I will write about the latest trends in more detail  in forthcoming blog posts but for now, here’s a summary of many of the latest design trends evident at 100% Design, Focus and Decorex this autumn: 

Ÿ  Geometric designs are still very fashionable – stripes, octagons, trellis, checks and retro design feature widely.  Herringbone and houndstooth designs are also making an appearance for the coming year. I have a houndstooth carpet in my sitting room and a herringbone winter coat – I really want a houndstooth black and white dress me thinks.

Designers Guild's new Leopold rug

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Carlucci's new 'Members Only' collection

 

Floral designs – flowers are everywhere – large, small, climbing, retro.  Many of the colours are still muted but a new look includes more metallic highlights within the floral design.  A metallic ground to the floral design has been launched within a few collections of wallpaper and fabrics and is gorgeous.

As you can imagine, Sanderson’s new collections features lots of lovely floral designs, click here to see them. Jab’s Four Season’s Seventh Collection continues its journey through the world, drawing inspiration from various countries.  This time, it is the British country cottage style that has been focused on with a plethora of fresh summery flowers – think a cottage garden bursting with flowers and this theme will continue well into the next year and even 2011 apparently.

Four Seasons, Volume 7 by Jab

Four Seasons

 

 Ÿ  An oriental and exotic flavour is very apparent.  Perhaps because so many people don’t have the funds to travel this year, the emphasis seems to be on bringing the exotic into our homes.

 

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Animal prints have become very popular, yet they are very tasteful and reasonably subtle – imagine faux crocodile leather and animal prints such as ocelot,  in subtle tones.

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 Birds are still very popular within wallpaper and fabric designs and have become even more exotic – flamingoes and swans are featured in new collections.  It’s all about bringing nature into the home – be it natural fibres, birds, animals, ocean colours …

Nina Campbell's Sylvana collection

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Thibaut's baron wallpaper

 

Layering and Texture:  It is all about subtlety and having ‘tone on tone’. By that I mean having layers of a similarly coloured fabric, for example, or discreet buttoning whereby buttons are covered in the same fabric, yet add intricate detail.  While flock wallpaper is still very popular and offers wonderful drama and texture, there is a move to adding texture to wallpaper in other ways, for example, Thibaut have launched a basket weave wallpaper.

GP & J Baker's Dulcie fabric - beautiful crewel work on a linen ground

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 Rounded shapes in furniture are really ‘in’ for the future seasons – rounded curvaceous chairs, for example, are womanly, tactile and flirtatious and add a warmth to any room.  Rounded sofas in particular offer a fabulous cocoon, where you can curl up in such comfort.  The Dolly Mix company has launched a fabulous rounded sofa at Decorex that is almost snail shaped, if that makes any sense.  They are updating their website with photos this week so check them out here.  It really is amazing – perfect for curling up on your own with a book, totally insulated from the rest of the house and the world, or curl up with your partner or the kids – there’s enough room for 4 adults apparently.

Designers Guild's new Orbit sofa

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Colours – it is difficult to pinpoint it to any one colour as being the one fashionable colour for the season – there’s lots of black and white which is not only very masculine but is also particularly effective in the houndstooth design be it a dress or curtain fabric.  Purples and Greens are probably the most popular hues for this season.

Carlucci Members Only collection

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 Patchwork designs are included in many of the new collections – adding a nostalgia and a nod to our past.

Chivasso

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The composition of fabrics have become much more natural and homely – lots of wools and linens.

Carlucci's Member Only

 

Ÿ  ‘Whisper’ is a new theme – by this I mean a suggestion that the fabric is barely there, it is all about creating a dreamlike atmosphere.  Therefore, many beautiful voiles have been introduced this season, many with intricate detailing.  Glass that has been engraved with beautifully intricate designs were also on display and we’ll be seeing much more of this over the coming year.

Well, I think that’s enough eye candy for tonight – I hope you enjoy it and there will be lots more coming up over the coming weeks.