I received an email from a very old friend Christine Kreplins who has been following my blog. She used to be a Mid North Coast resident but now lives in Kuala Lumpur and works with the design and building industry exporting what seems like a vast variety of building and decor items. She asked if I would give her the heads up about what's happening in design in Australia - so I thought I'd write a blog post about trends, 'what's hot' and a few 'what's not'....This post might help those of you who are making big decisions for new builds or those of you who are decorating. Always be aware of trend items in design as they can quickly date and dateability is a topic I am asked about regularly.
It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the new year, trend forecasters and designers are already thinking well into 2017 – and there’s a big shake up of interior trends predicted.
Designers keep their finger on the pulse of what's now and whats next - mostly trends are something to be avoided if you're in the design industry. Trend items will date so quickly.... you know the story, in one minute, out the next!
In Australia, our prolific use of technology and social media usage has shortened the gap in our adaptation of global trends. This means that we are seeing international styles hitting our stores a lot quicker than usual.
If you’re renovating or building a new home, look out for the following trends to include, and those to avoid, for 2017.
IN - Terracotta
Warm materials such as terracotta tiles have come back into favour and used in a modern context adds a great deal of character and warmth.
Unlike in the 80s, they aren’t used as border tiles. Instead they will have a natural matte finish and be used as feature walls in bathrooms or for cladding fireplaces and on floors or just in colour for decor items.
IN -Dark Green
Dark shades of green will become the new must-have dark interior colour as we say goodbye to navy and midnight blues.
Dark green in paint colour for bedrooms creates a wintery cocoon like backdrop for tan leathers, reindeer furs and natural linen,” Macer says.
Used in a feature armchair or cushions and decor items as an accent, it adds depth and can bring in the colours from the outdoors.
IN -Upholstered bed heads
Beds will change dramatically in 2017, with upholstered bed heads set to replace the timber bed frames currently dominating the market.
I've been using this concept in many recent bedroom designs including hotels and domestic bedrooms for a while, but now everyone is falling head over heels for the bedheads.
It's a super easy way to update and add instant glamour to a bedroom and you can even DIY if you're up for the challenge!
IN - Escapism
Homes with nooks and places to retreat will become more popular as humans react to our increasingly technological lives. With an ever-increasing amount of time spent in front of a computer screen during the day…there will be a greater desire to create spaces in our lives devoid of digital distraction.
This may not mean listing the 65 inch flat screen on Hastings Buy Sell and Swap, but we will seek to create havens of calm and tranquility. It doesn't matter if its a bedroom or a nook we can escape to, no matter what it is that gives you a little time out - in peace.
Relaxed furniture and materials will follow suit, from deep sofas with linen slip covers, to oversized love seats, day beds, sheepskins and textured throws, chunky knit wool rugs and floor cushions.
IN - Jewel Tones
While pastels are currently having their day in the sun, they will soon be overtaken by jewel tones inspired by metals, space, stars, clouds and the cosmos.
Metallics, metals, raw-cut quartz, Lucite and opal will add sparkle and interest.
Transparent fabrics, sheer silks and sheers will create a lightness and soft romantic element to this trend, which embodies an optimism for where we have come from and where we are headed.
IN - Burnished metals
More subdued metallic finishes will be a more contemporary choice.
The bright coppers - showy pink metallics are falling out of favour and being replaced with gorgeous low key metallics.
I must admit, I've always loved metallic elements to add character and a certain kind of worldly charm.
These metallics should be used to add a rustic natural feel in light fittings, fixtures and fittings, furniture and decorative elements.
OUT - Quote art work
After years of popularity, consumers will predictably move away from quote artworks.
We have all seen the ‘Keep calm and …’ posters and they have had their day. While often inspiring, quotation art work will lose its popularity. It has saturated the decor market. Watercolour and large scale abstract art will re emerge.
OUT - Marble
With marble homewares all the rage in the mass-produced homewares market, we can soon expect a sharp decline in interest.
I agree that it's time for a change... Instead of this cold austere finish, I'm looking forward to raw, earthy textures like timber, clay and wicker.
OUT - Open plan living
Defined living spaces are returning to modern homes as consumers seek more private home layouts.
As people have now lived with the open plan living areas incorporating kitchen, living, dining and even study areas, they have found disadvantages with acoustics and cooking smells through the space.
A move toward living, kitchen and dining areas located around central courtyard, breaking up the large open space seems to be occurring.
I'm always helping clients to solve acoustic issues ...so don't worry if you have an open plan home. Sometimes its furniture and other decorative elements that can bring the 'cozy' back into the space.
Out - Subway tiles
Modern bathrooms and kitchen commonly feature the humble subway tile due to the affordable price point and its versatile look. However, the proliferation of this look will see its popularity decline.
I have seen them at local cafes - basically they’re everywhere!
There are so many great creative ideas for kitchen splashbacks and there are some gorgeous tiles on the market now.
I honestly feel that using a subway tile is a lost opportunity for a kitchen or bathroom design. Why not choose a finish that has a bit of finesse?
-something that shows your character and sets you apart - something distinctive?
Thanks for reading my blog....don't forget I'm here for you if you need a little help along the way. If you get stuck, you can correct or identify the issue much faster with a little professional help.
Lisa