Dec 26, 2015 4 min read

Over the years I have had an amazing opportunity to view and experience all that is new in the world of interior fashion. Trends rise and fall, specific styles dominate our lives, and whether we are aware of it, the marketplace moves us in different directions. What we wear, how we equip our homes, what we drive, how and where we travel change with the times, sometimes quickly, other times at a gradual pace. Today, the ongoing challenge of protecting and enjoying the environment continues to hold sway, becoming a way of life, as it should. The year ahead has a splendid array of products in colors and designs that are mindful of what we deem important. No matter your personal style and taste, you will be delighted by the decor stories coming up.

We are looking after ourselves, or at least trying to, thinking about what we eat, the importance of exercise and the necessity of taking the time to de-stress every day. So look for comfy sofas and chairs, an eco-friendly fireplace and seating in the bathroom, in and out of the shower. Indoor gardens are blooming; plants are good for us – they bring us closer to nature, can purify the air, and the act of tending a garden indoors or out is relaxing and satisfying. An interesting trend that connects with feeling good is the explosion of all things scripted. Words of inspiration, poems, popular sayings and labels are seen on fabrics, written on wood, metals and even blackboards. They appear anywhere, most popular in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.

As for decorative materials, tiles in every color, design, shape and texture have become the new form of art for walls and floors. Not just for backsplashes, whole walls are being tiled in solid shades. To create an eye-catching pattern or border, specialty tiles can be successfully combined with plain white to keep costs down. I chose a patchwork quilt of tiles for this bathroom floor. Even though these ceramic tiles are Italian, they resemble the patchwork that is often seen in Morocco, with a touch of retro design thrown in. This eclectic mix is ideal when a room is decorated in simple shades of gray and white.

Area rugs make impressive floor art too. New designs have the dreamy appearance of watercolors in striking pastel shades of pink, orange and blue. Stripes and various geometric shapes in gradations of gray, silver and black have a blurry look, subtle and sophisticated. New rugs are made to look worn, in keeping with vintage style, and are coupled with contemporary furniture for a stunning “then and now” look.

Small spaces have brought out the need for a more minimalist approach to decorating. Now we combine functional with quality design in decorative objects. The kitchen is compact with open shelving that shows off crockery and glasses. Counters are decorated with cookware in lush pastel shades; while mixers and cappuccino machines have an industrial dazzle to them.

LED lights have changed the way we illuminate our homes. This tiny energy-saving invention has given rise to a flurry of new design opportunities. From the flair of space-age chandeliers to the efficiency of under-counter task lighting, the size and color options of good quality LEDs are showing up in every room of the home. If vintage or traditional is your style, lamps can be fitted to take LEDs without losing the Old World ambiance.

Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.