The nine key interior design looks to put to use this year
As always, the design show circuit is full of exciting trends – some existing which come back even stronger, some completely brand new – as well as innovative ways to perk up your interiors.
Get a head start on the looks to follow this year with our round up of Decorex’s best trends.
What’s that phrase “green and blue should never be seen”? Or is it red? Regardless, those adages can be ignored this year as it seems that green should be seen with absolutely everything. And everywhere. Upholstery, case goods, marble, accessories, fabrics…
Julian Chichester’s stand was the champion of the colour this year with a gloss vellum sideboard and emerald green curved sofa which incidentally was seen on the stand of Parisian furniture brand Christophe Delcourt. The expert of luxury contemporary furniture opted for green and matched it with a contrasting marled fabric. Lapicida’s green marble Lara Bohinc collection was sheer perfection.
Images by @wendymorrisondesign, @christophedelcourt and @studiohoyna.
No longer are cracks at home regarded with such disdain. Cracks and crackle effect are in this year and the results are astounding. Offering a less-than-perfect intrigue, the look has been nothing short of mastered by surface designers Solomon & Wu (@solomonandwu) who featured cracked metals and natural stones filled with mesmerising fractures. Fabric house Casamance took the look into the realm of softs with a contrasting tangerine and electric purple rendering. Over at the Future Heritage exhibition, the cracked earth installation of Katie Spragg manifested itself in delicate ceramic and spoke of beauty shining through difficulty.
Images by @elliegreaves, @katie_spragg_ceram and @arad.85.
No one could deny the power of the painter’s touch after experiencing this year’s show. A visit to the Suzy Hoodless VIP lounge presented an intimate view of de Gournay’s ‘Amazonia’ wallpaper and the Thé Gournay by Nicky Haslam cafe was an interactive masterclass in the art of traditional hand-painted wallpaper. Boeme Design’s modern approach hung from the ceiling and covered a modern loveseat – its wispy watercolours representing the new age of painterly designs alongside Silo Studio’s primary colour-infused marble tables.
Images by @decorex_international, @decorex_international and @silostudio.
It seems trends in lighting are turning a little flat – literally. CTO Lighting’s stand had at its centre a cascade of wafer-thin handmade glass discs which provided a different angle, a different twinkle from every turn. Serip’s designs were much more structured (as was Bert Frank’s stacked Triarc range) and took the form of wall sconces and a matching canopy pendant.
Images by @mwbespokeinteriors, @designsforalloccasions and @bertfrankltd.
The show’s four Crafthouse installations (curated by the New Craftsmen) aimed to explore the fundamental characteristics of what makes a home. In 2016, what makes a home (or a bathroom at least) is clearly all pink everything. The Bathing section incorporated a barely-there neon light, a powdery jesmonite side table and a handmade crinkled fabrics.
Luxury upholsterer Lacaze went pale and interesting with key pink pieces like this blush ruched sofa accessorised with pale blue cushions and a simple sea foam green stool – a key piece for this year.
And it’s little wonder that Aiveen Daly’s new collection won her the Best Craftsmanship Award. The microfine silk pleats which have been carefully handset into her ‘Quiet Palm’ panel is a beauty. A sophisticated mauve and grey colour palette is enhanced by the addition of feminine salmon pink in a nod to this year’s biggest interior colour trend.
Images by @studioduggan, @charliecosby and @aiveendalyltd.
Fitting for the upcoming winter season, velvet is very much still the call of the day for foundational luxury upholstery. At once soft and sensual with an unapologetically glamorous edge, the material is the perfect base to be accessorised and works well with accent fabrics (this teal Jo Littlefair London design was a particular highlight). Ever the glamour squad, Koket decked out their glittery space with a chic black velvet number and Suzy Hoodless’ VIP lounge olive green banquettes and salmon armchairs were the ultimate trend fusion.
Images by @degournay, @bykoket and @jolittlefairlondon.
Our minds were first drawn to classical influences when we heard that 1508 London’s champagne bar would take on a “Deconstructed Classicism” twist. The heart of the installation, a black geometric canopy, houses the apparent inspiration – a Quintessa artwork of the Pantheon. Other classical elements include the very classic alabaster which reinvents itself in pendant light form by Atelier Alain Ellouz and the ancient Greek tradition of the spherical Earth is represented by a David Harber sculpture. A simple but effective Atkey & Company display revived our interest in classical crown mouldings and cornicing whilst a show-stopping offering by candle brand OOUMM – a favourite amongst cool design enthusiasts – had us rethinking the capabilities of classic marble.
Images by @tamara.lawson, @stephensonwright and @mwbespokeinteriors.
The last colour forecast of the show – from Sicis, Casamance and yours truly – indicated a turn to the sunnier side of the colour wheel with touches of ochre, mustard and goldenrod.
The mosaic experts at Sicis highlighted their glitzy bevelled mirror wall and faceted pendant drops with the beautiful autumnal shade for its upholstery – a voluptuous sofa and chaise longue in a rich deep ochre. Casamance went slightly tribal by pairing their golden hue with teal, indigo and rust in an abstract print and one half of our A/W16
collection highlights the hue in the form of Klimt ‘Golden Phase’-inspired velvet and ikat cushions and a textured mohair throw.
Images by @carolynfoxinteriors, @penroseinteriors and @luxdeco.
The stand of Ted Todd Fine Wood Floors might have been simple but it was effective. The two colossal, facing walls showcased two of the brand’s newest designs – an exquisite reclaimed wood creation and this glistening copper herringbone. Phil Cuttance and his three dimensional surface work transformed something traditional into something resolutely of-the-moment with his contribution to the Future Heritage exhibition whilst Koket’s Opium sideboard bore all the signs of being a favourite amongst the glamour set – Art Deco palette, hammered metal frame and high-gloss finish.
Images by @owldesignlondon, @philcuttance and @bykoket.
