2016 Trends

While the following thoughts are by no means set in stone as to what trends in interior design lie ahead, they are based on patterns we see emerging.

Certainly over the years architects and designers have approached design with "wellness" in mind. Much of this is to offer spaces which allow individuals to live and function in a positive environment.  In fact you only have to search wellness to see how relevant it is in many

sectors from food to town planning.

From here we see the family bathroom receiving the greatest makeover. No longer just a space to bathe or shower,  it has become the starter for creating that multi generation space. From wetrooms to steam rooms , showers are still evolving. Technology includes mirrors doubling as flat screen TV s,  electronic sensor taps, thermostatically controlled showers, led shower heads, sound systems recessed into ceiling, and air injected taps to reduce water use.
Ordinary tiles and grout on walls have been making way for ceiling height water proof panels. White raised shower trays being replaced by wetroom floors.

One crucial area too has been in the importance of good branding. By that I don't mean having Downton Abbey initials on some type of unknown porcelain, but the clear branding of suppliers like Villeroy and Boch, Hansgrohe, Laufen... It does seem that people once fooled by cheap quality are now looking for the tried and trusted.

While there will always be a favourite accent colour in furnishings, the bulk of showhomes still play safe with a neutral pallette.  Magnolia has long gone, with white being around some time. What we might see is layering of whites. By this I mean a few shades of white close to each other that work to highlight different surfaces. This is something that many people who use Farrow and Ball paint will be used to doing, but tricky to get right.
As an alternative to white, grey is becoming more popular.


Surprisingly feature wallpaper is still hanging in there. Big bold, brash, and often shiny - 3 rolls is generally all needed. Thankfully there are alternatives in the form of  faux brick, and both engineered, and recycled woods which bring more texture and life to a room.

The industrial  look is perfect for apartments and older properties. Shiny chrome taps have been replaced by antique brass or nickel to compliment a more relaxed kitchen space. It is surprising how many cookery shows have a background of exposed brick in the kitchen areas.

A few years ago it might not have been out of place to install a bright red signature kitchen. Now the look is more refined, greys and creams as popular as white.
Much more attention is given to the work surface.  In fact many granite suppliers will say how much in demand that product is now. Overall the use of natural materials like granite and porcelain have  been on the increase in the last few years, and this doesn't appear to be slowing down.
Porcelain on the floor is perfect for heavy traffic areas.

What I have written about elsewhere in this blog has been bio flame fires. While I see no emerging trend as such, they have been spotted in prestigious London apartments recently. They really do look stunning, so that will be my one off the wall prediction for 2016..

For advice on delivery of any of the products mentioned, contact me 

Shades of Yellow

Wassail

Linwood

Stylised Daisies Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Cole and Son

Tindle

Cole and Son

Looking for inspiration to add shade of yellow into an interior scheme I was reminded of the gesso wall panels made by Margaret Mcdonald in collaboration with her husband Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

They were part of the Glasgow set responsible for Arts and Crafts in Scotland




We love Linwood fabrics and wallpapers, as much as we love the stylist responsible for the room designs in their photography. The lemon wallpaper is from their Metropolis range and is reflective of the 1920's jazz scene in New York. Dulled shades reflect the moody undertones of the music, while adding that discordant contrast of lemon and purple adds a burst of freshness.



 Stylised floral features were part of the Arts and Crafts movement. This textile again by Macdonald/ Mackintosh is of stylised daisies. We like the purple on yellow background which still seems as fresh as a daisy now as it was then. They also used roses, lilies and the recognisable chrysanthemum.


Cole and Son have an impressive portfolio of wallpaper suppliers.  We particularly love this wallpaper featuring flying machines, for its eclectic design and because it has that pop of yellow. This is from the Fornasetti range. Cole and Son also have a great archive of traditional designs well worth a look.

This Murano glass chandelier of glass fruits is by Tindle. They also produce some fantastic traditional chandeliers, but this one is so much fun.

We couldn't leave out this delightful Owl border - Notambule from Cole and Son. There are other colour backgrounds but we think the yellow is very cool!