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    ELLE DECOR’s Top 11 Trends of 2011

    The colors and patterns our editors loved this year


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    1. Gold
    Gleaming, glittering, and totally glamorous. This precious color adds sparkle to any setting.

    2. Menswear
    Classic haberdashery takes on a handsome new guise. Try a plaid trunk or herringbone pattern tiles to bring the trend home. http://www.elledecor.com/home-shopping/articles/trend-alert-menswear

    3. Snakeskin
    This untamed pattern, evocative of jet-set glamour, is now turning up in vivid hues and surprising places. Equally chic as a soap dispenser or x-bench, snakeskin can easily add an edge to a room.

    4. Persimmon
    A spicy color that has become the design world's latest obsession. It glows as a pendant light, sparkles as a necklace, and brightens up any space.

    5. Marbleizing
    This classic decorative technique is sending ripples through the design world, surfacing in colorful new guises. Go bold with marbleized wallpaper or try out the trend with stationery.

    6. Yellow
    The happiest color is showing up in surprising new places. Whether it's a bold lacquered bed frame or sweet cotton plaid fabric, it's one of this year's most cheerful trends.

    7. Polka Dots
    We're seeing spots everywhere. No matter the scale or color, these dots are an easy way to add pattern and whimsy to a space.

    8. Fruit Prints
    A fresh crop of whimsical patterns is enlivening the runway and the home. Whether its watermelon-shaped plates or wallpaper printed with peaches, these refreshing pieces are sure to delight.

    9. Emerald
    This regal shade of green brings showstopping drama everywhere it goes. If an emerald gown is too much, a vase might be just your style.

    10. Houndstooth
    The bold menswear classic translates perfectly to the home. Or take it out for a spin with a houndstooth suitcase or camcorder.

    11. Red
    An attention-getting color that heats things up. As a dramatic mirror or eye-catching bedside table, this festive hue is a showstopper year-round.

    And see more great pieces from ELLE DECOR:

    8 Tips for a Party-Perfect Kitchen

    How to Decorate with Mirrors

    Kitchens That Pop