Design trends for the new year

This time of year many design blogs and magazines present trend forecasts for the coming year. They are interesting to read, but one has to recognize they are best guesses based on the knowledge and intuition of the individual writer or design group.

On every newstand this month you'll see design magazines with design trends a prominent feature on their front covers. On closer inspection you may find there isn't a great deal of overlap from article to article and you have to work to piece together exactly what the trends are. Exploration online offers almost too much information on the subject and the sheer quantity boggles your mind, but I keep reading. Over the next several posts I'll explore the trends that appeal to my design aesthetic.

Re-purposing
This is a continuing trend from 2010 and I predict with the focus on everything green it will continue well into the future. Finding creative ways to use what you have or to recycle furniture and objects from other sources provides satisfaction on many levels. Re-purposing will be combined with buying new to develop a more unique, individual look that has a history.

photo: Margaret Ryall

artwork: Will Gill

This wicker chair acquired from a second hand store is one of my favourite pieces of furniture. I was attracted to it because of its unusual shape and I could see beyond the horrible orange wicker and brown seat pad. After four cans of spray paint it took on a new life.

I like a comfortable, more casual feel in my home, therefore re-purposing has always been part of my design approach. I'm on the look out for a new chest of drawers to replace my sad little wicker set which is lost next to the chair. Then a long overdue reorganization of this space will be necessary. The hunt is part of the fun.Yes, decorators have design problems like their clients and solutions need patience.

Sculptural White Objects:
The simplicity of grouped white pottery and sculpture has always appealed to me and I've used this interest in different ways over the years. Finally it's a trend according to Canadian House and Home!