Hollie Bowden's guide to tackling interiors trends, from cool stainless steel to the dreaded 'It' sofa

It’s that time of year when we must dutifully throw out all our furniture, repaint every wall and pray that, this year at least, our homes are exuding "quiet luxury". The interiors merry go-round reaches peak velocity in January and frankly I want to get off.

There are flickers of truth in all these trend round-ups; the art is in knowing what to take from them and what to leave.

See stainless steel: yes, it’s everywhere, but it’s still a brilliant thing — hardwearing, versatile, faintly industrial. The trick is to look at the wider context of a trending material or style.

French artist Maria Pergay pioneered the use of stainless steel in furniture 60 years ago and those whip-smart pieces offer an antidote to Instagram or (shudder) TikTok homogeny.

Follow designers, makers, gallerists and manufacturers rather than fashion influencers who frantically pivoted to interiors a couple of years ago when they realised which way the wind was blowing. We have a tendency to want to look at finished rooms, but honing in on their building blocks is better food for the imagination.

People often fall back on obvious combinations because that’s how they’ve seen something executed. Please, no more blobby furniture upholstered in cream bouclé. It’s the epitome of what I call the "cardboard Seventies" look.

Be wary, too, of trying to faithfully recycle an idea that’s been executed by a top architect or designer. I’m reminded of the many disaster dupes that followed Thomas Poulsen’s multicoloured marble floor for Celine’s Mount Street showroom.

Subtleties in proportion or finish can throw something off in ways that are difficult to anticipate. Instead work within budget — and the abilities of your joiner — and do it well.

Today’s faddiest trends will hit tomorrow’s high street in filtered and diluted forms. Dining table with bobbin legs, anyone? You’re better off going to Kempton Market and buying a really solid farmhouse table that will last a hundred years.

You might think your parents’ pine furniture is questionable, but they’ve probably had that kitchen for 40 years. Social media is spinning the trend cycle at lightning speed. It’s time to slam on the brakes.

1. Bring on the anti-show home

When there’s less cash around, people get creative. I think we’re shifting to something wilder, more colourful, more folky and fun. It’s a more worldly approach to design that leans on collected and handmade pieces, with a broader range of influences.

You’ll find the wackiest ideas between the tatty covers of old interiors books. Let’s get some weird collections started.

2. Death of the design status symbol

The wavy Ultrafragola mirror by Ettore Sottsass is a wonderful piece that should be forever consigned to 2020. It’s sad how such a radical design can become a crashing bore in a clichéd contemporary context — and don’t get me started on the copies.

If you’re desperate for Mario Bellini’s can’t escape-it Camaleonda sofa, at least do it in an obscure fabric.

3. Rise of the young dealer

A new generation of tastemaker gallerists, like Fels and Seeds Gallery, are giving up-and-coming designers a platform. They’re embedded in their communities and helping people understand the value of investing in early career makers.

I foresee a slight shift in power away from some of the more established dealers and hopefully the influencers too.

4. Move over, mid-century

The vice-like grip that Fifties and Sixties furniture has on decorators everywhere may finally be loosening. I’m seeing investment in art deco and art nouveau pieces, with fresh interest in names like Edgar Brandt, Pierre Legrain and Jacques Adnet.

Crosta Smith Gallery has become my go-to for anything art deco. Pieces from that era pair well with utilitarian steel and glass.

5. Finishes with flair

Cork, marmoleum and rubber floors are some of the biggest success stories of recent years, and all represent a renewed focus on finishes. My picks for the next few years? Anything high-shine, like lacquers and whole rooms slicked in gloss paint.

I’m also loving beautifully subtle veneered panelling, with limited pattern or texture. It’s more grown-up than birch ply and won’t date.