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At first, it's a heart-warming story about music and love – then "Song Sung Blue" turns into a drama. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson shine as amateur musicians in good times and bad. And teach us three things about life. Berlin (dpa) – Many artists hope music will make them rich and famous. The film "Song Sung Blue" is a tribute to those who do not manage to do so. Inspired by true stories, actors Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson sing and play a musician couple who won local fame in the late 80s and 90s in the US, as a cover band playing Neil Diamond songs. But that was not enough for a big breakthrough. In this film, director Craig Brewer shines a light on the daily lives and struggles of amateur musicians, which are often overlooked. "I live in Memphis, Tennessee, and music is very much a part of our culture in Memphis. I have many friends that playing in rock clubs every night, and they're amazing up on stage," Brewer told dpa. "And then the next morning, they're serving me coffee at the local diner." Musicians needing side gigs This brings us to the first of three life tips provided by "Song Sung Blue." For Mike and Claire Sardina, the real-life models for the film's plot, the chance of a music career seems long gone. He is a Vietnam veteran, a recovering alcoholic and works as a mechanic. She works as a hairdresser, struggling as a single mother, singing at best on small stages. But there is a spark between the two of them, both in terms of music and personally. Their shared passion for music and defiant optimism give rise to the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder. Hudson sees this neither as naivety nor financial recklessness, but as the true path to happiness. "If it makes you fulfilled, even if you have to supplement by working in other ways, if you have to make music, you are following your dream," she says. That is pretty fitting for an actress who became famous with "Almost Famous." Hudson says she does not measure success by world fame or chart hits. "I think that more people need to [understand] it's okay to be a musician that didn't achieve Mick Jagger success," says Hudson, who now also performs as a singer. "It means that you're living your life the way you want to live your life." Who knows where it will take you Putting passion before money was also important to Hudson's film partner Hugh Jackman, who looks back to his time at drama school. "I just loved that. I thought, if I never work a day in my life, these have been the best three years of my life," he told dpa. So if you have a passion but no guarantee of success, this life tip is for you: In Jackman's words, "Just do it. That's what I always say, and you never know where it'll go." Who knows – that could even be Broadway, where Jackman now regularly dances and sings in shows alongside his acting career, where he is known from "Deadpool & Wolverine," or "The Greatest Showman". 'Is my life over?’ We find a second life tip from "Song Sung Blue" concerning the courage to make a new start later on in life. Mike and Claire only find each other and their calling as Neil Diamond tribute musicians once they are middle aged. This is a recurring theme for director Brewer. "It's been something that I've been exploring, I would say, over a couple of movies. I know that 'Hustle and Flow' is one of them. The Eddie Murphy movie, 'Dolomite is my Name'. It seems I'm really interested in people that are in their 40s and 50s and sometimes 60s saying 'Is my life over?' 'Does that mean that I can't fall in love again?'" Brewer, 54, says there is exactly one right time for a new start. "The time for that to happen is when you feel it most passionately … you have to, to some extent, allow yourself to move forward." He has no time for doubts or external circumstances as excuses. "I think the only people that really are keeping us back is ourselves" For better or for worse – rash promise? The third and final life tip unfolds its power in the darkest moments of "Song Sung Blue." Suddenly, struggles descend upon Mike and Claire, at which point, they have long been married. Like countless other married couples, they promised to be there for each other in good times and bad – without realising how hard the test of time could prove to be. The film is not exaggerating – this part of the story actually happened. "This couple go through probably more ups and downs than most, but everybody does. The movie is very much about how these two rescue each other, show up for each other, are there for each other through the really, really hard times," says Jackman. The fact that Hudson, unlike Jackman, received a Golden Globe nomination for her role is probably due primarily to this dark period. In the first part, Jackman and Hudson carry the story through their charisma and their captivating chemistry on stage. Jackman throws himself into his role wholeheartedly and without shame – including singing at home in his underwear. But the way Hudson leads the previously radiant Claire into the abyss is moving. ‘This kind of love’ "This is one of the things I love about this movie that I think people will really find refreshing," Hudson says. At a time when relationships often end quickly, "Song Sung Blue" tells a story of a deeper kind of romance. "I think in this day and age, it's really easy to leave somebody," says Hudson. "The strength to power through something with someone, that type of love is what we're all looking for." That brings us to our third life tip furnished by Jackman. "It's really about family, and they believe in each other, too," he says. That makes "Song Sung Blue" a feel-good film all the way to the end, even if there are moments of pain, too, along the way. "Song Sung Blue" is getting an international cinematic release between December and February. The following information is not intended for publication dpa rt zlp gth xxde arw coh

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Berlin (dpa) – De-icing salt might help us make it down the street during the winter without slipping, but it comes at a cost to pavements, trees and pets. For this reason Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe have even moved to ban private use of road salt, even imposing fines in some places. Even if it's still allowed in your area, you should consider a less harmful alternative to help protect trees and pet paws from drying out. "Road salt corrodes roots and impairs the nutrient content of the soil. The salt accumulates in the soil and then interferes with the water absorption of trees all year round," explains Christian Hönig, head of the biodiversity department at the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND). Fortunately, alternatives known as blunt gritting agents can break up ice while providing traction for shoes and tyres. "The point of these gritting agents is to break through smooth surfaces – so that shoes can grip the pavement or tyres can grip the road. In principle, all classic gritting materials are suitable for this," says Hönig. These include sand, gravel, ash, wood shavings or granulate. Choosing the right material Coarser materials like gravel, granulate, or sawdust often stay in place longer, while sand is washed away more quickly, says Hönig. "With coarser gravel, you can be generous so that the individual stones cover the surface of the pavement." If bicycles are also travelling on the path, sand may be the better choice instead of gravel. This is because the bicycle tyre often has more grip with finer grit, "especially as sand is easier to spread over larger areas." Sustainability matters To grit your paths without burdening the environment, you can check for environmental seals on your gritting materials. If you want to pay even more attention to sustainability, you should avoid gritting materials that require energy to produce and long transport routes – such as volcanic rock that has to be extracted. Instead, regional by-products like leftover wood chips, sawdust or ash are ideal. "If there's a sawmill or joinery nearby, you can ask them if they have any leftover wood chips or sawdust," says Hönig. If you're lucky, you might even save money and not even have to pay for the waste product. The only important thing is that the wood used must be untreated – not varnished – to avoid releasing harmful substances into the environment. The same applies to ash: only use ash from your own fireplace so you know the source, Hönig notes. Ice removal tips Gritting is one thing. But the best protection against slipperiness is to remove existing layers of ice. Hot water can help here. However, this is usually only useful in certain areas. "It doesn't automatically eliminate the risk of slipping," says Hönig. In fact, this method even brings risks. "Icy surfaces are particularly dangerous if they only thaw and then form a slippery film of water on them." Ideally, ice and snow should be removed when it has just fallen because the surface often only becomes really slippery when it is compacted under pressure like our footsteps or tyres. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn mod xxde mls coh

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London (PA Media/dpa) – Dogs fed on premium, meat-rich pet food can have a bigger dietary carbon footprint than their owners, a new study has found. Scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Exeter calculated the carbon footprint of almost 1,000 commercially available dog foods, based on emissions generated during the production of ingredients. Their sample included a selection of dry, wet and raw foods, including plant-based and grain-free options. The researchers found “striking” differences in the environmental impact of different foods, with those with the highest impact generating up to 65 times more emissions than the lowest. Wet, raw and meat-rich products were found to generate substantially more emissions than dry dog food. Meanwhile, dry foods marketed as “grain-free” tended to have a higher carbon footprint than non-grain-free options. The researchers said using large amounts of prime meat – which could otherwise be eaten by humans – pushes up emissions, while the use of nutritious, low-demand cuts can have a lower climate impact. They also said plant-based dog foods are likely to reduce emissions, but cautioned that only a small number of such foods were available in the study. Overall the researchers estimated that the production of ingredients used in UK dog food contributes about 1% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. They added that if all the dogs in the world were were given the same food as dogs in the UK, this could generate greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to over half of those from burning jet fuel in commercial flights each year. The study’s principal investigator, John Harvey, from the University of Edinburgh, said: “As a veterinary surgeon working on environmental sustainability, I regularly see owners torn between ideals of dogs as meat‑eating ‘wolves’ and their wish to reduce environmental harm. “Our research shows just how large and variable the climate impact of dog food really is.” The researchers called for greater transparency and clearer labelling of dog food ingredients, to help owners make informed choices as pet ownership continues to rise. They said dog owners looking to reduce their carbon footprint without switching to a different food type should check the labels, and aim for foods with a lower prime meat content. Mr Harvey went on: “It’s important for owners to know that choosing grain-free, wet or raw foods can result in higher impacts compared to standard dry kibble foods. “The pet food industry should make sure meat cuts used are of the types not typically eaten by humans, and that labelling is clear. “These steps can help us have healthy, well-fed dogs with a smaller pawprint on the planet.” The study, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production. The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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In a year dominated by indie games, 2025 showcased the power of human creativity in gaming, as players sought authenticity over AI-driven shortcuts. As artificial intelligence has seeped more into daily life, it’s been met with a mix of acceptance and repulsion. The technology has been used to modify photos and improve productivity, but it has also threatened jobs and created havoc with the truth. When it comes to video games, players abhor AI. It’s associated with slop and the deluge of nice-looking but cheaply made games. That has created a hunger for authenticity. Players want games made by human artists with code that’s crafted with flesh and blood, and that’s reflected in the best games of the year. It’s been the year of indies, games made by small teams compared to the multi-studio efforts behind “Call of Duty” or “Assassin’s Creed.” These indie games are passion projects, and the care put into their development shows in the quality of the games. Here are the top 10 games of 2025. 1. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33”:Sandfall Interactive is a studio formed by an ex-Ubisoft employee who wanted to create a project inspired by Japanese role-playing games. That led to an impressive and epic tale about Gustave, Lune and the rest of Expedition 33, working together to stop the Paintress from eliminating a generation of people in the city of Lumiere. The campaign begins with a big shock that pulls players into its distinct Belle Epoque world. The RPG is backed with solid mechanics that introduce QuickTime-type elements into the turn-based combat that reward skill as well as strategy. Combine that with unforgettable characters and heartbreaking moments, and it’s the best adventure of 2025. 2. “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach”:Director Hideo Kojima takes players to Australia this time around as protagonist Sam Porter Bridges once again has to reconnect a continent to the Chiral Network. The original was a brilliant but messy project, but the sequel refines those ideas and brings them into focus. Kojima improves the balance of combat, stealth and exploration while telling a more intriguing story as Sam deals with tragedy and finds redemption in his mission. Of course, no Kojima title would be complete with a little bit of craziness, but even the more far-out aspects of the game make more sense and are a thrilling part of the journey. 3. “Hades 2”:I slept on the 2020 original, but after recently playing the roguelike game, I tore through the sequel, which carries over the core ideas of the original. The follow-up is brilliant because it adapts the gameplay to a new character, Melinoë, the princess of the underworld. She’s raised in the Crossroads and becomes hellbent on defeating Chronos, the Titan of Time, who overthrew her father, Hades, and imprisoned the rest of her family. As Melinoë, players have different weapons and movement options, including a slower dash and a sprint. She also travels to different locales from the original, delving into the underworld and also fighting to the surface. The latter path is more difficult than the former. The joy of this roguelike is crafting a strategy and learning the systems before ultimately dying and dying again. Players learn from the failure, improve their skills and advance in an addictive gameplay loop. 4. “Hollow Knight: Silksong”:Team Cherry came out of nowhere to create a massive indie hit with the original “Hollow Knight,” a game that pushed the Metroidvania genre in extreme ways. It’s a game known for its difficulty, as players take on the role of the title character, who ventures into the insect kingdom of Hallownest. The follow-up, “Silksong,” lets players control Hornet, a character who appeared in the first game, as she finds herself in a new world called Pharloom. Just like “Hollow Knight,” the sequel amps up the difficulty as players have to learn Hornet’s new abilities and master her weapon, the needle. They also have to adjust to her abilities that rely on tools and agility. “Silk Song” also features a much bigger map and longer adventure. 5. “Monster Hunter Wilds”:Capcom’s latest entry to the long-running series takes plenty of risks by bringing the campaign to a more open world and introducing a Focus Mode that lets players target creatures’ body parts and their wounds. The changes were all excellent moves that the franchise needed to grow, but the game also ran into issues for titles built to last months or even years after launch. “Wilds” needed more meaningful content to keep fans happy and sustain momentum. That’s something that could have been improved on. It was a game so good that players wanted more. 6. “Ghost of Yotei”:This year saw two open-world samurai epics. Ubisoft launched “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” a sprawling adventure that hits familiar notes, while Sucker Punch Productions released a more artful adventure in “Ghost of Yotei.” The latter was the superior title because of its tighter focus. “Ghost of Yotei” is a revenge tale that follows Atsu, whose family is murdered by a rogue samurai named Lord Saito. Her thirst to kill him and his lieutenants leads her on an adventure through Japan’s northernmost island. Sucker Punch gives players more weapons, gear and ways to customize their version of Atsu as she travels around Ezo’s regions and picks off the names on her list. 7. “Arc Raiders”:Embark Studios struck gold with its second major project, an extraction shooter that puts players in the role of a raider who travels to the surface to scavenge resources in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by robots. The online game not only pits players against computer-controlled drones and mechs, they also have to fight each other. Like other extraction shooters, players venture across the surface and grab items used to upgrade their gear. Finding the scraps and blueprints is easy, but holding onto them is another matter as players have to escape the surface to keep them. That creates tension and moments of emergent gameplay, where players craft their own stories in a savage world. 8. “Donkey Kong Bananza”:Although“Mario Kart World” launched with the Nintendo Switch 2, it wasn’t the best game for the system that came out during the summer. This adventure starring the Japanese company’s famed ape showed off the power of the new system while also introducing new elements to Donkey Kong’s 3-D adventure. The ability to dig around in the environment created inspired world design as the ape and his sidekick Pauline journey to the center of the world. Each underground biome is a joy to explore while also providing challenges that let the world-changing gameplay element shine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7IEg0_qNXs 9. “Doom: The Dark Ages”:In the 2016 “Doom” reboot, texts offered hints of the Doom Slayer’s past, and in this prequel, players explore that history through an ingenious campaign. The gameplay diverges from the high-flying acrobatics of its predecessors and instead focuses on a ground game that’s reminiscent of a tank. Much of that has to do with a shield that can repel attacks, interact with the environment and brutalize adversaries. Although the gameplay feels more grounded and horizontal, id Software creates epic moments when the Doom Slayer will be flying through the air aboard a Wintherin or bashing building-sized demons in an Atlan mech. All of it adds up to one of the most intense and visceral experiences of the year. 10. “Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound”:Before the late Tomonobu Itagaki revamped the ninja-focused series, it was an epic 2-D side scroller that impressed players at arcades and pushed the NES to its limits. This retro-style game continues the vision of those chapters but puts players in control of two protagonists – Kenji Mozu and Kumori. The two are rivals in the beginning but learn to work together as they battle demons who have taken over …

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Bangkok (dpa) – In late December, Myanmar’s military rulers opened a month-long election that has been the subject of widespread criticism for excluding opponents of the junta that seized power almost four years ago. According to the London-based Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRC), "global fashion brands" are helping the regime to suppress dissent as part of a nexus of "military repression, collapsing labour protections, and workplace-level exploitation" put in place since the February 2021 coup, a period that has seen the land once known as Burma riven by civil war. In a report published in December shortly before voting started, the BHRC said it had counted almost 700 incidents of abuse at garment factories in the country since the military takeover.  The centre listed rights infringements such as "forced and excessive overtime, unsafe working conditions, wage deductions, gender-based harassment and retaliation against union members and worker representatives." "Some factories cooperate with security forces to suppress organising and conceal violations," the BHRC said, adding that some some brands "have adjusted elements of their due diligence" or even exited the country. Others fashion brands, however, continue to source supply from the country's garment factories as if nothing has changed since before the army, which ran the country for most of the period between a 1962 coup and elections in 2010 and retook power again four years ago. Since then, according to the BHRC, the country has seen not only a "collapse of democratic institutions" but also an "erosion" of freedoms and "near-total impunity" for violations of workers’ rights. "Brands sourcing from Myanmar will be remembered for whether they used their leverage to protect workers or enabled conditions under which violations deepened," the BHRC asserted, without naming any fashion labels. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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Heated Rivalry, a six-part drama about a secret fling between two hockey rivals, became a streaming hit in the US and Canada in late 2025. Los Angeles (tca/dpa) – “Heated Rivalry” the novel is the kind of smutty romance read that’s thoroughly enjoyable but slightly ephemeral, a tale of angst and love and outlandish situations that doesn’t linger long in your mind once you get to the happily ever after-ish ending. “Heated Rivalry” the TV series, however, is anything but: An effervescent combination of faithful adaptation, standout acting and gorgeous cinematography, it’s one of the best shows of the year — and one you won’t be forgetting anytime soon. Originally meant for just the Canadian streaming service Crave (and only picked up by HBO Max a week before the Nov. 28 premiere), “Heated Rivalry” adapts the novel of the same name by Rachel Reid. (It’s the second in the six-part “Game Changers” series; Season 2, based on the sequel “The Long Game,” has already been greenlit.) Created and written by Jacob Tierney, best known for “Letterkenny” and “Shoresy,” the six-episode adaptation is not your typical love story; honestly, it’s hard to call it a romance most of the time. It follows two young hockey phenoms — Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) — over the course of nearly a decade as they navigate being rivals on the ice and then, well, something more heated off it. The pair are the textbook definition of polar opposites: Shane — fastidious, a bit of a loner with expressive brown eyes; Ilya — chaotic, a total charmer with a head full of golden curls. But from the moment they meet — “You’re supposed to smoke over there,” Shane tells Ilya on a cold December day before they’re even drafted to the fictional Major Hockey League — the chemistry between the two is electric, almost palpable. It doesn’t take long (eight minutes into the first episode) before the sexual tension starts to rise, and only a few minutes more before they have sex for the first time. (Sex scenes in “Heated Rivalry” are legion and explicit — one lasts five straight minutes — with arms, legs and creative camera angles providing the only modesty.) From there, their story is told in moments and text chains, with months and years passing by in between: Ilya drafted to the Boston Raiders, Shane to the Montreal Metros (and furious to be picked second); a shared meal of tuna melts and ginger ale; a heartbreaking conversation held across an ocean. And while their situationship starts as purely physical — if nothing else, these two never question whether they’re attracted to one another — it’s obvious how this will all end up. The journey there, though, is wondrous. You just can’t help but fall in love with Shane and Ilya as they contend with their feelings, deal with the secret nature of their relationship (even in this fictional universe, professional sports isn't the most inclusive space) and discover themselves along the way. Hearing Shane say out loud that he’s gay is a joy. Watching Ilya turn to Shane for comfort after talking about his terrible family is breathtaking. The show is a font of queer authenticity, taking pains to realistically portray their struggles and successes. (And on that note: Can I just say how refreshing it is to watch a queer romance that doesn’t end in miserable grief? Sure, there’s angst and yearning aplenty, moments of heartbreak alongside the physicality especially as the season progresses. But there’s no all-consuming tragedy, no “Brokeback Mountain” or “Fellow Travelers”-level of devastation.) While adaptations can be tricky, creator Tierney pulls off a bit of a hat trick here. 1. His version mostly sticks to the original, from the most memorable lines — “I’m coming to the cottage,” “Stupid Canadian wolf bird” — to the general sequences of events. 2. He treats important events with proper care without having the show take itself too seriously. (Ilya is a hilariously sarcastic delight.) 3. There’s enough creative license to differentiate itself from the source material, with the highlight being Episode 3, which focuses on another couple from the “Game Changers” series. On the level of the masterful third episode of “The Last of Us” Season 1 with its impact and payoff, it’s a genius, moving inclusion, anchored by François Arnaud’s devastating performance as fellow gay hockey player Scott Hunter. Speaking of performances, Storrie and Williams, each with only a few credits to their name, are revelatory here. Storrie’s Ilya is a pool of nuance, deeply vulnerable one moment and obnoxiously charming the next. (And you would never know Storrie was born in Texas instead of Russia — his accent is that good.) Williams’ Shane feels like he was lifted perfectly from the book, down to his neurotic need to fold his clothes before sex. Together, they’re a tour de force, completely mesmerizing in their dazzling chemistry. Also dazzling? The one-two punch (wrong sport, I know) of gorgeous cinematography and inspired score/soundtrack. Jackson Parell’s visuals are utterly showstopping, from the intimate framing of Shane and Ilya to the clever focus on sunlight and shadow. And Peter Peter’s original compositions and the show’s needle drop songs deserve special kudos for elevating already captivating scenes. (I still have goose bumps from the brilliant pairing of a meaningful line of dialogue in Episode 3 with Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” in Episode 5.) My only complaint for “Heated Rivalry”? That it’s already over, and now I have to wait for Season 2. But consider me in it for the long game, because it turns out, even in a year of fantastic shows, “Heated Rivalry” has no rival. The following information is not intended for publication tca dpa coh

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New York (dpa)  – The recent abduction and arrest of Nicolás Maduro has inadvertently become a major advertisement for Nike tracksuits, thanks to a photo posted by US President Donald Trump of the Venezuelan president in US custody. The image seen by millions around the world shows a handcuffed Maduro holding a water bottle, with his ears and eyes covered while wearing distinctive grey sweatpants and hoodie. The eyes of many watching the news appear to have fallen on the trademark Nike swoosh on the captive's chest, and the tracksuit, worn in a loose and oversized style by Maduro, is now sold out in larger sizes in several markets, including the US and parts of Europe. On his flight to be arraigned in New York after being extracted during Saturday's surprise military attack on Caracas, Maduro appears to have been wearing the men'sNike Tech fleece , a two-piece tracksuit which Nike describes as "an injection of premium comfort." Searches for this tracksuit have surged on Google since the photo of Maduro appeared across news media worldwide, with global searches rising fourfold in the hours after Trump posted the picture. The hoodie of the tracksuit, which costs around $140 in the US or €120 in Europe, has become a bestseller on Nike's online store. Reviews posted in the wake of the Saturday military operation are overwhelmingly positive. "It's really comfortable for long flights," one buyer wrote. "Fortunately, this is comfy. I just had the worst day of my life, but this outfit made it a little better." Another gave the Nike Tech Fleece a new name: "Nike Operation Absolute Resolve Freedom Tech Fleece". Trump ordered a special military operation to seize Maduro, after which he and his wife Cilia Flores were taken to New York on Saturday, where they face charges related to drug trafficking. The photo of Maduro, which Trump posted with the text "Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima," had an unusually tall vertical format, showing almost the full length of the leader in grey sweatpants and hoodie. Although Trump has repeatedly shared AI-generated images on his Truth Social account, many experts believe this photo of Maduro to be authentic. The following information is not intended for publication dpa coh era

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From heritage maximalism to lighting as art, these are the key looks gaining traction. London (PA Media/dpa) – Looking for ideas on how to keep your decor and interior styling bang up-to-date? With the focus on new horizons, home and design platform Houzz has gathered insights from its community of homeowners, designers and home improvement professionals to forecast the top home design trends for 2026. Reflecting a desire for spaces that balance character with comfort, here’s a look at the styles we expect to gain momentum in the year ahead… Heritage maximalism “Maximalist interior design has been gaining momentum among UK homeowners for some time, but we expect a heritage-driven twist to emerge,” reveals Kiya Kelly-Paine, Houzz home design trends expert. “Known as ‘heritage maximalism,’ this design style incorporates nods to British roots while layering in contemporary sensibility, to create a timeless, modern appeal,” she explains. “Think bold colour palettes, historical motifs and ornate detailing, from furnishings to finishes.” Mel Massey, founder of Mel Massey Studio, says: “We’ve noticed more clients embracing bold interior design choices, from richly detailed wallpaper and patterned upholstery to dramatic hues. “At the same time, homeowners are layering in modern touches to personalise their spaces,” highlights Massey. While these choices may have once felt intimidating, she says visualisation tools such as mood boards give homeowners “the confidence to combine these elements into a look that feels curated, not chaotic.” Hidden spaces and seamless design Whether you’re looking to optimise smaller spaces or simply minimise clutter, Kelly-Paine says smart design features, “such as tucked-away home bars and concealable built-ins, can help you achieve a more streamlined, sophisticated look.” “These hidden spaces give homeowners the best of both worlds: functional features when you need them and seamless design when you don’t,” she adds. Omar Bhatti, founder and design director at Space Shack says: “As our clients look to personalise their homes, requests for bespoke joinery are becoming more common. “Not only do these custom solutions add character, but they’re practical and tailored to fit our clients’ lifestyles.” Immersive visualisation becomes the new blueprint Homeowners and design professionals alike are increasingly relying on 3D modelling to convey their ideas and explore possibilities, notes Kelly-Paine. “These visualisation tools are mutually beneficial for homeowners and professionals, as they help to set and manage clear expectations throughout the course of a project,” she explains. Laura Evans, founder and interior designer at Brick and Stone Interiors, says: “Visualisation tools like 3D floor plans have been a game changer for me and my clients. “By bringing concepts to life, digital models give my clients a realistic picture of what to expect,” says Evans. “Not only does this ensure we’re aligned throughout the process, but it also helps them communicate any changes proactively.” Soft simplicity As homeowners seek to create calming sanctuaries within their homes, Kelly-Paine says photos featuring cocooning spaces with layered neutrals, organic materials and tactile finishes are among the most popular images on Houzz. “Together, these elements create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels both comfortable and relaxed.” Evans agrees: “In recent years, our clients have been gravitating toward ‘organic modern’ style, from the bedroom to the kitchen, and everywhere in between. “As they look to create a softer take on minimalism, homeowners are introducing warm neutrals, texture and organic shapes to create serene, restorative spaces.” She continues: “We expect to see that trend continue, as it’s a widely adaptable aesthetic that works well across home design styles.” The return of dark wood “Dark wood tones such as walnut and mahogany are re-emerging, as homeowners strive to bring a sense of depth to their interiors,” says Kelly-Paine. Moreover, she says searches on Houzz reflect this resurgence, with googling for ‘dark wood’ rising 187% in the first three quarters of the year compared with the same period in 2024. Bhatti says: “For years, many homeowners have favoured lighter wood tones and whitewashed finishes, but recently clients have been showing an interest in deeper, more dramatic wood tones. “Whether that be for kitchen joinery, bespoke built-ins or even wall cladding. To offset darker wood tones, we often pair them with warm metals or textured stone for a more balanced look,” he explains. Transparent renovation projects Kelly-Paine says research shows homeowners are eager to have more transparency throughout the renovation process. “41% said a clearer timeline would have improved their project experience. “And almost the same share wanted better communication from their pros (40%).” Indeed, Bhatti says access to a real-time communication platform has been instrumental with his clients. “It makes for much smoother collaboration; clients stay informed with access to real-time project updates and as a result, they feel less stressed and more empowered throughout the process. “Considering how effective it is, I’d expect this type of collaborative software to be adopted more widely across the industry.” Lighting as art From sculptural alabaster pendants to playful glass forms, homeowners are introducing statement lighting to transform their spaces in more ways than one, outlines Kelly-Paine. “Of course, lighting plays the functional role of illuminating a space, but when thoughtfully selected and positioned, lighting fixtures can be standalone works of art.” Massey says: “Lighting fixtures have become more of a focal point among our clients, as they look to infuse personality or even a bit of drama into their spaces. “For anyone considering statement lighting, it’s worth using visualisation tools to understand how a fixture will sit within the space before making a final decision,” she advises. 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