Well I’m not sure I’m the expert on what will be hot in 2016. Okay I KNOW I am not the expert, still I get asked and feel the need to throw my ideas into the ring.
Because of copyright laws,
I can’t post the photos belonging to others without their permission, so thus the lack of photos from other people. (I know many people do share photos belonging to others, but I also know people getting in a lot of hot water for doing so.)
So before I begin, let me say you can find a very well written article on this topic at Cote de Texas HERE.
Joni talks about what the top designers, magazines and uber well know people will be doing.
Although I adore these big names in the design world. I know that the driving force behind a lot choices people are making has to do with what they see on blogs rather than the usual big designers.
The top designers are no longer setting the tone for most people. It’s people with no design background like Joanna Gaines of Fixxer Upper, and many of my blogger buddies that people are turning to for ideas. People no longer seem to care if the person has a design degree or background. All they care about is talent. And, the reality is we (normal people) are figuring out we don’t need to follow every trend. I love seeing what the stars in LA are doing, but I’m not going to throw everything out and start over if the latest reality star doesn’t care for my look. Also bloggers are real people who know how we live. They too have a dog that sheds or a kid that tracks in mud.
The days of 3 or 4 top designers dictating what is ‘in’ and ‘out’ are gone. Design is now something that is affected by thousands of very talented voices. People still read magazines and books, but they also look at blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram for inspiration.
I see my friends in the blog world come up with fabulous and wonderful ideas, then I go in a store, and see that the ideas I found on blogs have been copied by the big stores. I have an interior design group on Facebook, and now I see these amazing homes and ideas presented by people that aren’t designers or bloggers, but they are sharing their ideas.
Now before I talk about what I see ahead for this year, let me say I believe in individual style. If you like red and gold, even though I don’t expect to see a lot of either this year, doesn’t in any way mean that I think you change your home to keep up with the current style. I say stick with what you love. Mid-century modern is super hot, hot. But you will not be seeing it in my home. Why? Because I just don’t care for it. I remember the look from the 60’s when I was a kid, and I wasn’t a fan of it then, and I’m still not, not that there’s anything wrong with it, it’s just not me.
Now onto my predictions for 2016.
First I believe that magazines and manufacturers will continue to turn to bloggers for ideas. (With the sea of talented people out there, who can blame them?) I’ve got a few magazine features coming this year. I’ll share more when I have the specifics.
I think that cool colors will be smokin’ hot this year – pewter, silver, gray, glue, lavender and some soft pinks. I’ve also seen a lot of greenish blue hues at the fabric store that looked great. Personally I have my eye on an acid green for a few chairs I am working on. It’s for a new project I have going that I’ll tell you more about later.
I still think the neutrals will also be quite popular. I’m still sold on grainsacks, homespun linen and vintage hand-embroidered fabrics.
I think some of the DIY trends have run their course – things made from Mason jars and pallets.
Marble will be even more popular.
I see Swedish Gustavian style becoming mainstream this year, at least I hope so. I love it!
I think painted furniture will still be hot.
I see more gold accents and Italian Florentine style coming into center stage.
Brass is back baby. I never thought I would say that, but it’s true.
Vintage things will continue to be popular.
For me, I’m turning more to Europe for design ideas this year.
I’ve got a big, big project I am doing this year. It will be a design challenge on a tight budget. I am excited to share it with you, although at this point, I’m not sure how it will come out. Either way, I figure we’ll both learn something, or at least you can tell me, “Told you so!”
So that what I see. How about you? What do think will be hot this year?
Below you will find some pillows made from vintage materials I have in my shop. I just added a few more. I also bought several rolls of vintage grainsack material so look for new pillows coming to the shop in the coming months. Most of these are one of a kind.
Great post! I agree with you on so many things from the “not posting pictures without permission” to being able to decorate when you have a big shedding dog – golden retriever here! I am happy that just a few top design professionals aren’t dictating what we “have to” do anymore. I think style is so individual and the best thing about blogs is that we can follow people with similar styles and ideas to help us along. I have always tried to decorate with things I love and I stay pretty traditional. I do try to stay updated with some things here and there though. I could never do mid-century modern either! Especially since I grew up watching the Brady Bunch! Some things just stick in your mind forever like bell bottoms from the 70s. Anyway, loved the post and your ideas! Enjoy your week!
Shelley
I agree with you. I belong to your designer Facebook page. There are so many talented people out there. My theory is design your house with what you love. I enjoy seeing the personality in a person’s house, not what a designer is saying what is trendy this year. The colllections and how they combine colors can be inspirational.
I totally agree with you, you don’t have to be a designer to decorate your home. Shared ideas from blogs such as yours is a great source of information. I love the painted desk with the gold ornate mirror. It is my favorite of the pictures you have shared. I think every room needs a little bling. You do it well and you seem to blend each room seamlessly. It’s also good to know that my porcelain and brass bath fixtures are back in for awhile! It didn’t matter when I was redoing the room and I researched and found them renovators supply, I knew they were for me. I think you are so right when you say do what you love and love what you do! Thanks for your decorating insight and your awesome store!
I am so glad you cleared this up. I totally agree with you on everything. Keep up the excellent work!
I was lucky enough to build a new modern farmhouse last year on my husband’s family farm in Kentucky. The existing 100 yr old house needed total renovation cost unknown. I used blogs and books like yours to guide me instead of a pro designer I had worked with previously in our city house. She just isn’t current on the new design trends you describe. I admire all the young women bloggers who are creating such an exciting new distinctive design!
Great post! First I love your sweet collie. I had one named Laddie growing up and loved him! I have always been a fan of antique brass – not the shiny stuff. Love the colors you mentioned as well.
Loved this post! Great tips and I believe you are so true about bloggers starting trends. It’s all about what’s hot on Pinterest!
Way to go Anita…I agree with all of your thoughts. The one that hit home for me was your commentary re: ‘Mid Century Modern’. I thought I was the only one thinking….’I so disliked this from my childhood why would I embrace it now? 😉 My 23 year old daughter is moving into her first apt. in NYC. She is enamored with Pinterest. Lives and breathes the photos/ideas. I go to sleep reading a book…she goes to bed inhaling the design pics, lol! Her apt. will be Pinterest decor come to life. I just hope she doesn’t want to chuck it all in 3 years time wanting a design ‘do over’ in that next popular trend. We have digressed a smudge from where we both were a couple of years ago….each enjoying our own Shabby Chic’ moment. Right now she is shopping, white, fuchsia, touch of blacks and lots of brass (hopefully muted, lol!) I, on the other hand, am with you….bring on the grain sack 🙂
*smidge
Anita,
I enjoy seeing and hearing about design trends, too , dear friend!!!
However, that doesn’t mean I will toss everything out and begin anew, either!
I believe our own personal style evolves over time.
I do enjoy visiting others blogs, but to my own self stay true!!!
One designer I follow is showing navy blue and lime green in her blog.
NOT saying I won’t have some blues and some greens, but probably not in that temperature range!!!
I’ll be watching for your 2016 Projects, dear one!!!
Great post Anita! I too think the blog world is going to drive design this year more than ever. There are a few things on my radar I think are going to become more and more popular as we cycle through trends and styles. I think we are going to see more of a juxtaposition between pieces in a room. Dark vs. light whether that be the return of black painted furniture or darkly stained pieces up against light walls. Even more contrast between light fixtures and ceiling and wall colors.
Millwork is going to become important. We’ve all done some version of a planked wall, board and batten, or picture frame. More intricate and detailed woodwork is going to come back to the forefront.
Finally, I believe vintage gilded china is going to come back. It always swings the other way and we’ve been in an ironstone trend for a while. I think the gold gilded Limoge plates will become more desired as well as china patterns from the 80’s…remember the plates with detailed rims patterned with navy, gold, burgundy? Perhaps a more modern version of that with grays, creams, white, gold, black (or some combo of that).
Just my two cents. Have a great week!
Excellent ideas Nancy!!
Great post Anita….trends come and go, but the classics always seem right to me and they seem to always come full circle…like the brass. You said it perfectly when you mentioned to live with what you love. Live in a home with “your signature” on it and you can never go wrong.
Thanks Nancy, loving the styles for this year! And it reminds me… I’m working on an idea that you just might adore. Will check back with you if it turns out, in a month or two! 🙂