Homes plus Scotland May-June 2009 Edition

Summer Trends 2009
Back to Natural

RECESSION, DEPRESSION, Credit Crunch are just a few of the list of tag words to summarise the current Global Economic situation. They are not easily digestible words and tend to strike fear into businesses across the UK and send Homeowners and Developers into a blind panic when faced with the question of Move versus Improve to continue to develop and hope the dark clouds pass before their developments are complete...

However analyzing trends shows us that many of us are choosing to ride out the storm in our homes and revert back to the days of yesteryear when Spring heralded the arrival of the home improvers hitting the shops, seeking inspiration for the summer and beyond for their homes. So what we as an industry are seeing is more re-investment back in the home and the pleased and proud comments of “we did that ourselves, you know” to our neighbours when walking down the aisles of places like Homebase and B+Q’s across the land.

Statistically April has always been the tipping point of the home improvement scale and at Trendenza we are seeing more clients walk through the door asking for advice and direction no matter what the size of the budget.

Naturally we still have to be realistic and if the scope of their work schedule does not match with their scale of budget we are honest enough to tell them what can be done with what they have to spend. However it is a home improvers market at the moment and therefore if you do not have the support of a interior specifier and designer, spend time on your plan and then negotiate with the corresponding trades, don’t go for the first option, but instead investigate your options thoroughly. This years trends within the home have echoed the catwalks of Paris and Milan whilst carefully steering products into a translatable style with the prerequisite ‘functionality’ required to offer consumers longevity in design.

One key word this year is ‘’Natural’’ we have come full circle and now designers across the board are introducing their clients back to the bountiful world of beige.

‘’Natural’’ spectrums are both textural and inviting, simple and non cluttering and there is a labyrinth of tones and designs to choose from for any area within the home.Naturals are your homes ultimate best friend as natural is the perfect backdrop, allowing colours to shine, stable and structured and conservative and non offensive.

These are all characteristics, which are admired and highly sought after in these difficult times. When you think of materials like linen, natural stone, taffeta, silk and suede, you tend to think of them as seemingly expensive products but do shop around and think out of the box, many companies such as wall covering manufacturers and emulsion and ceramic distributors now offer modern takes on the classics and new affordable interpretations which are not only right on trend they don’t come with the expense of the original price tags.

Key emulsion colours this summer are mushroom, malt chocolate, dusted damson, walnut and delicate mocha all from Johnstones and Dulux paint ranges. Keep this palette in mind and you can’t go far wrong...

Alternative Flooring which is one of my preferred flooring companies which I have used on several projects because of their range, price and versatility have really grasped and embraced today’s culture and offer an abundance of rustic and robust floor coverings to suit any environment. Look out for their natural fibre ranges of coir and jute made from coconut husk from India and softened by hand. Coir is extremely resilient and good value for money which makes this range particularly attractive to the shrewd home improver. Prices start from a very reasonable £17.20 persqm For living spaces and kitchens, bathrooms and entrance ways natural stone can prove costly and beyond the budget of many. Cosmo Ceramics are the sole Scottish importers of Italgres- Daugres and have sourced and provided consumers with a fantastic alternative to natural stone which looks just as effective. Daugres comes in lap silk lined, natural and sandstone finish in ambient shades of Gris, Nero, Cream and Mocha and start at £25.99 per sqm. If in doubt Gordon and Paul at Cosmo will be able to guide you through the labyrinth of choice.

Tektura an eco friendly and on trend wallcovering company has recently launched several new ranges including Eternity and Emotion both are natural fibre collections saturated with accents and they are the leaders in the digital printing arena for those clients wanting a bespoke and unique design.

For digital wall coverings you simply provide them with the dimensions of the area to be covered and the image or artwork you require.

The only limitation is your imagination it really is that simple... Prices on request. K and K Designs also offer consumers affordable luxury and ambient interior coverings without the price tag with their stunning Grand Cru, Bazaar and Supernova ranges. Grown up glamour, sensual and inviting and textural to the touch this range is perfectly designed to be evocative and understandable.

Over five designs in muted shades of cocoa, dove, damson, navy, silvered black and pearlised gold’s and for those seeking a touch of flamboyance red, azure blue, kiwi lime and bumble gum pink. There is plenty of choice to lift the mood and carry homeowners into this summer and beyond the grasp of the words credit crunch. Prices start at £35.00 per roll.

All products mentioned above through Trendenza include Alternative Flooring, Tektura and KandK designs.