With the New Year fast approaching, we’re all wondering what the next design must-haves will be. To find out what looks we’ll suddenly see everywhere in 2020, we reached out to some of our favorite designers for their New Year’s decorating plans and predictions. Scroll down and see what they had to say!
Tommy Smythe On Embracing Vintage
“I have always relied heavily on the use of antique and vintage furniture in my design work, but increasingly I am seeing this practice embraced by more of my peers and colleagues. Reusing old things contributes to the sustainable movement and moves away from fast fashion in terms of what we choose to put in our homes, not just the clothes we wear. Vivienne Westwood said, ‘Buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality not quantity.’ You can take that advice to the bank… and to your living room.”
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home May 2019
Designer: Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig, Sarah Richardson Design
Aly Velji On Bold Kitchen Islands
“Making a big statement with your island is not just about installing a different counter top or painting it a different color, islands for 2020 are going to be the stars of the kitchen. They are becoming more like furniture pieces with stunning hardware, beautifully-edged counter tops, glass front drawers and gorgeous moulding details. Go all out with your island and really make it pop by adding in all the bells and whistles to ensure it stands out.”
Photographer: Colin Way
Source: House & Home Kitchens & Baths 2019
Designer: Aly Velji and Katie Nelson, Alykhan Velji Designs
Natalie Chong On Natural Materials & Supporting Local
“We are going to see a consistent increase in more natural materials like ceramics, textiles, organic sculptures, woods and natural fibres. I also think there will be a shift in more locally-sourced shops and makers rather than mass produced items and larger chains. With a shift in consumers being more aware of where their products are coming from, we should invest in people rather than just things.”
Photographer: Lauren Miller
Source: H&H TV
Designer: Natalie Chong, Nest Design Studio
Les Ensembliers On Making Old New Again
“This ’60s stone table was found in the old farmhouse we purchased, and we repurposed those metal shelves from our dingy basement.”
Photographer: André Rider
Source: House & Home December 2019
Designer: Richard Ouellette and Maxime Vandal, Les Ensembliers
Garrow Kedigian On Mixing Hardware
“A trend upcoming in 2020 is mixing up hardware — pairing different knobs and pulls either on a piece of furniture or in a kitchen — or even varying finishes. It gives a more layered look and vintage feeling to any space.”
Photographer: Living Room: John Gruen; Portrait: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home October 2016
Designer: Garrow Kedigian
Feasby & Bleeks Design On Embracing The Curves
“From sculptural sofas to interior arches, curvy lines are popping up everywhere in interiors — and we’re getting more and more requests for them. We love the trend towards these unorthodox shapes, especially in sofas, as it allows you to really mix up a room’s layout, especially when working with asymmetrical rooms. It’s refreshing to see after years of boxy furniture and sharp angular lines in design.”
Photographer: Living Room: Alex Lukey; Portraits: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home April 2019
Designer: Erin Feasby and Cindy Bleeks, Feasby & Bleeks Design
Sam Sacks On Unexpected Walls
“One of the biggest changes in 2020 will be a move away from drywall towards treatments like limed plaster, wood paneling, applied moulding and more. We’ve seen lots of shiplap in the last few years, but I think we’re about to see more interesting walls coming down the pipe.”
Photographer: Living Room: Stacey Brandford; Portrait: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home July 2019
Designer: Sam Sacks
Emily Griffin On The Fearless Mix
“Tried and true color pairings and pattern matches will be tossed aside in favor of fearless decorating. Kit Kemp is on everyone’s radar these days because she mixes the seemingly impossible together and it looks fabulous! Here’s to a style we’ve always loved and a trend we can get behind.”
Photographer: Bench: Joy Von Tiedemann; Portrait: Sian Richards
Designer: Emily Griffin and Stephanie Houghton, Emily Griffin Design
Vanessa Francis On The Beauty Of Concrete Materials
“Concrete in all forms — including sinks, counters and floors — will continue to be popular within residential and commercial applications. The marrying of cold, hard concrete with warm wood is a juxtaposition that is interesting and thought provoking. I love when manufacturers and brands take an inexpensive material like concrete and produce something that is sculptural yet practical and durable.”
Photographer: Laundry Room: Stephanie Buchman; Portrait: Ashley Capp
Designer: Vanessa Francis
Tiffany Piotrowski On The New Neutral
“Brown is back! After nearly a decade of cooler grey tones reigning supreme, we are seeing earthy beiges, browns and rusts making a come back in a big way for 2020. I am loving vintage rugs with brown base colors, warm putty-colored cabinetry (I predict putty is the new white kitchen), old earthenware pottery and pillows in my favorite caramel tones. Earth tones in general are gaining steam, so keep an eye out for mossy greens as well.”
Photographer: Courtesy of Tiffany Piotrowski
Designer: Tiffany Piotrowski, Tiffany Leigh Design Inc.