3rd April 2023 When it comes to interior styles, extensive research has shown that there are three main ones to watch: Hamptons (no surprises there!), Victorian/Georgian (as people embrace restoration over the renovation of heritage homes) and Modern Farmhouse (that’s an Instagram hashtag of 2.6 million images and a very well used search term on Pinterest!). Modern Hamptons Wainscoting Modern Farmhouse Hamptons As I say every year, Hamptons is going nowhere and new builds everywhere are embracing their variation, of which there are of course many. They include classic, tropical, coastal, country and modern (my personal favourite). You just can’t go past the layered look of Hamptons and perhaps that’s why it’s so popular with new builds; taking their rooms from characterless brand new ‘boxes’ to interesting elegant, and more expensive and ‘done’ looking. Whether you love all-out traditional Hamptons or a more modern take, wainscoting, wall panelling and large decorative skirting and architraves are must-haves. And with so many mouldings now available from companies like Intrim, getting the look is easier and more attainable than ever. Zephyr + Stone Modern Hamptons Home Victorian & Georgian The Victorian and Georgian look is increasing in popularity as the beautiful character homes from these periods are revived and restored, with owners choosing to embrace their heritage layers rather than give them a more minimal modern makeover (oh, how this makes me happy as a Pom from a country full of old houses!). Ornate timber mouldings, ceiling roses, arches, jewel tones and furnishing all combine to set off this look. Decorative tall skirting boards, intricate window architraves, arches, dado/chair rails, columns and wainscoting are all features. Mother Flipper Terrace Transformation Farmhouse The new appreciation for the farmhouse or country look, which has become popularly known as ‘modern farmhouse’, could well be due to the number of people who chose to move further out of the cities during Covid. Country living sees people embrace a more relaxed and imperfect style; think barn conversions, cottages (I’m sure you’ve heard of ‘cottagecore’ by now?) and ranches. The addition of VJ wall panelling, board & batten or beadboard wainscoting will give an almost instant country feel, as well as those taller skirting boards (it makes you wonder when and why we ever started using shorter skirting really!). Modern Farmhouse Modern Farmhouse Marvel French Country Although not quite as prolific, much like Hamptons, the French Country look isn’t going anywhere any time soon. There’s a reason we look to Paris for style pointers on all things from fashion to art and interiors! If you think about a dream apartment, it’s probably an ultra-chic Parisian one, and who doesn’t have a fairytale dream of living in a chateau (just moi?!)? Antiques, wainscoting, wall panelling, a French country kitchen, shuttered windows, chandeliers and layers (upon layers) of detailing add up to the classic French Provincial look. Fresh & Fabulous French Farmhouse Fresh & Fabulous French Farmhouse Modern Don’t worry though, there’s still a place for a more modern interior and modern is a catchall for myriad styles these days: Mid-Century Modern, Coastal Modern, Box Modern Scandi Barn and Contemporary. While these don’t use mouldings in the traditional sense, a new and more modern category of mouldings such as concave wall panelling, shadow line detailing and concave and half round profiles can add interest to these contemporary homes too. And we expect to see Art Deco and modern with Mediterranean influences gain momentum in 2023 too. The Mediterranean look is also seen in alfresco areas. Mid Century Modern House Cavetto Makes An Entrance What to expect from kitchens In terms of kitchens, expect more earthy colours, darker timbers and statement stone and islands, according to Neolith’s Kate Deakin-Bell. She says Mother Nature will continue to inspire kitchen design this year. “The new kitchen trends are more thoughtful and considered than ever and are all about enhancing the time you spend in your cooking space. The focus is on comfort and longevity, using beautiful, quality materials that will age gracefully and stand the test of time. Expect to see unpainted wood cabinetry, natural stone benchtops and splashbacks, and muted, natural tones inspired by the outdoors such as sage, olive and buttermilk, which combine to create a sense of calm.” Modern Farmhouse Characterful stone benchtops and splashbacks are a key trend as homeowners are becoming braver with their stone choices, increasingly using them to express their personal style in the kitchen. Forget boring kitchen islands – 2023’s iteration will be multi-use and packed with personality, says Kate. “The island is the hero of today’s kitchen, so it makes sense to see it receive the decorative attention it deserves.” With a community of over 65 million homeowners and home design enthusiasts and more than 3 million residential construction and design professionals around the world, Houzz has some unique insights into how people are designing their homes. Among their top home design predictions for 2023 are the colour green (from sage to forest!), the popularity of upholstered bench seating and ‘barkitecture’; that is, including things in your home design for your pets, such as a dog wash station, or built-in dog bed or kitty litter area! While we believe you shouldn’t pay too much attention to trends for trends’ sake and should always opt for what you love in your home, it’s always helpful to see what’s out there for inspiration.
