I find the subject of trends so interesting, especially interior trends.

The fact that colours come in and out of fashion is very strange to me, considering how most people have favourite colours and shades, which surely remain in the midst of whatever is in Vogue. It’s a mysterious process, almost like osmosis. Subliminal messaging in advertising is very real, and very effective, working through repetition.

Trends are predicted by forecasters who gather tons of information, images and research of things that are floating in the ether.

Of course it’s in part a self fulfilling prophecy because once something is announced as up and coming everyone wants to be a part of it. The collective consciousness is a weird thing, and it snowballs. There are always people who can style a room so beautifully that you want to live there yourself, it’s unsurprising that the rest of the world takes their cue from those who make interior design look so effortless. (Of course it usually isn’t!)

We are all looking at the same images on the internet, magazines, television and shops. It drives me mad if there is a huge trend I’m not keen on as you see it everywhere, and it’s that much harder to find what you really want. On the other side of the coin is getting over exposed to something you used to like before every other person in the world seemed to have it.

Fads do always come to an end at some point, even if they are reborn in another decade. There usually comes a saturation point where the style becomes passe. At this point the backlash starts and suddenly people that thought an abundance of teak furniture and a dark olive kitchen were incredibly stylish can start feeling embarrassed with their decorating choices, especially when the cutting remarks start and you realise you’re living in the middle of what is now deeply unfashionable. As long as you still like your home it shouldn’t matter if it’s no longer the in thing. (If you wait long enough it will be again!)

The constant updating of what is desirable appeals to modern humans rather short attention spans, but it is also a good way to get people to keep spending.

It’s a bit like Christmas every year. All through November and December (and before) we are bombarded with ‘eat this!’ ‘drink that!’ sugar, alcohol, extravagant dinners and spend spend spend! Only to be told in January we’re too fat and everyone needs to stop drinking immediately and hit the gym whilst also saving money (after the sales, naturally)

We’re blasted with particular images, colours and styles and a few months later a bunch of smug ‘in the know’ people are laughing at you for being stupid enough to fall for the fad.

If you want to escape this trap the key is to make sure you are choosing items you really love, and not ones that are just fashionable at the moment.

Nothing dates a room more than going all in on a certain theme. It’s not to say this can’t look bold and stunning, but it’s easier to live with a variety of style choices that can be kept or updated according to your preference. Overall I’m not really one for decorating or fashion rules, go with what makes you happy.

I wish I could say I was immune to trends, but of course I’m not. It’s hard to track your inspiration as an artist but none of us live in a vacuum and influences are everywhere. This is where you have to make sure that something about your designs is unique. It also means adapting and evolving, which is actually very good motivation to push yourself creatively and get better at what you do.