Is being on-trend out of fashion?

Trends come and go, and when crafting your own patch of paradise it can be tempting to succumb to the latest rage in a bid to keep your abode up-to-the-minute. But with design trends turning over so rapidly, is being on-trend, well, off-trend?

“It’s a personal thing,” says Sonia Simpfendorfer, creative director at Nexus Designs. “One person’s horror of ‘trends’ is another’s source of delight. I am very aware of trends, but being on-trend is not one of my aims, nor in keeping with my design philosophy. Part of the role as a designer is that of editing the enormous amount of product that is available and narrowing it down to exactly what is right for the client, the house, and its context.”

With what’s hot and what’s not coming at us 24/7, those with a penchant for classic timelessness and a dislike of seasonal whims could be forgiven for wondering if they are, indeed, not hot. “Avoiding trends is not a mistake,” says leading interior stylist Lisa Koehler, “but then the decision of finishes and furniture become even more important, so your house does not feel out of date.”
 

To trend or not to trend

If good style demands perfect juxtaposition, then rejecting trends could be an oversight. “I think it’s a mistake to reject something purely because it’s a trend if it makes sense in every other way,” says Simpfendorfer. “Unless you are running a museum, having a mono-era house doesn’t really make sense. Houses and interiors should grow and evolve and use the best of what’s available, whether it’s fashionable or not.” Koehler agrees. “Your home should include your favourite colours and textures and any trends that work well with that style. This is what creates a unique and individual home.”
 

Mix-and-match 101

Loving a particular trend and wanting to incorporate it into your space should be a considered move. “If you are seeing it everywhere, just pause for a moment and try and separate the excitement of something new from the reality of your space, light, budget and other considerations,” says Simpfendorfer.

Fusing classic with trendy in a harmonious composition is at the heart of good styling. “One way to mix trends and timeless decor is to invest in timeless big-ticket items like your sofa and dining table and then add the trends elements through more cost-effective items like cushions, throws, vases and bedlinen; all the fun elements!” says Koehler.

To successfully finesse the transition from classic to modern, be guided not by seasonal trends but instead by your home. “The best way to incorporate a trend into a timeless home is to work with the architecture and style of the building,” says Koehler. “One of the biggest mistakes when trying to incorporate a trend is fighting the existing elements of the house. It’s important to embrace the bones of the house and insert a trend that works.”
 

Future classics

While many trends come and go, it makes sense that some stick and become timeless. “Some trends originate from something real … and they are the ones that outlive the moment of peak saturation,” says Simpfendorfer. “To get to the timeless phase you need to ride out the mass-popularity moment and focus on the reasons you chose them. Copper is a material I absolutely love, but too much can be exhausting. It will calm down eventually, and then the really good copper will still look good and the rest will be binned!”