In these rapidly changing times, it feels good to reacquaint ourselves with familiar ideas. So much of what we consider ‘new’ is really just a reimagining of old fads that may have fallen out of favour or been forgotten. This recycling of trends rewards those who hang on to their favourites – putting them out of sight until they’re wanted again, rather than getting rid.
In keeping with this mood of sustainability, many of the interiors themes we’re seeing revolve around natural materials. A mineral-inspired palette of pale pink, stone, warm grey and clay will take you into 2017 and beyond. Here’s what else feels new again, now.
Modernised spicy shades
After a few years in the cold, interiors are beginning to feel a little heat from warmer colours. Red, orange and yellow are all enjoying a renaissance, used as small accents or for whole room schemes. To keep the look contemporary, steer clear of stark and shiny man-made fabrics, searching instead for soft, textured linen and velvet in sophisticated shades such as sienna.
In the land of neutrals, taupe, nude, brown, peach and apricot provide a welcome break from ever-popular grey, which itself is moving in a more mushroom-coloured direction.
Timber cabinets
The modern-rustic trend shows no signs of abating and this has led to a revival of naked timber in the kitchen. After a period where whitewashed wood was de rigueur, cabinets with a stronger depth of colour are becoming popular once again. The effect is particularly appealing when teamed with handcrafted pieces, such as these impressive oak drawers.
The new 1980s
The rise of leaf-print wallpaper is testament to the adoption of 1980s décor ideas – rattan and bamboo furniture being another. Interestingly, both of these trends were already fashion flashbacks from the 1950s.
Join the leaf print posse in an afternoon by primping your powder room. This striking blue paper has a distinctly tropical vibe that ties in with the petite pineapple towel holder in this beaut of a bathroom.
Moving on from marble
While there will always be a place for the delicate beauty of Carrara and Calacatta marble, other varieties with more dramatic veining and warmer colours are seeing a spike in popularity.
Charming terrazzo is also making a comeback. This mosaic mixture (popular in the mid-20th century) was originally made by mixing discarded pieces of marble with clay, but can contain chips of glass, stone or quartz, which are set into resin or concrete. Look out for terrazzo-inspired worktops, walls, floors and accessories.
Getting creative with cork
With environmental issues and sustainability at the forefront of many people’s minds, finding ways of utilising renewable resources is an ongoing priority. Forget thoughts of the cork-clad interiors of the 1970s and prepare to embrace a new application, as lots of furniture and accessories will be getting the cork treatment.
This natural wonder material is light, wear-resistant, elastic, impermeable and insulating. Harvesting cork allows the trees to absorb more CO2 and the final product is fully biodegradable.
A twist on terracotta
Lovers of classic country style will maintain that quarry tiles have never gone out of fashion, but this modest material is set to reach a whole new audience. Thanks to the trend for everything organic and earthy, terracotta – in all its incarnations, from pots to paint colours – looks set to be huge news in 2017.
Easy seating
Loose-cover sofas have always been number one for anyone with pets or children because of their washability. But now, thanks to the rise of modern-country interiors, the relaxed silhouette of loose-cover couches and chairs feels fresh again in all sorts of interiors. Team yours with white panelling and organic accents for an easy update.
Retro-fit wooden panelling
Many of us have done tongue-and-groove and the odd bit of painted panelling, but the new finish is more in keeping with styles seen in the 1960s. Wide planks give a country-cabin-meets-Mad Men twist and show off maximum wood grain.
Try this style if you’re looking to bring a subdued rustic element to a carpeted bedroom with no unpainted timber furniture to warm things up.
Dark worktops
After an age of white and bright worktops, moody dark grey and black surfaces are set for a comeback. Honed granite is hard-wearing, versatile and won’t show crumbs (or fingerprints – unlike its shiny sister).
Soapstone is another dark-hued material that’s been popular in US kitchens for years, thanks to its practical properties. This durable natural stone is non-porous (meaning it doesn’t stain) – nor will it be etched by natural acids, such as lemon juice. It’s also heat-resistant, doesn’t need to be sealed and is best cleaned with plain old soap and water. Speak to your local kitchen company about sourcing samples.
Going beyond brass
Coloured taps have been around since the 1980s, when you could merrily match them to the colour of your plastic kitchen sink. However, despite featuring heavily at design shows in recent years, coloured brassware is only just becoming accessible and affordable.
With white sanitaryware still the norm, a set of black taps makes perfect sense for a cool, contemporary interior. Pair with a matching shower valve and a Crittall-style screen for more monochrome goodness.
Source – Houzz
Main Image Source – Houzz
