Green is everywhere for spring/summer 2017 as well as blues galore from peacock and cornflower to navy and ink. Muted tones as a base are sparked up with pops of rainbow brights in fabrics and accessories. Reds for walls are stronger, yellows are softer and white is back. There are punchy geometrics, ethnic prints, enthusiastic florals, fresh checks and slick stripes in fabrics and wallcoverings, and a variety of materials evident in furniture and accessories from ceramic to brass and an ongoing nostalgic mood with 50s and 60s styling.
Five local interior specialists comment on their favourite trend and looks
Karen Blue, Studio Six
“Painted furniture is still with us although less shabby chic and more elegant in style with classic French shaped cabinets, armoires and chests finished with chic matt or chalk paints. We are seeing adventurous mixing of the elements – coppers, warm gold, antique brass and platinum with glass or wood used in tables, mirrors, lamps – even cowhide rugs have metallic splashes. There’s still a 50s and 60s influence with modular furniture and cube storage and tables with Dansette stick legs and I have light fittings suspended by linked ring chains like 60s Go Go belts!”
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James Press, Chaplins
“Hard lines are being softened by accessories! – At Cologne Design Week every coffee table had something on it. The ‘now’ colour is green from fresh mint and jade to deep fir green. There’s a retro throwback to the 50s and 60s with lots of brass, light timbers and textures. Ceramic is massive in dining tables and sideboards – it looks like marble but is lighter and more durable – The Eliot Keramik table by Cattelan Italia has a riven slate effect. Tables with contrasting materials are everywhere – rustic tops on glass, glass on steel or timber, soft touch laminate top on steel (Ligne Roset) .
Storage is more compact as a nod to smaller space living and there is integral technology in design – Spektral smart storage has a virtual fireplace with smoke effect and UMA have a portable light-come-wireless speaker
Anything goes, you can mix different styles and materials like a leather armchair with a plastic coffee table
Lots of indoor furniture has been adapted for outdoor use – our Chaplins Outdoor studio is selling B & B Italia and Gandia Blasco and other top brands plus our new inspired own brand range.”
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Maura Cohen, Timeless Interiors
“Classic Colefax and Fowler fabrics are very Chorleywood – there are some surprises like their animal print linen (Panthera). Romo Linara washable cotton linens are fab, especially for upholstery and French company Casamance have gorgeous prints and textures – their Canopee ‘watercolour’ wallcovering is really striking. JAB have sturdy washable outdoor furnishing fabrics (UV Pro) – the Paul Smith-esque Promenade stripe is fun. There were some brilliant new ranges at Design Week that I loved – some cheerful exterior fabrics from Designers Guild and amazing vibrant ethnic inspired fabrics, wallcoverings and accessories by French company Elitis and Spanish fabric house Gaston y Daniela, many suitable for use indoors and out – their Africalia range is just beautiful. I can’t wait to get the books in.”
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Darren, Greystoke Carpets and Flooring
“ So many customers choose vinyl for its versatility and practicality. The wood lookalikes are better than ever, the latest trend is for a distressed or whitewashed finishes.The Karndean Da Vinci collection is really effective – there’s ‘reclaimed timber’, ‘driftwood’, ‘weathered stone’ and an oxidised steel look. People are getting braver with their flooring choices, stronger coloured carpets are popular, especially reds and blues. We deal with Adam Carpets, they are top quality and do so many carpet shades and there are great plaids and stripes too. We also supply window shutters with adjustable louvers and solid shutters which are really popular for all rooms
Becky Clarke Interiors
Grey continues to be a strong base colour and looks stunning with brights like burnt orange or emerald green whilst on-trend deep blue lifts most neutrals, especially when accessorised with copper or bronze. I love working with Little Greene paints, Harlequin fabrics and Scion’s quirky prints and weaves and favour Industrial and Eclectic style easy for family living, people don’t have to be super-neat to look chic!
I have recently been re-designing a Victorian family home in Chorleywood to give it warmth that was lacking in the cream decor. It now has bags of elegance, interest and practicality – it’s gorgeous!
Main Photo: Dulux paints: Denim Drift, Pocket Stone. Stocked by Lords