Wednesday, 9 March 2016

Post 1: Design Gone Democratic

Trend alert - statement mirrors in a bathroom
Eclecticism, neutral palettes, exoticism… I’m falling for current interior trends - hard. As home interiors move further and further away from the carefully constructed, matchy-matchy approaches of bygone eras and more towards a nonchalant ‘thrown together’ look, I can’t help but feel empowered. Gone are the days where style meant money - never before have we seen such ingenious, inspiring interiors designed on such modest budgets.
The copper movement
The DIY designer is now a ‘thing’ - just like the citizen journalist arose with the popularity of platforms like Twitter, so too has the home-bound suburban designer thanks to stores like Kmart, which are changing the landscape of interior decorating faster than we can say ‘geometric copper hurricane shade’. Apps like Instagram and Pinterest have created a global sharing of ideas - we can keep up with how Ilva from Sweden has updated her lounge room, whilst simultaneously spying on Kate from New York’s kitchen feature lighting. We are bombarded with a tidal wave of design ideas every day, opening our eyes and minds to the endless possibilities interiors present us with. 
Aussie blogger Elle Ferguson
I see current design trends much how I see the style of prominent Australia blogger, Elle Ferguson of They All Hate Us. Teaming a pair of frayed denim shorts with a mane of unkempt, tousled waves and a structured blazer, this girl’s style screams ‘cool without trying to be’. As she says of Australian style, “We are a little more relaxed, but we definitely still bring it” (Ferguson, 2012, thisiscollective.com) aptly describing what’s happening on the interior design scene, too. Australian homes are embracing international trends and advances, but then twisting them to create a more informal, fresh style. But this casual approach doesn’t lack in impact, which is usually brought to the party through statement lighting or a vibrant custom artwork.
A perfectly imperfect bedroom corner
As global design authority Houzz states, trends that are going to be huge this year include a more relaxed looking ‘two-tone kitchen cabinetry’, ‘statement mirrors in bathrooms’ and ‘raw materials’ (Parker, 2015, houzz.com). At the core of these trends, though, is the overarching movement within interior design - mix it up, embrace the unique and simply have a go!
Trend alert - rustic touches
I’ve found my own personal style has evolved as I tapped in to more and more global resources and progressed throughout my course. I have a new appreciation for exotic travel finds, a sharper eye for layering pattern and texture, not to mention a new found obsession with brass. Rather than the squeaky clean, symmetrical Mary McDonald-esque classicism I once lusted for, I now prefer a more imperfect approach to design - give me antiqued mirrors and crushed linen slip covers! Just like the rest of the world, I’m getting a little braver (not to mention a little more unkempt) with my personal style. 


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