view Newsletter: April

Trend forecasts for interiors rely on a wide variety of influences, some short term, some for much longer. Explore with us some of the ways in which Victoria Redshaw at Scarlet Opus identifies the psychological, economic and industry-led trends for this year. Just as predictable is the exciting future for Decorex this September with new European and UK exhibitors than ever before and an ever-strong showing from exhibition regulars. With much evidence of home owners renovating and renewing rather than moving, another interesting trend is the move to tiling floors and walls, see if you agree with the ‘contemporary chaos’ theory outlined by Carpet & Flooring Review.

Ian Thompson – Editor

Spring 2009 Trends
One not to miss…
Contemporary Chaos

As the recession continues to affect the housing market, consumers dedicate themselves to ‘doing-up’ rather than ‘selling-up’ and there is a determined move away from bland Sameness. 

Primitive Desires 

We explore the aesthetic values, culture and crafts of both early civilizations and the tribes-people of today who continue the traditions and practices of their ancestors like the Masai, Zulu and Hamar tribes.  Moving away from the African continent there is also a strong influence of Aborgine artwork which helps to keep the trend evolving in a new direction.   • 2009 marks the bicentenary of Darwin’s birth and the origins of man are very topical.  Consider man’s primitive beginnings: early mark-making in dried earth textures and on rock surfaces.  Explore scrafito techniques to add texture and subtle pattern.

• Mud-Cloth and Kente Cloth patterns: concentric circles, diamonds, shield shapes, triangles and jumbled geometrics although irregular add an upbeat structure and flashes of colour to room schemes.  Crumpled finishes are important and fringing is key.
• Exotic dark woods for furniture and flooring and feature grain woods like Olivewood, Zebrano and Mango Wood.  
• Masks and talisman for wall art.
• Aboriginal Art in the form of dot paintings, spirals and mud prints as well as African face & body painting inspire striking wallpapers, screens and textiles. 

The scorched colour palette includes: Midnight Black, Olivewood Grain, Masai Red, Cassava Leaf Green, Copper, Faded Henna & Sun-Bleached Bone.

Note: Precious Turquoise, Intense Red and Hot Pink can also be used in this palette as accent colours.

Indian Odyssey

Western consumers are showing renewed interest in all things Indian this Spring/Summer.  This will continue to be fuelled by India’s hosting of the 2010 Commonwealth Games and has been reinforced by Slumdog Millionaire winning 8 Oscars and 7 BAFTA’s. Prior to the Games in Delhi the V&A Museum in London will present an exhibition entitled: ‘The Maharaja: The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts’ (Oct 2009-Jan 2010) which will help to push this Spring/Summer trend into Autumn/Winter 2009/10 bringing some much needed colour to the darker season.

• The abundance of different patterns working together is balanced, not chaotic.  The pattern mash-up enriches room schemes: over-sized Paisley, Kashmiri’s, Boteh borders, Buti florals and Butterflies. 
• Saris are used for window treatments, table and bed runners and decorative room dividers.Lighting is jewel-tinted.  Candlelight is crucial.  Ornate tea lights and wall sconces.
• Hammered and cut-out copper tabletops, panels, screens and lighting.
• Images of Gods and Goddesses intrigue.

In addition to the exotic sari shades and striking jewel colours there are also rich spice and dark maroon tones inspired by the Monsoon rains and mists.  A visual opulence is reinforced by the use of burnished copper and brass.

Scarlet Opus is dedicated to providing Trend Forecasting information to businesses in the Interiors sector including interior & product designers, manufacturers and retailers. 

www.scarletopus.com
www.trendsblog.co.uk

Decorex International 2009 looks set for another record show, with top names such as Nina Campbell Ltd, Interiors Bis and The Silk Gallery among many companies returning to the exhibition. And it’s not just companies that have exhibited before that are facing the Decorex advisory committee of experts to apply for stands, but brand new companies are getting in on the act too.

UK companies that have never exhibited in London before have signed up to the show….. Addagrip Surface Treatments, Arthouse Ltd, Edmont Joinery and The Imperial Bathroom Company all intend to showcase collections for the first time alongside Decorex stalwarts Andrew Martin International, Harlequin Tabletop, Leisure Plan and Ben Whistler. New European exhibitors will include JLC and Cinabre MT. 

This year the Sloane Square entrance to Decorex will be designed by Ed Godrich, of Godrich Interiors. Using products from a wide range of exhibitors, they will create a luxurious, trend-setting space as a stunning introduction to the delights of the show. Innovative florists, ‘In –Water’ will again mastermind other features, bars and restaurant areas with a fresh new look for 2009.

The lecture series is now being finalised with exciting international themes and many technical up-dates from BIDA and CEDIA speakers.

Decorex 2009 will be one exhibition not to be missed by any professional this September.

Diary dates: Decorex International, 27 – 30 September, the Royal Hospital, Chelsea

Despite the housing market distinctly feeling the effects of the recession, there continues to be a heightened demand for good, quality home furnishing products to enable homeowners to improve, and not move. Likewise, the contract sector, albeit at a slower pace than a year ago, is progressing at a steady rate. With this in mind, many flooring manufacturers are holding back from producing larger quantities of more extravagant designs and focus on what sells – neutral colour schemes and traditional beiges, browns, particularly in carpet.  On a more general note, the Autumn/Winter season will see maroons and burgundies becoming a prominent fixture on feature walls, complemented with sleek creams and whites.

Contemporary chaos appears to be a look consumers are striving towards; clean, subtle walls with rustic storage solutions and hints of bold colour has been a popular theme for some time now and shows no sign of slowing down. This particular look can be achieved relatively cheaply, meeting the demand for frugal, yet funky, furnishings.

Taking heed from our European neighbours, tile products are becoming increasingly popular outside of traditionally-tiled rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms. As the industry offers more intricate designs and patterns, tactile, taking tiles and even imitation wood, fabric and marble tiles to the marketplace, the scope for the use of tile has widened dramatically both domestically and commercially.

This coincides neatly with homeowners renovating, as opposed to moving, during the recession. Projects that may have been deemed too expensive are frequently appearing as cost effective; consumers who opt to not move home during the recession are more amenable to the idea of investing in creating idyllic interiors until the property market picks up.

Meanwhile in the contract sector, larger format tiles continue to be a success within the marketplace. As such, many tile manufacturers continue to produce these in relatively subtle, plain colour palettes to suit a variety of commercial installations. Conversely, commercial carpeting has a wider remit of base colours and patterns specified.

However, the sheer breadth and depth of tile designs, formats and the product’s slip-resistant and hygienic qualities – and indeed, the unlimited uses within an installation – will, in time, assist in the growth of the tile industry both in commercial and domestic scenarios. 

Contributed by JoBeth Phillips

Editor, Tile UK         
Acting Editor, CFR