What we see in the home today

For the last few years it has been green, green, green. Green is still around, but now the focus is more on us, ourselves – our respect for the past, our need for direction in our lives, and our longing for simplicity.

First up, a traditional look. It makes use of rough textures in wood and fabrics, but blends them with the classic lines of elegant furniture. We call this look Reclaimed Refinement, and on windows wood blinds belong for sure. Also Perceptions, versatile full-height shades, will control the way you look out onto the world.

Comfortable Contemporary is a welcome look. Until now “Contemporary” tended to be hard, cold, and engineered. This look keeps the clean lines, but adds warmth. Man-made materials now express natural motifs and feminine curves. As for windows, natural fabrics and woven shades fit perfectly. I’m thinking of PanelTrac to define large spaces; and roller shades in colours and patterns for light-control duty.

Collector Chic recognizes that many of us build our interiors around souvenirs, family photos, treasured accessories. Here we see a blending of masculine and feminine; new and old; glass, metals and ceramics; rich textures and bold patterns. I suggest that two extremes meet in your windows – slick, modern, cellular blinds close to the glass, covered by the exuberance of full-length roman blinds in any fabric that turns you on.

Lastly we have a blast from the past, Mid-Century Modern. You may call it the Mad Men look, your elders may think of Sputnik and Explorer. But for us it’s not a time capsule, it’s teak and metal combined, leather and linens, clean lines but with a softer look than back then. In your windows we suggest wood blinds once more, teamed with flat romans using heavily textured linens.