Glen & Jamie round up design and decor trends from their international travels
One of the benefits of working in design and retail is being able to visit the markets around the globe. Now when we say “markets,” we are not really talking about a place to buy eggs and milk, but where all of the retailers and distributors of home goods and furnishings go to look at product and decide what is right for their marketplace. Markets include: London, northern Italy, Las Vegas, Dallas, North Carolina and New York. We are able to have an interesting insight into what is current on the world stage and what you can expect to see in the home stores you frequent. Here are five of the most popular trends we spotted at these international shows.
ART DECO
Art Deco details are marked with strong geometric elements, high arches like the interior of a cathedral, and bright colours and contrast. It was born out of Art Nouveau and was most popular just before the First World War, although it may have first been introduced with the construction of the Eifel Tower in Paris. The elements of Art Nouveau give it the gentle rolls and more organic shapes combined with the geometry. Shortly after the film Great Gatsby, Art Deco decor became momentarily more popular but the elements are back to stay in a more updated way. The metal may not be chrome or steel but perhaps gold, stone, painted woods and inlaid fabrics.
“ART DECO DETAILS ARE MARKED
WITH STRONG GEOMETRIC ELEMENTS. . .”
WARM, LUXURIOUS FINISHES
With the rich, warm neutral grey that is still popular in combination with ever-popular navy, we are now seeing lots of furniture and upholstery in rich green tones and most often, in velvet fabrics. Combined with the gold-metal finish that has surged over the last few years, the look is rich and elegant. This colour works so well with the purple of Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year, Shadow, and is a deeper, richer version of the Pantone Colour of the Year “greenery.” The use of velvets adds both a texture to the colour and at the same time, adds a real richness to the intensity of colour.
“THE USE OF VELVETS ADDS BOTH A
TEXTURE TO THE COLOUR AND AT THE SAME TIME, ADDS A REAL RICHNESS TO THE INTENSITY OF COLOUR.”
BLUSHING ALL-OVER
On the theme of colour, let’s talk about “blush” or what others are calling “millennial pink.” This soft and ethereal shade dominated the market straight through from soft seating, carpets and artwork, to wallpaper, wall colour and accessories. It was literally everywhere we looked. Interestingly enough, one of the two Pantone colours of 2016 was rose quartz, which seems to have inspired this very on-trend beautiful blush.
Last year, many designers and decor fans didn’t seem to feel the colour was going to do well. Perhaps the fine folks at Pantone were just a little ahead of the curve in their predictions. It was certainly present on the world stage and you will see it in fashion as well. I’m not convinced it is a here-to-stay colour.
TACTILE TEXTURES
It’s not hard to recognize that texture is a big part of design and decor trends. There are tiles that are sculpted, hand-scraped floors, wall details that have three dimensions. When it comes to fabrics, there are embroidery and velvets, button tufting and pleated details. It’s like the world has discovered the sense of touch. One of the fabrics that we have not seen in the past looked like a sheared sheep. It was as if the faux-fur manufacturers got together with the velvet manufacturers and created a hybrid. There is no question that it feels amazing and is a pleasure to touch, and with the depth of the fabric, it makes for deep rich colours.
“HOW ABOUT SEEING TEXTURE USED TO WRAP DRESSERS, COFFEE COFFEE TABLES, CONSOLES AND HEADBOARDS?”
When it comes to textures you most certainly expect to find it with fabrics. How about seeing texture used to wrap dressers, coffee tables, consoles and headboards? It was interesting to find furniture that was hair on hide, or covered with grass cloth, textured linens, or heavier weaves to create an added detail. From a design perspective, it opens up a world of possibilities that go well beyond paint and stain. You can coordinate a room’s soft seating with the case goods in the space and create amazing detail, colour and style.
Glen Peloso and Jamie Alexander are co-founders and principals of Peloso Alexander Interiors. They bring 35 years of combined experience to creating environments that merge the client’s lifestyle, personality, and architecture. pelosoalexander.com , twitter @glenpeloso & @glenandjamie, Facebook.com/glenpeloso
PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF GLEN PELOSO