NEW YEAR, NEW HOME
Looking to refresh your home? Here are five trends to bring in, and five that should probably be making a quiet exit
WHAT’S IN 1 TERRACOTTA
Terracotta is making a comeback, but forget the chunky, glossy tiles you used to see in your great aunt’s house. Whether you’re looking for planters, tiles, hanging pendant lights or kitchenware, contemporary terracotta tends towards a matte finish and is often accompanied by a stylish glaze, adding character and warmth.
2 CRAFT
2017 will see a spotlight on handcrafted homeware from local designers. SA has a wealth of talented furniture and homeware producers on tap.
3 KALE GREEN
Dark shades of green are set to become the new must-have interior colour. Whether you’re painting a feature wall, upholstering a chair, or bringing in small accessories, this is the perfect way to bring outdoor colours inside.
4 QUIET CORNERS
In line with the Danish concept of Hygge, interiors will see spaces devoid of digital distraction becoming a priority. So, a bay window or a comfy chair in a TVfree room, it’s all about creating cosy corners of calm and tranquillity. This trend comes with a surge in comfortable furniture: deep sofas with sheepskin throws, day beds, luxurious rugs and floor cushions.
5 JEWEL TONES
While 2016 was all about pastels, jewel tones are set to take centre stage. Saturated hues such as emerald green, ruby red and sapphire blue will be seen in furniture, wallpaper, textiles and more, bringing a sense of luxury and indulgence.
WHAT’S OUT
1 COPPER
It’s had a long run, but copper has finally seen its day. In its place, expect options such as brass, gold, chrome and silver to slide back onto the scene.
2 SMOOTH AND SLEEK
This year is all about texture, so rather than sleek, minimal aesthetics, we’ll be seeing more textural and warm items, laden with oversized stitches, pleats, folds and other finishes that allow for an emotional connection.
3 CHEAP FAKES
Local, handmade design is taking the place of cheap fakes, no matter where you are in the world. So make this the year to buy a few well-made pieces that have a story and will last you a lifetime.
4 ALL-WHITE INTERIORS
The clean Scandi look has its virtues, but designers are turning towards colour in a serious way in 2017. Rich, dark tones will dominate everything from textiles to furniture.
5 MATCHING
You may want all the elements in a space to complement each other, but they definitely don’t need to match. Wood types, couches, scatter cushions or rugs, matching sets are on their way out.