Trends are a fascinating phenomenon.
The way in which a certain style starts to ‘catch on' and before you can blink an eye, it's everywhere. It happens in fashion, make-up, d cor - even holiday destinations, locally and abroad...
I always marvel at how trends arise. Think of the beautiful school-style steel-framed windows evident in many renovation projects. The design isn't new at all, but not long ago someone - with a touch of nostalgia - decided that this old-school look (pun intended!) was exactly what they wanted, and soon it was to be seen everywhere.
When it comes to colour, I can go on for days. I can't say for sure that grey as a trend is done and dusted but I think we are over the peak. And it has made way for lovely bold colours that attest to daring and energy. Consider the bright yellow d cor we saw in stores last year - sunny and cheerful and welcoming. Soon, green was popping up in many of the photos that landed on my desk: kitchen cabinets, focal walls. Greens that demand your attention!
But the colour that grabs my attention the most right now and that we see virtually everywhere is terracotta. Inspired by the earth, rich in texture and history. The perfect match for many things. And now, as the year starts shrugging off its autumn attire, a colour that resonates with the universe.
It's a monumental shade.
The colours we love are a manifestation of our subconscious. I reckon we all feel more exuberant now that the world is slowly but surely starting to return to normal. Hence the yellows and greens.
But terracotta? It speaks of Mother Nature: planting your feet firmly on the ground and relishing life. I remember well when this colour ‘pinged on my radar' - a year ago, when we first featured a project with Tjhoko Paint Thinus's Terracotta.
And soon, as trends go, I started noticing it everywhere. The self-same Thinus's Terracotta inspired the story https://www.news24.com/home/decor/readerhomes/a-bold-palette-and-period-details-shine-in-this-compact-space-20220422. And feast your eyes on Pieter Hoffman's beautiful bedroom https://www.news24.com/home/decor/9-gorgeous-bedrooms-create-your-own-sanctuary-20220422
How versatile is this colour?
It is a trend that gives me so much joy. Send us a few pics if you've used this bold hue in your own home - we'd love to see!
• This year's Rookie Stylist competition in partnership with Mr Price Home is bigger and better, with an exciting new twist - find out more click here and start thinking about which of your spaces you'd like to enter.
• As I sit here typing, the first entries for Fix it with Flair have also arrived and thanks to JoJo, our competition sponsor, a whopping R100 000 is once again up for grabs. If you're in the throes of a project or have recently completed one, enter! All the details click here
We can't wait to share the first of a couple of Karoo homes in this issue. Creative Editor Marian van Wyk and photographer Greg Cox hit the road to Calitzdorp with equipment and a week's worth of props, but with the Ford Everest Sport 4WD, space wasn't an issue. Keyless entry made the constant trips between house and car to fetch props a breeze. The Huis River Pass (above) was swallowed up by the turbo-charged diesel engine and dirt roads weren't a battleground either, thanks to an easy-to-use terrain management system. Pure comfort!
The next issue of Home will be on shelf on 3 June 2022.
