Hygge:
The most talked about lifestyle trend of 2017, Hygge is a way of being and decorating comes from the Danes and is firmly anchored in their culture. Hygge ( pronounced “hoo’gah” —who knew?) The style philosophy stands for coziness and peace of mind. The soothing color scheme is typically Scandinavian hues of soft beiges and greys fostering a rest, don’t race; relax, don’t stress ethos.
Simplicity defines this Nordic interior style. Hygge incorporates lots of ambient light including candlelight and small lamps and sumptuous textures. There is no right or wrong way to create Hygge, the style is more of a feeling that makes you want to curl up with a cup of warm coffee or hot chocolate in front of a fire with a fluffy blanket.
Envision soft, lived-in fabrics; warm, glowing light; simple, classic lines. Surround yourself with objects, furnishings and fabrics that make you feel content and you’ve got Hygge.
Wellness by Design:
Health is the new wealth and design that promotes wellness and self-care are shaping today’s living spaces. Changing attitudes and priorities about the way we live and inhabit space is driving a wellness revolution in design at home, at work and at play. Today’s consumer demands toxin-free materials, fresh air, and good lighting at home and at work.
Humanscale, designer and manufacturer of products that improve wellness, calls on the science of biological lighting to create lights that follow the circadian rhythms, to enhance mental and physical well-being. Interior plant walls or vertical gardens purify the air bringing nature indoors. Chairs and furnishings that mimic the biomechanics of humans enhance comfort.
Style-ISH:
The ishness of design is taking an established style and adding a dash of “ish” to make it your own. Think: Modern-ish, Farmhouse-ish, Retro-ish, Organic-ish, Traditional-ish. It’s a riff on stereotypical aesthetics.
Modern-ish softens sleekness with natural materials, textures and curves taking away the style’s harsher, cold edges and injecting color into the typical monochromatic colorscape.
Farmhouse-ish takes country style and gives it an urban or industrial edge.
The look is a chic upgrade from the old world charm of a Tuscan kitchen with creative use of design elements such as woven basket pendant lights clustered in a modern configuration.
Retro-ish brings in vintage elements in a modern-day setting creating a space that hints at nostalgia without looking like a museum exhibit.
Wellborn Cabinet Inc., did a great job of pulling this look together at the 2018 KBIS show.
Organic-ish infuses mother nature into decor with lots of wood and stone but without being too rustic, keeping the look sophisticated and refined.
Traditional-ish is what we like to call Transitional, not wanting to leave your comfort zone and abandon what’s familiar and timeless yet wanting to update the look for today.
Expect these three design stories to continue evolving as we create spaces that reflect our personalities and promote healthier lifestyles. For more on what’s new and next in design, subscribe to The Design Tourist Channel and sign up for the blog email.
