Design Trends

Essence Trends 2010

Colour:

The colour for 2010 is any hue between sea blue, aqua, turquoise and jade. Adaptable and universal, genderless and inviting, marine tones of turquoise make us dream of deserted island escapes, of sea, sun, sand and surf, and of course summer serenity. So let loose on your home and add splashes of this sea blue/green to your neutral background i.e. a camel coloured couch, a beige bedroom, a baby nursery or a white kitchen.

Orange is another big hit this year. In shades of burnt persimmon, incense, spice, earth and rust, this colour can add instant warmth, quirky accents and refreshing "zing" to any background - be it neutral, black or white. Keep it small with injections of this hue in cushions, glass vases, runners, lamps and throws. Or make it big and bold using it in large areas to add mood in a lounge, dining room or even an office. Teamed with the right furniture orange can appear "retro", 70s, funky, futuristic or just fruity!

Design and Pattern:

Birds, bird cages, iconic buildings like the Chrysler Building, trees, flowers, butterfly pints, dragon flies and peacock feathers are all a big influence on pattern reflecting a trend toward a certain calmness, peaceful living, simplicity and the natural environment. Simple wall decals of birds, lyre bird print wallpaper or native waratah print cushions. Butterflies appliquéd on a bedspread and a white cane bird aviary in the corner also follows this trend Use it with splashes of red, turquoise, navy tan, luscious deep greens and limes. Black and white silhouettes are huge and mirrored surfaces still linger on. Classic black and white, but with the geometric and abstract patterns will make bold statements as accents.

Texture:

Still very important and varied with hides, furs, wool, silk, linen, felt, cotton, sequins, beads, satin, voile, net, sheers, velvet, leather, vinyl and canvas all having input and lifting the senses with "touchy-feely" qualities. Paint finishes are becoming useful in "aging" wood and metal, giving a cracked or worn appearance, a metallic sheen or a rusted look to metal. Porter's paints have all the ideas for this. Anything transparent or having a luminous quality gets the vote. It has the effect of adding lightness, spaciousness and simplicity to rooms.

Style:

Refined eloquence is a trend replacing bold and brassy "bling". Classics like black, white, grey and neutrals are highlighted by glossy, glittery, pearlised and metallic finishes and texturised by "mock croc", feathers, furs and the use of traditional furnishings, reproductions, antiques and iconic designs, such as Bauhaus, Eames and Le Corbusier.

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