You're probably done with shopping at the moment but that doesn't mean the shops are done with you. Because the start of a new year means new trends to get you fired up all over again!

It works on me, I must admit. I love a little renewal, and I am insatiable when it comes to new, creative ideas of how to maximize and enjoy my lifestyle, especially in the home. As tired and over it as I feign to be, I have a hard time slowing down after all the year-end fun, and always appreciate a good project to get me through the post-holiday doldrums.

All in all, Trends Month is a good thing: we can talk what's in and what's out, plan the details of that next reno (it doesn't matter if you can't afford it right now, sometimes just planning it is enough), and see what wondrous innovations 2012 has in store. Over the month of January we'll be bringing you our take on what to look out for, including coverage of the Interior Design Show (IDS12) happening in Toronto toward the end of the moth. Below are some great reads to get you started -- January can be fun!

New This Month:

• A Man Inquires: Colour Forecasting -- How Do They Know? 
• Trends in the Twitter Trenches by Michelle Carangi 
  
• Interview with Iconic Industrial Designer Harry Allen, Part 2
• Interview with Iconic Industrial Designer Harry Allen, Part 1
• Would You Buy A Designer Toilet Paper Cover? 
• Flooring and Rug Trends for 2012
• Mood Board: Global Modernism
  
• Top 5 Trends for 2012 by Emma Reddington  

• Design Eye Candy: IDS12 in Photos!
• IDS12 Opening Night Party
• On the Eve of IDS12: Checking in with Karim Rashid
  
• Countdown to Interior Design Show: Outdoor Living
• Countdown to Interior Design Show: How Do You Live? 
• Countdown to Interior Design Show: 18 Karat 
  
• Countdown to Interior Design Show: Patty Johnson 
• Countdown to Interior Design Show: Flos
• IDS12 Preview: 5 Things You Need to See  
  

Trend: Colour!

Blog Posts

• Colour Inspiration: Chocolate Brown and Tropical Turquoise from The Mix
• Mood Board: Colours Inspired by the Renaissance 
• Designer Karl Lohnes Talks Colour Trends 
• Colour Inspiration: A Country Bathroom in Yellow, from Sarah's House
• Colour Inspiration: Warm Reds and Creams from Sarah 101
• Colour Inspiration: Blue and Orange MidMod Chic from Pure Design 
• Top 5 Paint Colours for the Bathroom 
  

Video

• The Mix: Glam Colourful Condo 
• Genevieve Gorder on Colour Trends 
  
  

Trend: Neutrals

Blog Posts

• Mood Board: How Do Neutrals Right 
  

Video

• The Mix: Mixing Whites
  

Trend: The Eclectic Mix

Blog Posts

• Hot Trends by Michelle Carangi, of Popular Blog Holley and Gill  

Articles

• A Seamless Mix Between Old and New by Sarah Richardson 
• Create a Modern Vintage Bedroom by Samantha Pynn
  

Video

• What Sam Pynn and Malcolm Patterson Like in Their Mix!
• Watch The Mix Series, All About How to Get The Look
  

Trend: Upcycling

Blog posts

• 10 Ways to Use Wooden Pallets
• 7 Ways to Reuse your Old Bath Towels
  
• Top 5 Friday: Upcycling Ideas
  

Articles

• How To Paint Your Fireplace
• What To Know About Antique Fixtures and Tubs
• Using Antiques in the Home Office
• How To Update Your Hardwood Floors
• Beginners Guide to Buying Antiques
• Reusable Decor Items

Video

• The Green Geek: Upcycling Wooden Skids:  Pure Design's Julia Black demonstrates how to make a queen-sized headboard from wooden palettes, which can commonly be found for reuse.
• Make a Lamp out of Thrift Store Dishes! 
  

Related:

• December: Celebrate the Season
• November: Entertaining Boot Camp
  
• October: Fall Style