5 SPRING TRENDS What the best-dressed homes will be wearing this season
THE JUNGLE LOOK
Before you yawn and think it’s just the reintroduction of leopard print, think again; the jungle trend is more literal than that. We’re seeing this brave trend pop up in soft furnishings and fabrics as well as wallpapers and accessories. Expect in-your-face toucan, tiger and zebra motifs, large, vibrant tropical flowers and luscious ferns across all areas of the home. While some call it ‘jungalow’, a phrase that connotes a nice juxtaposition of the tropical theme and a type of house, it is important to note that this word, however, was coined by Justina Blakeney, the designer and blogger from Los Angeles whose website, The Jungalow, was championing this vibrant look long before it started sweeping the globe.
EAST MEETS NORTH
Referencing both Japanese and Scandinavian design, the Scandinese trend keeps things simple and natural. Marble still plays a role and works well combined with light woods and uncomplicated forms. Channeling the trend, Argos has just released their spring/summer collection which showcases the Purity range by Heart of House.
“Tones of soothing blue and a highlight of coral-tinted red tones can be used in gentle, harmonious colour combinations with a base of soft greys.
“Origami folds provide intricate yet clean detail and become the icon for this Japaneseinspired collection,” says Alexei Cowan, head of trends at Argos.
EASYGOING GREEN
It’s being mentioned everywhere and no doubt has played its part in the aforementioned jungle trend, yet Pantone’s colour of the year, Greenery, can be a tough one to handle. Luckily, green tones in general are set to be huge this spring/summer.
Other hues, like Kale or Green Lantern, pay homage to the colour of the year but tone things down — if Greenery is too fluorescent for you.
SMALL SPACE-SAVERS
We’ve been seeing even more of a shift towards using space efficiently and economically, especially when we look at rising rents for the most modest of homes.
“The Capsule collection was inspired by the many people who are living in a house or flat where space may be at a premium. This group are interested in simple, contemporary, modern pieces that work for now, but also for the future, as their taste evolves Wand their space changes,” says Rob Ellis, DFS Senior Designer.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
We predict that 2017 will be the year that looking after the planet and being more energy efficient in the home will become a major priority.
Recycling, reducing food waste and generally becoming more aware of how we live. While most of us have just learned how to say the Danish word ‘hygge’ (which, loosely translated, means cosiness), the Swedes live by ‘lagom’.
Rather than fitting it into your daily life, like we would with ‘hygge’, it’s more about your approach to life.
Lagom basically translates to ‘just the right amount’.
“This is a concept that’s been a part of the Swedish way of life for years and is the belief of not sacrificing what we want, while not taking more than what we need from the planet,” say IKEA, who are behind the Live LAGOM campaign that encourages people to live sustainably.