2016 Home decor trend checklist

I can't believe that December whizzed by without much thought to home decor  blogging.  The holiday season always puts things on hold. I have to make up for that with a good summary of what 2016 holds in design trends for the home.

 How do I know what to write about trends? A good question for sure. Knowledge comes from a lot of reading and looking and being a good synthesizer.

  A trend is never  for one year;  all I have to do is look back at what I wrote last year to realize that everything still holds true.  When I write about trends I  like to write about broader patterns I notice in  home decor  that I feel have some staying power.

There's nothing earth shattering to report for 2016, but there's usually not major shifts.

Plants  and plant motifs bring the outside in  

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You can also see the use of blue, wire furniture, and natural woods carried over from last year. 

Pastels are still creeping in usually mixed with soft whites

Pantone's 2016 colour of the year duo supports this.  I'm not saying I love this look but I do like the softness of the colours., there's just too much baggage attached to pink and blue.  Take either separately and I am fine, especially that periwinkle blue.  

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 Here we see the nude pink with mint green (hello 1980's) and blue accents.   Notice the plant!

Adding texture using organic materials 

 It could be fur, woven textiles from natural fibres,  wicker,  rushes, or plant life.  All add that exciting layer of texture that every room needs for interest and excitement.

Censationalgirl 

Hope you noticed the liberal use of greenery in this space too, and the white walls and furniture. White is the perfect backdrop for showing off textures. 

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Warm metals in  accessories, fixtures and lighting 

I know I've been saying this for three years, but each year the presence of warm metals becomes more noticeable.  Also consider burnished brass, copper and rose gold.  

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This is a totally trendy room,  nude pink undertones, lots of texture, warm metals, natural fibres, plant life and light walls. And the opposite is also trendy....

Dramatic walls and rooms

This is in direct opposition to the white/light look for walls and furniture.  But drama can be embraced.  It's not for me at all, but it is a look that appeals to many people.  Navy walls are particularly fashionable as are black and rich greens.  

 

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These are trends from 2013 -2015 that are still going strong:

• geometric patterning 
• nature inspired motifs especially florals 
• reclaimed/eco-friendly material
• wire framed furniture and lighting 
• use of mixed materials in furniture  ( marble and wood, metal and wood etc. ) 
• global inclusiveness  ( products from different cultures)
• highly patterned tile
• artisan products ( hand made) 
• nude pink and deeper blues.  

And there you have it.  Lots of things to consider and choose from or just go on your merry way doing what makes you happy in decor.  

Go green for spring

And continuing with thoughts of spring decorating....

When you enter my house the dining table is in full view from the entry.   In a desperation move while babysitting my 3 granddaughters, I  stuck some fake lavender in a glass jar and thought that I could get away with it.

 I was called out on that move by a family member who was a little horrified I had fake flowers.  I admit they were not good fakes.  I defensively pointed out I had beautiful fresh, pink tulips on my kitchen table, but I was caught.  Time to make amends.

Something green 

Nothing denotes spring like new growth, green and/or plants.

Lately I've been seeing live plants in lanterns.  I like the look and feel, but my place is not a lantern kind of home.  I already tried the plainest one I could find, and moved it all over the downstairs rooms to no avail.  It went back to Pier 1.

I love repetition as a design statement so it's little wonder I'm attracted to these ferns. Lanterns just won't do, but repetition is possible. 

Keeping it simple

So I decided to keep my dining table decor simple  by choosing three green things massed together in a small trough planter.  I'm talking ferns, real ones.

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Three small  Boston ferns, and one trough planter that is very wabi sabi (lots of cracks and rough textures to play with the ferns).  I tried them in the planter before coming home with the lot.  The candles and silver leaf bird were leftovers from Christmas.  

 Tried the green candles, a no go for me.  I wish the bird was a little smaller, but that's what I have!

Still playing with the arrangement.  This will go on for weeks every time I pass the table.  Some day soon I'm sure the lot will end up  corralled in a gray or white tray. Things always do on this table.

Remember this pic from a my friend Gail's house I featured in this post?   I envy her the copper bird planter.  A planter and a bird all in one - my idea of perfect.

Lots of options 

Now I just have to keep these greedy, moisture seeking things alive with constant watering and misting.  I can see me carting them off to my summer house  for babysitting.  I'm  sure they will see lots of moves in the coming year- ledge in bathroom, kitchen table, window ledge in kitchen, laundry room counter or shelf.  The possibilities are endless.  That's a lot of decorating punch for less than $40. 00 and they improve my air quality! 

Are plants part of your decor plan?