Top interior trends - 2011

It’s not just clothes fashions that change with the seasons; the home decor vogue is also constantly on the move. So what are the top interior design trends for 2011 and how can you recreate the looks in your own home?

Coastal

Perfect if you live near the sea, or just dream of moving closer to the coast, this year’s nautical theme celebrates the British love affair with the ocean and the landscapes that frame it.

Distressed wood, wicker furniture and rope-detail accessories are paired with crisp and clean textiles in white and blue tones. With its focus on the natural world, this look works just as well as an alfresco theme, so invest in hammocks and wooden-frame deckchairs to complete the fresh seaside feel.

Add interest with coastal prints and nautical stripes on soft furnishings, and string bunting and glass lanterns outside when entertaining.

Puritan Folk

An eclectic mix of utilitarian craftsmanship and traditional ethnic prints, the Puritan Folk trend juxtaposes rough textured materials with soft, silky textiles.

Mockie Harrison, of John Lewis Home, explains how the department store has interpreted the look:

“Our collection for spring is a diverse mix of beautifully crafted furniture and lighting partly influenced by mid-twentieth century modern, and soft furnishings inspired by folk patterns from Morocco, South America and Russia. A pot pourri of global references with exuberant colour, calmed by cool neutrals.”

Aztec-inspired geometric tiled prints, as well as beaded details, patchwork quilting and wall hangings offer instant updates.

Vintage

Kitsch pastel colours and floral prints bring a 1950s feel to interior design schemes this year.
With a focus on idyllic domestic life and entertaining at home, retro-style baking accessories brighten up kitchen décor and bunting helps bring an air of street-party celebration to tea parties.

Floral prints on linens and quilts give bedding a country cottage air while white-washed wicker accessories add the finishing touches to bedrooms and bathrooms.

Mix flea market finds, such as antique tea cups, with contemporary vintage-inspired pieces by designers including Rob Ryan to create an diverse look in your home.

Classic

If you’re a traditionalist, the current interior design focus on old English elegance may appeal more than the busy vintage and folk trends.

White, cream and beige tones on walls and linens are contrasted with furniture in dark-stained woods and wrought iron to great this sophisticated look. While minimalism is central to the theme, draped fabrics, plush linens and plump towels make for a luxurious finish.

Add antique touches to give your home a classical feel – frame old maps and manuscripts, place a clock on your mantelpiece and invest in an iconic green desk lamp.