Vintage furniture collectors: it’s time to rejoice! Over the last year, interior designers have been eschewing granite, pewter, mole whisper, and silver birch: that pale, subtle and Scandi-inspired feel to modern interiors, with their sleek minimalism and uncluttered contemporary cool, has had its day.
When Mocha Mousse was named as the Pantone Colour Institute’s Colour of the Year for 2025, it was a clear that the white-grey and ‘greige’ tones that have dominated interiors over the past decade are due for a revamp. The Pantone Colour of the Year is considered reflective of the current global mood and zeitgeist, a single hue that summarises the evolution of social, political, and cultural trends world-wide. It sure is a big ask!
It’s also a big deal. Described as a warming, rich brown that ‘nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, and answers our desire for comfort’, the previously innocuous Mocha Mousse is now influencing design trends in fashion, home décor, products and packaging. Whether you’re drawn to minimalist vibes or love designs with rich detail, Mocha Mousse has a sophisticated, earthy elegance that works beautifully on its own or as a versatile neutral base, beyond the shadow whites and dove greys of the last few years.
Alongside, step forward mahogany with those deep rich red-brown shades that strike the perfect balance between boldness and versatility, tradition and understated glamour. Paired with accents of brass or gold, against the pale honey of Maltese limestone, its cosy wood-warm hues feel inherently luxurious and sophisticated. There’s a reason why Casa Rocca Piccola In Valletta, Medina’s Palazzo Falson, and Naxxar’s Palazzo Parisio never opted for Ikea!
Due to its popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries, mahogany is often associated with historic homes and traditional style. Considered a noble wood, it has long been a popular choice for furniture making. The first mahogany was brought to Europe from the West Indies about 450 years ago, oozing a tropical exoticism and used only for the very finest furniture it had a price tag to match. Then, during the Baroque period, mahogany experienced a heyday becoming particularly popular at the French court and in England, where it was used by the most famous London furniture makers in the 18th century Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton.
Now, it’s likely you can’t afford a Chippendale, and we don’t all have a Nonna with a house to raid, but luckily there’s lots on the High Street this season. And because mahogany’s both classy and wonderfully versatile, it will work in your home whatever your style – whether you’re going floor-to-ceiling with a Hogwarts-style snug study lined with books or you’re thinking organic and modern, teaming mahogany with organic hues and wide-leafed plants.
It’s also great as an accent colour so whatever your budget, pick up some bits to jazz up your space this spring.
