Being fashionable

[Gamorasgran]

I have a few projects to do over the next year/18 months including a new bathroom and a full redecoration. I am looking for ideas (mostly so I can price and get an idea of budget).

Both me and dh love lots of blues and greens. Always have. So when I see images of white and navy bathrooms I love them. I want a green based neutral for my living room/hall/landing and because I need to have carpet and something which doesn't show too much dirt I want a grey one. These things seem to be pretty popular at the moment and my taste appears quite fashionable.

My worry is even though I like it, it will date, especially the navy bathroom. I don't have the budget/interest/husband shepherding skills to redo any of this more than about once a decade and i don't want to be the avocado suite of yesteryear.

So how much do you follow trends? And how do you balance good ideas with things that will date?

I had (and loved) all the creams and browns of the kelly hoppen noughties but again just because it suited my taste not because it was fashionable. I always hated a feature wall though.

If you are bothered about things dating then keep the easy to change things in the colours/patterns you think will date. Keep the things that need to stay forvever neutral/classic.

The avocado suite dated because it wasn't easy to replace. Had it been a white suite with avocado blinds and towels etc then as the avocado became naff, it would be easy to get rid of.

For instance:

• if you want a navy bathroom, keep the suite and wall tiles white but add a dark navy floor and paint the walls navy which can be repainted in future. Add blinds etc in a colour you love. If you decide you don't want a navy anymore, paint the walls, change the accessories. A dark navy floor will go with most things.

• carpets tend to date less bevause peopke have them for longer. Unless you have something really crazy and "now" it'll be fine. They are such a big thing to replace that if it's something neutral like grey, it'll be fine.

• paint and wallpaper will start to look tatty in a few years anyway so aren't something you are stuck with forever anyway. Plus, they are easy to change and easy enough to get someone in if you don't want yo do it.

Ultimately though, everyone is influenced by trends and what is available at the time. Everything will date to some degree and there will be things you love right now but will have in 5 years time. You can't avoid that.

Should say "hate in 5 years time".

We went for cream with some mushroom highlights for cupboard and few tiles. I love it as not to masculine and with some yellow olive green accessories looks like a spa. Tiles had a texture though plain colour. Think it looks timeless so won't date too much. The tiles were more expensive but worth it.

Ensure you pick something you love rather than think is right because it's in fashion now.
Remember the only people who have to live with it are your household so it doesn't matter so much what other people think of you love it.
If you are unsure stick with unfussy neutrals for expensive fixed items (bathroom suites, carpets) and add character and colour with fabric, paint & accessories