Green is the new black, darlings, at least as far as interior design and home staging goes this year. If you're buying cushions, throws, duvets or towels, green is definitely in.
To supplement the extreme greenness of the current trend in decor, there's a bit of an organic thing going on as well. This year, there are cushions made of felt and flannel, cushions that look like cabbages and cushions that pretend to be bowls of blackberries all of which seem intriguingly different from the faux satins and suedes of the recent past.
Cultural Counterpoint
Just in case green felt really isn't your thing, there are opulent Byzantine options on offer as well this spring. Black, purple, sequins and animal print are the sub-text to the main theme of greenery and neutrals in natural textures.
Felt, cut into scallops, rolled, ruched and appliqued is the real newcomer in this year's home style scene. It's so unexpected as to be almost shocking, but the new felt cushion are right on trend, young, funky and fun. Coupled with close weave flannel, the felt extravaganza is an intriguingly different new look.
It can be hard to reconcile the country style and the more historical decor mentally; it seems as though the designers are trying to make us choose this year – are we going organic and natural with plain colours in non-synthetic materials to match with our light wood furniture, or are we heading back in time to a past of richer colours and silk and satin effect?
Texture is the Unifying Theme
Even though it would be hard to strew your black leather sofas with a mixture of organic greens and shiny, sequin bedecked satins, there is a unifying theme to be found amidst the bold style statements of 2011.
Texture is king (or queen) of style this year.
Go cottage garden with cushions like cabbages or aim for an ancient history style using Imperial Purple with gold trim, whatever style you decide on, you'll be hard pressed to escape a textural look. Huge, purposeful frills (for cabbage, lettuce or floral effect), rolls, scrolls, ruched ribbon and ruffles are to be seen everywhere at the moment.
Sleek lines of faux satin or suede seem to be out, those retro twills are so last year. It's as if the atmosphere of economic gloom has found a glimmer of light in the world of soft furnishings. We may not be able to afford a holiday or even a full tank of petrol, but by God, we can certainly buy a trolley full of frilly cushions .........
Making This Year's Style Work for You
The only drawback to this year's very definite home style fashion statement is that cabbage look-alike green felt cushions really won't complement a black or red leather corner unit.
However, all is not lost. The deep blackberry shades and the neutrals will be fine and will add a contemporary look to home decor. Meanwhile there are so many charming new bedlinens around with green detail or even all over green patterns that a fresh new look bedroom in greens and neutrals could be the way to incorporate the latest home style trends into your home without breaking the bank.
Garden or country themed bedrooms will create a wonderfully tranquil and peaceful effect, and with clever use of neutral tones and cottage-y accents, can soon be refurbished when the style changes again.
Or, if a countryside bedroom doesn't float your boat, green felt cushions with the bamboo chairs in the conservatory would also look good, and would be the perfect excuse for a change of planters and some new flowering plants.
As with the current style in clothing, so also the style in modern decor. Clever accessories are the key and don't have to break the bank. At least half the fun is the planning, shopping and choosing after all!.
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