House & Home

It used to be that home décor trends followed the looks on the runways — eventually. Now, thanks to blog postings and tweets right from the front rows and backstages of every fashion week show, this crossover gap has pretty much vanished. The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York recently wrapped and I couldn’t help but notice that my favourite looks from the catwalk are already hot home trends.

Velvet Crush

Won over by a fabric that used to give me the heebie-jeebies? I’ve surprised even myself. But this gorgeous dress seen at Nanette Lepore sealed the deal.

Arbiter of style Ronda Carman recently blogged about the stunning velvet chair sultry Jennifer Aniston is slinking over on the March 2010 cover of Architectural Digest.

The rich, muted jewel tone is what makes this tufted velvet sofa from Horchow up-to-date. Eggplant velvet is probably one of the most foolproof choices if you’re thinking of a chair or sofa makeover.

Boho Patchwork

The pretty layers at Rodarte have the effect of patchwork, like the Rythme Modular Sofa done in Missoni fabric by Roche Bobois.

Gilt Trip

Is gold the new grey? Just saying…it’s everywhere. And in unexpected ways. For example — kitchens and bathrooms. Pick up our Kitchens & Bathrooms special issue, on newsstands at the end of March, and you will see what I mean. On the left gold is made wearable by Michael Kors. And livable by the pieces on the right from U.K.’s Graham and Green.

Hot Mix

Burberry Prorsum is always my favourite, hands down. I used to work in an urban office that was home to a couple of fashion magazines. Racks and racks of beautiful clothes in constant rotation were always lining the halls and my snooping led me straight to Burberry Prorsum every time. (Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs second.)

The contrasts between old and new, different textures, scales and colours are in sync with House & Home’s “look of the year” in the January 2010 Trends issue. Both are sexy, sophisticated and approachable, with pieces that you can work way beyond a single season.

Is it the effects of a recession? Maybe. But if you ask me, smart and stylish always come out on top, whether the economy is in a bust or boom.

For more of 2010’s colour trends, view our Paint Combos photo gallery.

Photo credits:
1a. The Globe and Mail
1b. Architectural Digest
2. Tufted Velvet Sofa, Horchow
3a. The New York Times
3b. Roche Bobois
4a. The New York Times
4b. Chateau Library Armchair, Graham and Green
5. The New York Times
6. House & Home January 2010, photography by Angus Fergusson