In the design world, each new year brings with it the desire to escort out the old and overdone, and usher in some fresh and innovative inspiration.
Fashion and architecture play a huge role in what you see popping up in showrooms and design magazines across the globe, allowing interior designers and do-it-yourself rebels alike to delve into the creative and cultural elements shaping national hype and style.
So here’s a look at some of what’s hot for stylish living in 2016…
Italian retro influence
Scandi-style with a more grown up twist, Italian 1970s style is making a huge comeback this year in the furnishings market.
Thick, chunky geometric console and side tables, heavily gilded mirrors and light fixtures, and even sleekly tailored upholstered pieces are making their way from overseas and into showrooms and online boutiques across North America.
Rose gold
A stunning finish, rose gold has been incredibly popular in the jewelry and fashion world for the past two years, and is just now carrying over into the home décor and design industry.
Thanks in part to Rose Quartz and Serenity—Pantone’s 2016 ultra-coveted colours of the year—this glamorous finish is popping up as the finish du jour on everything from kitchen faucets, lamps, table legs, to picture frames, dresser hardware, and even dining room flatware.
Mixed cabinetry
Because most rules are made to be broken, we’ll be seeing much more exciting finishes and textures collaborating in kitchens and bathrooms this year.
Gone are the days you had to match your upper cabinets to your lowers, or fabricate the entire kitchen ensemble in a single stain colour.
Combining sleek white millwork with a touch of walnut, or a soft gray painted finish paired with high gloss charcoal is not only a striking touch of spontaneity, it keeps your spaces fresh and interesting.
Fabric wall art
Attention all design aficionados: Robert Allen is paper-backing almost all of its textiles for a flat fee.
What this means is the selection of fabulous wall covering options has become almost completely endless… forego vinyl in the master bedroom or library, and instead opt for a luxurious paper-backed silk or damask for ultimate design style.
White hot
One of my favourite trends to date—there’s nothing I love more than a beautifully layered, white hot living space.
Paint giant Benjamin Moore has released its own colour trend for 2016, naming OC-117 Simply White it’s hue of the year.
“The colour white is transcendent, powerful and polarizing—it is either taken for granted or completely obsessed over,” said Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore creative director. “The popularity of white, the necessity of white, the mystique of white is quantifiable in our industry. White is not just a design trend, it is a design essential.”
Light and airy walls, layered with easy and ambient lighting, soft white neutral furnishings, and specialty décor pieces like white quartz shards, Mongolian lamb’s wool pillows, lacquered trays, and silky throws and floor coverings help to create the ultimate serene and peaceful atmosphere at home.
