Jayne Morrison has been seeing gray in interior trends recently, but spring is about to bring a new crop of colorful features. Morrison recently completed a Plymouth bathroom and fireplace remodel — work that refreshed the space for a brighter feel.
It’s Morrison’s priority to stay current on the ever-changing trends in the design world. She moved to Minnesota in 1992 and within two years opened Jayne Morrison Interiors. She’s been updating spaces since and incorporating trends straight from design shows.
“My gift is learning people’s styles,” says Morrison, who herself doesn’t have a signature design aesthetic. “I never have two jobs that look alike.”
Morrison’s Plymouth project consisted of two bathroom remodels, one being the master, and a fireplace refacing with stone. The home was built in the ’90s and needed an update to bring in newer trends and spa features, making the space better for daily use.
In line with spring trends, Morrison has been seeing a move to minimalism with accents. With resale value being at the forefront of homeowners’ minds, Morrison says kitchen and bathroom remodels are her most popular projects. “If you’re planning on doing any remodeling and getting your money back, that’s where you do it,” she says.
Pulling in warmer colors as the temperature warms is important to Morrison, who predicts that the gray color trend will continue for a while. The Pantone color of the year in 2017 was greenery, a color that Morrison wanted to reflect inside homes. “We’re getting our inspiration from nature,” Morrison shares. “Yellows and golds are getting introduced. The words we’ll be hearing are cashew, cognac and honey.”
Still, that doesn’t mean rooms you’ll go into will be painted yellow. Morrison calls the tones “warmer neutrals.”
“I’m seeing bolder choices for tile, patterns and colors,” says Platinum Remodeling owner Josh Shonkwiler, who worked with Morrison on the project. “People make it their own as opposed to ten years ago ... I think the general public as a whole is more informed on their options.”
You’ll see plenty of marble in new spaces, bringing in color with glass backsplashes, among other unique accents. “Everything is much cleaner with a more minimalistic look now,” says Morrison. She’s also encouraging clients to declutter their spaces.
“Clients are moving away from traditional raised panel [cabinets] to flat panel,” says cabinet maker Perry Charpentier, who worked on the cabinets for the Plymouth home. “My job is to interpret what they’re trying to find and make sure it’s functional.”
Since Minnesota typically gets the latest trends later than other markets, Morrison is just starting to see burnished brass – “the absolute newest finish” – a look that’s sure to be popular with fans of striking bathroom details like brushed nickel and shiny chrome.
Bathroom tubs are being completely taken out in favor of big, spa showers with multiple showerheads. Like in this remodel, where the shower took up prime real estate in the master bedroom. To this day, not one of Morrison’s clients has regretted the change, signaling a move toward everyday ease of use.
Morrison is also seeing clients leaning toward an industrial look in their kitchens, more upholstered furniture in living and bedrooms, and stonework on fireplaces like her Plymouth remodel.
“Each project is special and I take care of everything in their home from floor to ceiling,” Morrison says. “When people ask me what my favorite [project] is, I always say, ‘whatever I’m working on at the moment.’”
With a portfolio spanning close to 30 years, Morrison’s become a proponent of custom furniture, a choice that Shonkwiler has been seeing more of as well.
“People are doing more custom and unique [options] because products are getting better,” Shonkwiler says. “It’s not as expensive anymore and it isn’t scaring people away.”
Morrison never lets a client buy anything without seeing it and likewise won’t purchase anything upholstered unless the client’s actually sat on it, as she recommends clients put the time in to research what they like.
“With any remodel and redecorating job, it’s very expensive and overwhelming,” says Morrison. “Work with someone who knows the process and someone who can get the right product.
The most important part of the job is making sure her clients are happy with the results, which has a lot to do with interior design and the ever-frightening budget. Morrison will never allow a client to buy something unless they sincerely love it, saving money in the long run.
She takes the stress off clients sprucing up a new space by finding accessories and products they want and bringing in remodelers when needed. While no one space is similar, Morrison’s knowledge of products gives her the ability to bring each piece needed.
Morrison’s signature design style may just be reflecting her clients’ taste, and it doesn’t seem like the interior expert will stop anytime soon.
“It’s all I’ve done and all I’ll ever do,” she says. “I love Minneapolis and I have no interest in living anywhere else.”
