2017’s Top 10 Products that Interior Designers Love
You don’t have to be an interior designer to get excited about the latest products that are inspiring trends in the home design space. In no particular order, here are 10 favourite products and trends that interior designers are loving this year.
Natural-style Wood Finishes – Rustic, natural-looking wood is on-trend. Whether it’s barn board or wood finishes with a pure, untreated look that come in a variety of natural tones from white-washed to grey/brown, farmhouse-inspired looks are still on the favourites list for this year. You can see the influence in flooring, shelving, sliding doors, architectural accents, and furniture.
Man-made Stone – Natural, stone products are a beautiful but expensive option for your countertop or vanity; they also have a high degree of variance from piece to piece which may not suit every taste. With man-made stone, what you see is what you get. When it comes to manmade stone, it looks like you can have it all – the look and durability of high-end stone with a consistent style that removes the guesswork for a fraction of the price. Cortex manufactured stone is a designer favourite.
Freestanding Baths – In particular, the Victoria + Albert Pescadero bath is a current favourite of some interior designers. Inspired by the sea, it features a double-ended bathing well and wave-shaped trim, perfect for one or two people. Made from volcanic limestone, it is scratch-resistant and retains heat remarkably well.
Penny Round Tiles – These aren’t just being used on floors, but on walls and ceilings too! It seems the classic subway tile may be on its way out, as designers are starting to choose its smaller counterpart more frequently this year.
Mirrored Coffee Tables – When it comes to smaller spaces, five mirrored sides of the coffee table give the illusion of it disappearing within its space. This style is chic and elegant, although probably not toddler-friendly.
Engineered Wood Flooring – Similar in concept to man-made stone, you get the exact look and size you want, with consistency and durability, but at a fraction of the cost. Products like Kentwood also make creating a herringbone patterned floor easy by laying both left and right pieces in the box for easy installation.
Open-ended Islands – The kitchen island feature for this year is the open end or two, a series of shelves open on three sides, used for books or open display. This look provides a softer, homier feel, and allows for a more functional use of space.
Exposed Brick Walls – Exposed brick creates a rustic, farmhouse ambiance. This year’s rendition of the brick wall has an authentic charm created by a weathered, reclaimed finish. Annie Sloan Chalk ™ paint dusted over a dated brick fireplace works wonders.
Hardware for your Home – Lee Valley is the go-to vendor for many interior designers looking for a wide range of knobs and drawer pulls in every style from modern to antique, including specialty products like crystal, stylized and mixed metals. If you’re looking for sturdy sliding door hardware with smooth operation, Lee Valley is a favourite among interior designers.
Hardware for your Bathroom – Rain showerheads and separate hand-held systems are still on trend for the bathroom. Innovative Canadian companies like Tenzo offer a variety of shower products and accessories high in quality, style and functionality, including body jet panels in a laminate wood that looks like barnboard or shower columns in carbonized bamboo.
