I normally disregard trends in design and often in fashion if they don’t suit me. For instance, I am currently on a shoe hiatus while the world gets over rounded toed shoes – not a favourite of mine! I long for the point toes and square looks of a few years back and I’m positive that it will come back in style.
There have been a few trends in home décor that I have avoided due to my personal taste. The claim that blue was making a comeback has not seemed to come to pass and for that I am thankful. Light, washed out oak floors have been working on a comeback (I think in the 80’s we called it pickled oak) but I don’t think that will be a lasting style especially here in western Canada. Someone reported that brass was on its way back in – I shudder at the thought!
I have been witnessing a trend lately that I truly love and once your design radar is up for this trend you will start seeing it everywhere – that trend is grey. Grey has invaded our world in both design and fashion and I must say I love the colour and the fashion that is being produced. If you instantly react and say ‘I hate grey’, bear with me as I round out this truly beautiful and elegant trend.
Grey is the new blue, the blue that never came to be in the design world and grey is not always cold. Take a look at the spectrum of paint colours that are considered grey and you will see blue/green notes as well as red/blue and purple undertones to all shades of grey.
Stainless steel, silver, matte metal finishes and decadent silver chandelier drops are also in the new grey trend. Grey is incorporated in everything from men’s flannel and tweed to whisper soft satin night shirts. It can be strong, soft, glamorous and practical all at the same time. Grey is a power colour, if you don’t have it in your wardrobe incorporate some – you will be surprised at how you feel!
Grey is also the most fabulous neutral that has ever existed as it can stand its own against powerful feature colours without being overwhelmed or outbalanced. It is perfect on its own or layered with other shades of grey and metallic yet when paired with a strong accent such as deep teal (Try C2 212 Malachite) or a daring shade of orange (C2 – 083 Roasted Tomato). Grey will stand out even when acting as a neutral. My favourite grey paint of the moment is C2 – 468 Carbon Dust.
If you don’t love grey, give a version of it a spin with the metallics or warm up grey with your favourite colour as either an accent or undertone of grey paint. Grey will bathe your room with a sophisticated charm that you can’t find in any other colour and will infuse your wardrobe with an easy to wear and easy to accessorize fashion staple that will make you feel great every time you wear it.
Kim Lewis is an interior designer in Red Deer with Carpet Colour Centre. Contact her at 403-343-7711 ext 227 or email her at klewis@carpetcolourcentre.com.
