INSPIRATION

Interior Design Trends for 2017: Colour, Texture & Graphic Patterns

Natalia Miyar weighs in on the three design elements to know

If there are anyone’s brains we want to pick when its comes to the interiors trends to watch this year, it’s Natalia Miyar’s. The trained architect and interior designer – whose launched her namesake atelier in 2016 – is a genius at mixing all the right elements with maximum impact. Channelling earthy yet glamorous vibes, Natalia relies heavily on bold colour, interesting texture and graphic pattern to create her expressive, richly layered interiors. We caught up with the designer to talk her three go-to design elements for 2017.

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Texture

Natalia’s passion for texture stems from her experience as architect and can been seen in every one of her interiors projects. Whether it's hammered metallics, layered velvets or deeply grained woods, the designer makes the most eye-catching contrasts by mingling different materials. “I’m mad for texture and I think every fabric and surface is an opportunity for using a tactile material,” Natalia explains. “I don’t really know how to work with a flat, plain fabric! That said, the juxtaposition of a deeply textured fabric with a smooth, glossy silk works incredibly well to offset the inherent beauty of each material.”

Texture is an instant way to add depth, according to Natalia. “I’m currently designing a room with vibrant green walls, but I’m using a rough textured silk which adds gravitas to a colour that would ordinarily be considered quite playful.”

Where do you go to find incredibly textured pieces? The designer reveals: “Pierre Frey have the most tactile fabrics and wallpapers in everything from sublime plain weaves to richly coloured embroidered patterns. Caste Design from Willer also has an incredible collection of pieces in bronze, wood and stone. And I love the LuxDeco Wharf coffee table which has so much of what I love in furniture – robust presence, texture and clean lines.”

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Colour

Always working ahead of the curve, bold colours have been constants in Natalia’s work and they're set to be big this year. Get on board with the trend via bright accessories, vivid wallpapers and paints, and look-at-me throws and cushions.

Blue – Natalia tells – is the shade to know right now. “Blue can be bold but is also the ultimate neutral; I’m innately drawn to it,” says the creative. “I find it calming in virtually any shade. And I have never met a client who doesn’t like it. I often pair it with green which some people say is a no-no but I think they are wrong. Blue and green are the colours of land and sky, the most natural combination. How can that be wrong? I love a sofa in blue as it looks timeless and stylish but not boring.”

“I would also add pink as a shade to watch. It is actually my favourite colour and you see more and more of in interiors. Pink is universally flattering. From ballet slipper pink to fuschia, it is an energising and warm colour. Don’t mistake it as a primarily feminine shade – many men love pink.”

Graphic Pattern

To give your space an alternative edge, Natalia praises the power of graphic patterns. “[They] bring life to room in a vibrant and sophisticated way. Again, they add depth and interest to a material in a similar way to texture but with greater confidence,” the designer explains.

“I particularly like using graphic pattern on curtains because it anchors a room. I say graphic as opposed to geometric which can be too rigid. Graphic pattern has an organic and natural quality that is elegant.”

With the potential to look garish if used in the wrong way, Natalia recommends monochrome prints as a stylish, fail-safe way to work this trend. “I recently used various black and white graphic patterns in one home. They had great impact but felt grounding and sophisticated. The same effect would not have been achieved in bright orange and green. Although now that sounds like a fun design challenge….”