Spring is the chance to embrace fresh new looks to revitalise our homes.

Taking us on a journey from the warm spirit of the Aegean, to urban jungle cool, and home sprung English blooms to a mouthwatering palette of soft Sorbets, interior stylist Joanna Thornhill guides us through the key looks for spring/summer 2018, with key furniture pieces that are refreshingly modern to update any space.

Aegean Sea

"Give a sophisticated twist to a nautical scheme by incorporating a Mediterranean flavour - think patterned encaustic tiles, vibrant punches of bold blue and a touch of rustic charm in the guise of painted shutters, textured woods and loose linens," advises Joanna. "Incorporating striking sculptural plants such as Aloe Vera or Calathea ties into the trend for plants in the home whilst striking the right tone for this look.

"Using coastal-inspired accessories to style the space will help bring it all together, though less is more to avoid it feeling themed; rather, mix in the odd pretty shell, gemstone or (faux) coral ornament with some rough, textural pottery and a rug with an abstract, watercolour pattern."

"Natural surfaces, such as a whitewashed brick wall or pale painted floorboards, act as a great foil for this laidback look, as do wafty voile curtains left super-long, to trail on the floor and billow in the warm summer breeze."

STYLE TIP:

Work in a variety of blue tones, using brighter hues as an accent and paler, grey-tinted shades for the bulk of this scheme, all pushing a united cool tone. Encaustic-style patterns will add interest and mix well with the odd clashing stripe.

Sorbet Geometric

"Add a bit of an edge to this feminine colour palette by bringing in bold geometric shapes and on-trend accents in the form of spotted prints, succulents and even the odd oh-so-2018 flamingo motif. Any pastel hue will work, though opt for shades with a touch of bitterness to them to stop things feeling too saccharine, and stick to a maximum of three to four key hues. Ensure you have plenty of white or neutral tones within the overall scheme, to help balance things out and draw the eye to your chosen focal points.

"Wallpaper is one instant way to achieve a geometric or circular pattern on your walls, but it can also be a lot of fun to use paint to create something bespoke yourself. Paint your chosen wall with one of your key colours first, then to create geometric shapes, use a low tack masking tape to create your pattern directly onto the wall, filling in the gaps with your additional paint colours until you’re happy with the end result. To add circles, simply draw round a template such as a dinner paint to create your outline, before carefully filling in the centre," suggests Joanna.

STYLE TIP

Keep accessories bold and deliberate, for added impact - anything with a structural silhouette or faceted outline will set things off beautifully.

Urban Jungle

"House plants have been having a quiet revolution these past few years and are firmly back on the ‘hot’ rather than ‘not’ list, proving particularly popular in small urban environments such as modern flats or apartments. Go to town and mix tropical-style plants such as the Yuccu and Candleabra Cactus with on-trend trailing plants suspended from contemporary hanging baskets – think String of Pearls or Donkey’s Tail sedum.

"To highlight this urban flavour, pair your plants with another on-trend look: monochrome Scandi. Simple black and white geometric patterns will bring a freshness that’s perfect for the Summer months, though to stop things feeling clinical, mix in different textures such as a fluffy Flokati rug, chunky knit throws and crushed velvet cushions."

STYLE TIP

Grey painted furniture works particularly well with this look, and even better if mixed with some clean lined pieces hewn from more exotic timbers such as mango wood. Using vibrant green as an accent on feature walls acts as an interesting foil for both the plants and the geometric patterns, as well as complementing other on-trend materials such as concrete and copper, which both give an industrial nod to the space.

Wildflower

"Typically, summer schemes feature bright, vibrant florals, but opting for a more berry-hued palette can still feel just as fresh if other elements are kept light and it avoids the space feeling overtly feminine. A dark backdrop, such as a moody navy hue, really allows the pinks and purples of the flowers to pop out against it, with copper accents and plenty of neutral creams helping lift the overall look. Traditional floral motifs such as roses mix with English wildflowers for a homespun, bringing-the-outdoors-in vibe," advises Joanna.

"Mix and match fabrics such as bedlinen, curtains and rugs to create a delicate layered look - to avoid it feeling overwhelming, include some single-colour prints and ensure everything sits within the same colour family."

STYLE TIP

Vintage accessories, such as an old painted enamel jug, all aid the casual air within such a space, as can mixing in pretty potted flowering plants such as violas. Going bolder with upholstered furnishings would complement this aesthetic well; an accent chair in a rich, warm hue, or even an all-over floral pattern, would set everything off wonderfully, whilst part-painted furniture combining creams with warm woods also hits the spot here."

Stockists

Oak Furniture Land

Poole Retail Park, Branksome, Dorset BH12 1DN

W: oakfurnitureland.co.uk

Secret Linen Store

W: secretlinenstore.com

The Rug Seller

W: therugseller.com

Photography: Olly Gordon