Your home can speak volumes
I always feel that a home needs to have a well lived in feel. I appreciate all the new furniture, accessories and appliances that come onto the market, but give me an old leather chair that has been in the family for years and to me it speaks volumes.
Sitting proudly in my living room is an old leather smoking chair, that must be well over 100 years old. It was produced in the era when people frequently smoked and some even had a smoking room just for that occassion.
There is a secret compartment built into the arm of the chair to store the matchboxes and sticker strip to light the matches. I wouldn’t say it is the most comfotable chair, but with a few cushions it is quite fun to curl into. I can picture the elderly gentleman who this chair was bought for and imagine him coming off the farm and relaxing in it.
For new home owners, purchasing new furniture is exciting, as often it is a time when their children have grown up and finished destroying the old couch and marking the coffee table with a permanent marker! So, making the decision on new furniture does come down to personal taste, but a few things to think about is what is trending this year in the way of furniture.
Sofas seem to have grown in size and are now designed to really let you spread out and relax. There still seems to be a lot of curved sofas available. They have a sort of 60s and 70s style. Team these up with round tables and your room starts taking on a life of its own!
Now I know how brown sometimes gets a bad rap. People refer to brown furniture as antique or old furniture... well, if that is not your thing you could be in for a shock, as brown is the colour of 2023. Remember brown can come in many tones and shades and can be accentuated with rugs and cushions... so all is not lost!
Glass can add a bit of sophistication to your room, as it too is a texture and it can easily blend in with a variety of finishes. I am not a fan of large glass dining tables but I have seen them in homes, decorated for a celebration dinner and they look stunning. Large glass candle sticks can make a statement, as can a nice table lamp.
Textured fabrics have made a popular comeback such as Boucle, chunky knits, faux fur... but for me a rug on the sofa made from good old New Zealand wool is my choice of comfort. I also am rather partial to a cushion or two, and nothing beats a good splash of bright velvet!
While brown is trending this year, there are plenty of people who are going against the trend and taking the pastel road. The more Scandinavian feel has been appearing in a lot of my friends’ homes, mind you they have no pets or farm animals that sometimes make an unplanned escape for freedom. I love visiting these homes on a sunny day, everything seems so fresh, clean and relaxing. But as much as I love it, it would not suit my lifestyle!
While the last few years have seen many people pair down their decor and go for the minimal look, this is the year of maximalism! A chance to add that brightly painted wall, that purple velvet duvet cover, some art or an oversized piece of furniture... what fun!
However you decorate your home, there is no wrong or right. It is a reflection of your personality and style. A place to come home to and enjoy and relax.