Design is all about curating a space that is uniquely yours

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With more time being spent at home during the last couple of years, everyone has cast a critical eye on how our living spaces functioned and looked. Did they make our home lives easier and more convenient or did they hinder the new-found demands? Did they reflect our personal style or were they outdated?

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Metric Design’s Brandon Gay reports that more people have been remodelling their homes to reflect a different set of priorities recently.

“People are looking for spaces that feel casual, collected, (and) curated,” Gay says. “I think that there is a heightened need for our homes to be as personal as possible, given how much time we’ve recently spent in our homes.”

The modern farmhouse continues to dominate kitchen styles, but there have been some new refinements.

More dynamic backsplashes are coming into vogue. The standard sized three-by-one subway tile has given way to a more dramatic three-by-twelve. Random tiles, or exaggerated herringbone patterns and handcrafted textures can also add some personal flair.

Cabinets that look like a beautiful piece of furniture have captured Gay’s eye. And cabinets don’t need to have all the same finish. White shaker cabinets are slowly being replaced with more colourful options.

Perhaps as a nod to everyone’s desire to gather friends and family for special occasions, Gay says he’s seeing a return of the formal dining room in new builds.

Design conversations continue to be dominated by the topic of sustainability.

“We’re becoming so much more aware of what products are made of where are they coming from, how can I shop local? And it’s important to be having those conversations,” says Gay.

Whatever decor you choose for your home, Gay says it should promote your own well-being.

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“With changes in social dynamics, keeping your mental health a priority is so important. And the spaces that we spend our time in play such a key role,” he notes.

For those who are craving more adventure with their personal space, Gay suggests some experimentation with exaggerated forms or oversized pieces.

For example, an extra-large table lamp can prompt conversation and be a quirky addition to any room. Another option might be adding a bold, pattern-heavy wallpaper. Or try adding a curvy piece of furniture such as a funky sofa to punch up a bland sitting room. As well, adding textured fabrics such as bouclé will add dimension and layers to your design.

“Have fun with them. Not everything needs to match,” says Gay. “Some of my favourite spaces that I’ve worked on and styled include a sofa with pillows where no two pillows were the same.”

Exploring colour options is another way to express your personal style. Gay recently redid a kitchen by painting the cabinets a pastel pink. The contrast with walnut accents energized the small space.

If you’re planning a renovation or buying a new home, Gay suggests using trends as a starting point for finding inspiration. Explore what trends speak to you, but don’t conform to whatever is currently popular if it isn’t your thing.

After all, you’re the one who will be spending the most time inside those walls. Whether it’s a bold colour or pattern or a dynamic piece of art or distinctive piece of decor, it should have your own stamp on it.

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“Trends give us something to talk about and aspire to,” says Gay. “What’s always on trend is being true to yourself.”

jjacoby-smith@postmedia.com

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