Trends that are Here to Stay
“Timeless Design”
It’s something everyone asks for and wants, and I get it. It sucks to look at your home after 5-10 years and say, “whoops, I followed that already dated trend”. Expensive mistake, right?
Well, no matter what trend forecasters and designers might say or how much we research, there is no real way to know what will come and what will go. Honestly, I’m secretly hoping colorful sinks, toilets, and tubs come back! What we can tell you is that a well-designed space will last, no matter how trendy it is. Here is why.
A well-designed space means the homeowner was receptive to ideas they may not have considered and may even be a little hesitant about. One of the biggest challenges I face is when a homeowner presents an idea that is completely inappropriate for their home’s style.
I have heard “I hate Pacific Northwest design” from someone in the Pacific Northwest with a home built following Pacific Northwest design trends. Similarly, I’ve heard “I hate ranch-style design, midcentury design, anything attached to this decade” and all of these described their homes.
Each time, I saw it as my job to teach them how to love it, because like it or not, it is what they have. Battling the essence fo the architecture is a sure loss and a definite trend waiting to pass. Instead, learn to love what you have by finding that adventurous twist on what you desire to simultaneously honor the architecture while honoring personal taste.
Subway Tile
Like it or not folks, I don’t see this look going anywhere. It suits many different styles, is functional and simple. My favorite thing about this image is that while I’m not sure the ‘accent tile’ trend is here to last, this accent was done with a subway tile!
I hear a lot of people say that they are sick of seeing it everywhere and that it is overused. Possible, but I doubt it. Is gypsum wallboard overused? Sometimes it simply makes sense.
Minimalism
I read an article recently that said that patterns were back full swing. Designers are going back to a time of mixing patterns and creating more ‘interest’ in a space with a lot of activity. I see this one going right out the door and quick. One of the best ways to date a space is with patterns because they simply do not last.
The wonderful thing about minimalistic design is that it can be updated easily, embellished with personal items, and it celebrates the architecture by not trying to fight or steal attention.
High Contrast
High contrast design is fantastic because it is universal, providing visibility to those with vision difficulty, and while we could create interest by layering pattern on pattern on pattern, we could also do it with a little simple drama.
Thoughtful Design
This midcentury home embraced the midcentury styling and went with a slab door, but beyond that, we embraced the grain of the wood, reducing waste. Instead of installing an range hood and a separate microwave, we used a combo, which some may not see as designerly, but I saw it as functional use of space! It is easy to follow a trend or what people may say is stylish, but if it is wasteful, is it just an unnecessary extravagance that does not contribute to the function of a space?
Uninterrupted Backsplashes
I have done one backsplash with an accent tile since the 90’s, and it was that lovely subway tile within the subway tile seen at the top of the page. I see accent tiles for the most part as too busy, and disruptive to the clean beauty of a relevant backsplash. When working with the right tile, I hate to draw attention away from it or set it in the background.
When well-thought-out, a design can last several lifetimes and yes, it will date. But, it will date well, and above being timeless, our goal should be to embrace the time we are in and the essence of our home’s architecture. After all, would these homes be considered timeless? Absolutely not. But, they are some of the best-designed homes in existence! What do they all have in common? They embraced the essence of the home in every detail. Not one thing is out of place.