If you are anything like me and you are immersed in the world of interior design or fashion, you know that the word “trend” is thrown around on a regular basis. From an early age we are taught that trends come and go and they are something that we should indulge in with caution. But let’s face it, who doesn’t want to feel trendy?
Some of you may remember (now I’m really dating myself) the trendy kitchen appliance colors of the 1970s. Those who found themselves without gleaming refrigerators in shades of either avocado, gold or copper-tone, simply weren’t fashion forward. As a young pre-teen, I clearly recall walking into the new home of family friend and stopping in my tracks in horror when I saw white appliances. It just didn’t make sense.
Years later, and in retrospect, I realized that long after harvest gold was out of vogue, our family friends actually had a kitchen that was timeless. A lesson was learned. Trends are best implemented in ways that can easily be changed.
To this day, when I am working with my clients, I find myself navigating them towards what would be considered classic choices in their permanent fixtures and finishes and implementing trends in ways that aren’t so permanent.
Below are three trends that I personally love that are continuing to grow in popularity as we move into 2016. But tread lightly, as some trends can last a decade or more, others may not make it to 2017.
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Bold geometric patterns –
Let me start by saying that I LOVE them. In fact, I love them so much, that I almost did not include them on the list as a trend. However, when I decided to look at geometrics objectively, I realized that all good things come to an end at some point. Geometrics will likely be no exception. But for now, and in my opinion for many years to come, the addition of a graphic linear pattern is sort of a must have for most spaces that want a current vibe.
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Bedazzled accents –
Who doesn’t love a little bling? Right now, I find myself adding bedazzled accent pillows to nearly every interior project (when appropriate of course). This is a perfect example of a great way to dive into a trend. Even if in a year or two when the popularity of jeweled accents may wane, all you need to do is simply remove the pillow. While the trend lasted, you enjoyed the look with minimal investment.
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Gray hardwood floors –
As beautiful as they are and as much as I personally love the look, what’s in today may quickly be out tomorrow. For those of you who choose the beauty of a gray-toned hardwood floor, be sure the floor is solid hardwood versus engineered hardwood flooring. A decade from now you may want to enlist the services of a refinisher. Solid hardwood can be refinished and re-stained. Engineered hardwood typically is what it is until you replace it.
As you might guess, I’m a big advocate for working with a professional to avoid making expensive mistakes. Remember that when making major design related purchases for your home, the guidance of an Interior Designer can keep you on trend, while ensuring that your investment is timeless.
