5 Trends to Try This Fall
We round up our favorite looks from the 2016 Black Interior Designers Conference.

After exploring several showrooms at the 2016 Black Interior Designers Conference, one thing is definitely clear: Designers and consumers alike want beautiful yet functional styles they can take from season to season.

Jodie Cooper, Jodie Cooper Design; Photo by D-Max Photographers
Soothing neutrals, unique textures and features that appear to have been designed by Mother Nature herself shine this season. Mix those elements with the clean, sleek lines of modern design and it creates a look that’s formal, but unstuffy.
Here are five tips to bring the look home:
Go Organic

It’s often too easy for modern style to feel cold, so many designers are turning to wood, raw stone and more natural features to create a warm, down-to-earth feel in their spaces.
Neutrals

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: Neutral does not equal beige. It’s more about the way you use it rather than the color itself – try any muted shade of your favorite color as a backdrop to lift other items in your space. Designer Nikki Chu – who has her own paint line appropriately titled “The Perfect Shade of Neutral” – even laughed, saying she prefers to work with more toned-down hues.
Textures

Take a closer look – from velvet sofas to throw pillows with buttons fashioned from coconut shells, everything in the showrooms invite you to touch, feel and ask questions about where it came from. Create personality in your space by building up different textures rather than focusing on one flashy statement piece.
Make It Shine

Whether you’re a gemstone collector or you’ve waiting for brass to make a comeback, add a hint of sparkle to your décor with hints of gold, copper or your favorite precious metal.
Bring on the Rugs

You’re not limited to just one area rug per room. Another way to build up more texture and interest is by layering rugs. Choose rugs in a similar color scheme to avoid design chaos.