Get ready for darker times ahead. I realize that sounds ominous, but now it’s about interior design. In the fashion industry, it’s common to analyze style shifts, at least it used to be that way. If skirts got shorter, there was a boom and vice versa. Now short skirts have been around longer than a boom, so it doesn’t seem relevant anymore.
In any case, there seems to be a shift in style in the interior design field. A darker interior design style is on the rise and I interpret it as us wanting to be more cozy and comfortable so that we can indulge in “cocooning” again, a term that was widely used a decade ago. And of course it feels logical that we want to lock out the scary world outside.
I happily admit that I have been longing for the day when we can finally consign “bright and fresh” to history. The white style, whether it is the pared-down Scandinavian or shabby chic, has been dominant for a long time. I welcome darker woods, wall colors and textiles.
This is a collage of photos from a real estate agency in Stockholm. All the apartments are cast in the same mold. White, white, white .
It’s easy to decorate if everything is white. It becomes much more difficult to match darker tones and colors. If you want to change, it’s not necessary to buy new, but you can reuse what you already have to a large extent. See one of my previous posts here Recycling
If the change feels too radical if you’re used to white, it’s not that far to go to the colonial style where light textiles are combined with dark woods. Here are some inspiration images for those of you who are craving a little “light” style change.
Here we find several elements that have their origins in the colonial style, bright textiles, animal-patterned carpet, blinds, and leather.
Animal prints are a must in colonial style, especially zebra prints. I guess it’s because the English officers hunted big game on their conquests. The cabinet above is covered in fabric, wallpaper would work just as well.
More zebra and a leopard-patterned rug. The darker wall color gives nice contrast and more depth.
I just have to include this picture that shows a modernized version of the colonial, although it’s very white. The chrome campaign desk is incredibly stylish!
Leather sofas haven’t been in fashion for a long time. But maybe it’s time again. It’s a good investment anyway.
Lovely veranda, contemporary with a nod to the colonial with rattan furniture in black.
Here is a beautiful patio in the southern regions. What we call director’s chairs come from the colonial style and are then called “campaign chairs”. Read more about this: The colonial style
Smart “coffee table”, whoever created it is both clever and has an eye for design. Unfortunately, it is not available for purchase domestically.
Now it’s time to enter the dark cave to botanize in the new cozy style.
The dark look has been consistently pursued here with successful results. Lighting plays a key role in ensuring that it doesn’t become too dark.
The brownish-black dominates. It works well with both dark floors and walls with a little touch of white here and there. Also note the desk, modern colonial style here too.
A little color to liven up the darker style. I like the frame of the daybed, it’s in Empire, a style that Emperor Napoleon brought to Europe inspired by ancient Egypt.
I think this is a really cozy environment. The portrait adds weight to the whole thing.
This living room belongs to English interior designer Abigail Ahern, a “princess of darkness.” Not to imply that she is evil, but she is consistent in creating dark rooms with lots of color. Read more about her here: Abigail Ahern
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