Edmonton’s Top ten interior design trends for condos 2009
Following the long history of shabby chic then the blank canvas of the minimalist movement- there is finally a backlash against living in austere environments.
1) Glamour--The basic trend which is the backdrop for all the others is ‘glamour. Refined old Hollywood glamour reminiscent of the 1920’s with a lovely nod to the New York influenced 50’s. Shine, shimmer, gently sweeping yet strong lines, finishes with polish complete the look. This basic influence inspires all the rest that create our new polished, sophisticated and grown-up living spaces.
2) High-end Finishes- First time buyers and those ‘downsizing’ are not willing to compromise style in their small spaces. The choices are hardwood over laminates, solid surface counter surfaces, upgraded bathroom faucets and shower accessories. Heated floors made from natural and man made tiles in the bathrooms coupled with wall mounted towel heaters are some of the many upgrades condo owners are installing in their private spaces.
3) White – All shades and tones of white are the new neutrals. Combinations of whites form the new backdrop for interiors- white marbles, leathers, high gloss finishes. Layer your whites, keeping them all either warm or cool toned in your surfaces, drapery, upholstery, lamps, wallpaper, even high gloss elaborate picture frames and mirrors will incorporate the white trend into your interiors.
4) Colour-Clear crisp hues from cotton candy inspired shades to vibrant blends of Asian influenced reds with touches of golds will infuse our homes. Look towards robins’ egg blues blended with dark chocolate, warm based lavenders balanced with shades of yellow or a bright blast of tangerine. Bold, exciting and not boring are the new colour combinations for 2008.
5) Contrast- This element is the one that unites all the trends and defines our new interiors. Contrast- High contrast colour combinations such as lavenders paired with oranges, crisp white with midnight black are perfect examples of the new high drama look for interiors. Contrast is not reserved only for colour, try rough-hewn old wood table atop highly reflective silver toned based for a luxurious and original coffee table. Mix your textures, nubbly and soft chenille pillows atop soft aged ‘white’ leather sofas. Scale is also a wonderful way to create contrast. Try one truly large over-scaled element such as a piece of furniture, art or a mirror along side more diminutive objects. Instant drama. Think outside the ‘beige safe box’ this is all about drama over-sized lamps, large patterned wallpaper (yes- even wallpaper is making a comeback) patterned pillows, large florals. It is all drama and infused with youthful energy.
6) Bling! Load up the chandeliers with crystals – laden the tables with glass and crystal vases. White or cool based metals are the new metals for your home jewellery. Silver, nickel, brushed or polished aluminium, steel, platinum form the basics in hardware, accessories, faucets, chandeliers and lamps. Glitter and bling adore the trend-setting spaces in quantities that have not been seen for years.
7) Eco-friendly is back with a new twist; ‘style with a conscience’ is the new buzz phrase. Refinish family heirlooms, shop in second hand stores, and revitalize upholstered pieces from the 60’s to create a one of a kind eco-friendly space. Focus on organic, eco-friendly products such as cork or bamboo for flooring over old forest or exotic hardwoods. Style with a conscience has brought elegance and beauty together with earth friendly interiors.
8) Multi-Purpose Furniture- Furniture in small spaces needs to earn its’ space. One of the most popular is the ‘Murphybed’, custom cabinets hide the bed by day and superior mechanisms allow both the young and old to easily pull the bed down for use and hide it away. Perfect for a studio apartment or a one bedroom where the living space may need to double as a spare room. There is even a model that can be incorporated into your kitchen island area to accommodate a small visiting child.
9) ‘Simplize’ the kitchen. Heavy ornate kitchens that work with the larger homes do not work within the smaller scale of most condos. We are seeing simple high gloss laminates used for European inspired simplicity in cabinets, high gloss stains and paints are the new preferred cabinetry. Counters are still high-end solid surfaces, granite is still a basic but growing in popularity with the set that does not cook that often but wanting a high end ‘glam’ is marble. The concept is to create; easy to use, simple lined spaces without clutter. Hiding the clutter of many appliances is being accomplished by the use of refrigeration and freezer drawers, which can be ‘hidden’ by facing them with the same finish used on the cabinetry. In addition the dishwasher drawers are favoured for their smaller size while also allowing smaller ‘condo sized’ loads of dishes to be washed in addition to saving on both electricity and water.
10) Zen this 5000-year-old philosophy is not going anywhere soon. Homeowners are seeking calm, refined, peaceful and relaxing retreats in their living environments.
Images from Miele.com http://www.miele.com/
