Trends

Self-reflection

"What was I thinking?" Words of dread, usually preceded by:
    A.  A bad haircut
    B.  A wild night of partying, or
    C.  The purchase of a tangerine sofa

There's precious little I can do to help you avoid a tragic haircut or a hangover, but if you'll take some advice, I can help you steer clear of the self-reproach that inevitably follows surrendering to The Trend. Don't get me wrong; in my business I need to stay current, it's just that transient fashion like sliced bread, gets stale quickly. Here's how home enthusiasts can enjoy, without regret, some of the season's most promising trends.

You Can't Have it All

First, accept that you can't have it all (at least not if you want your decorating to result in a harmonious, well-edited, beautifully designed room). Trends are home décor attention getters, which means they are best appreciated in moderation. My rule of thumb is 10 percent. Similar to a nutrition guide that apportions fat and sugar with miserly precision, the tip of the home design pyramid is "trends". Ten percent refers roughly to the percentage of trendy items a well-designed room can contain. It's also the percentage of decorating dollars the smart consumer allocates toward purchasing these fashionable finds.

Make it Personal

Next, make personal choices that come from an authentic interest, say a vintage globe collection for the world traveler. Gail Johnston Habs, editor of Style at Home magazine says, "Many of today's homeowners are incorporating more personal decisions. It's no longer about keeping up with the Joneses, but about keeping life fresh." For example, traditionalists are giving new life to old favourites; painting sassy stripes on a vintage dresser or reupholstering an antique chair in a jazzy leaf patterned silk."

Accessorize with Trends

While a tangerine sofa is certainly "hip", it's not likely to become a classic, which means in short order you'll want to replace or reupholster it; costly options. In contrast, tangerine pillows will instantly update a neutral sofa and cause little expense at replacement time. In general, you'll want to think twice about purchasing any item that's "trendy" if movers will be required at disposal time.

What's Hot?

Now that you know how to effectively incorporate trends, what's on the horizon for 2004? According to Gail Johnston Habs, "In addition to an overall move toward comfort and "relaxed style", Canadian's can count on making better use of outdoor living areas." Given the average Canadian's obsession with summer it's no surprise the garden room has come of age. An inviting outdoor room can be as decadent as a full-service dining room with dramatic fireplace and chandelier, or as casual as a living room fitted with wicker or teak furnishings. Other trends according to Style at Home:

On the colour front, look to earthy orange reds, which by the way first became popular at the beginning of the 19th century, as a result of the discovery of the wall paintings at Pompeii, to revitalize staid, neutral interiors. Benjamin Moore's Persimmon R9914 and Color Your World's Heritage Red are two excellent alternatives for gathering spaces such as dining rooms, kitchens, and active family rooms.

For 2004 patterns are bigger and better than ever. Particularly engaging are high-impact 60's inspired prints with mod graphics and psychedelic circles. Leaf patterns are growing strong as well; branching out onto dishes, fabrics, wallpaper, carpets and more.

Environmentally conscious furnishings are now mainstream. Look for sustainable resources such as bamboo, used for flooring, and seagrass used for furnishings and carpets, to lead the way. Equally important, furniture fashioned from recycled wood such as the dining tables sold at Savanna Style, which are made of reclaimed African railway ties.

Some trends are destined to become classics almost as soon as they appear. Here are my choices for trends with enormous staying power:

1. Wallpaper. Do-it-yourself faux finishes move over. Wallpaper has always been a sophisticated choice. Grass cloth and textured papers are extremely hot, lending instant warmth and depth to traditional and contemporary settings. Look for unique ways to use patterned wallpaper such as on ceilings or lining the back of glass front cabinets. Toiles, damasks, florals and stripes have never looked better.
2. Stripes. Non-directional stripes are turning up on everything from stair runners to pillows, dishes to bath towels. Their precision and order is a welcome note of strength in any room.
3. Glass tiles. With the high gloss, slippery wet look of water, glass tiles are a refreshing splash of dash in tired kitchens and bathrooms.
4. Wall mounted faucets and vessel sinks. Commercially inspired, Delta Faucets newest line of wall-mounted faucets pair perfectly with countertop vessel sinks. Both are destined for residential classics.
5. Chimney vents and wide drawer systems. No longer strictly utilitarian, today's chimney vents are dressed in fine metals such as copper, zinc and brass or cleverly disguised behind wood panels or trendy tiles.
6. 18" mattresses. Deeper and more luxurious than ever, the newest beds are all about pampering.
7. Compartmentalized bathrooms. Separating the toilet from the rest of the ensuite, even if it's only with a half wall or a frosted glass or acrylic wall, connotes a feeling of graciousness in this hardworking room.
8. TV's in every room. No longer sequestered in the living room, televisions are turning up and turning on in bathrooms, kitchens, and even in the garage!