Our homes are more and more places of safe refuge, an indoor oasis where we cocoon ourselves and feel better through our surroundings. That’s especially true as we head into fall and winter.
While “not all trends last long,” says Dawn Chapnick of the full-service design firm Dawn Chapnick Designs this year you’ll see a lot of two essentially timeless staples of home décor be especially timely: black and leather. There’s a reason the little black dress is a staple in the closet, and wrapping yourself in a leather jacket makes you always feel chic.
Such fashion pieces are versatile and easy to coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe — and the same thinking goes for home interiors.
Here are some expert ideas on how to incorporate these enduring, but always fresh, trends in your space or the space you are planning to own in the near future.
Black makes a statement, wherever you incorporate it
A big story is the strong return of black to home interiors. But you want to give careful thought to proportion and apply this bold colour according to your comfort level, says Melandro Quilatan, president and co-founder of international design firm Tomas Pearce.
Matte black, rather than shiny, is trending now, particularly in furniture, furnishings, and accessories, and even on the walls, which can actually make a room feel larger.
“The trick is to mix the pattern, texture, and finish to create the character of the space,” Chapnick says.
You can think of black as a neutral — a black couch can be a longstanding anchor piece that can be updated with different colours of throw pillows, even for different seasons. Black and red will give you drama, but black with light cream or soft blue can make a subtle statement of sophistication.
“Punches of colour can be engaged as final layering of art and accessories, items that can easily be updated as trends evolve,” Quilatan says.
“The trick is to blend and not overuse,” Chapnick adds.
Black is also ideal for artwork. Line art on the walls and abstract rugs on the floors will give your interior space focus and elegance. A simple grouping of art in frames of all different shapes and sizes becomes a cohesive palette when all the frames are black, for instance.
Black can also dress up your dinner table and goes with any décor. Think black dinnerware instead of conventional white, or black candleholders or vases instead of glass for a look that’s fresh and new.
Warm earth tones in leather are anything but boring
Earth tone colours that contain a mixture of browns and tans are calming, but definitely not boring, and bring a touch of class to indoor spaces, Chapnick says. Brown might not be as bold as its cousin black, but it still brings an edge while conveying warmth, which is especially attractive as we head into the cooler months of the year.
Pair those earth tones with the sumptuous and enduring feel of leather and you have the perfect decorating combination.
Leather, which is durable and stylish, is always inviting and pairs well with both traditional and modern design. We are instinctively drawn to natural materials and leather is no exception. Cognac and camel tones in leather are classic — both are very chic and great for eclectic style.
And leather is trending not just for big pieces of furniture such as couches and recliners. It’s being seen more on dining chairs and in woven treatments for area carpets. Vintage leather is being seen on bed frames, as are wood and leather combinations for console tables.
Leather can even be an accent in décor through the use of smaller accessories – such as leather pillows (easy to clean!), leather storage boxes, and trunks. The depth of the material will add dimension and interest to your space.
Final thoughts
Trends aside, however, design experts stress that your own style should always come to the fore.
“What this means, generally speaking, is that our individual tastes in style and colour for our respective environments should reflect not so much trends, but rather what makes each of us comfortable, happy and at ease,” Quilatan says.
Find your own style in our showroom or online by looking at our collection today.