HOMES & DECORATING
DU JOUR
With the arrival of spring comes the promise of a fresh star t. These ten new decorating trends can be easily incorporated into your home for an instant update
1 CHEQUER BOARD
ALTHOUGH BLACK-AND-WHITE chequered floors are a design classic, the new version is bolder, brighter and working its way up onto walls. Chestnut browns and rusty reds lend themselves particularly well to this paint effect and achieving this look is easier than you might think. Annie Sloan’s chalk paints can be used to create a grid design on flooring and tiles without the need to sand, prime or retile.
2 PASTEL KITCHENS
SWATHES OF WHITE or neutral cupboards can sometimes look sterile. On the other hand, pastels, which are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, bounce light around while injecting a dash of warmth. Pale pinks are ideal for creating inviting farmhouse kitchens, as are feelgood botanical shades such as lichen or sage green.
3 OPEN SHELVING
KITCHEN SHELVES are now so much more than just rows of wood: think of it as an opportunity to marry storage and aesthetics. Choose from an array of decorative metal brackets and add a café-style rail underneath with hooks for your favourite saucepans, tea towels and herbs. Then enjoy positioning stacks of crockery, glass jars, vintage finds and pot plants on top for an endlessly versatile display.
4 RUG LAYERING
RUGS INSTANTLY add warmth and texture, so what could be cosier than a cluster of rugs draped decadently over each other? Aim for a cohesive palette of three or four colours in different patterns and sizes for a relaxed eclectic look, or layer a patterned rug onto a plain jute base to create a smart border design.
5 TRELLIS WALLPAPER
FIRST DESIGNED by William Morris in t
