Trends are something I feel interior designers should NOT follow, but rather should be "aware of". Trends are better for fashion, as fashion is for the moment, for each season. Even though the evolution of the Chanel jacket from invention to current styles is an example of "timeless trendiness."
Predicting interior design trends is certainly very important for the business of design, and every year and even every season, new products that seem to send a tone for the New Year’s decorating trends bombard us. But like anything in life, decorating trends have the potential of staying "in" or fading "out" into oblivion, and yet potentially candidate for a "come back".
When I was growing up my mother redecorated our living room and dining room three times in 35 years. Scandinavian modern became Hollywood glamour a la Billy Haines and then finally, once I was part of the process, a sort of David Hicks-in -Spain decor, which I think, looked good until the last days...due to a mix of antiques and modern pieces and a lot of art.
But let's face it, adding and subtracting furniture and art in a room, or just changing paint colors and accents is all part of feeding our insatiable design passions.
Let's take a look!
Nestor Santa-Cruz, IIDA is a member of Washington Design Hall of Fame and based in DC.
DHM: How do you suggest decorating in a trendy manner that is also timeless and will not go out of style by the end of the season?
NSC: I think following decorating trends alone can be quite dangerous for good design; the key is having style, and allowing the style to evolve or change. Trends without style is just marketing.
Design discipline is what's required for "timeless trendiness". Here are some tips.
- Do not use all trends in one room in the whole house.
- Follow trends from the best architects, designers and furniture lines and chic people first. There will be better success for "staying current" for a longer time. Eventually the trends will be copied by mass production lines, and by then, it's kind of too late.
- Review the year trends and research where it came from, it always comes from something! Inspire yourself by trends outside of decorating media, try: technology trends, new art, great new movies, etc.
DHM: What are some small changes you can make to spruce up a room?
NSC:
- Not only add new art, but shop in your home and rotate your art, it amazes me how fresh a room might look by just doing this.
- The old trick of new accent throw pillows is an easy fix. West Elm and Crate & Barrel are great sources for seasonal or trendier colors schemes or visit Timothy Paul Bedding + Home for great unique pillow selections.
- Mantles for sure. I have designed several custom ones in the last 5 years. For beautiful designs try Chesney’s. (www.chesneys.com)
- Accessories: How many "chotskeys " can we have but for great accessories try And Beige (www.andbeige.com).
DHM: If you had one go to product that would give a facelift to a living room what would it be?
NSC: Wallpaper! Here is a couple for you to take a look at. Try Elitis from France through Donghia or Philipp Jeffries at Holly Hunt. For whimsical, look at Fornasetti wallpapers by Cole & Son. And for hand made wallpapers: Cannon/Bullock hand made papers.
Photos (left to right): Soane version 4 Mantle from Chesney's, Washington Skeleton in Aluminum from Knoll, Willy Rizzo Love Lamp, Silver Spun Bowls from And Beige