With my feet up on the coffee table, my cat cuddled closely at my side and coffee brewing (3rd cup), I reflect on everything I learned this past week at the Las Vegas Market.

What to consider when decorating your home this year:

Neutrals rule.  Adding pops of color will bring your neutral palette to life and can easily be changed for seasons or on the whim.

Accessorizing with area rugs and window treatments: Cowhide and sisal rugs are easy to care for, natural and long lasting.  My favorite showrooms at the Las Vegas Market featured both. New to market are machine made carpets, with very muted  colors emulating the look of a well aged and worn European vintage rug, without the outrageous price tag.  I personally have priced the European version and they are very pricey. Rugs anchor the space, as you can see in the room with the large coral ottoman.  In addition,  window treatments are back!  No longer hip is the naked, loft look of a window without a treatment. Soft linen panels and shades made of natural woven wood are in the designers shopping carts this year. Don’t be surprised to see more patterns and florals as we head into 2016.

Oval glass coffee table by Crate and Barrel

Ottoman coffee table – One Kings Lane

Trends that have “expired”:  Gone are the mirrored side tables, consoles and the Hollywood glam look.  The whirl-tub has been replaced with large, multi-head showers.  Kitchen desk areas are replaced with more cabinetry and/or additional counter space.  Cabinet hardware is not limited to stainless steel and nickel.  Brass and gold fixtures have been introduced and designers are using these in new designs.  Think gold faucets, brass lamps and sconces.

Wallpaper is big!  Ivy has been carrying Tempaper since 2014 and it’s very popular for the obvious reason that you can peel it off when you are ready for another change.  We recommend applying Tempaper to an accent wall.  Have fun with all the designs Tempaper has to offer.  Check out HGTV’s dream home and you’ll see wallpaper.  Flip through your current Home magazines and you’ll find wallpaper.  Be brave and take the leap with Tempaper.

Blue is IN!  It also goes well with Pantone’s color of the year, Marsala.  We love navy blue.  It’s rich, clean  and a fresh change that looks great and enhances rooms painted beige, white and gray.  Check out HGTV’s Dream Home 2015 on Martha’s Vineyard.  Blue, white, glass, natural rugs and wood.  I’m entering daily.  Are you?

Mid-Century modern (1950-1970s) is IN but we encourage you to add maybe one or two pieces vs. filling your home with this look. Think fun mid-century chair or clean-lined server added in a room and mix it in with your current furnishings.  Another fun way to add the mid-century modern look is with a funky 1950s mirror on the wall behind your sofa or hallway table.  Using fabric to reupholster is a great way to change and update a room’s look. You will completely update the look of a chair, sofa, ottoman, etc. with new fabric.  Tempaper also has a few mid century inspired prints for your walls.

Gone are the furniture “sets”.  If you have a dining room, bedroom or living room SET, think of ways to mix it up.  Maybe replace one or two of the set pieces.  Change your arm chairs in your dining room or paint the chairs or buffet in your dining room.  Change out your bedside tables to something modern and unexpected.  I’m currently painting a few items in my master bedroom to break up a very expensive bedroom “set” bought 15 years ago.  At this point, I painted my 4-poster pine bed a beautiful Limoges cream and it made a huge difference.  No longer do I have a bedroom set but I now simply have a pretty bedroom.  It took $72 in product to transform my room with the paint and top coat needed for my bed.  Let us help you with your project by either hiring us to do it for you (we provide custom paint services) or consulting with you on your DIY project. Either way, we are always happy to help. Ivy carries an all natural Chalk/Clay mineral based paint and we’d love to share with you what we know.  We also provide monthly paint workshops.  Below is an example of a painted piece that we found when shopping Brimfield in September 2014.

If you know you need an update but not sure where to start, consult with Holly Gagne Interior Designs.  Holly’s design services range from color and fabric consults, room layout and drawings, home styling and organization to full demolition and renovation. www.hollygagne.com.  Holly has a beautiful studio in Rowley, MA and also provides in-home design consults.

We hope these tips help you when you’re ready to tackle your 2015 home projects.  We at Ivy are always happy to talk shop.  If you need a certain piece, let us know and we will work hard to find it for you.

Happy decorating!

Jennifer of Ivy Lane

Photos: Found on Pinterest, Kings Lane, Crate and Barrel, and Holly Gagne Interior Design’s FB and website.