Can you believe it’s a brand new year? Are you ready for an exhilarating 2019? Not like a roller coaster ride but like a yacht traveling down a river with a cool breeze on your face kind of exhilarating? I am. And do you make new year resolutions? I do not. I prefer to call them casual agreements to myself so that I am under no obligation to fulfill them as they are likely to be unfulfillable. Please, I don’t even know what I’ll be doing tomorrow much less long term. I do however have a prediction for 2019. My prediction is… it’s gonna go by fast! HA! I know what you’re thinking – wow, Cindy is such a perceptive prodigy. 😉
Instead of my predictions let’s see what they say and what I say for 2019 trends.
Wallpaper and Fabrics
They Say – The more flowery the better will be in. Do you like chintz? Good, it’s in. Not necessarily pastel or pale colors but bold deep rich colors on fabrics and in paper design. What’s out? Ikat and trellis designs. The geometric patterns that were mass produced are going to look dated soon.
I Say – Well my mother will be happy. She can dig out that flowery chair from 1990 and feel as though it’s brand new! And if you purchased a bold patterned fabric chair that isn’t on the “in” list, no worries! Add a solid color throw blanket and a coordinating colored floral pillow to it. That will look really cute!
Macrame
They Say – Another trend going out is the macrame of the 70’s “Fiber art”. No more wall hangings or plant holders.
I Say – Don’t fret over the hours you spent making them. Update them instead. You could dye them in deep rich colors like fuchsia, teal, or purple – what ever works as an accent color to your decor. That’ll turn them exciting and more trendy again.
Copper and Acrylic
They Say – Kristen Pena of K Interiors said that copper furniture was out. She said “that while copper was flashy and fun in the age of millennial pink…”, no one will be adding it into their homes. But acrylic furniture is in.
I Say – Uh oh. Copper was huge last year and I still see it everywhere. As for acrylic furniture – some of it is super chic but the chairs don’t seem sturdy. Besides all the finger prints, have you ever seen your butt while sitting in one of those? It’s like a magnifying glass showing off smooshed chub. No thanks.
Metals
They Say – Rose gold is out too. I think we knew that last year but they are also saying that mixing metals will stay in but overdone brass is out. They said using silver or pewter with black brown metals like oil rubbed bronze looks nice. And brass or nickel accents mix well with aged iron.
I Say – I don’t find that to be true. My 2 cents… keep warm metals together and cool metals together. Like silver and pewter with black iron and brass/gold with oil rubbed bronze colored accents. Although black does go with everything. Hope that makes sense. 😉
Walls
They Say – Kesha Franklin of Halden Interiors says accent walls are out and a single wall color is a better backdrop for furnishings and decor.
I Say – I’ve been telling clients to paint their ceilings different from their wall color for years. Does that mean I’m out? Nope! That means we like to be individuals. We want to be different and non-conforming. But keeping walls neutral certainly helps the budget when you want to change things out frequently.
Furniture Styles
They Say – Rooms with mixed styles will be in! Out are the monochromatic rooms with only one style. Like all mid-century modern furniture or everything looking farmhouse style is out.
I Say – Whaaaat? My eclectic mismatched what-the-heck-is-it style is in?! Woo hoo! Now I feel better about myself.
Wood Floors
They Say – Light colored wood floors are going to be in this year. Out are the dark wood floors because homeowners desire an airy, open look and feel. And dark woods like cherry are out on cabinetry.
I Say – Medium floors will cover both spectrum’s. Like in the picture above. That is a medium hue.
Room Color
They Say – All white rooms are out. They tell us to add “bright bold colors” to our rooms.
I say – Well which is it? Bright bold colors or deep rich colors like you said earlier? Ugh.
One thing we can take from this “style advice” for 2019 trends is that things change.
Most of us desire to be in style but we need to be realistic too. My advice would be to keep the large pieces like sofas, rugs and wall colors in neutrals and add or change out small things to be trendy. Pieces that won’t cost a fortune are pillow covers, lampshades, artwork, and some table top decor.
But most importantly, you and me both need to style our homes the way WE want and not put a lot of weight into what “they” say. If I want my room to be all white and all farmhouse because it brings me happiness, peace and comfort, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Good blog Cindy. Not sure if I can do wallpaper as much as I love it I’m afraid whatever I choose now I won’t like later. Macramé was never a favorite of mine so I’m down with that. Other than my laundry room i’ve never had an all white room. I feel the trends are like clothing they change them so you purchase more. I’m with you I have a lot of mixed styles which I’ve collected over the years and that feels comfortable for me. You can get lost in the world of IG and forget your own likes. I am trying this year to be authentic to myself which is hard because we are influenced by what we see. My favorite style is cozy I know that’s not your style but that’s how I want my home to feel welcoming and cozy which is why I love some of the Norwegian styles. You have given me a lot to think about thanks my friend
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You are so welcome Barbara. I’m with you. I like my home to feel cozy and inviting when I walk in or when we have visitors. One of these days, “they” are going to say anything goes and we’ll both be in style! Big hugs.
I will always decorate with eclectic style because that is me, and always will be. Matchy-matchy is never gonna be me. These style mavens are all about you having to redecorate every so often so that they can make MONEY, and lots of it. I say ‘do it your way’. Of course, some things are classic and will never go out of style. Because. There’s a reason why they are classic. I change things up when I get bored. I either bring something out of storage and switch things around to different rooms, or I repaint, add different things to it, etc. That’s why I visit blogs, look at magazines, Pinterest, etc. To get ideas. Worked for my Mom (except she missed Pinterest, she would have LOVED it), sew something, etc. She was my inspiration. She had a family of 7 kids, no money, but loved to decorate and move furniture around. We’d come home from school and run into furniture that was not in that spot when we left that morning, lol. And, something would be painted and ‘antiqued’. She would have loved chalk paint for sure. She would have loved your space too. Just saying.
Author
Awe. I love hearing that about your mom! We sound like two peas in a pod. Redesign is my favorite thing to do. When the Mister and I were first married, he’d come home to changes too. He’d say “Well I see you were bored today”. 😂
To me, anything goes is in style…..personality and charm is what counts to me….
Author
How right you are! I didn’t think of that but it’s personality that makes a space! Great advice. Thanks!
Who are they anyway, did we take a poll,lol? I love this post and agree completely, colors and decorating i take with a grain of salt, cause i don’t always agree, and have never had anyone come in my house and say anything about how its suppose to look, of course i am just a very ordinary person.
Author
I don’t think there’s anything ordinary about you Marlene. We are special individuals. 😀. At least that’s what I tell myself. 😂
Well, fortunately for me I don’t do ‘trends’ in my house, as I really don’t want what everyone else has!! Plus, who has the money to change up decor every time something goes in or out? No thanks, I will just keep going with my heart, and sticking with what makes me happy. Plants, books, candles, cozy, warm, welcoming. That’s always in, right?
Author
Sounds like a fantastic plan Debbie! I plan to do the same. I usually don’t want the mass produced stuff either but occasionally they come up with something I totally want to have. Happy Decorating!
Hey Cindy
I concur. Let us be US. I like to experiment a lot with different things and as far I am concern when it comes to decorating you have to be able to enjoy your work and the effort you put into it. Very good tips about keeping small accents/items trendy. I like your style, good post.
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So sweet of you to say. Thank you!
What an informational blog. Thanks for sharing. I have to say that if you love something it is in! Regardless what “they” say the trend is it might not be what we want in our homes. That being said I still like to know what is in trend. Great post Cindy!
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Thanks Terrie! I like knowing too even though it rarely makes me change anything in my house. ❤️. One of these days maybe “they” will ask us?! LOL
This makes me CRAZY!! Who are THEY anyway?? People who have stock in paint and furniture stores. I don’t care what the heck they say is OUT…
I just moved – kept the same color from the last house. GREY! And painted the cabinets WHITE. And pulled out the carpet and sheet flooring and replaced it with a medium hardwood throughout – just like the paint color is the same throughout. Wallpaper???? Been there – done that. Unless THEY are going to be giving away all the stuff they think we should have, I’m not making ANY changes. And acrylic??? Really???? Looks cheap and scratches and is just plain stupid. 🙂
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Oh my gosh Mary, you crack me up! You are saying everything I was thinking. We know what is best and “ in” for ourselves don’t we?! 😂
Good one, Cindy! I’ll be heading over to get that floral chair out of storage right away. I’m not listening to what “they” say , anyway . I get my advice from YOU! 💚
Author
If you really get your decorating advice from me, then I’m telling you to keep that chair in storage. And the sofa and the shell prints! LOL
Amen! I say decorate with what you love and don’t worry about what “they” say. While it’s nice to change things up a little because we get may get tired of things and want a fresh look, we should never change things just because someone tells us they are “out”. I firmly believe it’s primarily a way for the retail industry to make money and take advantage of some people’s desire to be trendy and keep up with the Jones, so to speak. (Same with the fashion industry) There are more important things for most of us to spend our money on than changing our decor (and wardrobes) every year or so. With that being said, if you truly love a trend, or a particular color that is being promoted, certainly take advantage of it while it’s available.
Author
Amen to you too Vicki! We have way more important things to spend our money on than keeping up with trends. I do however like some new things thrown in from time to time. I get tired of looking at the same ol’ thing year after year – especially pillows. Thankfully those stay within my budget. I’d love to design a pillow collection that is reversible from the inside out. The outside is perfect for summer then turn it inside out and boom, it’s perfect for winter! So many seasonal options! 🙂
I love your attitude Cindy and I agree completely. Keep the big stuff neutral and use accessories to incorporate the color, patterns ( even florals and chintz, which I did love in the 90’s) and style you love. Who has the time or money to change from navy to coral or other bold color every year? Love your comment about the acrylic chairs. No thanks.
Author
Thanks Carol. Having a good attitude is half the battle when trying to love the home you’re in. I’m the girl who would much rather buy a new pillow or chair than a pair of shoes or dress so I have to watch the budget carefully! The Mister says I just watch it fly out the window. LOL
Hear, hear! Let us be us!
OMG, Cindy! I HAVE a chair from 1990 {bought from our last home’s previous homeowner before we moved into their house… It has flowers all over it but the fabric is falling apart. So I made a matelassé slipcover for it, Lol! The flowers on it are indeed beautiful!! 🙂 I was up early this morning reading and I about split a gut about the acrylic chairs… Yes, smooshed fat on anyone thin or fat is NO BUENO! 😉
I do like the darker colors on walls coming in but I think I’d do like Rhoda at Southern Hospitality and keep only one smaller room dark, like the dining room. I think I will still be enjoying my light colored walls since another thing your readers may want to consider before painting all their rooms dark just because some trend expert tells you that: dark walls can contribute to depression. A pale yellow bedroom wall is one of the best mood lifters there is. Light grey on walls is calming as are blues. Greens are stimulating and happy.
Just more thoughts on an early morning. Happy sunrise to you, my friend!
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Author
Well I’m glad you can get a kick out of my post. It’s been driving a few others a little crazy because they feel the same way I do… Who are THEY to tell me what I should and shouldn’t have in my home that is to represent me, myself and I?! Okay, and a little of the hubby. 😉 And you are right. Certain paint colors contribute to depression, some more eating, and some happiness. I’ll take the cozy, relaxing feel. Happy Day to you Barbara!