Floral team

Subtle flowers and sophisticated pinks are among the emerging trends of the moment, writesCarol O’Callaghan

INTERIORS trends come and go as fast as catwalk fashions, and if we had the time, money and inclination we could spend our lives painting and pasting to keep up.

While most of us hanker after a lovely stylish home, being seduced by a good looking trend can be very appealing for now but it can age rather quickly. So don’t forget our reliable friend — the neutral background — into which you can slot elements of trends and styles as they come into fashion, replacing them later when the mood takes us without placing too much stress on the wallet.

This season we’re seeing in-vogue florals developing a hybrid look as an alternative to picking blowsy chrysanthemum motifs. Notional florals, often in the form of a simple line drawing, form the new look so you have the floral theme but in a reduced, almost minimal way that won’t give your home an overtly flowery finish.

For something completely new, check out the industrial look which has none of the rough and ready aesthetic the name might suggest. It focuses on metal topped tables, lighting pendants with designs emphasising clean functional lines which are incredibly stylish. Draughtsman stools are the new design inspiration for breakfast bar stools, and it’s even possible to acquire originals from vintage and salvage stores which work well in a modern home.

Upcycling continues to appeal to the parsimonious amongst us and those with a good eye to spot a tired piece of furniture to turn into a fun and rewarding project. But for those of us lacking the skill or motivation, leave it to the professionals to see the potential of an unloved piece of furniture. Watch out for antique frameworks vamped up with bright, eclectic and conversation-stimulating fabrics.

It can’t have escaped anyone’s attention that colour is back with a splash and the stronger the better. Luckily its strength is not of the headache-inducing variety but has depth that is very easy to live with. One of the surprises of this year’s palette is pink. Normally the preserve of Barbie-loving little girls, it has acquired a surprising sophistication, especially when teamed with white or grey.

Rusticity has been in fashion for several years, mainly manifesting in shabby chic we associate with the French country look. The new version might best be described as sturdy functionality meets Amish simplicity characterised by sturdy A-frame legs and slatted chair seats and benches.

The nautical look is a distinctive style that has been sailing in and out of the fashion doldrums for years but it doesn’t mean decking out your house with anchors and seashells. Instead, try a flavour of the look by confining its application to the colours of the look which is a far more subtle approach using navy and sea blues, flat red and gleaming white. You’ll get a result that is less Captain Birdseye and more reflective of the Cape Cod clapboard house look we get from the likes of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

* Next week: Choosing a theme for a room can be a tricky business. We conjure up tips on what works and what to avoid.