Setting the pace

What you need to know:

DECOR. As we begin the year, homeowners are looking to décor experts before beginning their annual renovations. While it is commendable to seek expert advice, at the end of the day the homeowner should go with what makes them comfortable, writes, Gloria Kawuma.

Every New Year brings with it a certain level of hope, confidence and approach. After the anxiety and excitement of the Christmas season, there now presents a need to shed the old skin and bring on new strategies and so it is not uncommon to find that new year resolutions are made, re-branding of companies, change of administrations and complete or partial overhauls on the home front.

A number of prominent designers and interior design houses have already released their predictions about what is going to be hot and cold this year but who really has the authority to say which décor direction our homes, businesses should take?
Here are some of the predictions

Wall décor
This year, floral fabrics and wall papers will be hot while geometric grill patterns are out.
For colour pallets rich jewel tones such as dark teal, bold indigo, emerald green are in.

Layering with accessories and fabrics (a subject I wrote about last year). Velvet, an old fashioned fabric has been predicted to storm the scene (this should be able to match with the floral patterns really well.
Why not take the opportunity and throw in my own predictions? Last year saw the introduction of natural elements or a representation of them such as stone, which look was presented both in wall paper, tiles and reality. I see this trend still being a strong pillar in 2019 with the introduction of new variations of stone in colour, texture and presentation. It is the whole drift of creating an organic ambiance to a space.

A continuation of the bold, dramatic colours on our walls, assuming that 2018 was sample testing, now people have gotten used to the idea and have embraced colour loudness making it become a trend, that I suspect will carry on actually for a few more good years.

If you surround yourself with the things that you truly love, it will work. Remember that not every trend is suitable for every individual. While you should not completely ignore trends, you should remain true to your style when choosing products.
Create a space that you are comfortable with and remember that trends change and what might be acceptable today might be considered out of fashion in a few months.
Happy New Décor Year!
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