trendwatch By Edward Nader, Jr., Nader’s Gallery
The home furnishing industry has been woken up with color and patter with a fearless push to a fresh approach in design. Here are a few things you can watch for in the years ahead from out top trendsetting designers that will define our interiors.
COLOR
For a man that is passionate about neutrals, I am moved and somewhat influenced by the direction that color is taking. Consumers have absolutely no fear of color. The strong influence of color is obvious with all the top designers. Color blocking solids with colors that blend – not match – is key. Two colors that are off tone by a skosh…..just enough to catch your attention. When it comes to companion patterns, the colors do not match. One pattern might have a red-orange, while the coordinating pattern has more of a yellow-orange. Look for aqua with navy, or cobalt and ultramarine. Throw in greens and whites with those mis-matched blues and really wake it up. Orange, turquois, citron and Kelly make for great color combinations that come to the forefront. Also look for red-oranges and yellow-cast oranges as mentioned earlier to mix with chocolate and off-white. Also seen is a dark berry red toile over offwhite, accented the two red-cast orange values. A loose interpretation of the classic toile we are all familiar with, in a new unpredictable pattern and scale.
Neutral foils are mixed with pinks, browns, oranges, grays. Mixing with almost anything but predictable primary colors. Geometrics are smaller and tighter, making a bold statement unlike the bigger block pattern from the 80’s. While blocks, optic effects and flat color make a bold statement, softened watercolor effects also make a powerful impact. Silhouettes along with aged and worn textures continue to grow through mid 2013. Watercolor looks give flowers, toiles and zigzags soft and vague feel morphing into patterns that work in just about any environment. Also fuzzy, unfocused looks, Italian marble papers, grass-cloth and light metallic will continue to rise. Tropical feels are everywhere! When it comes to French styles, expect to see a lot of postmark, type, and scripts that are appearing bolder than the faded pattern overlays we have seen before. Smooth cotton and course burlap are gaining over linen as the fabric of choice. Burlaps begin to take patterns, embroidery and trim. They also take color, giving the basic mainstay fabric, new life. Watch for straw to begin popping up.
ON THE FLOOR.
Stripes are on the rise, with variance of the height and textures used within one floor covering. Floral patterns are building and will continue building into 2014. Wool is the fiber of choice, mixed with silk or bamboo (rayon) for a brilliance that cannot be achieved with wool alone.
Pinks are moving toward berry-tinted pinks and continue on strong by 2014. From cherry, wine, and mauve all the way to fuchsia - pinks may be pushing some of the oranges out of the limelight by the end of 2013…and will move on even further to a pinkish purple by 2014.
Linens are mixed with sisal and sea grass, and being processed to soften the fibers and make them more plush and livable. Patterns are becoming more midsized and less huge than have been in the recent past.
Look for reds to become dark, rich, blood reds in 2014. Citron green begins its decline, but will still have a strong presence in accents. Watch for dark, cool greens to become more prevalent.
As far as floorcovering color, grey is still a strong neutral. Brights are building, and mid-greens are mixed with blues and whites. Blue kilims are big. Oranges are mixed with blues and greens for an organic, yet fashion forward addition.
Grays are warming up moving more towards browns and less cool, and browns are on the rise. Black, especially matt black is very strong in couture, expected to grow every steady.
So - The bottom line here is do not fear color or pattern. Think classics, but with a fresh approach of scale and color. Be lead only by your imagination !
MOTIF
Edward Nader, a design trend and color forecaster has been writing and covering major home furnishing markets for nearly 10 years. He has had the honor of interviewing such icons as Martha Stewart, Donald Trump, Jonathan Adler, Larry Laslo, and Vladamir Kagen, just to name a few. Nader and his sister Margaret Love have been partners in Nader’s Gallery for the last 30 years. Nader’s Gallery is an art, framing and design gallery and has been named one of Americas top 100 picture framers for 5 consecutive years.
Pattern is as strong as color. Asian influences have been strong and are still building. Things to keep a lookout for: Chinese writing, calligraphy, dragons, butterflies and pagodas. Jacobean florals and paisleys will continue to become more and more prevalent. Vintage postmarks really “hip up” more classic fabric, case goods and art. Tweaking color and scale of Chinese motifs really modernizes these classic and ancient patterns and imagery. Chinese culture is one of the oldest known cultures, and with theses updates, become one of the newest and freshest designs in homes. Southwest influenced patterns are starting to emerge again, along with the “mauve resurgence” Patterns are looser, updated, and layered - not quite as bold as the look we have known in the past. Large kilim-inspired outlines in a single mid-tone hue woven over stripes of colors such as cobalt, warm yellow and off-white are popping up. Diamond and stripe patterns, with ikat influenced jagged edges are appearing. This “new southwest” design appeals to a modern generation. Make note that chenille is starting to give way and move out of the forefront where it has been for so many years. Tribal killim–rug designs are defining an updated western look by the beginning of 2014. Indian headdress, abstract zigzags, and modified chevron patterns will illustrate this style. White, dark brown or black against color to create a graphic look that recalled retro patterns - a strong salute to our midcentury roots influenced by pop culture such as television’s Mad Men series.
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