Are we ready for red again?

The Milan trend forecast for 2018 held no real colour surprises: millennium pink, emerging yellowy mustards, sage greens, metallic accents, rich reds - wait what? Hold the phone.

Just as I am about to obliterate the STUNNING red feature wall in the Burrough Place Project (don't laugh, we all had one circa 1999), I read the news that red will be making it's sassy as way back into our homes and decor decisions this year.

Oh gaad, it's like we are now old enough to remember it THE FIRST TIME AROUND... like my kids coming home from hip hop rocking out to their NEW dance to 'this is how we do it' . No it's not new. I was 17 when it first came out. Sorry to be a bubble burster.

So I guess, everything has a cycle: music, clothes, colours. My first apartment in Sydney had a BEAUTIFUL red, sage green and dark wood thing happening, and I thought it was divine. 

The challenge is, how can we do this in a way that is fresh and modern. I looked for some Pinspiration and actually, it looks like I might be able to cope. 

It's about injecting small amounts to pull together an otherwise neutral scheme. Persian rugs are cool right now, and you can find beautiful second- hand ones on Trade Me almost every day. 

Velvet is a beautiful option for chairs or sofas - although maybe a cushion is better place to start for those with little munchkins/dogs/husbands who eat on the couch.

Old masters style floral photography is very now - and a great way to inject a heap of different colours into a space without being to overwhelming. Try Emma Willetts Photography. Her work is really cost effective for the level of impact you will get.

Ebay has a cool range of vintage Murano vases in ruby red, or you could raid your Nana's china cabinet for some 1920s garnet glass- trust me, there will be some in there! Cluster these on a marble side table with some renunculars and let the light shine through. It's actually really beautiful.

But please promise me, no feature walls or red art.... I am just not THAT ready.