When attending High Point Market in NC, we always attend two special seminars that focus on the topic of current and upcoming trends. Its not that we designers are necessarily using this information to design to a particular trend, but rather to understand how our environment, society and world influences are affecting what we want to surround ourselves with, in our own spaces.
And just to clarify, a trend is something that sticks around for several years, a fad is something short lived and fleeting.
Patti Carpenter is a Global Trend Ambassador that has designed, sourced and created innovative private label products for many high end retail stores and manufacturers. Her work is based on her experience traveling and speaking in 57 different countries throughout her career.
Julie Smith Vincenti, owner of Nine Muses Media specializes in custom content and trend forecasting for home furnishings brands, through her boutique media and communications company.
Both had arrived at similar conclusions on trending colors, textures and materials. Julie had broken it down into three distinct categories:
GROWTH: pastoral scenes, idyllic landscapes, emerging neutrals- browns eclipsing grays.
SYNTHESIS: technology meets tradition, textures, styles, imagination, resilience, unique finishes, dynamic
ELATION: color, positivity, expression, upbeat, accent furniture, wall decor, area rugs
COLORS to watch: indigo blue, purple, deep passion red, leafy green, blue-green, yellow-green, sage, red brown, terra cotta, coral, warm white, mushroom colors, matte black, black & white contrast…
MATERIAL/MOTIFS to watch: cane, rattan, fibre weaving, mixed materials on individual furniture pieces, earthen glazing, botanical references, arc & arch shapes, geometric, solid forms, colorful glass…
