Colour and Pattern: Embracing More Than the Monochromatic Trend
The need for more neutral colour schemes has been growing over the last year. Japandi and monochromatic are all over the interior design trend, which is an attempt to move away from the visually heavy and cluttered schemes in the 70s and 80s of your grandma’s house. Maybe the move towards minimalism is heightened by the desire for our homes to be a haven in a noisy world- a place of simplicity. I could see how this would be appealing though it does not appeal to everyone, specially to myself.
Wide-plank flooring in light oak and bouclé cream chairs grace interiors of today's most sought-after design flavour. Both are serene and chic, leading one to coolness, and there's so much to say about this aesthetic. Definitely—but I also find that it can be a pretty shallow way to design. Often, it feels like a fear of delving deeper into the layers of the people that inhabit the space and the rich tapestry of the story of the building or area.
My own design preferences have also changed massively over the years. Like so many I went through a stage where cream and oak seemed like a brilliant idea; that period in one's life for experimenting with peace that these tones brought into the home. Growing in my career and finessing my style, I found a deep love for colour and pattern. This could be extended, as I was now not only doing it for aesthetic values but also trying to understand the stories and personalities behind every home.
I actually found it very rewarding to balance the client's request for a pragmatic and minimal look with my personal desire to use vibrant colours and intense patterning. It is a journey of blending simplicity with depth such that spaces feel very calming but rich in character. The thrills of one's presentation of such hybrid schemes and getting good feedback from the clients are immensely satisfying.
A great example would be a snug in our Chelsea project, where we were able to blend Japandi, with its clean lines and a neutral base, with pops of colour and interesting patterns. In the end, we created space that feels tranquil yet very personal, speaks to the individuality of the occupants, and relates to the historical context of the location.
As we go ahead, my thoughts are that the future of interior design is in this hybrid approach. Neutrals will always find their place, but bringing in that colour and pattern through personal touches brings it to life. In other words, it tells the story—one that honours the past, acknowledges the present, and looks to the future.
Although the tendency for neutrals in interior trends and a monochromatic vision is to be expected, deep inside the nutshell lies so much extraordinary beauty and depth that dares to go beyond the surface of these spaces. We can design houses full of vibrancy yet minimal, rich yet personal by transit from simplicity to vividness of objects.