Here we are in May already and I haven’t posted my 2018 Trends alert! I just want you to know that I spent countless hours scouring Pinterest, Houzz, browsing magazines,  and searching through other blogs to see what’s HOT and what’s NOT. While this is a huge under taking I feel it’s my duty to keep you up to speed on everything that’s new and trendy….in case you’re in to that sort of thing. It’s also something that can make even the most confident feel as wilted as last week’s lettuce. I now know that I.am.not.trendy.

Before I start listing the hots and nots, please understand that just because I say something is trending doesn’t mean it is in your neck of the woods, some trends are regional, and when I list the things that I think are dead or dying, don’t send the Trend Police or send me hate mail, these are my personal opinions. You may agree or not as you see fit.  As always, design is a personal choice, you might still love mauve and blue with ducks and geese wallpaper border, and that’s fine. It’s your home! Your rules! So always use what you love, no matter what the trendy people say. Fair warning. This is a long post, there’s a lot of info here.

For the those who want to be on the cutting edge of design, you don’t have to embark on a whole house renovation to update your look.  Want to try a new color? Use it in throw pillows, bedding and maybe art. Trends come and go. It can be an expensive proposition to keep up, plus you’ll never be really happy if all you do is chase the next big thing.  I say stick with the classics, adding a couple of well thought out fun accessories will give you a whole new look and you’ll be happier in the long run.

Some 2018 Trends are carry overs from 2017, we’ll see how long they last.

Let’s begin with what’s HOT for 2018:

CONCRETE. Anything made of concrete, we’re talking tiles, hello and thank you for this trend, Joanna Gaines, the matte concrete tile look is hot. If you can’t afford to rip out your floors to add new tile, try a stencil and paint to cover old linoleum to get the look. A couple of bloggers have even painted old porcelain tile. Google painting and stenciling porcelain tile and you’ll see several tutorials. Lamps of concrete, tables, planters, even chairs (um, not happening at my house), and mortar applications for walls are getting a lot of buzz. Still hot: Concrete counter tops.

PLANTS. Did they ever really go away? 2017 showed plants, both real and faux exploding. It’s like the 70’s all over again. Except Faux has really stepped up its game. And the stigma of using fake is gone. Don’t have a green thumb? Faux it! Live in a cave? Faux to the rescue. If you are using live plants, at least take a little time to research its light and water needs before bringing a new one home.

NATURAL WOOD. Natural, scrubbed or bleached wood is back….not that it was ever completely gone, but thankfully we are seeing more natural wood furniture. Mixed with painted pieces in a room, it gives warmth and contrast.

BLACK cabinets in kitchens. Black in general. I’m OK with this. I actually love black cabinets. I know, right?? Surprised? Me too.

GREEN is still big in the color trends, it also started in 2017 but has continued its popularity into 2018. Every shade of green. Use it on your walls, in pillows and throws, botanicals as art, on wallpaper. You can’t go wrong using green, there is a shade of green for every area in the home.

WALLPAPER. Wallpaper has been trending for a few years but in the last two it’s become a thing. Rent? No worries, there are peel and stick varieties in many colors and patterns. Want a more permanent installation? Traditional paste papers are easily found online and in some paint stores. One of the biggest trends this year is over-sized florals. Huge, ginormous flowers. Used in the right setting, say a bedroom for a teen, or in a master with bold color, a large scale floral can be stunning. Use in a dining room to add drama.

BRASS. Yep, brass has continued its rise and is one of the biggest trends in bathrooms and kitchens. I love brass, I’ve always loved genuine old brass.  I’ve never been a fan of the cheap, shiny stuff but give me an old brass fixture that’s been allowed to patina and my heart beats a bit faster. Want to add brass to your home?  Choose unlaquered brass fixtures. Search Thrift stores for candlesticks and small containers.

POLISHED CHROME. Polished chrome, another classic finish that deserves more use.  I used polished chrome in my master when we replaced our old satin nickel faucets. It reminds me of my childhood home.

MINIMALISM. WHAT???  Yes, after decades of over the top décor and lots of stuff, many designers and homeowners are now craving a simpler, streamlined look. This does not bode well for the sanctuary. I mean I HAVE been purging and decluttering, but come on, I like my stuff. I also like the look of modern, minimal loft apartments but I don’t think I’d be comfortable in the long term….. after 5 minutes I’d be measuring those bare walls for art.  I’m a collector, therefore I hoard. All kidding aside, I am enjoying my “simplified” look, although if you ask Mr B, he’d say I haven’t simplified all that much, if at all. I just bought different stuff.  That’s a post for another day.

BOLD COLORS. I talked about the colors of the year in this post.  Not ready to commit to Ultra Violet (Pantone’s color of 2018) on your walls? Use it in small doses, say a pillow or two, or  lamp shades or a big, soft cozy throw.

ACCENT COLORS. Tired of all neutral rooms? (that isn’t possible…..is it???) Add some “Millennial pink,” that dusty pale pink that is so pretty and soft, add this wherever you want a wisp of color. Lavender is still around as well, find it pillows, throws, tablecloths and paint. If you have a piece of furniture you want to make a focal point, consider painting it pink, or lavender.  Blue is still having a moment. But when is it not? Blue is one of those colors that never really goes away, I mean come on, Hello Miss Mustard Seed with her classic blue and white home and let’s say Hi! to Thistlewood Farms new blue and white living room.  Blue in every shade is still a winner.

VELVET AND LINEN: velvet throw pillows and bedding. Anything Linen.

BAR CARTS. Yep, those wheeled darlings of the 50’s and 60’s are making a comeback. You can use them as plant stands, juice or coffee bars, for cosmetics in a bathroom, as a nightstand, in the nursery or geez…here’s a thought, use it as a bar cart. Look in vintage shops, and on-line. New or vintage, these are proving to be hardworking and stylish additions to any room. Go retro or find new made from brass for the retro look, or wood for cottage and country styles.

BLACK STAINLESS APPLIANCES. With darker colors trending,  this finish works well in modern style kitchens. Not my thing, but then again we’ve already established I’m not trendy.

ON THE CUSP. Fading a bit: Some say all white rooms are going away. GASP! NOOOOO. Let the wailing and beating of the chest begin. I don’t believe this myself, I don’t think this is in any danger…..yet.  A few designers predicted the death of gallery walls last year but they refuse to go away. Whether they should or not is up to you. Milk Glass has hit its peak again and seems to be fading. I think it’s charming but a little goes a long way. Personally I’m over it. All white kitchens. Designers are predicting the death of white kitchens. I don’t know how I feel about that prediction. I’ve always wanted a white kitchen….. since the 70’s. I’m not sure white is going away any time soon, but I could be wrong!!

SIGNS. Are still hanging on (no pun intended) although I have no clue why. I don’t need a sign that reads “Bathroom” when I’m in the…..bathroom. Pretty sure I know what room I’m in. And the Farmhouse sign won’t be in my home, I don’t live in one, and if I did live in one, I wouldn’t need a sign announcing to my guests that they are in a farmhouse. Some signs are clever and cute. But over done. So let them go. Authentic vintage signs are hotter than ever. Those are a definite DO!  Can’t afford authentic? There are some reproductions that look genuine. Look on Etsy and for those made in the U.S. from salvaged materials. The trend of framing music lyrics, Bible verses, and poetry is hot and that’s another DO for me.

Finally the NOTs. Here are the things I think are worn out and just over used.  Cotton stems, dollar store cow art, knock off galvanized anything, (genuine, crusty galvanized gets a yes!), burlap. Although burlap in an industrial setting, say for hanging light shades is still trendy. Cow art in general, unless it’s an original photograph, or painting, I’m also not into tiny statues of livestock, except sheep, or maybe goats. OK!!! I give! I still like some livestock and dog statues. The a fore mentioned farmhouse signs, NOT. Lambs ears…. DEAD. After I saw lambs ears in about the 10th blog last year I was already sick of it. Use seeded eucalyptus instead, it never seems to go out of style. Or just use clippings from your yard.

Every one should live in a home that suits their individual style, has collections that speak to the heart, feels safe and provides security from life’s general ups and downs. Use what you love. No matter what “they” say or predict. “They” also predicted the death of Shabby Chic in the 90’s. Rachel Ashwell smiled, thanked them and then marched to the bank. She’s still smiling and has published more books and expanded her line of fabrics and furniture, even wallpaper. Just sayin.

Whether you are “on trend” in your home or stick to the classics, create your sanctuary, one room at a time. Create the home you see in your heart.

All photos unless otherwise captioned are from Google.