You can't help but smile when you see shop windows displaying bright yellow rain jackets and pink rubber boots, or flower shops overflowing with colourful tulips and daffodils. After a dark, colourless season, spring is finally on its way and it's loaded with interesting choices for home decor.
The trend is still on a 1970s retro kick, especially in children and preteen living areas. This fun, colourful flooring from Tarkett Residential (www.tarkett.com) is a new product called FiberFloor, which comes in many styles and colours. This particular pattern is cheery and fun, retro and fresh. Pink is hot this season as are retro accessories such as the hanging lamp shade, fun fur toss cushions and the beanbag chair/ottoman pictured here.
While it might seem daring to choose such a strong pattern on the floor, this particular room can be toned down some as the years progress. For the young girl, these bright colours might be fun, but as she grows into her preteens the decor might be too childish. By painting the walls in one of the less vivid colours from the flooring, such as the soft taupe for instance, and by toning down the accent colours and changing the accessories, you'd still have a fun room that is more grown up as your child grows. This particular floor pattern could take you from nursery to the mid-teen years of your little girl so don't be afraid to be daring.
Round and round we go
Circles and polka dots seem to be hot this season, in clothing and in home decor. It's partly due to the retro trend but I also think that polka dots are just plain fun. So, just as you might add a fun polka dot scarf to a boring pantsuit, so too should you add a little fun to your decor by throwing in the odd surprise such as a funky retro toss cushion or two. Just because we're older doesn't mean we should throw away our sense of fun. If you need an excuse, then use the kid's room as your youthful, decorating playground! You don't have to go polka dot crazy to make it work. Just a splash here and there, on a lampshade, toss cushion or as trim on kitchen curtains might do the trick.
Funky florals
Just like in the 1970s, funky floral patterns are still popular with the younger crowd. They are also growing in favour to grown ups. Very colourful wall coverings in retro floral designs are making their way into kitchens and bathrooms across the country. Daisy-shaped toss cushions and daisy motifs in general are a fun way to be part of the trend without a huge investment. Add these floral designs in your kitchen table linens, curtains and throw rugs as a fun way to brighten up your space this spring. The trick with the new floral trend is that bigger is better. No tiny feminine floral prints these days. It's all about large splashes of colour and pattern.
Wall colour
Paint colours are fresh and new this season. Celery green with violet accents is a hot look that is airy and bright. Turquoise is making a comeback in accent colours and works well with earthy brown tones. Green and brown have always been around but the new hues are enchanting and fresh. Colours reminiscent of bib lettuce, moss, river stones and sand are a fresh take on the standards. Citrus lemon and lime tones add punches of vibrancy especially when accented with hues of violet and red.
Asian influences are making their way back with rich spice tones, vibrant oranges and jade greens. When mixed with the new environmentally inspired neutrals mentioned above these rich tones really pop.
Old Hollywood
While not for everyone, the old Hollywood style from the 1930s and 1940s is still a hot trend. Black and white are the mainstay of this look but it's punched up with metallic finishes, mirrored surfaces and silver and gold highlights. The 'new' old Hollywood encompasses rich colours such as deep purple, navy and inky greys. For a dreamy romantic bedroom, this look might just fit the bill. It's all about luxury and decadence and being a little over the top. Who doesn't want a little glamour in their lives?
The biggest thing to do this year is to make a colour change. Out with the forest or hunter green and in with celery green. Out with beige and in with deep purple. A new colour will change your entire outlook and the rest will flow accordingly. Once you have a new outlook you'll look at the other room elements in a new light. It's like buying a new spring wardrobe. Treat yourself.
coliver@3web.net
