For a long time now, décor has been casual and comfortable. It could be minimalistic or industrial, but has been largely unisex.
The latest trend in home décor is aimed at bringing back feminine décor. Designers are calling the trend ‘the new feminine’, and are clear that it isn’t only about pastels and florals.
While most women love blooms in décor, men stay away from it, perceiving it to be feminine. If done right, floral accents can infuse vitality into your home.
Big patterns or small
Big if you like drama and scale, small if you don’t want flowers to dominate your space.
Play with colour
Pinks, purples, mauves and peaches are a starting point; they’re not the whole-and-soul of the new feminine. To get the new look and not the age-old floral décor, try unusual combinations. Pink with navy blue, mauve with deep green, rose with dull gold, peach with turquoise blue. If the room still seems overtly feminine, give it an edge by adding some mystery — a black chest, a charcoal rug or a chocolate sofa.
Mix and match
Floral patterns don’t have to end up in a room that’s reminiscent of the Victorian era. Contrast is key. Instead of furniture that’s light and pastel, mix things up with rustic, modern or masculine pieces. Heighten the effect by pairing pretty furnishings with a comfortable leather chair, a distressed wooden table or an old arm chair. Balance the softness and curves of florals by adding elements that are as powerful; try striped wallpaper, a solid colour wall or a vibrant rug.
Old and new
Combine the old and the new to create your own décor mash-up. Set traditional style chairs against a contemporary sidetable, plunk a chintz-covered sofa in front of a window dressed in Roman blinds, and set off floral wallpaper with neutral furniture. Feminine embellishments against neutral/modern pieces create a space that’s not too heavily feminine.
Start small
Still unsure of where to begin? If you like a particular floral fabric/piece, construct a colour scheme around it. The background colour of the pattern works as the wall colour.
The secondary and accent colours the pattern throws up are perfect for soft furnishings (rugs, pillows, cushions and drapes). The accent colour can be used to accessorise the room (vases, artwork, lamps, and mirrors). Try these to immediately feminise any room — button tufted sofas/headboards, furry pillows, accent pillows, mirrored furniture, gold details, patterned wallpaper and sunburst mirrors.
