Carpet Court's Winter Interior Trends - Retro and Brooklyn

New season, new look! From modern industrial to retro with a twist, Carpet Court reveals the hottest trends of winter 2019 and how to work them into your home.

This winter, interiors with a sophisticated, urban edge will come to the fore, according to Carpet Court trend forecasters. Two standout looks are Retro, which features moody blues, sumptuous textiles and lashings of gold; and Brooklyn – a streamlined, modern take on the industrial trend we've been loving for a while.

"The Retro look is elegant and urbane, while Brooklyn has more of a New York loft vibe," says Heather Nette King, Carpet Court's style ambassador. "But both looks put a focus on colour, texture and layering so they're perfect for creating that welcoming feel we crave in the cooler months."

The Retro look is a nod to old-style luxury, but in a beautifully streamlined way that isn't fussy or overly embellished, say Carpet Court trend forecasters. "Think minimalist glam," says Heather. "Classic pieces such as tailored sofas and chairs upholstered in luxurious velvets, set against a neutral background to showcase their sleek lines and sexy curves. The palette is deliberately kept simple – tonal blues, paired with low-key neutrals and highlights of gold.

"Simplicity is the key to making this look work – you'll notice a distinct lack of pattern," says Heather. "Seek out classic pieces with clean lines and give them breathing space to shine. Then ramp up the glam factor with accessories such as side tables and mirrors in gold and copper."

Balance out the vibrant blues and gleaming metallics with a neutral base; "a light-tone grey carpet such as Carpet Court's Luxe Palette in Achillea will provide contrast and make a room feel bright and open. Or, for a richer neutral base, consider a smoky grey carpet such as Carpet Court's Ocean Road textured wool loop pile carpet in Lorne," says Heather.

"Timber-look flooring would also look stunning – for this look, steer towards blonde and light tones, such as Carpet Court's Pryzm Hybrid flooring in Flooded Gum or Stockmans Ridge Premium in Spotted Gum."

With its raw timbers and exposed detailing, the Brooklyn look is an update on the wonderfully enduring industrial trend, say Carpet Court forecasters. "Think of it as 'modernindustrial' – gone are the heavy wrought iron bases and rough-hewn timbers the industrial look was known for. Instead the pieces are leaner, more lightweight, and can be layered with natural textures for a fresher, contemporary vibe," says Heather. "As it isn't as 'hard-core' industrial, it's now much easier to create this look - it'll work just as well in a contemporary space as it will in an older style home, and if you're not lucky enough to have an exposed brick wall, this look will still work really well set against a white or black painted wall.

"Seek out furniture such as coffee tables and shelving with slender legs and simple lines in mixed materials such as weathered timber and steel," says Heather. "Scour your local second-hand shop for interesting, salvaged items, such as metal dining chairs or lighting – and don't worry about the odd nick and scratch as they'll only add character.

"If you're worried that the industrial look may appear a little cold, simply add layers to it with soft furnishings in natural textures and warm, earthy hues – think a beautifully aged tan leather sofa, cosy woolen cushions and throws, and a plushpile rug underfoot – all in tones of chocolate, rust, olive and stony grey," says Heather.

"Ground the scheme with a richly textured loop-pile carpet in deep brown or charcoal, such as Carpet Court's Bakers Creek in Tidal or Ocean Road in Lorne. If you prefer wooden floors, choose a warm mid-tone timber such as Carpet Court's Riviera Oak in Amalfi, or one with a weathered, greyed-off finish such as Masterpiece in Espigna Grey.

"Flooring really sets the mood in a room, so think about the feel you want to create," says Heather. "These two trends are perfect for a relaxed living room, so consider laying a plush or chunky loop pile carpet that you can sink your toes into. Or, if you have timber floors, soften them with a beautiful, textured rug'. Remember, the floor is the first thing you touch when you enter a room – so you want it to feel fantastic."

Heather Nette King's Flooring Style Tips

BE COLOUR-SAVVY: a pale floor will visually open up a small room, while a darker colour will make it feel cosier.
CREATE FLOW IN AN OPEN-PLAN ROOM: Match the colour of your carpet, floorboards or tiles for a seamless connection between the different zones.
THINK BEYOND STRAIGHT FLOOR BOARDS: a chevron or herringbone-patterned timber floor will add character and subtle texture to a room scheme.

GO HYBRID: love the look of timber but worry about using it in a wet room? Consider a waterproof, timber-lookalike flooring such as Hybrid.
DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERLAY: it reduces noise levels in a room (this is particularly important for apartment living) and can extend the life of your carpet by up to 50 per cent.

www.carpetcourt.com.au