After returning from a month-long trip to Europe, I’m feeling refreshed and inspired. I travel a fair bit, and am always fascinated by seeing how trends translate across the globe. With that in mind, I thought I’d go through a roundup of some of the trends that have dominated the interior design world this year.
People often ask me how I feel about trends. My answer is this: while I nod to the interior design trends in my work, my aim is always to create a timeless and beautiful space that suits each client’s personality, tastes, and needs.
Mix and match
This year, many interior designers (including myself) have been experimenting with mixing patterns you would usually never dream of putting together. For instance, checks with stripes or animal print. It’s unusual, but if it’s done right, it makes a bold statement. In terms of patterns, colour blocking is no longer en vogue, but geometrical, abstract, and historic patterns (like florals against a white background) are experiencing a comeback.
All things pretty
At the moment, I love combining luxe leather, lace and sequins. I am also inspired by fashion, so this year I’ve adopted the metallic trend in designing spaces. In particular, I love using gold in a lustrous manner, incorporating it in wallpaper, furniture, and other objets. I have also been playing around with monochrome, mixing it with psychedelic colour to create an awe-inspiring effect.
Brass class
With its rich gleam and sculptural weight, brass has been experiencing a major revival. It’s also a throwback to the 70s, an era that is inspiring and influencing interior designers around the world. It has a timeless quality in that it goes with just about anything.
Shades of green
At the beginning of 2013, market leader Pantone named emerald as the ‘colour of the year’. Now that we’re over halfway through the year, I can safely confirm their prediction was correct: green is the ‘it’ colour. As one of the boldest hues on the colour chart, emerald is used sparingly, while bright spring greens, olives, and blue-greens have been popular choices.
Fancy walls
This trend was already strong late last year, and it has managed to maintain its popularity throughout 2013. With embellished walls, the more creative they are, the more striking they will be. Personally, I like wallpapers that have been hand-painted or dressed up with glass beads and crystals. These kind of handmade elements add a unique touch, and really polish a space.
Going neutral
Beige is often equated with bland, but in reality, it is a beautiful choice for quieter, more understated rooms. The trick is experimenting with a variety of shades of cream, off-white and beige, and using texture to spice up an otherwise serene colour. As always, texture helps to distinguish plain from pretty.
Home is where the heart is
This year, we’ve seen a move towards more homey, organic spaces, particularly in kitchens. Some people have labelled the trend as “organic modernism”. Instead of creating slick, ultra-modern kitchens, designers are using warmer materials such as slate, weathered concrete, glazed tiles and other handmade elements. As for finishes, they tend to be soft and as natural-looking as possible. The tactile quality is important – designers are always choosing shades (like sand) and finishes that people have an urge to touch.
Art in focus
Once the domain of art collectors, art has become more accessible and desirable to the average person. Thanks to the rise of art fairs, auctions and galleries – as well as the rise of people becoming more interested in the cultural scene – art is enjoying the spotlight of interior design.
Man caves
These days, it’s not uncommon for men to work or spend more time at home. While women still tend to take the reigns when it comes to a home’s décor, men often request a ‘man cave’, a space they can make entirely their own. This year, there has been a surge in sophisticated man caves. They can vary from gaming and media rooms filled with plasma screens and gadgets to wine cellars and outdoor barbecue areas.
0 Comments