• Coloured glass: Once again people see a shift towards brightly-coloured glass, from bright neon’s to pastel shades.
New materials
Designers are also looking at the past, from materials to methods of construction and right through to styling. This has resulted in the fact that as a replacement for replication, like several of the trends people have recently seen, for instance the French revival, they now see a new clean approach. Apart from this, there is also a strong industrial influence happening with items being created now that looks as if they have come straight out of the industrial revolution. Although people are now facing a change in mindset and have a need for tactile and sustainable items, they still embrace technology. “You just have to go to a mall to see 80% of people engaging on their smart phones, chatting, dealing, getting and receiving information. We buy online, we compare prices online and we get inspired online. We no longer need a PC or a laptop, the information is directed to us,” states the iid Nemeth report. This era of technology and influence thereof has also had a huge impact on design. On the flipside to the tactile design described earlier, people see a modern, forward-thinking design style emerging.
Colour Colour is optimistic yet contemplative. In a time of chaos and a lack of order, people gather their thoughts and reacquaint themselves with what is positive and achievable. Values are redefined, inspiration and comfort are found from old treasures, and they celebrate aged, decayed and time-worn imperfect colour. On the other hand, people see an increasing desire for honest, clean colour, as our quest for authenticity and simple products increase. It becomes important to embrace the unpredictable and experimental, using clashing and unexplored colour themes that are inspired by science and nature.
Key elements and influences • Industrial: People see industrial lights and factory shelving, to pressed metal chairs. Metal is non-refined and sometimes eroded and rusted. In design they see joints as well as rough welding. • Pebble shape: Natural elements play an important part in design going forward. This seems to be in reaction to all the technology people are surrounded with. They currently see the pebble as a strong influence in design, not only in form but also in colour. • Hex- and polygons: For every action there is a reaction and in strong contrast to the organic influences people see these highly geometric shapes influencing design.
Key items • Exposed bulbs: This is an extension to the industrial elements people are using – this is even seen with top-end brands.
• EcoGlass – Bendheim: EcoGlass™ textured architectural glass contains approximately 60% recycled material, including 25% to 40% post-consumer glass, and is produced in an envirosensitive factory. The high-recycled content is paired with supreme transparency, brilliance and colour. The glass has excellent day-lighting qualities and is available in ten textures offering varying degrees of privacy. • Buzziskin 3D Tile – Buzzispace @ D’apostrophe LLC The 3Dimensial Buzziskin is a biodegradable product to be used as wallpaper or billboard made of “ecofelt” – a 100% recycled material. • Novus – Spinneybeck: Novus embodies all the characteristics of recycled leather, but with an additional water-based finish on the surface of the product. The back of the product remains unfinished to remind clients of Novus’ humble beginnings. The client determines the colour and texture of the surface, providing endless combinations. • TerralonTM – Roysons Corporation: Terralon™ is Royson’s brand of earth-intelligent wall coverings made from recycled materials. It boasts the same aesthetic features and performance qualities of traditional vinyl wall coverings, yet is totally PVC-free and qualifies for LEED credits • Weave No 1748, Lodge/Conrad, Original Sunshades®: Luxuriantly woven in deep woodsy colours of bark, tobacco leaf, moss and straw, Lodge is a handsome, highly textured weave that can happily coexist with a mood of sophistication or simplicity. Custom hand-woven to the size of sustainable natural fibres, Lodge is available as both roman-fold and motorized roll-up shades. • Traffic – Porcelanosa: Traffic is part of Porcelanosa’s Ecologic line. Obtained from 95% recycled materials from lines of production, among its advantages are the energy savings of recycled tile and its durability, which makes it suitable for outside applications in anti-slip version. It is available in Anthracite, Gris, Negro and Arena. • UltraGlas-E – UltraGlas, Inc.: UltraGlas-E (patent pending) provides an ecologically-friendly way to divert millions of tons of scrap architectural glass from international landfills and repurpose it locally as 100% recycled glass — contributing to distinctive spaces through a variety of interior and exterior applications. Standard and custom sizes, configurations and options are available. • Spiderweb/Livinglass Light – Livinglass: Livinglass introduces Spiderweb in “Light” and “Curves”, made with 100% recycled glass and resin, and a sustainable Barkskin™ by Caba interlayer. Livinglass Spiderweb is a decorative laminated safety glass that offers exceptional design at an affordable price. It is available in ivory and cinnamon. • Graphic Concrete: Graphic Concrete offers a unique possibility to manufacture and use a patterned-exposed aggregate finish from graphic pictures to fine-living designs. Their business is based on a patented invention to use different printing techniques for applying surface retarder on a special membrane. The technology of Graphic Concrete enables
Vol 12.6
INTERIOR & DECORATIVE
INTERIOR & DECORATIVE feature
55