THE BIG TRENDS FOR 2018 By Michelle Ogundehin

THE NEW NEUTRALS

Beige had its day a while back, but white had always been right when it came to a plain backdrop in your home. But no more! Neutrals are an essential part of any decoration arsenal; they are the soothing salve to the colour of your possessions – you’re going to see tea rose, lavender and peach as the new neutrals.

HELLO BRUISE PURPLE

Dulux announced its colour of the year for 2018 and it was called ‘Heart Wood’, described as a ‘warm neutral with a hint of heather’. I renamed it ‘Bruise Purple’ as, to me, this more accurately conjures the image of the colour. However, it’s a beautiful colour, transfixing in the way that the evolution of a real bruise is, too. Bruise Purple works well with navy blues, warm shades of hazelnut brown from rich plum to coal black, and plaster pink.

GILTY PLEASURES

Gold is everywhere at the moment! Most particularly on walls, as a new crop of prints and papers are re-coloured for 2018 in glorious golden metallics; for lighting, it is absolutely the finish of choice. So, can it be that gold has finally come in from the cold? Yes. This noble metal has a colour that sings, shines and looks overtly happy.

HAPPY DESIGN

In the same breath as the rise and return of gold, one step up from Bruise Purple and a further reflection of the rejection of black, is a sense of really throwing designerly caution to the wind. In a complete about face to the New Neutrals, there is a burgeoning movement to take those retro colours and brighten, heighten and vibrantly mix and mismatch them. It’s jolly, it’s upbeat and says we’re living for the moment!

EVERYDAY SUPER-LUXE

This is a straightforward evolution of the continuing love for precious stones, marvellous marbles, lush velvets and other exotic finishes in the home that first emerged about two years ago. However, now these materials are coming off the walls and being used for more utilitarian products. Think pendant lights made from alabaster to jade-green velvetupholstered sofas and tealight holders crafted from richly veined marbles, all available on the high street. Michelle Ogundehin is Elle Decoration editor-at-large