T’s top 5 Style Trends for 2017
Another year has begun, and it’s always an excellent time to take stock of where things are at in the world of style. Naturally, I like to keep one eye on the horizon to see what’s coming down the line so that The Grounds can continue to surprise with unique and leading looks.
Okay, so what IS big this year? Here are five things I’m definitely vibing on:
1. Greenery
What’s not to love? After all, it’s the Pantone Colour of 2017, so don’t expect plants to be going anywhere anytime soon! Actually, the use of plants has really grown (pun definitely intended) over the last couple of years – and you better believe it’s music to our ears here at The Grounds!
In fact, plants and greenery in general, have been bubbling away for the past two years, and look set to keep filling out mood boards and spaces through ‘17 too. One big thing has been the rise of indoor plants – bringing traditionally outdoor greenery into homes. So expect to continue to see plants hanging off kitchen shelves, or large-scale plants filling out corners of a room. Fiddle Leaf or Fig Leaf plants, Succulents and Cacti, Devil’s Ivy and an assortment of air plants are very popular as they are easy to maintain and don’t need a lot of light or water.
It goes without saying that low maintenance appeals to everyone, especially those who are time poor (everyone). At The Grounds of Alexandria, plants and greenery are one of our core styling elements – and we never shy away from using them in abundance.
2. Art Deco
Style-watching can be a little like time travelling. Every few years, you’ll see influences from earlier eras coming to the fore – and Art Deco seems to be here to stay for a couple of years.
It’s not hard to see why Art Deco’s influence on today’s society is going to be popular. Born in the 1920s and 1930s, it’s a study in powerful line work – strong geometric patterns that suit 2017’s refined and squared-off approach so well. You can see Art Deco incorporated through wallpaper, tiles, fabrics, engraved timber joinery, retail packaging, jewellery design and the biggie – antique furniture.
Having a piece of 1920s furniture in your apartment, house or hospitality venue will become more popular due to its richness and character. In particular, you will see more sideboards appearing in homes styled with a tall vase of flowers, stacked books, a few ornaments and a hanging artwork as an entry feature. It was always a cool niche look – expect it to explode.
3. Blush and Lilac
Colour time now – and we time travel to something not really seen since the 1980s. Two colours you’ll be seeing more and more of this year are Blush (soft pink) and Lilac (soft purple). They won’t be used together but singularly as an overpowering colour in a space. Keep a lookout for them in retail shop fit outs, styled photoshoot backdrops, ceramics, homewares, custom joinery, plate ware and drinkware, fashion and even hair dye!
Pair one of these soft colours with metallic copper, brass, pewter or zinc – and you get a whole new set of applications in joinery highlights, handles, pots, vessels, vases and more. I saw a great example of this fun and playful approach in London restaurant “Sketch” which has a great overpowering blush-pink tone to the whole restaurant – check out the picture! (Makes you want to order the salmon, right?)
Expect to see more and more of these blush and lilac tones being injected in almost every homeware section across the year.
4. Floral on Floral
Wait, what? Floral on floral? Surely not? To clash? Or not to clash?…. That is the question. And I definitely say CLASH!!
I am a HUGE fan of this kind of “Pattern-Play” style – essentially using one pattern against another and to hell with the consequences! It actually has a fine pedigree, with this type of styling having become quite popular in grand interior fit-outs in Europe for the past couple of years… now slowly creeping its way down under.
Here’s what I’m talking about: A floral patterned rug with a floral pattern lamp shade. Or a floral pattern lounge paired with floral patterned cushions. See what I mean? Or take a floral tablecloth with a vase full of an arrangement of flowers. It’s a floral house party – and a lot like letting your Nonna loose for an hour. I for one am particularly excited about this upcoming trend as I’m a bit of a granny deep down.
5. Detailed Embellishments
Well, this final one is something close to my – and The Grounds – heart. This year expect to see DETAIL in everything. That’s right. EVERYTHING.
Attention to detail is not just something you slap on your CV under your list of qualities. As a styling sensation, it’s about an age of finery and craftsmanship. We’re talking embroidery, screen printing and tassels. We’re talking about ridiculously detailed laser cut decorative patterns into fixtures (e.g door handles, frameworks,) and custom ornate mould casting in the world of industrial design. Oh yes, it’s all in the detail.
One of the biggest things we have on our side in technology – helping us to create these intricate looks faster than ever before. Detailed embellishments will be having a big impact on interiors in 2017 due to their rise in the fashion industry. As a result, you can expect to see many decorative elements applied to chairs, doors or even the edge of a coffee table to really enhance what would otherwise be an ordinary object. I can’t wait!
So that’s FIVE very differing style trends that are emerging – and why you should get moving on them for your next project if you want to stay ahead of the curve. In the meantime, I’m going to get back to this Art Deco embroidered lilac and floral plant holder!
Disclaimer: All images other than The Potting Shed are sourced from Pinterest.