ASK THE DESIGNER: What’s Hot for 2015

March 4, 2015 · 0 Comments

“My New Year’s resolution was to freshen things up in my home. It’s the end of February and I don’t know where to start. Help!”

That’s a great New Year’s resolution!
Most people don’t realize just how much your living space can influence your mood on a day-to-day basis. Having a ho-hum wall colour, or art that you’re tired of can leave you feeling restless or unsettled in your own home. Not to worry – we visited the interior design show last month and took note of the best trends to bring your home from weak to wow on any budget.
We’ll start with Colour. It is the simplest way to create change and an affordable way to make a big impact. While it may feel like winter is never going to end, spring is just around the corner and so much of this year’s colour inspiration comes from the beauty we find in the great outdoors. Pantone and premium paint supplier, Farrow & Ball are both showing softer colour palettes with both warm and cool tones as well as nature inspired neutrals.
The colours we use in our homes this year reflect a desire to create a feeling of escape from our stressful daily routines. Colours like Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue, Tanners’s Brown and Breakfast Room Green are key to promoting relaxation and reflection in interiors. According to the company’s colour of the year press release, these hues “help to create spaces that live and breathe turning our homes into sanctuaries from the stresses of modern day living.”
Next, we’ll touch on some of the must have looks for this year. Mixed Metals are hot in the design industry. Designers are no longer interested in matching every metal finish in a single room. For a home that looks lived in try mixing warm metals like copper and rose gold with cooler ones such as silver and nickel. A strategic layered combination of metals gives off a more playful, edgier vibe. We are seeing this trend carried across the board – abstract art with multiple metallic paints and light fixtures with iron bases and brass details make for an easy way to bring this look into your own home.
Live Edge Wood was all over the show this year. This is an interesting twist on reclaimed wood and the classic harvest table. You’re still left with the cozy feel of a solid wood table but these tables are real conversation pieces. They are art. With tons of options ranging from Canadian hardwoods to exotic woods and seemingly limitless styles for table bases you can effortlessly blend these interesting pieces into any space. If a dining table seems like too big of a plunge, consider a side table, or having some live edge floating shelves cut to measure. What’s the best part? So many of these pieces come from local vendors- one of our suppliers even lets you go up north to help select your own wood slabs!
You already know about statement art – now we’re entering the age of the Statement Light Fixture. Function marries form giving birth to the most beautiful light fixtures that give off brilliant light. These pieces are stunning no matter which way the switch is flipped: off, they are sculptural art; on, they cast lovely light and create interesting shadow patterns in the room.
Adding one or a combination of these new looks to your home decor will surely freshen up your space. For more tips and to see these looks in living colour, be sure to check out our showroom! We’ve got a great variety of Farrow & Ball wall colours throughout our showroom to inspire you.
Feel free to send me your comments or questions to askjean@nichedecor.ca