One of the hottest trends today is high contrast décor. If your first thought is ‘black and white’, you’re somewhat right – black and white is the ultimate high contrast combination and is a timeless choice. But today’s trend is bright colour with black or white, adding extra style and personality.

What colour should you choose with black or white? It depends on your taste and the impact you want to create. Bright turquoise is very popular right now and lends a touch of ‘beachy’ charm; bright cobalt blue is also trendy as is sunshine yellow or zesty lime green.  Red is classic, but it’s very dramatic with black or white – definitely not for the faint of heart!

Turquoise Nina Bombe Chest

Here are a few pointers to go bold and beautiful in your home:

• Choose your background. Depending on your space, you can opt for dark walls or white walls. If you choose dark, black must be used judiciously. Dark grey may be more feasible for most homes. Whether grey or black, opt for bright white trim on ceiling cornices and baseboards. All white walls and white trim are fresh and beautiful, but to make it more exciting, try dark grey on the trim.
• Now add bright colour. Choose what you love. Today there are lots of furnishings in bright colours – sofas, chairs and ottomans in reds, blues, oranges and more. For bedrooms, have the headboard upholstered in a bright hue or opt for bright bed linens. If you’re more subtle, you can choose to add brights mostly in your accessories – cushions, draperies, rugs, bric a brac and wall hangings. HINT: You don’t have to use just one bright colour; use two for more excitement, but limit it there to avoid your space looking too animated.
  

  Imperia Collection

• Or vice versa. Of course you can always choose bright walls with black and/or white furnishings. Some people choose a single bright wall as an accent with, for example, a black leather sofa in beautiful juxtaposition. An all white bed (headboard and linens) looks gorgeous against a wall in a rich purple or magenta.
• Neutralize. To keep high contrast in check, consider a neutral floor. You can’t go wrong with hardwood to bring in a natural, traditional touch and to make your contemporary space feel cozy.
• Optimize lighting. High contrast décor requires adequate, well chosen lighting, particularly if you have black or very dark walls. Choose multiple lighting sources that highlight the room’s focal points and create ambience. Keep windows largely uncovered to let in natural light during the day.
• Integrate patterns. Plain brights with black and white can be stark. Patterns add visual interest and warmth. Bright wallpaper is an excellent way to try the high contrast trend – consider a geometric or zigzag or striped pattern; perhaps even a floral with a black background. Patterned upholstery works equally well.
• Apply texture. Don’t forget that texture adds intimacy and comfort to a room, especially important in a space with a high contrast palette. Add shag rugs, faux fur pillows, a mohair throw, nubby silk draperies, etc.
  

  Cabriole style sofa

High contrast décor is modern and trendy. With your special touches, it can also be cozy and fun!

Europeans embrace life with passion! This is especially true in their homes, where rather than being ‘showplaces’, they reflect a love of family, food, nature and living well. Read on for some tips on how to add a touch of Europe to your space:

Don’t be afraid of colour on walls. Bold oranges, golds, reds, blues and greens adorn walls, often accompanied by envy-worthy high ceilings. The saturated colours create a perfect backdrop for art, lush draperies and furnishings that may also be rich in colour. There’s no room for understatement – yet the look is always sophisticated and elegant.

Create an air of abundance. Minimalism doesn’t seem to exist! And why should it? Life is lived on a grand scale. Display your dishes, crockery and pots & pans. Have a throw on your sofa and each accent chair. Load up on pillows. For your furnishings, choose designs with tufting, lavish patterns, dark woods and ornate touches.

Chatelet Collection

Display food and wine in your kitchen. Why hide the pleasures of eating? Display wine bottles in beautiful holders. Keep a large basket of fruit on the table. Have a bowl of bright peppers on the counter. Maybe even a cake sitting in a crystal cake stand!

Keep the old with the new. Europeans seem to value older things rather than disposing of them for the ‘latest model’. What’s especially pleasing aesthetically is to mix old and new – for example, a new sofa with an antique coffee table or a beautifully worn rug topped by a new dining room suite.

Incorporate gold and silver. Sparkle adds glamour! Whether bright silver or lustrous gold, metallics are on trend! They suit the spirit of European décor, reflecting light and accentuating the other elements in the space.

Celebrate dining. Every meal seems to be a celebration! Create a dining room with an elegant suite, whether matched or a blend of styles. Provide ample seating, comfy chairs, a solid table – and most importantly – use it every day rather than just for special occasions!

Elena Linen Side Chair

Display handcrafted items and international treasures. One-of-a-kind accessories are given special importance, whether it’s a handmade needlepoint pillow, an artisan wooden bowl or a beloved photo.  Mementoes from travels are also often displayed – not souvenir trinkets – but beautiful artifacts from a different culture.

Embrace opulence. Luxury is welcome! Whether it’s a grouping of candles for the bathroom, gorgeous silk draperies, a wool rug, a glittering chandelier, a buttery soft leather chair or bunches of fresh flowers, if it appeals to the senses, add it!

Solana Square Lamp Table

Integrate nature. Whether a small balcony or large yard, Europeans love their gardens! Often more ‘random’ than our gardens, there’s a special beauty in the variety of blooms and plants and the feeling of an ad hoc tropical oasis. Even if you don’t have a garden, add some plants to a window sill or a floor plant to brighten a corner.

Bring a touch of Europe into your home and lifestyle!

Today, more and more of us are choosing natural materials for our clothing – cotton, linen, silk, wool, suede and leather – even bamboo and other organic fibres. The trend is also increasingly popular in home décor. And why not? Natural materials have many advantages, not to mention looking fabulous!

Let’s explore the benefits of natural fibres for your home furnishings:

Simply gorgeous. There’s no doubt, synthetics can’t match the beauty of real silk, linen and cotton, whether for upholstery, draperies or accents. Quality shows. Likewise with genuine leather and suede, which have a finish and high end appeal that can’t be duplicated in manmade materials.

Improves with age. Admittedly, some natural fabrics are not as durable as synthetics, but they do age beautifully. Consider time-worn leather with its gentle sheen, linen with some distressing and softly aged cotton – these marks only enhance the material’s appearance.

Natuzzi Editions Collection

Upscale look. Natural fabrics often cost more and certainly look more expensive. They have an air of ‘you’ve arrived’ that gives your home instant chic and glamour. For example, consider how a living room would be transformed by adding a fine leather sofa, silk draperies and a beautiful wool throw.

Breathable. Most natural fabrics, including suede and leather, are more breathable than synthetic alternatives – which translates to greater comfort, whether it’s warm or cold. Natural materials typically don’t cling to your body like synthetics either, which also enhances comfort.

Softer. Natural fabrics are often softer than synthetics. They are cozier and ‘gentler’ and simply feel better against your skin.

Biodegradable. Most natural fibres are biodegradable, so they’re a better choice for the environment too!

Where should you use natural fabrics?

Consider durability and usage before you purchase furnishings or accessories in these natural fabrics:

Linen: Best suited for formal spaces used by adults as it soils and wrinkles easily. Linen does, however, resist pilling and fading.

Elena Linen Side Chair

Leather: Tough and beautiful, leather is family friendly and suitable for any space.

Cotton: Provides good resistance to wear, fading and pilling. With proper treatments, it can be fairly durable. Keep in mind there is a huge variety of cottons from damasks to canvas.

Wool: Warm and durable, wool resists pilling, fading, wrinkling and soiling; best if in a blend.

Caracole Naturally Casual Single-Seat Bench

Silk: Luxurious but delicate, silk is suitable for furnishings and accessories in low traffic, adult areas or possibly for draperies.

Consider furnishings and accessories upholstered in natural fabrics for your space. Environmentally friendly, beautiful, comfortable, and they look and feel amazing!