COLOURS and FINISHES
Paint colours, especially, for the home still revolve around sophisticated basics. Our attention is settled on gentle colours like muted pastels, soft sage-greens, smoky shades of grey and neutrals. Accessories in metal hues, rich leather and marine tones are introduced as a contrasting tone. On the opposite end of the spectrum vibrant bold and fruit colours are reintroduced with daring, bold schemes that have attitude.
There is also a shift in the finish of the paint colours and a definate move away from gloss paint surfaces. The popularity of matte finishes is growing in modern décor as we seek to add differing depths of interest into our buildings and interiors. A matte finish gives an object a raw, edgy look and also allows you to appreciate the overall form and material that an item is made of. This principle is crucial in modern design and it also harks back to our desire for natural and authentic softer finishes.
PATTERN AND PRINT
Visual impact is key.n Prints and pattern are definitely back on the rise. Strong geometric designs, 3d patterns, repeated forms, kaleidoscopic images and patterns inspired by cells and molecules. Fabrics are about texture be it visual or otherwise. Velvet, textures and raw looking weaves are popular and the use of fabric for sofas and upholstery is back.
NATURAL and ORGANIC
Materials and finishes must look authentic and be used in a simplified way with the focus on its natural state of beauty. It’s an unfussy, utilitarian style that cuts down on the clutter and redefines what’s important. Think botany, insect prints, fossils, bone, raw wood, bark, stone and organic shapes. Additionally we are leaning towards steel, copper, pewter, gold and other natural metal accents.
Similarly to keeping true the the natural state of materials, objects are also left in its organic shape. Accent pieces are less less rigid and more gracefully rounded. This trend has also been taken a little further into the direction of droplet- hanging and dripping – as if they simply grew in the space. This trend is coming through mostly in accent pieces such as lighting, ceramics, glassware and accessories.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Industrial style pieces in the home have been a staple in the past few years, primarily in the form of lighting and furniture with the reintroduction of the mid-century ‘Hairpin legs’ as well as the popular ‘Cage Lights’. We are continuing to love the look and character of these pieces. The approach of blending the purpose of an item and a considered industrially designed form is set to make its way into other items of a more practical nature within the home.
CRAFT and ENVIRONMENT
We now recognise that the way that we live in the world and what we take from it has an impact directly upon us. It is no longer a matter that sits in the back of our minds. Environmentally friendly design, sustainability, passive homes, products that require less energy, reducing the running costs of our homes, new lighting options, repurposing, recycling, up-cycling and new hybrid materials are either standard or continue to emerge.
The rise in environmental awareness made a significant impact on design and also evoked our appreciation for items made by human hands. Craft made items and those with a unique handmade appeal offer us the chance to have pieces that we perceive as “authentic” in a widely mechanized and mass produced world. Learned skills like binding, weaving, knotting, quilting and needlework will be evident in furnishings and accessories moving forward.
PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGERY
Social media and information technology are beginning to have an effect on the way that we live and also the way that we appreciate seeing things around us. Photographic images and images that have been manipulated with “instagram like” soft filters to add a nostalgic dream like quality will be seen in wall art, soft furnishings and accessories. Advancements in digital printing have made the possibilities to use images unlimited. Artworks can now be whatever size you like, put wherever you want and designed to feature whatever takes your fancy.
Trends in design, however, still remain unpredictable. Although we try to pinpoint and label specific styles, there will also be an element of surprise.
