The Monet collection from the residential division of Blue Ridge, seen here, is designed with deep, luxurious colors that can add an element of warmth and comfort to any room in the house. An expanding color palette has become a key element of the residential carpet market.

The evolution of carpet color is reflected in the 2006 Anso Nylon Color Palette which includes names as creative and intriguing as the colors themselves, such as "Golden Goddess," "Claydough" and "Espresso Kiss." Deep, luxurious colors will continue to gain greater prominence this year, as will crisp colors that can complement lighting fixtures, decorative hardware and other living finishings. But to understand the new color palette for 2006, it is a good idea to first explore the trends that have lead to these new rising colors stars.

For starters, there has been a movement toward "affordable luxury." Even consumers on a tight budget are becoming increasingly savvy about design.

They are elevating the expectations they have for their homes and color is helping them define and customize this expectation. The style selections they make help stamp a personal signature on their home. The trend has prompted carpet manufacturers to expanded their color palettes and come up with more options for custom colors.

Expect 2006 to bring deep rich colors to this segment of the market. Mid-tone and deep chromatic browns, deep blues, and rich greens stand out and serve as the fundamental building blocks for interior designs that exude luxury. Carpets that simulate the look of nature's timeless hard-surface materials-granite, marble, and stone for example-will carry on into 2006 for the purpose of coordinating hard and soft surfaces within the home.

Because so many people today have hectic lifestyles, the home is one place where they want and need to feel comfortable. "Uber luxury," or extreme luxury, can best be described as a movement in design that encourages cleaner, more simplistic lines in home interiors. The overall idea is to calm the spirit and soul. These types of designs typically incorporate highly luxurious, sensory-pleasing elements.

At its core, Uber luxury is a more simplified design structure, focusing on classic design elements. The interplay of line, shape and form works together to create a room that is nothing short of a three-dimensional work of art. In keeping with this emerging movement, look for design inspiration that will also appear multi-dimensional. Likely it will be derived from nature-inspired influences: botanicals, linear shapes found in nature and nature-inspired geometrics.

It is also important to remember that carpet will become more important as American society ages if for no other reason than practicalities like safety, warmth and comfort. These are considerations that will all be important to the baby boomer generation. They will also influence the up-and-coming "Echo Boomer" generation of people 35-and-under. They are largely responsible for the emergence of a more dramatic design trend known as "Glam Baroque." It is defined as interiors embracing luxury finishes and colors mixed with contemporary styling. Our European counterparts have termed it "Soft Baroque" and led the way for this trend.

With these three major trends shaping the design world, here are 11 colors that will be making their way into American homes in 2006:

n Lazurite A gemstone-quality deep blue that provides a brighter alternative to traditional navy. Lazurite inspires tranquility in thought and being and is embraced by fashion and home interiors.

n Cameo Bliss - Reminiscent of heirloom, sculpted cameos, this retro pastel draws its hue from hybrid roses. The excellent blending of golden pink and soft ivory in Cameo Bliss freshens the palette for 2006.

n Claydough A deeper version of Cameo Bliss, these two colors can be used together for monochromatic emphasis, or paired with deep browns or rich aquas for a fresh complementary color scheme for home interiors.

n China Rose A vibrant accent color with rich ethnic influences. China Rose captures the spice and flavor of the Orient. All the colors of the sunset inspire this wonderful new coral. Fashion and home interiors will embrace China Rose.

n Conifer Reflective of the opulent blue-touched emerald of juniper and spruce trees, only nature could have presented this color for 2006. One of the more saturated colors in the new palette, Conifer will be most important for interior design, including rich carpet tones.

n Golden Goddess As buttery yellows continue in their popularity for 2006, a deeper version has been born in Golden Goddess. Aged pirate's gold reflects the tone of this hue. Golden Goddess will emerge as a luxury color.

n Espresso Kiss This deep roasted brown is laced with subtle red undertones to escalate it to "luxury color" status. Think sensory when thinking of Espresso Kiss. One can almost taste this color.

n Bordeaux Reds have taken a turn toward luxury. This wine-influenced hue counterbalances the pastel side of the palette and will explode onto both the fashion and design scene for 2006.

n Seaglass Fizz Substance and sass. Seaglass Fizz has dimension to its chroma in the form of soft glitter. Automotive introduced this crisp, new aqua tone, and home interiors will embrace it in unexpected, fun ways.

n Cristale Also a crossover color from the automotive sector, Cristale is an excellent champagne neutral dusted with golden flecks. Living finishes created for lighting fixtures, faucets and decorative hardware will all enjoy this new color. (Living finishes evolve when metallic design elements develop a soft patina over time, from contact with the oils in human hands.)

n Nimbus The newest gray is a complex mix of gray, brown and purple. It's deep but soft. Gathering storm clouds were the inspiration for this awesome new color that can be used as a deep-toned neutral in home interiors.