Sorting through the trends: Decorating tips for 2014
/Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• February 1, 2014
Decorating can be confusing. There are so many products on the market. New colors, furnishing, accessories, finishes, textures and styles come out every year. And what to do with that Radiant Orchid pantone color?
How do you keep your home fresh without giving into every trend that comes along and staying within some reasonable budget?
Tufted headboard from Ballard Designs. Photo: Ballard Designs.
The advice to my southwest Florida clients making major purchases: ask yourself, will you love it in five years? Keep major items in your home timeless. Take a chance with paint color and accessories and have some fun.
The trends for 2014 are, well, spectacular. Simple and low maintenance are the keywords for homeowners. And while there is no point in going crazy in making dramatic changes just for the sake of a trend, you can tone some of these down and pick and choose what works for your lifestyle. Here are a few trends along with some of my tips for the year. Have fun!
Changing spaces that you don't use
At one time that large dining room or formal living room made sense. But lifestyle changes can make them a wasted space. That's why many homeowners are converting these spaces into entertainment rooms, libraries and more to make the space more functional.
BEFORE: Owners of this West Bay home wanted to transform this formal living room to a more useful space.
AFTER: Space is changed into an entertainment room that is used daily by family and friends.
Color and paint
Indigo! From the bedroom to the living room and for every imaginable accessory, this peaceful, comforting color will bring to mind the deep blue of the sea. Tip: It's great for pops of color in rooms with a neutral/white palette and works with a nautical scheme.
For paint: black walls are popular, white walls are still the trend. Accent walls are not so popular as painting the entire room is the trend. Grey is still the new beige and is everywhere in many shades.
Farrow & Ball paints are hot, pricey and worth a look. The high levels of pigment, rich resin binders, and the high refractory nature the key ingredients give the paints their signature depth of color. There are 132 colors and they are available to the trade through Kravet at the Miromar Design Center.
Wow those walls
Grass cloth has made a return with rich textures and colors. It can be painted when you are tired of it so it has a longer lifespan.
Mirrors
Everywhere. Rather than doing an entire wall (very 80's and making a comeback), I suggest a large framed mirror or a collection.
Antiqued mirror from Restoration Hardware with a vintage look is handfitted from multiple pieces of beveled, mitered and joined glass. Photo: Restoration Hardware.
Lighting
There have never been so many great choices in table lamps. Give your room an instant makeover with a fresh color with two new lamps for your bedroom or living room. This would the perfect place to try that Radiant Orchid with a pair of glass table lamps with an apothecary base from Lamps Plus.
Photo: Lamps Plus.
Windows
Gone are the heavy and expensive draperies. The trend is panels, blinds, shutters and anything that will let in more natural light. Simple panels in linen, thin wool, cotton or muslin with a pared down look.
Flooring
Huge floor tiles, bamboo, laminate flooring in wide plank styles and various colors, vinyl planking, porcelains in many styles including a wood-look porcelain. Tip: flooring is a major purchase and there are so many choices on the market. Work with a professionalto determine which is best for your home.
Furnishings
Forget cookie cutter designs. It's all about you and not your neighbor or a trend, for that matter. Unique and no matchy matchy"sets." Hot: shopping on ETSY, eBay, 1st Dibs, Craigs List, estate sales and consignment shops for something different.
Because we have exposure to so many cultures, ethnic prints and patterns are popular in homes this year. Moroccan, Asian, South American and other influences.
Lacquer trays in bold shades multi-task to serve drinks, organize odds and ends on a dresser or hold a stack of books on a coffee table. Photo: West Elm.
Hot: Felt, suede and leather headboards, tufted sofas and ottomans, Lucite chairs, coffee tables and accessories. Chairs are larger and armless and love seats are becoming extinct. Nailheads in furniture, pillows. Platform beds, no box springs (we said "simple" is the trend!).
For offices, which are becoming smaller as large computers are phasing out, day beds are popular and allow the room to be used for guests.
Furniture with multiple uses: coffee tables that liftup and have storage or transform into a larger table for dining, occasional tables that can be used in multiples throughout the home. Vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces are popular as are reclaimed wood pieces such as coffee tables and shelving.
Fabric
Monograms are everywhere: linens, pillows, chairs. A way to personalize and to be unique. Palettes: blue and white, soft purple, graphic prints, plaids. Grays. Ikat prints.
Tip: Keep floral prints in the bedroom and solid tones in the family room.
Kitchen
Timeless white/black color scheme. Eco-friendly cabinets with no formaldehyde and non-toxic glues, binders and finishes. White-glass appliances are a change from the stainless (no smudge) which is still popular.
Quartz countertops. These are engineered but look like granite and are sustainable and more durable, resists stains and chipping. Touchless, motion-sensing faucets that areeasier to use, cleaner, and cut down on water usage in kitchens and baths.
Bathrooms
High-efficiency showerheads and toilets, barrier free walk-in showers that do not require being stepped over, stand-alone bathtubs as centerpieces, wall mounted sinks.
Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Her practical and affordable interior decorating helps clients transform a house into a beautiful home. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog
