Have you heard the phrase the best time to buy real estate was 5 years ago? I like that because so often it is true. And the same goes for trends. Many people wait around and take their time deciding if they should hope on the new design trend. If you take too long, you will be jumping on at the tail end, which means the trend is almost over.
Before I go further, let me say these are all my opinions. I don’t have a crystal ball or any divine knowledge of the design future. So don’t do something just because I say so, do it because it is what you want. Basically there are no life guards here, swim at your own risk.
So what trends do I think will be around for the long haul?
Trend 1 VINTAGE
Yes anything vintage is hot, and I believe it will stay hot. Antiques are always in style and I think many vintage things are as well. These hand-painted Limoge containers with lids are just as charming now as when they were made.
Trend 2 PAINTED FURNITURE
I don’t see this one going away anytime soon. If you don’t want your furniture painted, then don’t. But if you are on the fence and looking for permission, go for it! A lot of furniture was meant to be painted. I painted the top then put it on the iron base to mimic marble. I love it! The crib has its original paint on.
Trend 3 GRAY
That’s right, it’s here to stay. It is a neutral and I think everyone was so tired of beige this and beige that. Gray is more interesting, yet it’s still neutral. It may not be the hot, hot thing forever, but I think it will be used a lot more now.
Trend 4 IRONSTONE
It’s just so perfect with so many things, so many colors and so many design styles. I think it’s here to stay.
Trend 5 NEUTRALS
I know some people hate neutrals, but the reality is they are always in style. They are the little black dress of interior design, classic and here to stay.
Well that’s my opinion, and yes it’s just opinion. So I want to know what trends you think are here to stay.
HI Anita! This is totally unrelated to this post. I’ve just started reading your blog having found you during a search on Pinterest for curtains. Love your style! My question is – where did you get the ball trim that you used on the edge of the drapes in your dining room?
Those are Bali curtains. Can you click on the pin and go to the post? It should tell which fringe I selected.
I found this post to be awesome. All of my favorite things will be around a little longer!
I hope so Angela.
I love all of these, and they seem almost more timeless than trendy! To me, each of these trends create a soft and comforting look which is why I’m not surprised they are so popular and here to stay!
Agreed Meg.
I was watching an HGTV flea market find show or, whatever it is called and observed as a seasoned picker on one team took off the paint from an oak chest. When he was finished it didn’t have that ahhh moment at the end. It was just a plain honey oak chest. He was quite proud of himself and I thought the painted stage it was in was a good place to “start.” With a bit of fine sanding, some added patina and wax it could have been glorious. I think you are right about the painted stuff and everything else you mentioned. We have an added layer of detail in the evolutionary nature of home style and fashion. We’ve come full circle (many times) and there is nothing new under the sun (even in decorating- just new technologies) per Solomon. it doesn’t hurt to put a fresh new neutral color of grey, gray or grieve on it, either. We shall get bored with it in a dozen years and a new neutral will become prevalent! This, Seize the gray!
Excellent Audra!
*Thus, seize the Gray!
Nice list! I agree with all. The only one that may eventually fade is the grey, since it’s a true trend, but I agree it will be around for a while. I’ll add white kitchens to the list. I remember when I did my first kitchen renovation 20 years ago, the contractor talked me out of white saying it was a trend that will fade. Here we are 20 years later and it’s still the freshest look in kitchens. Hope to finally get my white kitchen very soon… 😉
I agree with the white kitchens. They will always be in style, but may fade in and out of being hot.
Remember the commercial years ago that was a vintage 1950’s look black and white with the lady attempting to describe to the painter the exact white she wanted for her kitchen walls? Not sure what they were selling but it wasn’t paint. She was telling him she didn’t want a white, white but some other description that left you laughing as the painter who tried to determine what white she was talking about. He was, of course, totally dumbfounded. To him, I guess, white paint only came in one color….. white.
LOL My point, is white kitchens have been around for a long time.
That’s funny!
I can’t believe I actually found the clip that the commercial I was talking about was based on. Its a movie with Myrna Loy. It is on YouTube under “Mrs. Blandings chooses paint colors for house”. You have to watch it. Cracks me up because it is so like me.
I’m 56 and grew up with my Grandmama who had a white kitchen. I’ve always thought that a not white kitchen was not quite right, lol!
Great thought on trends! I totally agree! Loved this post!
thanks Nancy!
Good list. I try not to follow trends though. I do not like gray…for ME. I don’t think I could live with it. I love the look of ironstone, just don’t have any. I have a oiece of furniture that I have been debating about painting. I never have done that…yet! Have a great weekend, Anita1!!!
You have your own fantastic style Pinky!
Great list, Anita! I love vintage and, of course ironstone! I always told clients to choose what they love and not what was on trend, they do change too often! However, I believe you are spot on with your list! Happy weekend, Pam @ Everyday Living
Anita, I agree with you on all these points, and I would also agree with the addition of white kitchens to the list. I,like the previous comment,was convinced not to do a white kitchen when building our home.
Though I have enjoyed my stained cabinets, I long for the clean look of that pristine white kitchen.
Thank you for your blog. I am relatively a new subscriber, but am thoroughly enjoying your posts,
Thank you Mimi!!
I was convinced also not to have white cabinets in our house even though, as I commented earlier, I always felt that a not white kitchen was not quite right. That taught me not to listen to anything but what my gut tells me is right for ME. I’ve lived with a not right for me kitchen for over 25 years. That will finally be remedied in 2017! White kitchen, here I come!
There will NEVER be a gray wall in my house!!! I find it dull and dreary, even if my walls are mostly taupe. 🙂 I guess you could say that my style is shabby chic, but not too shabby. For instance, my small guest bedroom is completely beige from shower curtain to flooring. But, my shower curtain is lace and has roses all over it and I LOVE roses. Has anyone seen the painting of the lady in the tub dressed and holding a rose? She also has a large gold bangle on. Well, that is basically the only color in that room. Sometimes I will switch out and use my light turquoise towels in there. Those are for my master bath which is beige with turquoise accents. That’s what I like and don’t care much if it’s not in style.
Blame it on Rachel Ashwell. 🙂
Gray is not for everyone Nancy. I think that’s wonderful you know what you want!
love gray my whole home is new gray BY SHERWIN WILLIAMS EVERY ROOM IS WARM AND TAKES ON A NEW LIGHT WITH EACH TIME
Love and agree with your list. I live in a small cottage and really love and need my white cabinet kitchen. It is light and bright against the french yellow/gold walls. I try to use most of your tips. Thanks.
Well said. Agreed on all points.
I love your antique white iron crib – we inherited my M-I-Ls and it will be used as a bench for our kitchen table! Loved seeing yours!
Spot On!
I think some painted furniture is wonderful. It depends on the piece you start with. The bland oak from the 80’s is still uninteresting after it is painted. No interesting lines to give it character.
Love your rooms but where do you store all your stuff? I’m a knick knack queen and love that, how do you get over that? Do you have a storage room/shed you store out of season items or rotate your collections? Please drop us a hint how you do it.
I don’t. If I’m not using it, I sell it or give it away. I don’t use a lot of seasonal stuff. I rotate things, but if you don’t see it, I probably sold it or gave it away. I don’t like storing stuff. I move things from room to room. So that stuff you think I have in storage is probably gone!
I never understood following a trend for the sole purpose of being “on trend”. Perhaps I’ve just never had the disposable income to indulge in redecorating my whole house every time the newest trend comes along. Naw, that’s not it. My Grandmama always said that I could be stubborn as a mule and that I had an independent streak a mile wide. I’m not going to go along with a fad or a trend just because the industry or the magazine or everyone else in the whole wide world is jumping on the bandwagon and saying that I should. Nope. If I like/love a thing, then I’ll use it. If I don’t, I won’t. With the exception of my kitchen cabinets (huge sigh of regret), everything in my home is to my and my husband’s taste. We live here and it need please no one but us. We’ve changed things over the years…..sometimes dramatically. But never because something was trending or untrending, lol!
I think your list (and it’s a great list) is a list of timeless things not trends. White kitchens need to be added to the round up though, lol!
Great points, and good for you! It’s your house.
You are spot on! As you said, each house also needs to reflect the style of the family. I grew up in Bavaria, so blue will always be part of my decor. Thanks for all the inspirations!
The ironstone is fabulous. We are definitely going to use this!!! Excellent choices!
For the gal who loved the “choosing a white” commercial – that was from the movie “Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House”. Myrna Loy (&Cary Grant) was choosing” white – not a cold, antiseptic hospital white, a little warmer, but still, not to suggest any other color but white” !
Even then everyone wanted the perfect shade of paint on their wall. My all-time favorite movie from 1948. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZwOGVWqHAw is the you tube link to watch this funny outtake.
I, too, think gray is here to stay for awhile – at least I hope so as I am one of those to just lately start to paint some gray in my home. I went with a warmer gray..BM Revere Pewter, and it is a beautiful lighter shade that still accomodates brown. It looks lovely with the pale aqua gray blues that are still popular.
Hope everyone enjoys this famous movie scene.
I absolutely love ironstone and transferware.
Thanks for the opportunity!!
I have the good luck to have inherited a treasure trove of antiques, some going back to my great grandparents. Our end tables are what the Victorians used as tea tables and have the original marble tops. In fact, only our sofas and dining table are “modern” along with a few lamps. I’m not sure what I would do in a house with “modern” furniture. Love ironstone and have several pieces along with some very old china belonging to great grandmothers.
Like so many others, I was talked out of an all white kitchen and while I do love the cherry cabinets, our kitchen faces north and is dark from late fall all through the winter.
I love the combination of white, blue and yellow and use them throughout the house.
Really enjoy reading your articles as well as everyone comments.
Also, I love the Province tea my daughter ordered for my birthday….it’s so good.
Glad to know what I like is here to stay. Just wish I could find ironstone easier.