5 minute read
What's Trending in Design with Hali MacDonald
By Oakville Designer, Hali MacDonald
As a company that prides itself on creating timeless interiors, I was a bit hesitant when asked to write an editorial on what’s currently “trending” in design. Trends are something I generally aim to steer clear of, but upon giving it some thought and reflecting on the interiors filling the current design magazines, I came to the conclusion that the current trend is actually one that I can stand behind.
After many years of white, black, and grey interiors, we are now seeing a shift and an emergence of spaces with life and individuality. Gone are the days of sterile interiors that make you feel as if you’ve walked outside on a gloomy, grey-skied day. In are the days of colour, texture, pattern, and mixing of styles to create interiors that give a sense of joy and light. It’s been a refreshing shift to witness, and I, for one, love the depth and creativity that is currently gracing the pages of the top design magazines.
If you’re wondering where to begin in transforming your home from the past trend to the current, be relieved to know that those white and black pieces you purchased a few years ago still have a place in your home. Whites and creams create beautiful foundations on large furniture pieces while black elements really work to ground a space. You can infuse personality into the home with the smaller furniture pieces, the accessories, the paint colours, and the mixing of materials. Let’s walk through these elements and discuss what you should be looking for when swapping out these items.
Consider purchasing or reupholstering a set of chairs in an interesting fabric. Mohair, velvet, bouclé, or linen can all be great choices and add a new textural element to a space. Always be cognizant of the materials you’re bringing in and aim to have different ones for added interest. If you’re feeling adventurous, do that textured fabric in a colour and add some patterned pillows on the sofa to tie it all together. Bring in accent furniture pieces in various wood tones. Rich woods are especially popular right now and give a beautiful old-world feel to a space.
Antique items are very much trending and can add a lot of charm and character to the home. There are many places online to source antique pieces; Etsy, 1st Dibs and Charish being some of my favourites. You can also check out local antique stores to look for vases, artwork, and other accessories. Keep in mind when looking for antiques, perfection is not the goal. The little cracks and imperfections in the items are what make them beautiful and add charm and warmth to your space. You could also consider adding a vintage rug to your living space. These could either be on their own or a smaller one layered over top of a neutral rug that you currently have.
My next tip is one that scares a lot of people, but don’t be afraid to mix your metals. Brass, polished nickel, and bronze all have warm undertones and work cohesively in a space. I have a rule when introducing a metal or a colour to a room. Think of it as a rule of 3’s. You want to repeat the metal or colour a minimum of three times in the room to blend seamlessly into the space. When repeating, especially with colour, don’t worry about the colour being identical. For example, a pillow, a vase, and a piece of art all containing the colour green but done in different shades of green would still follow the rule. Ensuring that you are choosing undertones that complement one another rather than matching is what you’re aiming for.
A little paint can go a long way in transforming a space; I often use a form of white in the main areas and experiment with colour in secondary rooms to create the mood I’m going for. Some of my favourite colours to use right now are brown, blue, green, ochre, rust, and cream. For a more feminine space, I love mauves and blush tones. If you don’t know where to start, and the thought of choosing a colour is intimidating, the paint company Farrow & Ball is a designer’s favourite, and the limited number of colours makes choosing a little less daunting.
Overall, we’re seeing interiors that are embracing the imperfections and celebrating natural materials and the warmth they add to a space. Marble, wood beams, tumbled limestone, plaster walls, clay tiles, and unlacquered brass are everywhere in the design world. These materials have been around for centuries and are as beautiful and current now as they’ve ever been. As someone who likes to look to the past as a predictor of the future, I feel very confident that the current trend is here to stay. It feels a bit odd for me to call this look a trend as it’s been my design philosophy from the beginning, and it has always been my style of choice. I’ve never considered myself to be a follower of trends, but I must admit that I am in fact on trend for this one!
Hali MacDonald Interiors is a full-service design boutique serving clients in Oakville, Toronto, and beyond. With designs that transform and elevate how and where you live, we bring beauty to life through luxury interiors that encompass all that is most meaningful to you.
Contact Hali for your next design project! halimacdonald.com | @halimacdonaldinteriors
