Fall trends for interior decor
Trends come and go but classic style is timeless, which is why it’s important to remain true to your personal preferences despite whatever new colours (metallics, peachy pinks and emerald green), fabrics (linen and velvet) and materials (marble and quartz) are trending.
Despite this fact, it’s always nice to know what’s popular, and du jour, to incorporate it in a way that feels new and fresh without being overbearing.
“Trends come from marketing, in a way, but I don’t design that way. My designs are very neutral, and I believe in using those trendy colours in your accents; that’s how I follow a trend,” said Tania Scardellato, the senior interior designer and owner of TOC Design & Construction Inc.
“I would definitely say that metallic gold is going to be the big thing this year, but I don’t see a huge difference from one year to the next, the way you do in fashion, because of the cost associated with buying new furniture.”
Angela Thomson, the interior designer and owner behind Thomson Interiors, agrees. “I definitely have my own palette even though I pick up on what’s in, especially for things like accessories and cushions, but I like to keep the walls very neutral,” she said.
Thompson predicts that we’re going to be seeing a lot of corals, peaches and pinks for fall and winter, as well as emerald green and purple.
As for Rollande Vachon, the founder and owner of Moutarde Décor and Moutarde Design, she’s even more wary of trends. “It’s important to remember the classics when designing, and sometimes, focusing on trends makes me shiver a little.
“Decorating a home is a big investment, so it’s important to focus on things that won’t become dated,” she said.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of salmon, which is a kind of pink that’s very rich. It’s a very soft colour and I’ve been seeing it in a lot of bedding. Even though it’s bright, it’s neutral too, and it goes with a lot of different colours,” said Vachon, who also predicts the rising popularity of various shades of green, as well as copper.
When it comes to fabrics, both Rollande Vachon and Angela Thomson believe that linen is going to be making a big comeback.
Vachon, who regularly attends the interior design salons in Paris, said that natural fabrics and materials, as well as plants, have been popular for a while there now, even though the trend only caught on recently here.
“Two years ago, in Paris, the main themes were vegetation and objects in their natural state, and we’re seeing that a lot in our decor now. Natural tones, a lot of natural wood and materials, as well as rattan, raffia, cotton and linen,” she said.
“We’re definitely seeing a lot of linens and velvets, like cotton and silk velvet, as well as a nice mixture of patterns, including classic ones like paisley and plaid mixed in with other more modern ones, like geometrics.” said Thomson, who is a big fan of textures and patterns.
“As for last year’s popular arabesque pattern, it was everywhere but it’s going to be out.”
When it comes to materials, Tania Scardellato explained that technology is the driving force behind the latest trends.
“We all love a marble counter, but I wouldn’t ever recommend one because it’s such a porous material that it’ll be ruined in 2.2 seconds. With engineered quartz, they’ve developed a variety of materials that look real — like marble, stone and wood — that are resistant, environmentally-friendly and anti-bacterial. It lets us designers think outside the box,” she said.
“The same goes with tile size. We used to use small tiles but now that they can make larger ones, those are more popular; so, technology changes the trend.”
Because of the rising popularity of condos that are generally smaller than single-family homes, furniture will be getting smaller and becoming multi-purpose.
“The condo world has just exploded, especially here in Montreal, and even older people are downsizing to condos now, so even the more classic furniture stores are coming in with smaller pieces,” Thomson said.
Vachon added: “People are working with less square feet, but if the design is well thought out and the space is being furnished with pieces that have integrated storage, it doesn’t have to feel small. It actually feels very custom to furnish lofts and condos with that kind of furniture.”
Overall, the style of interiors has moved from simple and minimalist to a cosier, more luxurious vibe.
“People are going for a really high-end look now, as opposed to the rustic one that was popular a few years ago,” Scardellato said. “I think it’s an age-group thing, too. The older generations tend to like a more classic look, while the younger generations tend to like more modern styles. The ones that are in between, they tend to go with what’s called contemporary.”
No matter what your style, one thing that’s way out, according to Tomson, is complete sets of furniture.
“It’s a big no-no,” she said. “You want an eclectic mix to give your space more interest. If you do have a set like that, you can paint certain pieces to change it up.”
Two years ago, in Paris, the main themes were vegetation and objects in their natural state, and we’re seeing that a lot in our decor now. Natural tones, a lot of natural wood and materials, as well as rattan, raffia, cotton and linen. ROLLANDE VACHON