Special to Realty/Builder Connection
What’s the latest in home designs? As Realtors work to showcase homes for selling, here’s some design tips provided by local interior designer Judith Sisler Johnston, president of Sisler Johnston Interior Design.
What’s in
Colors: There is a revival in bright, primary colors and interesting color combinations such as green, blue and orange, or red, brown, and blue combinations. Purple, in all its hues, is a favored choice in paint, upholstery and art. Paint is an easy and economical way to update interior spaces.
Contrast: Accent pillows will feature ornamentation in stitching, beads and fringe, but the furnishings they sit on will have clean lines and natural fabric covers such as linen on refined, rustic wood pieces. Luxury has been replaced with subtle, sophisticated and comfortable, well-priced furniture. Renew seating areas by covering sofas with neutral slipcovers and adding bold decorated accent pillows.
Natural and original: Permanent botanicals and greenery are moving toward the natural garden and spice variety instead of fussy, flowery designs. Replace a silk flower arrangement with a plant variety.
What’s out
Quantity over quality: There will be less furniture and fewer, well-placed accessories. Remove the clutter.
Anything too shiny: From fabrics to furniture pieces, the finish materials are losing their sheen. If possible, replace with more subdued matte finishes.
Formality: Formality is giving away to a more comfortable, relaxed style that focuses on family living. Interior spaces should be open, warm and inviting.
Matchy: Matching bedding ensembles have given way to the hotel bedding model, which is lots of white and neutrals with occasional color accents in shams and pillows. Replace bed covers to give bedrooms a fresh look.
Color: The once popular brown and blue color combinations appear to have run their course except in traditional western styles where soft brown leathers, turquoise and silver still reign.