Remember when the year 2020 felt like a figment of your imagination, a far-away time when we'd live in futuristic houses full of high-tech gadgets and robot maids? Now 2020 is right on our doorstep, and unlike what many of us once predicted, our styling and decorating cues are inspired far less by technological advancements and more by our natural environment. Lead interior designer at Porter Davis Homes, Janelle Miles shares her expert advice on what to expect.
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What is the must-have colour palette this season? Inspiration from the world around us is constantly affecting the design choices we make within the home. Earthy tones are making a strong comeback and we are looking towards more of those nature inspired tones throughout all rooms of the home. From sun-drenched outback colours such as turmeric and mustard, to sunset tones like coral and sun-kissed orange, our beautiful country is the key inspiration behind this colour palette.
What textures should we incorporate within the home over the warmer months? Try using thick linen textures with imperfections in your soft furnishings to add character to a room and create that homely feeling.
What are some of the essential home decor pieces this summer? Bespoke crockery, vases and décor pieces have been prevalent over the past few years, and will continue to trend coming into the warmer months. There is something special about the organic forms and raw beauty of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces.
How can you revamp a living area or bedroom this season? Take away the clutter over the summer months and ensure your living area has a more restful, calm aesthetic. Utilising natural finishes and textures throughout the room will enhance this feeling of tranquility. For the bedroom, let the warmer weather be the perfect excuse to swap out your current bed linens. Play with light, breathable fabrics like linens to ensure a cooler nights sleep and add a pop of personality with textured cushions and soft furnishings.
Are there any trends we should leave behind? When coming into the warmer months keep your throw rugs in the bedroom and living areas, but change out those thick, soft furs to more textural linens and light printed fabrics. This will add a homely feel to the room without the winter finish.
Outdoor entertaining space styling tips for the warmer weather? Most homes end up acquiring an additional room over the summer. The back deck or outdoor entertaining area can be styled into the outdoor room for those without the luxury of a built in sun room. Extend the indoors outside by styling your outdoor spaces with soft furnishings and sturdy furniture pieces that will withstand the elements and provide you with an entertaining area for those warm nights.
What are some budget-friendly ways to introduce summer into your home? Inject an instant sense of spring by bringing the outdoors inside with fresh foliage and flowers from the garden. Try using fresh garden herbs in your next floral arrangement. This not only adds colour and texture to a simple bouquet, but gives you that beautiful fresh fragrance within the home.
What prints that are big this summer? This year we can see the fading out the animal prints and more people incorporating in more playful tribal and Aztec prints or structured patterns with a heavy Moroccan and Bohemian influence. These prints often include those key coral and earth tones with a dramatic pop of colour. This season it's about keeping your colour palette neutral and then adding in that favourite colour as your accent.
Do fashion trends and home trends influence each other? Absolutely. There is often a harmony that comes from taking key inspiration from the runway and incorporating this into the design world. One fashion trend we are already seeing, the rise of playful sorbet colours like lilac and lemon, can already be found in various clothing items and accessories, as well as in soft furnishings and statement decor throughout the home.