Interior designer Kate Arends, speaking at Vancouver’s Interior Design Show taking place Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, shares the top renovation and design trends for 2018.
Graphic designer. Storyteller. Lifestyle guru. Marketer. Interior designer. New mom; Kate Arends is quite the creative chameleon. Her clean and modern style, which evokes a sense of tradition, has garnered her blog, Wit & Delight and adjoining Instagram account an impressive following (304k on Insta to be exact). The latest facet to the blog is a new creative branding studio, but don’t be fooled—Arends and her team do it all. They even have a new line of bedding and wallpaper Arends is designing for Hygge & West. Here, the Jane-of-all-trades shares the renovation and design trends to channel this year.
Warmer Colours as Neutrals
Grey has been the “it” colour for interiors, but using a warm pink, yellow, terracotta, or rust as a neutral gives the room a different energy than a traditional neutral. Greenery also pops so much brighter, explains the designer.
Bohemian Accents
“I’ve always considered myself “traditional modern” and haven’t really strayed from that esthetic. That being said, I want to incorporate more “boho” into my décor. I love the laid back, relaxed feeling associated with this style,” says Arends.
Wicker
The unexpected pairing of a traditional wicker chair with a modern table brings a nice contrast, says the designer. "I also love when wicker and cane takes on a surprising form, like a loveseat or chaise. Skip the thick cushions to avoid looking like a prop from The Golden Girls.”
Simple Kitchen Updates
“Speaking from experience, kitchen remodels are tough. We went months without a kitchen, and while I’m thrilled with the final results, I’m not going through that again any time soon! A way to easily (and quickly) refresh a kitchen is to update the cabinet fronts and hardware. We’re currently working with Reform to elevate our Ikea kitchen at the studio, without starting from scratch,” explains the mom of one-year-old August.
Bold Wallpaper. “I love, love, love bold wallpaper. It’s a perfect solution for small spaces or rooms that need a bit more "oomph". I’ve used bold patterns, from Hygge & West, in two out of the three bathrooms in my house."
For tickets to see Kate and other design experts speak at Vancouver's Interior Design Show, visit vancouver.interiordesignshow.com
