“Carpets and textile wall hangings are essential, with unexpected shapes, tufting and fringes. Furniture is bold and round, we see arches, and waves. Color is valued again. Acoustic objects are in demand.”
Famous trend forecaster Milou Ket first offers some general information: “During the pandemic we value our home even more than before. It has to be our sanctuary, our place for contemplation and rest, but also as a place to work from. Textiles play an important role to sooth and heal and add softness and friendliness. Tactility and cudly materials are important, especially bouclé. Carpets and textile wall hangings are essential, with unexpected shapes, tufting and fringes. Furniture is bold and round, we see arches, and waves. Color is valued again. Acoustic objects are in demand.” She, then, explains the details:
The first theme is “Essential Softness”, executed in timeless classic neutrals, in combination with chalky pastels. The second theme “Dream the Future” works with fresh pastel colors where light and manmade materials play an important role. The third theme “Craft & Culture” is inspired by handicrafts and diverse cultural influences. The fourth theme “Color Clash” is showing primary and bright colors in combination with black and white for a modern direction. In “Wonders of Nature” we see how we are inspired by nature and sustainability to come up with eco-responsible materials and production methods. In the last theme “Eclectic Luxury” the emphasis is on glamorous and luxurious interiors, combined in an unorthodox way, inspired by history with a twist, art-deco and the curiosity cabinet. The colors are deep and rich, inspired by gems.
1.Essential Softness
The first theme is called “Essential Softness”. It is a timeless direction, reminiscent of Scandinavian as well as Japanese interiors. The design is simple, quiet without superfluous details and it is functional. Nature plays an important role, a lot of attention is given to sustainability and longevity, especially for materials and production methods. Alternative natural materials are used, such as fungi and leather made of fruit waste, corn, banana, recycled pet bottles, paper, coffee grind, etc. etc. We value our homes even more, especially during the pandemic, as our sanctuary, our safe heaven and as our hiding place where we can reflect, meditate, work and enjoy. The shapes are voluminous, round and friendly. We see waves and curves. The materials are quite heavily textured, we see bouclé and tweed, but also cuddly materials such as mohair, fake fur and wool. Carpets and textiles are important to convey this need for softness. We see high/low effects through tufting, loops and fringes. Striking are the unexpected shapes of carpets. Furniture should be versatile.
2. Dream the Future
The second theme is called “Dream the Future”. It is a modern, innovative direction, with phantasy and surreal effects, almost like a dream. The materials that are used contribute to that. They are often man-made, such as glass, Perspex, polyester resin and plastic. Also recycled polyester is applied. Transparency, special gradient effects and shifts of colour give a modern touch to the interior. It is often associated with light effects, sometimes with an acid or neon colour touch to convey a specific tension. In the prints we see for instance water colour effects, but also at random spots and stains. Often the patterns are playful and whimsical, curtains are often transparent. As part of the dream-like atmosphere, we see more and more renderings. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish fake from real. Also gradients, iridescence and the play with transparent layers is important. In the architecture we see arches, circles and rounded shapes. More technical 3-D effects add depth to materials and give an interesting contemporary or even futuristic texture. Geometry, stripes, stylized patterns and hand painted patterns are applied on fabrics and carpets. The shape of carpets is unexpected and full of phantasy. Murals are popular. Acoustic products play an important role and are also used as room divider and are often made of recycled pet felt.
3. Craft & Culture
In this styling direction “Craft & Culture” we notice that the attention for hand made products has grown. One-of-a-kind products, preferably with imperfections, wabi sabi, are valued and add character and personality to an interior. It also tells the story of the resident. Traditional techniques are appreciated such as ikat, shibori, tie & dye, kilims etc. We see new interpretations of these century old techniques, for instance in unexpected combinations or different applications. Natural materials are in demand, such as wood, cork and bamboo, raffia, rattan, terra cotta, linen, hemp etc. We love the irregularities that show in the application of the materials, the unevenness and unpredictability, caused by chance. The utterances of different cultures with their local materials, skills and knowledge are blended into a highly personal interior. Especially the handwork from Morocco and in general from Africa shows in carpets, textiles, wickerwork and ceramics to name a few. As in other styling directions textures are appreciated here too. Handmade cushions show fringes, tassels and are hand tufted. Products from recycled or other conscious sources will gain importance.
4. Colour Clash
This style direction “Color Clash” is about primary and very bright colors, that are often applied in a single product, especially small furniture and accessories. They are often too bright to apply in an interior, although they may be used in wallcoverings as an eyecatcher. But they are mainly used for decorative products that stand out, such as carpets or textile wall hangings, vases, a single piece of furniture etc. We see influences from Modern Art, Bauhaus, but also more playful and whimsical art movements such as Memphis. Vasarely, Sonya Delaunay and re-editions of Bauhaus products are examples. Color blocking is also important. The emphasis is on man-made mate
rials such as glass, Perspex, acrylic, resin and plastic. Graphic effects, sometimes in black and white, are important, such as stripes, checkerboards, enlarged pixels, facets and geometric patterns. All kinds of light effects play a role, we see lenticular materials, and application and integration of adaptable colored Led’s. In the architecture we will see, also in this style direction, more rounded shapes, such as arches or circles. Renderings with Augmented Reality will become more and more important. Small furniture such as side tables and stools are important to adapt to different situations in a versatile interior.
5. Wonders of Nature
In the styling direction “Wonders of Nature” we see how issues as care for the environment, sustainability, conscious consuming and the concern for climate change are the drivers behind this theme. We are trying to diminish our ecological footprint by using alternative materials such as fungi, corn, banana leaf, bamboo, cardboard, vegan leather and using food waste such as coffee grind. Renewable natural materials such as linen, hemp, raffia, rattan, wood and recycling are a must. Flora and fauna are depicted in wallcoverings, posters, cushions and other decorative products. We see plants, foliage, insects, birds, butterflies, or products with a nostalgic asso ciation. We see a glorification of wild nature sometimes from the past, with exotic trees and plants, plantations with palm trees, exotic birds and flowers, tigers, monkey’s, jaguars, but also creatures of the sea. We enjoy the soothing and calming effects of the color green, also for paint. Botanical prints are popular, with pictures from natural history books. Carpets and textile wall hangings take on unexpected shapes, sometimes reminiscent of flowers. Textures with tufting, high/ low reliefs are important. Green colors are sometimes combined with dusty pink and terra shades.
6. Eclectic Luxury
In this direction “Eclectic Luxury” the inspiration comes from opulence, glamour, nostalgia and history, sometimes history with a humorous twist. Also, Bohemian influences play a role. Gold, in small touches or thin lines, plays a role, as we can see in Art Deco wallcoverings and fabrics. The curiosity cabinet continues to play an important role. We see ideas from Natural History books, science, botanical prints, collections and discoveries from the animal kingdom and nature, stuffed animals, rare precious stones, glass domes, corals and shells, fragments of classic statues from the Greek and Roman era. There also can be a modern approach with bright light effects against a dark background, iridescence and aurora borealis and oil spots effects. Mid Century furniture is important, especially in velvet with a golden or copper accent, and fringes for a dramatic effect. Leather and welded materials are applied. Dark colors for paint give a moody atmosphere to the interior. Precious stones such as marble, and tiger eye are popular: real, as veneer or as imitation. Acoustic properties remain important. Embroideries, velvets, and traditional patterns play a role in fabrics. Rhythm and lines come forward in the softer than before contrast between black and white or black and beige.
