If you are feeling a little blue this month as we head into the dark days of winter, don’t worry, you’re right on trend.
And with any luck, there’s a way to cheer you up while brightening up your surroundings at the same time.
Interior designers and home décor experts are already looking to embrace the deep warm shade of Moroccan Blue that echoes the warm sunny climes as the next trend to make a splash in home design.
This Pantone spring-2013 trend will likely be seen both in new condos and home renovation projects alike, says Christa Robinson a Maple Ridge interior designer and owner of CCRR Interior Design.
“It’s such a beautiful blue,” Robinson says of the colour making its way from the fashion runway to our driveways. “It is very welcoming and warm.”
Whether you are planning to sell your home or just hoping to curl up and enjoy the many hours you’ll spend inside this winter, you will be touched by this year’s somewhat traditional hues.
The deep Moroccan blue will be one of the strong new neutral colours going into 2013 and by adding a touch of the season’s complementary red creates a welcoming winter combo.
“Red undertones feels just right for November. We’re all hunkering down for cold weather and this cozy, cozy color warms everything from sweaters to sofas,” says Lili Zargahmi of HGTV, echoing Robinson’s local take in her November blog.
Colour is not the only trend taking hold this winter and foreshadowing the next big thing.
Quirky and individualistic styles are taking off as we head from 2012 to 2013. People seem to be a bit more optimistic about the economy and are willing to open up their pockets and buy one or two big items that say something unique about themselves, Robinson says.
“I do think people are getting out of the recession thinking and starting to want to invest again in something that will mean something to them for a long time,” she says. “People don’t want to be super frugal.”
That special item is often something like an oversized leather couch or a striking piece of art.
Meanwhile, bold shapes like chevrons and zigzags are big trends for accent pieces such as pillows and carpets. And wallpaper remains one of the 2012 trends that will endure.
“You can find gorgeous all kinds of graphics and it’s very contemporary,” Robinson says.
While designers are playing around with big and bold trends, homeowners are harkening back in time and some long-gone trends are making a comeback this winter.
Robinson says many of her clients are now asking for the once ubiquitous white appliances again, citing the clean lines and classic finish of white in the kitchen.
And a surprising resurgence of brass in the kitchen is taking hold.
“The brass we all hated is coming back,” she laughs. “Thankfully, it’s not done the way we used to see though.”
Instead, people are mixing and matching metals and using muted tones of brass that complement those white appliances and white subway tiles that are becoming staples in the kitchen.
And some of the urban-chic design of clean lines and bold colours that has been common in Vancouver for the past couple of years is making its way eastward to the Fraser Valley and can be seen both in new condos and some of our commercial properties.
Robinson points to the new Chameleon Café on 224th street in downtown Maple Ridge as an example of this trend.
“We are seeing younger demographic and buyers,” she says. “There’s definitely a more streamlined design style out there.”
But as those young people look toward the end of a lousy economic slump and into a new year they are also in the mood for a bit of fun.
Animal prints and stylized moose or deer head sculptures are big this winter and are becoming a common site in upscale home décor stores.
But if you’d rather leave the moose to the hunters this winter you can huddle under your Hudson Bay blanket this year as all things Canadiana also makes a comeback.
If you really want to be on trend you could grab your Bay blanket, sit on your big overstuffed coach and dream of the blue sky and warm blue water of that far off Moroccan beach.
Lynn Easton is a local freelance writer.
