Making sense of fashion in the Geelong interior design market

With the spotlight firmly on interior design, home makeovers, renovations, preparation for sale at the moment via TV, online and in print I started to think about what’s new in interior design and styling. This is interesting and timely given I had recently been reading an article about an Australian architect and Interior Designer who had taken her cues at times from the fashion runway to inspire projects she is working on. Although Interiors may not be of interest in fashion, or vice versa, you will understand what I mean when I say that there are now so many options and choices for everything it’s easy to be overwhelmed!

But whether its fashion or interiors, when you start to really think about what you like or your style, you may find that you belong to a particular ‘tribe’ or maybe even a couple of ‘tribes’. From an interiors perspective, this might mean that you are all about the Hamptons look, French Provincial or maybe the calm, clean Scandinavian aesthetic is more your thing, perhaps its modern minimalist or maybe you are more eclectic and enjoy upcycling and have an eye for things others don’t identify with. Of course, you may like bits and pieces from a few of these ‘looks’. What’s important to remember is that although fashions and styles come and go, at the end of the day it’s important to know what your taste and style is and have the confidence to  surround yourself with this aesthetic to make a happy home.

Our clients in and around Geelong are time poor as there are so many options they just get overwhelmed and give up and don’t know where to start. Our clients know what they like, but are confused as how to bring it all together in a way that doesn’t end up looking like everything was brought at the one store or all the furniture is out of proportion for the room. This is where an Interior Designer / Interior Stylist can help. To dig deeper and get that understanding of who you are, what you like and equally important, what you don’t like, who uses you’re home and how, how you want your home to feel and what’s your budget are important factors for us.

You may think a interior design service like this is too expensive and only for those with lots of disposable cash. However, be honest. How many of you have brought things in an ad hoc manner and now realise they don’t work together, the colours look a bit funny and you have ended up donating things to charity that have not lasted the distance style wise. This can be a waste of money and resources. At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what’s in fashion, what matters is that you love what you have in your home. Having said all that, I still like to know what’s new in interiors and hopefully you do too.

Here is a snap shot:-­‐
We’re starting to see a move away from pastels and also the very bright colours. More muted tones are coming in and these appeal to people’s desire for comfort and warmth in their home.”  Burgundies, bottle greens, tan and leather-­‐inspired tones, navy blues, teal, peacock greens and salmon pinks are among our top interior colour picks for 2015. What I’m seeing for 2015 has an organic look and feel to it. Beautiful textures, Linens, leathers and animal furs are all be popular throughout the home. Cowhide, sheepskin and goatskin soft furnishings will dominate the interiors market. Heavy, knitted throws alpaca or goat-­‐hair cushions and natural materials like wool, leather and linen. The trend will be to create a more comfortable environment in your home, and a look that is relaxed. People will be happier to embrace an element of untidiness and go for a mixture of textures with their cushions, rugs and bed linen.

Scandi influence will continue throughout 2015, but with much more warmth and texture than recent years. We’re seeing more varied shades of timber starting to come through in home furniture. There is still lots of oak around, but there’s a lot more variation in colour and much more warmth.

Marsala –  the colour. This is the Pantone colour of the year for 2015. I think it’s one you either love or hate but it is one that sits well with our cooler autumn weather and is at its best when displayed by Mother Nature herself. This is only a snapshot of what’s going on in the world of interior design and as you can see it’s as varied as fashion.

– as seen in the Geelong GT Magazine