely American during 2013 than ever before.”