Checking back on the year past, I found that the most read post during 2011 is Different Shades of Blue. It’s a post from ’09, all about the colour blue. It’s obvious that blue (with its 74 post tagged) has been a pretty stabile theme here since Trendey first went online in 2009. So how about 2012′s blue?

Trend reports say it’s time for blues with underwater depth. Bright midnighty blue. Like inky night skies. In general, International colour trends 2012 by Akzo Nobel says this year’s colours are full-bodied with lots of charachter and meaning, but also tender hushed pastels, chic neutrals and edgy brights. The industrial style is still vivid.

The 2012 blue is particularly well paired with industrial yellow.

Just like the Swedish flag! Hurray to us ;) It’s a great colour combo and I’m actually planning on doing something exciting – though small-scale – with F&B’s Drawing Room Blue and the interesting yellow Babouche. I might paint some frames or other stuff for the bedroom wall. And maybe, just maybe (if work load allows) the light airy blue in my home office/our guest room will go midnighty blue. Stay tuned for the results.

| click pics for source |

Happy January!

It’s the last trembling hours of 2011 and time to look back and summarize. And mostly though: focus of the future! During the year, I’ve done a few trend summaries, here’s one from early 2011, and one from summer of 2011. Although Trendey hasn’t dedicated it too much space, the Megatrend of the Year 2011 has undoubtely been Industrial style. And a bit less mainstream, but still strong: dark painted walls. The Colour of the Year 2011 is – lonely at the top! – blues. Greenish blues, turquoiseish, greyish, cobolt blue…(And as a side note when it comes to colours: carrot-orange). And the overall way of decorating: MIX, MIX, MIX!

Picture via Heart Home Magazine, which I hereby appoint Online Interior Design Magazine of the Year. Launched in September 2011, this British quarterly publication is far better than many of the traditional glossy magazines. [Here's a pic from issue #1] The Interior Design Book of the Year is not Decorate imho, it’s Nomad. A Global Approach To Interior Style by Sibella Court. I both hope for and anticipate more globetrotter style in 2012. The Interior design feature of the Year 2011 is – again, a clear choice -  Frame Groupings. Photos, paitings and pictures has been grouped in various inspiring ways. Often gallery style and more and more assymetric as the year has passed. Speaking of art, in 2011 we’ve also seen small but exciting trend coming up we named arty farty…

| pic via vogue living |

Colourful and artistic! The Decor Item of the Year 2011 has to be the antlers. Mostly seen in Scandinavian styles but found everywhere and anywhere. My guess is we’ll see a wider range of animal heads in 2012 [like this cool thing!] The trendiest kitchen style this year has been a Country + Industrial mix [like 'industrial with warmth' or 'country sleek'] And in my opinion, the Overdose of the Year has cernainly been Public Toilet Tiles! I’m both hoping and guessing for more variations when it comes to tiles in 2012. Which leads to the Room of this Year: Bathrooms! Finally bathrooms are allowed to be a room too! We once and for all leave the sanitized and utilitarian bathroom ideal behind in 2011…

| love this pic, also via heart home magazine issue 2 |

The New White this year is beige. Less sharp and cold than whites and the perfect backdrop for colourfulness – not least the globetrotter vibe. The interior design clichees of the Year 2011 reads undecorate and personal style: great ideas, diffucult concepts. Undoubtedly part of the future! R.I.P. prepackaged styles and do’s & don’ts… Other things I loved in 2011 and wish to see more of, is the lovely drinks trolley, the creative odd chair mixes and the very useful chalkboard paint (just look at this gorgeous example at Sf Girl by Bay, and this at decor8). Actually, I so want more of the contemporary countryish style too.

Quite a few things have been said about the 2012 trends. Ideas have been spoken that the next few years will bring a strong urban farming & 70s theme. For spring consistent reports say soiled pastels, greys & beiges, and an overall movement towards more cozy homes; homely and comforting with textiles, rugs and personal decor. IKEA displayed quite a few gorgeous rugs in the 2012 catalogue, and I don’t think the kilims have reached their peak yet. And hey, not to forget the exciting return of the house plants. Cosy ECLECTIC is my decor theme of 2012 :)

A fresh new home decor year is upon us and Trendey wishes you a year filled with happiness, luck & love. Thank you masses for visiting & chatting with us this year!

| homey & eclectic, via heart home magazine issue 2 |

The festive days are getting closer! This one is those of us who loves when it sparkles! Gorgeous colour scheme, via living etc. Merry, Merry Christmas Time to all of you!

In spring 2012′s colour scheme, faded pastels, beiges & greys are the main ingredients. Dark graphite grey provide the contrast. Add wood (preferably blonde) and glass or transparents. So says the trend oracles. Typically springish & nice! Above pic is a shoot of our dining area; pics below via sköna hem & skeppsholmen.

Love this composition! This is actually the same home as in this post (taken nearly 4 yrs ago; it’s quite cool to compare two gorgeous versions of the same room, and see how tastes & trends evolve).

Faded & beautiful. Top-trendy for spring 2012 and a slightly granny-esque or Faded Glamour vibe.

Lastly, I think the grey wall in this kitchen below is awesome.

| pic left via boligmagasinet, right: moa og kaffekoppen |

Oh, and before we go on with the Christmas decor theme, I feel we need a dose of Danish interiors. Glad you enjoyed the Norwegian excursion! Above pic is like the transition from Norwegian to Danish style, to me. In my thinking, Danish style is more characteristic, more brave (at least than Swedish contemp. style) and more influencial on Scandinavian style at large than all of the other Scandi styles. More edge. And not to mention the impact and coolness of Danish design. I personally do love Børge Mogensen’s iconic leather sofa in caramel and I will oneday have a glossy lipstick-red Verner Panton chair (preferably in my decorated barn on the countryside) – just to mention a part of the heritage. Now here -> Trendey’s tag for Danish things and a glance of trendy Denmark.

| via boligmagasinet |

Norway gave us Ane Brun – just listen to Du gråter så store tåra and you’ll be spellbound – and what’s more Norwegians are the masters of country style decor. And what best would be described as cozy & contemporary Scandinavian. Very trendy for spring with its pale pastels and wood.

| left pic via lev landlig #7/2011, right: trine thorsen|

I’m not sure if Norwegian decor’s va va voom factor would have happened without the artistery of Norwegian photographer Trine Thorsen (site/blog). And besides the many Norwegian blogs featuring variations of this style, the interior/lifestyle magazine Lev Landlig is undeniably one of the best in its range.

| left pic: trine thorsen, right via lev landlig #7/2011 |

Blonde wood & wool are crucial elements, and for some reason, so are plates! The colour schemes not seldom include light blues, and other inspiring details of this beautiful fjord country’s style are antlers and fishery equipment.

| left via stines blogg/vintage chic, right: trine thorsen |

 Lastly, a Norwegian bedroom nature-style.

| pic via NIB – norske interiørblogger |

Personally, I really really like the Norwegian touch, and especially the more countryish part and the nature inspired details. Many times though, the contemporary Norwegian style is set against an all-white backdrop (white walls and white-painted floors) and that’s the part I like the least. Or well, i can definitely be beautiful to look at, but my feeling is I wouldn’t stand such white interiors in my everyday life – just like I wouldn’t everyday (or anyday!) wear a white suit and white shoes, even if the accessories were cozy :p This pic is an extremely nice example though! Love how the elements are put together. More inspiration on this style can be found at Draumesidene, a blog by the bedroom owner.

Now that’s me. How about you – does Norway inspire you too?