Kellie Clements is an interior design colleague of mine who showcases an exclusive line of window treatment designs at Blindsgalore. We all want to know what designers predict for the new style trends and the favorite colors and materials that professionals love to use. Kellie discloses some of her personal favorites and her “take” on breaking design rules!
Let’s start with hues. Which colors do you like to use the most?
I tend to use mostly blues and greens (LOTS of turquoise) but that is because those are the colors that are requested by my clients most often. Turquoise has been my favorite color since childhood but over the past 18 months I have found myself trying NOT to use it. Why? I never want to push my personal style on my clients and I strive to keep the work I do fresh and authentic. I feel people deserve that in hiring a designer otherwise they could just duplicate a room they like found online. Luckily, I have mastered the ability to create a room that feels very warm while still using cool hues. Obviously gray tones are a staple in terms of color trends but when selecting a gray I almost always lean more warm than cool. Gray can feel cold or sterile if the shade is even a tad off. I love grays paired with navy, coral/orange, yellow and turquoise….obviously.
What are your favorite materials and textures?
It’s actually the COMBINATION of certain materials that I am partial to. I love to mix things old and new such as an antique chest with a modern lacquer lamp or a rustic table with a chrome bowl. I am also completely infatuated with fabrics. Most women swoon over shoes or handbags. For me, it’s fabric. I love the array of patterns and color combinations available in today’s market place. Many times I can be inspired to design an entire room around a swatch of fabric.
Windows are a great place to mix materials, textures, and fabrics in the home which brings me to my next question. What do you see as being the biggest window trend right now?
OK… so I know this will sound bias and maybe a bit cheesy but shades are SO popular right now. And for multiple reasons. Anyone that has ever had functioning draperies made can tell you that even if you get a mid-range fabric they can cost thousands. There is a tremendous amount of fabric needed for draperies to be functioning because they have to cover the space of the window and still have some fullness. Add in the labor to sew them and the hardware necessary to make them functional and…Oy! Shades can offer a very clean look while still providing function. Additionally there is so much flexibility with the ability to dictate the different levels of light filtration. Even if you don’t want the shade to be decorative, opting for a shade and doing over drapes gives you the best of everything. You can have the beautiful textile you want in the room but don’t have to purchase 176 yards of it!
Aside from windows, what are some new trends you think will be popping up in 2016?
Trends will be paying tribute to the midcentury era. MCM furniture has been nudging its way back in to the spot light over the past year but it’s been seen in understated finishes. In terms of color, I think we will start to see jewel tones rise in popularity as they all pair well with metallic colors. Gold is going to be increasingly popular and we will start to see warmer metals like copper popping up. I think we can also expect to see some modern florals and ethnic prints in terms of fabrics and art. Fabric companies are upping their game with really rich textures and deeply saturated color combinations. Overall I think colors that can be found in nature will be the next design trend. Those that prefer a neutral palette might be exhaling, but I am not talking earth tones. Deeper hues of blueberry, emerald, rust, eggplant or any shade of pink or orange that could conceivably be part of a fall sunset. It’s going to be a year of warm and vibrant spaces!
I know you get this all the time, but tell me a design rule that you love to break.
Well….I sort of live to break the rules so you are opening a can here…..
- “Your sofa should be place parallel to your fireplace” (in my pretentious designer voice).
- “The lamps on either side of your bed should be a matching pair….never did I say.
I could do an entire blog entry just on the design “rules” I have successfully broken. The only element that you can’t really jack with is scale. If it’s too big or small, it just is. Who makes those dang rules anyway!?!?!
Rules were meant to be broken, anyways. So I say more power to whoever made those rules! Thanks so much for talking to me, Kellie. I am looking forward to a year full of fresh new ideas, trends, and spaces to decorate!