What’s in, what’s out and what’s to come

RECLAIMED ROOMS

At Space: interiors, our goal is to provide clients with rooms that transcend being trendy and still look modern for years to come.

A key way of doing this is mixing our rooms with a variety of styles and period pieces. Using this mix helps keep rooms timeless and doesn’t pigeon-hole them as being designed in the teen years of the 21st century.

We, of course, are not immune to some of the trappings of popularity such as nail-head furnishings or the use of gray. If done in moderation and with a curated eye, these items or colors can be integrated into a room without seeming contrived, overused or dated. It is our job to recognize or even predict emerging trends in design versus what has become passé.

With that being said, here is a list of what is emerging as trends in interiors and what has become about as cool as having a Hello Kitty backpack. IN:

• A mix of items old and new: Mixing antiques with contemporary pieces add character and interest.

• Anything metallic: Combining different metals: bronze, gold, silver, brass, being metal is their unifying element.

• Lucite and acrylic: On the legs of chairs, benches or comprised entirely of it – use sparingly.

• Clean-lined silhouettes: (This does not necessarily mean straight lines.) A graceful curve can be equally clean.

• Fur and hides: Some things just never go out of style. These look particularly good in rustic-modern settings.

• Painting ceilings, doors and trim:

The ceiling is generally the largest unencumbered wall. Match the door for a modern vibe or paint doors and walls the same color for a more tranquil feeling.

• Modern or contemporary art with antiques: This look has a dynamic impact and shows you are unafraid, daring and unique.

• Jewel tones (emerald, amethyst, sapphire) combined with earth-tones: It all comes from nature, so it will work.

• Wallpaper: Not your mother’s 1980s small floral print, but over-sized floral or graphic prints. If you are brave, put it on the ceiling. OUT:

• Overstuffed brown furniture – brown, chocolate, wenge, beige, sand: These colors are heavy and oppressive; lighten things up.

• Oil-rubbed bronze fixtures: If you are still using this on your brand new home, it may as well have been built in 2004.

• Matching sets of furniture: Nothing is less interesting than a room, which looks like it was selected directly from a showroom.

• Wallpaper borders: Rip it down immediately! Few things will date your room more than a border.

• Fake plants: Ivy does not grow on the top of your kitchen cabinets. It’s time to Round-Up this dust-collecting craze.

• Clutter: Too much of anything is too much. Edit pictures, collections, tchotchkes to better highlight prize pieces.

• Reclaimed, multi-colored wood pieces and chalk-painted furniture: I am not saying eliminate these pieces altogether, just have them in very limited amounts.

• Chevron patterns and fleur de lis. As far as predicting the future of design and what will be the next trend – who knows? My best advice is to only buy items you love – love never goes out of style.

BEFORE Myron Griffing is the owner of Space:

interiors. Contact him at 464-6254.