Last year was all about organic elements and neutral grey tones; we looked at natural elements in new ways and made green living a priority. We were also living in a recession (I use the past tense optimistically), and we tightened our purse strings, spending less frivolously. The New Year’s trends borrow strongly from the lessons of yesteryear, getting playful with bold colour palettes, Art Deco throwbacks, and vinyl.

Art Deco Revival   
Art Deco was an international design movement that occurred from 1925 to the 1940s.  The look was glamorous, elegant and modern; it mixed both clean lines of the modern era along with the curves of the traditional look. It was the perfect mix. Walls, upholstery and furniture were given a luxe feel with rich reds and greens, grounded with bold hits of black.

Elements of Art Deco are going to be big in 2010, starting with wood veneers done in exotic woods such as burl or zebrano. They are the perfect way to bring texture into a room. You don’t have to go all out and redo your kitchen cabinets, but you can reference this trend with side tables and coffee tables.

Glossy surfaces like mirrored and metallic finishes will also be popping up everywhere, adding a bit of sparkle to your decor. Try mixing silver and gold accents throughout your space as well. It’s unconventional but they go great together and give a room an unpretentious look.

Tantalizing Turquoise
The “it” colour for this year is turquoise. Oh yes, I said it, turquoise! This gorgeous tone is not just for jewellery anymore, but also for walls, furniture, and accents. Turquoise is a soothing colour, it often evokes memories of the sea and sand.  A mix of serene blue and invigorating green, this colour really brings out the fun in a room.

If you are afraid of colour, then think about using it in small doses, try incorporating a feature stripe on a focal wall, in an accessory such as a lamp or vase, or in throw pillows. For those that embrace colour, go all out and paint a sideboard turquoise or upholster a chair in a fab turquoise fabric.

Very Vinyl
When it comes to changing one’s décor nothing is simpler than applying vinyl on your walls. This is a fairly new trend that is becoming huge this season for its simplicity and effectiveness in making a space go from drab to fab in a few minutes. This product is easy to install, doesn’t take a lot of time, and looks fantastic.

Think stripes, bold floral prints and even graffiti. Essentially you peel, rub and stick, it’s as easy as that. You can buy vinyl decals locally at IKEA or Homesense but if you want something a little more custom there is a company called Surface Collective (http://www.surfacecollective.com) that can create something unique and gorgeous for your walls.

Light Fantastic
The big trend in lighting this year is just that: BIG. Think large scale and proportions. The minimalist look of the past year is giving way to lighting that is more dramatic. Light fixtures are more about being the eye candy in a room rather than melding into a space.

Chandeliers with large black shades are everywhere and add a fabulous, over-the-top look.  Referencing the Deco look, you are also going to see a lot more gold and bronze accents in lighting (this, paired with black, is bold and delicious). Even pendant lights are coming in larger proportions, giving you the options of using two large hanging pendants rather than three.

January in Calgary doesn’t always feel like the best time of the year to spend more money, but for designers and design-lovers it’s the best time to start planning. This year’s trends are bold and a little uncharacteristic of what we are used to seeing, so go ahead and make a statement in 2010.

Naturally, you don’t want to go crazy with any of these trends (unless you plan on redecorating again in a few years). Be selective with the trends you incorporate and try them in small doses to keep your space timeless and elegant.

Happy New Year and Happy Decorating! NL

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Alykhan Velji
Having a successful design career for the last several years, Alykhan Velji has definitely made a name for himself on the Alberta design scene. Coming in as one of the top three finalists for HGTV’s Designer Superstar Challenge in 2006 and then landing a role as a Stylist/Design Assistant on The Style Dept. also was a great boost to his career.
As well as having his own design business, Alykhan Velji Design, Alykhan has been featured in many local and national publications, offering his expertise on design and trends. Finding inspiration in his travels and keeping abreast with the design industry’s new and innovative trends ensures his design esthetic is always fresh, all the while remaining original and timeless. In its fourth year as a design firm, Alykhan Velji Design specializes in both residential and commercial projects.
http://www.alyveljidesigns.com