A Few Home Design Trends for 2015

Everything is moving toward contemporary design with primitive elements. Instead of one central theme, the theme is eclectic and mixes contemporary structural design with primitive elements and industrial touches. For example, if the kitchen counter is distressed wood, the bar stools are industrial. There is a lot of mixing of textures, stones, and hardware with mixed neutrals. Pops of color come from rugs or pillows, but the main design is in the primitive elements.

In her blog, HGTV design star Abby Vasek says: “Positively Primitive: This is a style trend that Austin was early to adopt, and we plan to see more of it in 2015. It involves mixing primitive elements into your home with horns, hides, fur, taxidermy, petrified rock, crystals and other natural stones. Go shopping on Second Street or South Congress, and you’ll find geode crystals on book ends, box tops, lamp bases, made into chandeliers, encased in tables, printed on fabric—you name it.

And keep your eye out for the hottest new primitive material in town: petrified rock. You can count on seeing this material used in all kinds of new design applications. One use that we are already seeing in Austin stores is petrified rock tabletops anchored on polished chrome legs. This table is exemplary of the balancing act between primitive versus luxury that is happening in design, and these primitive elements offer us incredible visual contrast and comfort to our inevitable modern movement. “ Check out the rest of her 2015 Trends Blog.

Also, larger rugs are filling the space to make rooms appear larger. Instead of splurging on a large rug, use carpet tape to attach two rugs together. Also, stacking rugs is becoming a huge trend. Putting a larger neutral rug under all of the furniture with a smaller rug on top adding color or design and mixing materials. Rugs no longer have to be uniform and straight, but can overlap and create new defined space in a room.

New paint colors of 2015 are white and grey neutrals; tan, beige, grey with pops of color from a deep red, teal and olive green. The color of the year based on the Pantone Color Institute, is the earthy wine red, known as Marsala. Although this is a bold color, think about using it for the front door and leave the neutrals for the interior rooms. Also, feel free to check out BenjaminMoore.com under the “Explore Color” tab where you can upload a photo of your room and try out different paint colors virtually.

Go luxe! Although, there is a push toward distressed wood and industrial elements, interior decorators aren’t afraid to pair it with newer elements like metallic and Lucite. Metal etching is being added to furniture and contrasting the old with the shiny new!

At West Austin Properties, we have a designer on our staff that can help our clients select colors, arrange furniture and make any needed repairs to get top dollar for their homes. For more information about this complimentary service, contact us. Small changes can mean $1000’s of dollars in equity.

Katy Freshour, REALTOR, West Austin Properties, 3312 River Road, Austin, Texas 78703, katyfreshour@gmail.com