Next big country? Trend towards green means it could be us

Anyone done with Denmark? That’s the trouble with trends: as soon as they’re big enough to be mainstream, and therefore easily accessible and affordable, they’re so, as the teenagers of my acquaintance would say, like, over. I’ve nothing against copper and a bit of blond wood, but a house can take only so much before you find you’re living in a photo shoot and start thinking that you need to be blonder, more blue-eyed and definitely have a different accent.

Those of the right age and with good memories will remember our Mexican days. I think they coincided with the arrival of the first Mexican restaurants into Dublin, as their decor – all hot yellows, brick reds and colourful woven cushions and throws – was soon everywhere. Peter Mayle's 1989 best-seller A Year in Provence also had a huge influence, as pale blues, white beamed ceilings, muted floral wallpapers, loads of floaty lace at the windows and rustic-but-delicate candlesticks blossomed.

So, what's next? I've heard rumblings about Iceland, though elsewhere, Elle Decorating tells us: "Expect butterflies, foldable rooms and faux-leather surfaces in the coming year." The Telegraph, meanwhile, is flying the flag for "luxurious comfort". Everyone seems to be agreed on one thing though – and that's green.

Greenery, as you will know, is Pantone’s colour of the year and, according to the Pantone people, it’s highly symbolic: “a colour snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude”.

According to the company's executive director, Leatrice Eiseman, green "bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment". We can only be happy they didn't go for red to symbolise blood on the streets.

So, if it’s all about green, it’s suddenly clear: the next big thing ought to be us. Instead of looking abroad for trends, let’s bring it home and revel in our tweeds, weaves, ceramics and glorious glassware.

And to go with my greenery, I'm starting with the woolly footstool by west Cork-based Alison Ospina (greenwoodchairs.com). Priced at €180, it's sheepskin on a hazel frame, and it looks, to me, like a lovely little cloudy dream. She'll also teach you how to make them. My kind of 2017.