Just like your wardrobe, your interiors need occasional refreshing.
And while it’s always tempting to chase after the latest trends, the same rules apply to what you put on your body as in your home.
We asked interior designers Stephanie Wohlner, andVictoria Lidstrom and Carol Carani of Leggy Bird Designs for their thoughts on the hottest fall fashion trends and how they translate to interior design.
A word of caution: No matter what trend you choose to refresh your home, Wohlner reminds us all that while fashion is fleeting, true style is timeless.
Green is good
While Emerald was 2013’s PANTONE Color of the Year, Wohlner remains true to nature’s finest hue in all of its many shades. Green can go warm or cool, retro or earthy, formal or informal, and it complements every neutral.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wohlner Design
The new neutral
Beige has become boring, with gray taking precedence. Gray complements every hue and offers a depth of palette and contrast that’s softer than black. Gray is crisp and clean against white, warm and textural against browns and greens, bright and cheerful with magentas and blues, and elegant with red or aubergine. And unlike beige, gray can offer a cool or warm backdrop without going sallow.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wohlner Design
The statement piece
As life gets more complicated, interior design trends to a cleaner, simpler look. Wohlner sees her clients moving away from layers of accessories and patterns to a simpler, more cohesive design accented by one or two statement pieces. She’s used art light fixtures, architectural elements, and even vintage furniture pieces to provide a focal point that adds just the right amount of drama and visual tension.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wohlner Design
Authentic ethnic
Wohlner sees ethnic patterns like Suzani and ikat, kilim, Indian block prints and African kuba cloths as timeless additions to interior design, but she encourages clients to stick with the real thing. Remember, the secret to any French woman’s wardrobe is quality, not quantity. Too often ethnic and global looks are diluted and dumbed down when mass-produced. Invest in an authentic vintage suzani or a single handmade pillow or rug, and the design impact is tremendous.
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Wohlner Design
Leather and hide
Don’t pack away the animal prints just yet. When used in the right spot and dose, leather, animal prints and hide add just the right amount of texture and edge to interior design. Whether it’s a hide rug, leather piping on an upholstered chair, or a zebra-printed ottoman, these patterns work in any décor—traditional or contemporary. Beware, as with your attire, too much of the wild is not a good thing.
