Maximalism – Rather than sparsely decorated minimal spaces, designers are showing more curated looks that tell a story and bring-in more layers to spaces. We are seeing interiors that have lots of personal items along with classic and traditional furnishings. While not being too busy, each piece is well thought-out, & has a purpose and meaning to the homeowner. To achieve this look try using a mix of antiques, florals and new pieces; incorporating rich colors; and mixing textures and metals. Stick to 2-3 colors and repeat them throughout the space.

Eclectic – We are seeing “new” or newly purchased pieces mixed with old/antique furniture and accessories. So, next time, don’t shy away from the antique store, go in and purchase something that speaks to you. And when your grandmother asks you if you want your favorite item of hers, take it! You want your space to tell a story; your history, where you’ve traveled, & what you like? Designers and home owners want their spaces to have soul and personality. To achieve this look, try mixing rattan (a hot trend for 2019) with a jewel-toned green or navy-blue sofa or chair. Don’t forget to add textures and repeat textures throughout the space. If your furnishings are neutral, add jewel-tones, floral pillows or paint to your walls. Then, ad-in an antique truck or vintage table along with a soft cozy throw. Add photos of your travels, friends and family to finish the look. And, choose photo frames made with the same finish. It’ll give your room a cohesive & fresh look. Today’s spaces should be deeply personal and tell your unique story.

Curved Furniture – Designers are using more and more curved couches and chairs in rich velvet and soft fabrics. We’re seeing curved coffee tables and end tables incorporated into this look too. If you’re not sure about this trend, try purchasing just one item, like a curved settee or sofa or even a barrel-back chair. Another option is to purchase a Tulip Table for your kitchen and add funky chairs. It’s a more modern and contemporary look, but you can tone it down by mixing in antiques and soft fabrics to add style & comfort.

Black and White Color Pallets always add LOTS of DRAMA! To achieve this look without your space looking too stark, try adding in 1-2 accent colors & textures like: wicker or rattan, metal accessories & throws. Stick to black and white as your main colors and add the other color thru smaller pieces like accessories, so your room is crisp and well put-together.

Farmhouse is still going strong this year and can be used even in modern spaces to bring interest into a room while telling a story. Contemporary or urban city spaces can bring in the farmhouse look with vintage like old signs, clocks, and smaller antique accessories like tool boxes, books, trays or toys. These items will warm-up the space, bring it up-to-date and help tell your story. Remember, you don’t have to spend a lot to achieve this look. Retailers like Kirklands, At Home and Homegoods, often have inexpensive items to achieve the Farmhouse look.

“Plant-fluencers” – Need a new buzz-word this year? This one means people who bring plants into their spaces, both for sustainability, life and cooking. More and more millennials are looking to add plants into their spaces, and designers always rely on plants to give life to a space. So, ditch the fake dust-collecting plants and add real ones instead! Not sure about this trend, try herbs for the kitchen like basil, cilantro and rosemary. They’re easy to grow, smell wonderful and can be used for cooking too! Other easy-to-grow plants are: Succulents, Asparagus Ferns, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Yucca and Guiana Chestnut plants. You’ll breath better and will breath life into your home!

Heavy Metals of all Kinds – We are seeing 2 hot trends here: mixing metals of all kinds into your design and incorporating lots of polished brass. Hot metals making a comeback are: copper, nickel, polished brass and black mat finishes. Best of all, you can mix them, so you don’t have to worry about being all “matchy-matchy.” If you’re scared of trying this trend, try adding some polished brass pulls on your kitchen cabinets or changing out bathroom fixtures and pulls. You can also try mixing metals with accessories. It’s an inexpensive way to update your space.

Want more design & staging advice? See our next issue for 7 other design trends for 2019. We’ll also talk color!