Identified by leading trend forecasters as the way of living in 2016, “The Considered Home” is a carefully thought-out mix of materials and textures. Texture is an easy way to add interest to your decor, without making any major (or expensive) changes.
Here are 5 reasons why you should be incorporating texture into your home decor.
Touch + feel
Texture is important in the considered home because it’s associated with one of our primitive instincts. Tactile finishes and surfaces encourage us to explore through our fingertips, and to feel the difference between a smooth silk, a rough linen and a warm knitted wool. Because it’s such an important element, quality is foremost when it comes to choosing furnishings and fabrics for the home: opt for the softest cashmere, the finest cotton and the supplest suede to please the senses.
Contrasts + combinations
A mix of surface textures is also incredibly important; think contrasts of rough and smooth, warm and cool and dark and light. In walls and floors, texture creates a canvas for carefully selected pieces. Salvaged wooden boards, for instance, have a rough surface that speaks of weathering and age. When paired with this piece, cable-knit wool cushions stand in perfect contrast, with their implied sense of handmade, homespun comfort softening the hard edges of their rustic setting.
Honesty + integrity
Textures provide an awareness of the intrinsic qualities of a fabric or piece of furniture. Feeling the grain of the wood, the warp and weft of the textile or the ribbed edge of the moulded clay helps you understand the nature of the thing and appreciate its form. The search for authenticity runs deeper than seasonal trends and continues to inspire designers to tread new paths.
Light + shade
Light and shade may are an easy way to create contrast in your home, and they are also a way of drawing attention to the true qualities of each element of a room. Plush velvet, for instance, will absorb light, hinting at the fabric’s depths. Lightweight voile, on the other hand, refracts light, washing its surroundings in a soothing, subdued luminescence.
Provenance + Sustainability
Whether it’s an heirloom or a salvaged piece of tin roofing sheet, recycling and repurposing materials is key to the considered look. This is because the creative process, sourcing of materials, manufacturing practices and afterlife of a product have grown in importance within our decision-making process as consumers. Our craft section is full of ideas on how to upcycle everyday things like jars, pallets and even ladders.
For more inspired ideas on how to create this essential look in your own home, don’t miss the Considered Home in association with the Goodwood Co presented by Decorex SA showcase at Decorex Cape Town, which takes place from 29 April to 2 May 2016 at the CTICC.
Read more about the considered home here:
The Considered Home: what is it exactly?
The Considered Home: use cycles & change to keep decor fresh
The Considered Home: how to use colour & light
The Considered Home: how to celebrate detail & display
