Interior trends for 2018, and chairs to match

I read an article on the Ideal Home website recently where they predicted the key looks for interiors for this year.  I read it and all the while comparing it to my own style. I nodded along to the idea of rich pigments, as I think we can all be bolder with colour in our homes.  This weekend I've also read in The Times that these bolder colours could be overtaking our love of grey. 

I'm also on board with botanical and tropical prints, with a preference for the former if pushed, which I'm sure doesn't surprise you. And so it makes sense that pineapples continue to be popular, there's still everywhere in the shops. It's a trend I've contemplated, picking them up in the shops to admire, but so far I've not succumbed.  

The other trend that makes a lot of sense for me is what has been termed "global goodness" which is how our decor has been influenced by our travels, and we can the article predicts expect to see more of this in the shops. But there were a few I was less sure about, I've still not managed to get on board with the copper trend, and to read that brass is likely to feature this year alongside these got me wondering.

For me brass evokes strong memories of my childhood, and more specifically cleaning the brass in our church on Saturday mornings armed with Duraglit and also polishing the brass step of our front door, and so it seemed odd to me that a childhood chore could return. I think even as I'm writing this I can smell the distinctive aroma of the metal polish.

And so, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to unscientifically test if I could find armchairs, and statement pieces at that, that corraborated these trends. To narrow my unscientific test I set some criteria, and looked at the armchair range on Utility Design site.

Let's start with brass, the trend that evoked the strongest personal reaction. It's not that I don't like brass, it's just that I see it as a little bit old fashioned, and I'm much more of a brushed chrome kind of girl. Or so I thought.  This Gubi Beetle chair, named because it looks like an upturned insect, with its brass legs might have changed my mind though. Isn't it gorgeous?

BRASS: GUBI BEETLE LOUNGE CHAIR
All images courtesy of Utility Design

I think the Beetle chair would be a great match for the drinks trolley that I'm now also lusting after.  I didn't think I'd want one of those either, but after entertaining at Christmas I can see their value, I'm just not sure where I'll store it the rest of the year...

I thought this Cappellini knotted chair would be a great match for the botanicals trend, and I suspect it's way more comfortable than it looks. But add a botanical print cushion, or two, and this would give any room a stylish update.  For me, this chair would be great in the conservatory, but especially the very posh sort you see in the big country houses.  Although I'd happily take this chair while I'm waiting - and saving - for the big posh conservatory!

BOTANICALS: CAPPELLINI KNOTTED CHAIR

The Glam Dark Woods was another prediction I struggled with. But I think the key word here is glam. Mention dark woods and my brain immediately goes towards the reproduction mahogany furniture, which while I have nothing against this - heck, it's not long since we sold our table, and before we moved here I sold my own reproduction mahogany dining table too.  I think I was struggling with how this furniture could be predicted to be an interior trend for this year. 

But then I saw the classic Vitra Eames Lounge chair, and I got it.  I'd need a snug, or a library, or a study for one of these chairs and I'm sure MOH would be happy with one of these in his dream music room, and I can see how these continue to be so popular - the true stamp of a classic!

GLAM DARK WOOD:  VITRA EAMES LOUNGE CHAIR

The artisan trend was another that I could identify with, we have a wealth of talent in the UK and we should be celebrating this. The Artek Armchair shown below is a good representation of that trend, I think, and a similar style of furniture was very much evident in the Houzz of 2018, but more on that another day.

ARTISAN: ARTEK ARMCHAIR 406

I could go on, and find further chairs to support these trends - but I won't - as I think I've evidenced enough to support the predictions I read about. I've realised that each of these trends is broad enough to find something for each of our tastes, even if our first thoughts are "no, never going to happen" which is where I was with the brass!

But what do you think?  Are there trends that you've struggled with, or those you loved but quickly fell out of love with? Leave a comment and let me know.

* This is a collaborative post but as usual all views and opinions are my own.

Post Comment Love & Blogger Showcase 26 - 28 January 2018

Hello there and welcome to #PoCoLo where you can share any post from the past week that needs a bit more love. If you were here last week it was great to see you, and if you're new here then you're very welcome, and both Morgan and I are sure you'll find some great posts to read.

The good news this week is that I've done way better than last week on leaving work on time, there's still plenty of work to do but I've realised stressing about it isn't helping and as such have made more progress, small but progress nonetheless. I know that being tired isn't helping anything, but it's so easy to feel like being at your desk will help isn't it? 

In fact there is more good news, I completed my tax return too. I'd been stressing that I was leaving it late, even for me, but in the end it turned out to be two days earlier than last year.  Plenty of time.  Maybe this (calendar) year I really will do it much earlier.  I know I should, but I'm sure I also think there's something more exciting I could be doing.

I'm feeling super organised right now as I'm writing this post much earlier than normal as I'm off to a blog event with Houzz on Thursday evening to take a look at the Houzz of 2018 launch party - I'm sure I'll be sharing more!

I had been hoping to get out into the garden at the weekend but the rain, sleet and snow scuppered that idea and I was more than happy to stay inside. I've spotted snowdrops in the garden - amongst the very wet snow - and hopefully I'll have pictures of my own from the garden soon.

But in the meantime I'm continuing to raid my archives, and this week's photo is of a periwinkle basking in the sun. There has been glimpses in our continuing crazy weather, but the wind and rain hasn't been far away either.

Blogger Showcase: Ray from Industry Me

1. Who are you?

Hi all my name is Ray and I am a music and lifestyle blogger from London and my blog is Industry Me.

2. How did you discover blogs/blogging?

During university blogs started becoming very popular and quite a few of my friends had them.

3. Why did you start blogging?

I wanted to share the music that was close to my heart. The music made by those who I felt were incredibly talented but often being overlooked by the industry.

4. What is your favourite topic to write about?

I love writing song reviews, especially when I really connect with the song.

5. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

When I first started it was definitely just for fun, but I've grown to see the need for platforms like mine and there are certainly a few milestones that I hope to reach.

6. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I feel like blogging helps to give others a voice and that's an incredible feeling.

7. Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?

I attended the black British social earlier this year where I met many amazing bloggers and creatives, many of whom I'm still in regular contact with. It was an amazing event, incredibly insightful and I learnt so much that day!

8. What are your 3 best posts?

My three best posts are my interview with Risa Binder, my post on the impact of culture on the UK music scene and finally my interview with designer Frances Bradley.

9. Describe yourself in three words!

Funny, courageous and intelligent.

10. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

Neither lol I'm a tea and cakes kinda gal.

11. What's your idea of a perfect night out?

Anything that involves great food and a restaurant with great lighting I am all about the ambience.

12. Your perfect night in?

Netflix (most likely the Gilmore girls) a nice cuppa and some almond slices.

13. What would your friends say is your best quality?

I think my friends would say it's the fact that I'm honest. I suppose it's my best and worst trait. But they know that no matter how hard some things are to hear it always comes from a good place with me.

Thanks Ray, it's great to learn more about you and your blog.  If you'd like to be featured in a future Blogger Showcase then please get in touch with either Morgan and I.

And before you link up, please take some time to connect with Ray on her social channels:  Twitter  -  Instagram.

An InLinkz Link-up

2017 in garden visits

After looking back at my own garden and the allotment over the last year I thought it'd be nice to look back at the gardens I've visited, or more precisely the ones I've already shared with you.  Unbelievably - actually it's not that unbelievable - I've still some to share, so look out those as they appear.

I'd forgotten that last January we went on the hunt for snowdrops on the Blickling Estate, we found them, but I also snapped one of my favourite shots of the year - and now I'm wondering why I didn't include it in an earlier review post. The hydrangeas are against the wall of the orangery but it has a sort of ethereal quality to it, I think.

JANUARY: AT THE BLICKLING ESTATE 

We did find the snowdrops, but we also found a fantastic kitchen garden project which I'm hoping to catch up with again this year, on one of our trips to Norfolk - it'll be great to compare the progress they've made.

AND I'D QUITE LIKE A GREENHOUSE LIKE THIS TOO...

In March we stopped of at Mottisfont in Hampshire and I had a very good nose around the Potting Shed. I was all for closing the door and getting comfy in there, but MOH was less keen on that and I'm sure that really wouldn't have been the done thing.

MARCH: ONE OF THE PRETTIEST POTTING SHEDS I'VE SEEN

We'd spent a week in a beautiful cottage in Dorset and had taken the opportunity to revisit Kingston Lacy and take a walk through the camellias, which at times looked more like confetti. 

MARCH: CHECKING OUT THE CAMELLIAS AT KINGSTON LACY

A couple months later, after a lovely dinner, we took a wander (or more like a waddle) around the kitchen garden at Gravetye Manor. We're planning to go back again this year, and were hoping to go in the winter months - to sample a different menu of food, but it's currently being refurbished (the hotel, not the kitchen garden!)

MAY: ENTERING THE KITCHEN GARDEN AT GRAVETYE MANOR

We'd already visited Grand Designs Live at Excel and while these technically aren't gardens, they are garden sheds so I think it's fine to include them.  I'm sharing one of my favourite shed interiors, a sewing room and while I love my greenhouse for pottering, I'd also love a space like this.

IT REALLY IS A SHED...

2017 was also the year that I managed to visit behind the ornate gate in Greenwich Park, and it was spectacular. It's known as the Queen's Orchard, and if you go to Greenwich Park and it's open, be sure to visit, you won't be disappointed.

JULY: A CALM SPOT IN THE QUEEN'S ORCHARD IN GREENWICH PARK

In August we had a few days away in Suffolk, and the opportunity to visit new gardens like the knot garden at the privately owned Helmingham Hall, another place I'd recommend visiting. While the National Trust and RHS gardens are fantastic, these independent gardens really do have a unique feel to them.

AUGUST: A KNOT GARDEN IN SUFFOLK

I've shared pictures recently of the gabion wall at RHS Hyde Hall - and it was fantastic - but equally so were the delicate astrantias in the Robinson Garden there. These plants remain on my plant wish list, and if I did more than just wish about them I might actually get myself growing some this year!

JULY AND A VISIT TO RHS HYDE HALL IN ESSEX

And because I can, the last picture and post I'm sharing is one from Dad's garden. His roses were great this year and my conversion to roses is continuing, enjoy!

So just a quick tour of (some of) the gardens I've visited, I'm sure there's more. One thing's for sure though, there's plenty more to come this year.  I'm hoping to get to some new-to-me gardens too, where would you recommend?