Furniture and decorative pieces with rounded edges, curvy details, and fluid shapes continue to be popular. The softer silhouette helps add to the snug appeal of your interior, as more sofas and armchairs are designed with wrap-around details that hug the seat, inviting you to relax and unwind. Complement these with an ottoman that can double as a coffee table, or select a cluster of round side tables to complete the cosy tableau. As these designs are devoid of sharp, angular edges, some of these furniture pieces are more child and pet-friendly as well.

Instead of creating a singular statement wall, jazz up your space with an understated wallpaper in a special finish, which can add a tactile touch to the room.

Wallpaper with subtle, abstract details or fabric-like textures can work beautifully. Web searches for textile art have surged by a dramatic increase of 1,718 per cent on Pinterest within the last year, as more homeowners favour the idea of wrapping their walls with fabric-effect coverings. “It’s about going back to basics because our urban life can be very stressful,” says Winnie Heimgartner-Wong, managing director of upholstery purveyor Cetec, adding, “People want a cosy atmosphere where they can relax.” She recommends using wallpaper with simple, classical details to recreate a hotel-like ambience.”

Love for verdant accents continues, with indoor plants now a popular staple in homes. Opt for large, leafy plants to section a space in a generous living area, or an array of potted plants in different sizes to decorate open shelves and bay windows.

“Popular houseplant varieties including the non-climbing philodendron more commonly known as a ‘delicious monster’, and the climbing variety, ‘heartleaf ’ or ‘sweetheart philodendron’,” shares Cape Town-based botanical artist and floral stylist Janine Vermeulen. “The latter make amazing hanging plants. They survive in low light, but grow faster and have bigger leaves in medium to high light.”

With its plush textures and rich jewel-like tones, it’s easy to see why the appeal of velvet endures, whether on upholstered furniture, curtains or accent cushions. “Velvet and velour are very popular right now because it’s very cosy and decadent,” says Njusja de Gier, vice president for branding and communication at Kvadrat. While once seen as old-fashioned, a lot of homeowners are changing their views on velvet. It’s part of a big comeback of textiles in interiors especially that more people now feel modern architecture is too cold without upholstery. This luxurious material goes seamlessly well with other natural elements, bringing a new level of contrast in textures.

Seek inspiration from beautiful spaces such as Beefbar Paris (pictured here), a restaurant designed by Humbert & Poyet. The designers have paired the glamorous textures of velvet with brass fittings to accentuate the heritage building’s existing Art Deco-style details.

Hand-crafted pieces made with materials such as leather, ceramic, and natural fibres such as cotton continue to be valued and sought after by designers and homeowners. These can come in the form of decorative objects to add to your display shelves, or throws and hand-woven rugs that make your living area and bedrooms more homey.

If you’re seeking a bolder new look for your interior, try dressing your home with wall coverings that feature graphic geometric prints. These can add to the playful, creative environment of children’s bedrooms, or animate a smaller space such as a powder room. Similarly, geometric prints on decorative cushions or rugs can bring a lively energy to a minimalist space and are perfect to play with when you’re looking to create a different mood in the room.

The neutral palette continues to be a favourite and for good reason. For the months ahead, elevate monochromatic schemes with deeper, richer colours inspired by nature. “Nature-inspired colours like green soothe the eye, while neutrals make you feel more relaxed,” shares Heimgartner-Wong. “Mix and match colours like mustard yellow and emerald green with neutrals to enable a more relaxed and pleasant environment.”

It’s for this same reason that AkzoNobel has picked Spiced Honey as its colour of the year. “Inspired by the varied tones and properties of honey, the warm amber tone reflects a sense of awakening and that embraces a spirit of positivity,” says Marike De Ruiter, head of knowledge and insights at AkzoNobel Decorative Paints South East & South Asia and Middle East. “The incredible versatility of Spiced Honey means it can be used in a variety of different ways. For example, an elegant stripe in this colour near the ceiling will bring definition to your space.” According to De Ruiter, this amber hue pairs well with pale wood and a sophisticated mix of soft pink, intense burgundy, and sophisticated deep blue.

Pantone declared Living Coral as the official colour for 2019. Says Nikki Hunt of Singapore-based Design Intervention, “I can’t think of a more perfect choice to li our spirits. Over the past few years I have increasingly found myself turning to this happy hue to elevate our room schemes and bring a cheerful energy to our projects.”

Coral has the warmth of red, the carefree sense of orange, and the romance of pink. Very often, red is too harsh, pink too feminine, orange too playful, but coral is a perfect blend.

Just the tiniest hint is enough to bring a positive energy to the most neutral space. Coral is a versatile hue that can be used anywhere and everywhere throughout the home, whether on curtains to add life to a bright white space or enveloping a whole room. Try combining coral in different tones in the same room: such as a so apricot sorbet on the walls and a deeper tone for the rug. It brings a wonderfully, unexpected cheerful glow to the space.

This article was originally published in Philippine Tatler Homes Vol 23. To bring you all the latest interior trends and practical advice for styling your home, subscribe to Philippine Tatler Homes through here.