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2020 Trends Forecast

2020 is officially here and we are welcoming it with open arms! There is nothing quite like the fresh start of a new year to add a pep to your step and have you feeling inspired about the future. Today we are focusing on all the design trends you will be seeing throughout the coming months at all of your favourite retailers at Homemaker The Valley. Some trends we have seen slowly entering our homes in 2019 and others are fresh, new and exciting! Be sure to follow our Instagram @homemakerthevalley to keep up to date with all the latest trends in real time!

 

Natural Materials

Natural materials have grown in popularity in 2019 and we have seen rattan and wicker pieces pop up in just about every retailer. Good news for the rattan lovers – it’s not going anywhere! In fact, we will be seeing even more natural elements such as timber and rattan coming through in large pieces that will stand the test of time such as entertainment units, bathroom vanities and more. Introducing natural elements into the home creates a warm and inviting atmosphere whilst adding texture and interest to a space. If you are yet to jump on the trend, try opting for a natural timber coffee table or a wicker occasional chair. Natural textures pair perfectly with neutral colours such as beiges or white and look great next to a plant or two. Oz Design Furniture, Freedom and Provincial Home Living have so many amazing pieces at the moment that you simply must touch and see in store!

 

Outdoor Entertaining Spaces

We are so lucky to have such beautiful weather and sunshine here in Brisbane, that we would be crazy not to utilise the outdoors for entertaining. Outdoor areas such as alfrescos, balconies and patios will no longer be an afterthought when decorating your home, they will be centre stage! We are seeing a huge trend of designing an outdoor space as its own entertaining oasis and ‘room’ in itself. Think huge outdoor rugs, a large dining table, multiple seating options and decorative festoon lights. Stores such as Remarkable Outdoor Living, Freedom and Early Settler have some gorgeous outdoor pieces this season including large hanging egg chairs, wicker love seats, durable fabric lounges and washable outdoor rugs. Go for colours such as greys or dark beiges paired with natural timbers. Don’t forget to add a pop of colour through bright outdoor cushions and green leafy plants.

 

Making Walls The Hero

Wall panelling has been a huge trend in late 2019 and we can see it rising to new heights throughout 2020. VJ and decorative panelling will be a massive trend for feature walls and bathrooms in either a statement colour or traditional white. Alongside wall panelling we will be seeing large scale artworks being used to create features and talking points throughout the home. Pair a gorgeous VJ panelled wall in a subtle colour with a statement artwork for an ultra-modern and contemporary look. Oz Design Furniture have the biggest and brightest statement artworks in prints such as blossoming peonies, dessert scenes and tropical palms. Try redecorating your walls in rooms such as the bedroom, dining room or entryway and you’ll be surprised at the difference it will make on the overall feel of the space and style of your home.

 

More Than Just Plants

Plants have been growing in popularity for the past couple of years and hit soaring status in 2019. Plants will be popular for years to come as they not only bring life and nature into a home, but also add a pop of colour. If you are looking for new ways to include a natural element in your home then think beyond just plants and move towards dried flowers, pampas grass or dried palm leaves to create a new feature in your home. This trend still allows you to have fun with nature but creates a more interesting and unexpected look. Freedom and Adairs have some absolutely gorgeous faux varieties of dried flowers, grasses and natives. Add a bunch to a decorative vase on your dining table, coffee table or entertainment unit for a focal point. You can also try adding a big, statement, dried palm frond or bunch of pampas grass to a terracotta pot that can be placed on the floor or a console table in your entryway. Another perk of this trend? There is no maintenance, upkeep or watering required!

 

Quality And Timeless Pieces

The past few years have seen the rise of affordable, yet poorly made products flooding the furniture and homewares markets. Consumers are starting to realise the pain of having to repurchase items when they break, wear too quickly or simply date as they were too ‘on-trend’. We see a key trend for 2020 and moving forward to the future of quality, classic and timeless pieces that you want to invest in. Stores such as Provincial Home Living and James Lane do this perfectly. They create pieces that have a nod to a certain trend and look contemporary but use classic shapes that will stand the test of time. Look for furniture and homewares pieces in colours you have seen to be popular throughout history and don’t be afraid to spend a bit more money on an item if you know deep down that you love it and can see it in your home for many years to come.

The Biggest Christmas Trends of 2019

Homemaker The Valley is in full Christmas cheer mode! The halls have been decked with garlands and trees, and the fairy lights are twinkling throughout. Every day we are seeing more and more retailers adorning their stores with new season Christmas decorations and filling them with the sound of carols. We have seen quite a few trends coming though for Christmas 2019 from pops of bright colours and whimsical creatures to traditional and nostalgic themes. Today we are sharing with you our top 4 favourites from retailers found at Homemaker The Valley!

Woodland Fairy-tale

One theme we are seeing popping up at various retailers is a ‘Woodland Fairy-tale’ theme. Think natural textures and tones mixed with adorable ornaments that will bring a smile to every child in the room (even the big kids too!). Adairs have some gorgeous little woodland creature tree decorations made of wool, dressed in sparkly tutus and gold Christmas hats. They also have some beautiful wooden trees that work well with a minimalist Christmas theme in varying sizes and shapes. The Woodland Fairtytale theme incorporates plenty of natural textures such as timber and wool, whilst keeping to a fairly neutral colour pallet of warm whites and browns mixed with soft blushes and greens. When decorating your Christmas dining table ensure you use textured wooden accents in pieces such as coasters or placemats. We also recommend hanging a few snowflake garlands around the room to create a whimsical atmosphere on Christmas Day. For the finishing touch, wrap your gifts in a natural brown paper with a beautiful glittering bow – voila!

Our favourite pieces for the Woodland Fairy-tale theme are this delicate golden tree centrepiece and this adorable Christmas tree decoration, both from Adairs.

Pop Of Blue

As the Christmas decorations started to pop up throughout the many retailers at Homemaker The Valley, we have started to notice one clear colour trend of the season – blue! From dark navy accents to bright blueberry tones, blue is a clear favourite this year for all. The strikingly dark navy seen throughout all of Freedom’s Christmas decorations this year creates a dramatic and sophisticated vibe to your home decorating. Try adding this colour in your tableware, napkins and decorations for a refined and polished Christmas theme. We love the fun navy-blue paper Christmas tree table decorations that you can pick up in store in varying sizes! This year, Provincial Home Living opted for a brighter blue in their decorating items that pairs well with white and natural green for a more traditional feel. They have an array of gorgeous homewares in varying shades of blue from duck egg to dark berry in items such as plates, bowls, napkins, placemats and much more! Provincial Home Living even have the option to match your wrapping paper and gift tags to your serviettes and placemats – genius! Our favourite is the blue and green tinsel berry wrap that will have all your gifts sitting pretty under your tree!

Sparkling Blush

A theme we are seeing running throughout many retailers this holiday season is ‘sparkling blush’. This theme incorporates soft pink tones mixed with glittering rose golds and brass accents. Freedom and Domayne have included these colours throughout all their Christmas decorations and have trees adorned in these beautiful tones in store. Rose gold, brass and classic gold are the perfect backdrop for displaying new and old Christmas ornaments, so stock up on a few baubles to enhance your tree. Sparkling blush is the perfect theme to decorate your Christmas dining table in this year too. Think textured gold placements, moody blush toned dinnerware with sparkling bonbons and glittering candles. Twinkling fairy lights are the perfect accessory to this theme, so add them to just about every surface you can to creative a festive atmosphere throughout your home. You can pick up battery powered fairy lights from a variety of retailers, which provide an easy way of decorating your dining table, mantle or entertainment unit in. To finish off the blush theme we absolutely love these dusty pink paper stars from Freedom that you can hang down your hallway, above your entry or on your staircase.

Classic and Charming

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a traditional theme that embraces nostalgia and makes us feel like we’re in a European winter wonderland. There are many of us that no matter what colours and trends are coming through each year, will stick to the traditional Christmas theme that matters most. Having a classic Christmas theme every year does not have to be boring, try adding one or two items from the current season that pair perfectly with ornaments you’ve had for years. We love these handmade Christmas tree decorations from Early Settler that look like you’ve had them in your collection since childhood! This blueberry wreath from Provincial Home Living is a classic piece that will bring a smile to your face each time you walk through your door this holiday season. A classic and charming Christmas theme should include a colour pallet of greens, reds, golds, whites and silvers. This theme will be seen from the Christmas Tree to the home décor to the dining table on Christmas day. Keep it traditional by adding some natural pine garlands, a few festive scented candles and twinkling fairy lights throughout the home.

Merry Christmas and Happy Decorating!

 

Pitch perfect rugs to elevate any space

There are few items that can transform a space as quickly as a new rug. The right rug can lift a living room from bland to beautiful, add warmth to a cosy bedroom and define an outdoor space for entertaining day and night.

As far as cost-per-use is concerned, the living room is the perfect place to invest in quality floor furnishing. It’s a much-loved and well-used space that can make a real statement. A bold rug is a piece of art, for those who know what they like. DecoRug has a wide range, including the Splendor Grey rug (pictured) that would work well in a modern or industrial style home. The key to working a bold rug is to let it do the talking, and surround it with more neutral pieces and natural materials. Grey sofas, like the 2-seat Allegra from Focus on Furniture, pair nicely with a striking rug.

When picking a rug, it is important to make sure the size is right for the space it’s in. Too small can look poky and too big can actually make a room look cramped. There are always exceptions to a rule, but a good measure to go by is to make sure the rug can slide under at least the front legs of a sofa in a lounge room. In a bedroom, the rug should be there under your feet when you get out of bed in the morning. In a dining space make sure the chairs fit on the rug as well as the table, otherwise it becomes a tripping hazard. If you have a rug you love that doesn’t quite work in the space it’s for, consider layering it on top of a larger, neutral rug to give the required coverage.

A jute rug is a natural and inexpensive addition to a bedroom that adds warmth and texture. A bedroom should be a calming place so bold colours aren’t always the best choice. Instead, a jute rug can set a relaxed mood and put you in the right headspace for sleep. Early Settler has a round option that is hand stitched, and James Lane has a larger rectangle piece that is just as on-trend. It’s an effortlessly cool bohemian style that works with a good collection of throw pillows, like those from Domayne (pictured).

Whether your outdoor space is a compact balcony or an expansive deck, a rug can help to make it one of your favourite places to hang out. Meld together the indoors with outdoors by adding a Scandi-style piece like the Hana Natural Rug or the Hex Occasional Mat from Adairs. An outdoor rug needs to be hard-wearing and versatile. Surround your seating area with lots of greenery at different levels to create an inviting jungle-like space. Hanging plants, plant stands and mounted shelves can help to create this look.

For more ideas visit us at Homemaker The Valley, Corner Ann & Wickham Streets, Fortitude Valley.