2. FINISH’S/MATERIALS 2013/14
• Plain materials such as plywood, cardboard and fabric are used to create straightforward designs that prioritise easy
assemblage and uncomplicated packaging solutions
• Components of chairs, stools, tables and storage pieces have specific fittings that perfectly dovetail into each other
• No tools: the most innovative flat-pack furnishings require no assembly tools or fixtures, becoming more affordable as well
as lightweight
• Although wood is a well-known material for consumers and is present in most homes, copper is now being explored by
designers who are keen to show the material is as versatile as wood
• Copper and wood are used in contemporary pieces that bring back ancient traditions and craft techniques
• The shine of copper responds well to the warmth of wood, and its orange-pink shade works with a range of woods, from
lightest to darkest. Use smooth, soft textures for a contemporary look, or rougher surfaces for a more vintage mood
• Wood and leather are combined to create moody interiors, The warm tints of tanned leather and aged wood also create a
tonal palette
• Wood is increasingly being used all-over in homes, creating comforting, cocooning interiors. From floor to ceiling, wood
panelling is being updated in new styles, sizes and finishes, taking inspiration from Scandinavian and Japanese styles.
• Cork is being used in interior furniture mainly for its aesthetic and tactile qualities.
• Durable, inexpensive, and reminiscent of Art Deco and the 70s, brass is becoming increasingly popular for interiors products.
An alloy of copper and zinc, its composition can be varied to evoke silver, gold and copper, in a wide range of finishes
• Natural, versatile and durable, wicker remains an important material for interiors and has become more popular
• Wicker components are combined with materials such as ceramic, glass and plastic, tying into the trend for material-
blocking and allowing designers to mix the natural with the manmade in a very tactile way.
• Pieces of furniture are sculpted from actual blocks of stone. Stools and tables are chunky and heavy looking, ornamentation
provided only by the veins of the material
• Fiberglass is also a particularly good material for outdoor use as it is even more durable than rattan or bamboo
4. COLOUR 2013/14
• Colour is increasingly a major focus of the design in wicker, whether as a singular hue or in bright combinations
• Weaving with traditional bamboo, but the conventions have been interrupted, instead using bright colours to make
the wicker panels, which are mounted into modern tubular steel frames.
• Unexpected colours to traditional wicker, contrasting with the colour and material of the velvet upholstery.
• Cork with just the subtle variations of nature being visible, but it can be coloured to great effect
• Wood is covered in a thick coat of paint or lacquer, so the colour of the raw material stands-out against the high-gloss
finish
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
6. BEDS & SOFA-BEDS
• Beds are now more than sleeping areas; they are living areas, where people spend more time either before sleeping or after
waking up
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
7. LIVING ROOM
• Coffee and side tables seen as accessories for the house
• More innovations and material experimentations seen in occasional tables
• Occasional tables become dynamic home accessories, experimenting in colour, shape and material
• Table tops divide in layers that open up to offer a wider surface area
• The natural features of marble and wood are widely explored: imperfections and differences in colour tones make the
products unique
• Although pieces can be used individually, they are specifically designed to sit together
• Portable pieces: handles and foldable structures make it easier to move it around
• Uncomplicated designs for smaller spaces
• Lightweight structures and wheels also used to enhance portability
• Comfort and informality has become a key Feature in sofas are more than a piece of furniture, they are now an
environment where people want to relax, eat, sleep and socialise
• Plain fabrics are seen in either neutral or very bright colours
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
12. STORAGE/SHELVING
• The idea here is to bring a more artistic look to the piece and experiment with materials, proportions and even usability
• Boxed and puzzled inspired
• Modular design and user-friendly assemblage
• Bookcases can be adapted to different needs and be used in different ways, meaning a longer life
• span as they accompany changes in the fast-paced life of the urban consumer
• Pieces embrace new functions, like bicycle storage and urban gardening
• More attention is given to presentation and the art of display
• Shelves become mood boards of our lifestyles on which we display our favourite publications, photos, objects
• and other memorabilia
• Small shelves act as pedestals while photo frames are wide enough to welcome vases and other decorative
• accessories
• Bookshelves and storage units include special compartments to draw the focus on a particular item
• The boxed trend is evolving with round boxes emerging as an alternative shelving system to store and openly display objects.
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
14. CABINETS/CREDENZARS
• Storage furnishings are mainly focused on hiding clutter: doors and drawers of cabinets and credenzas become blank
canvases for creativity. Material experimentation generates exaggerated textures and patterned surfaces, and upholstery
techniques are used to add tactility to hard materials.
• Patchwork looks in materials, Different wooden types or tones are used as a patchwork
• Consumers want to show their collections and highlight their emotional value: cabinets become an ever-evolving display of
their favourite items
• Pieces are designed with no specific function and can be placed anywhere around the house, from the kitchen to the
bathroom
• Straightforward forms used to highlight other design details, such as material or colour
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
16. DINING ROOM
• Dining room furniture is increasingly casual, with consumers experimenting with colours, materials and shapes.
• Benches are combined with cafe chairs and high stools. The choice of seating no longer complies to established rules and
there is room for daily improvisation.
• An eclectic mix of chairs are arranged around the dining table and can be of the same style but in different colours or of
different styles in the same colour, painted or left natural.
• Traditional bentwood chairs are extremely popular and American, English, French and Scandinavian design classics in solid
wood still decorate the modern dining room in light pine, oak wood or dark walnut. The sophisticated designs can be
updated with colour.
• Benches are taking over stools as a more convivial alternative in creating modern farmhouse style. Mainly seen in raw,
natural wood, benches are beautifully polished or reclaimed, with or without backrest.
• Rough or smooth: wood continues to be a favourite for table tops and legs – the more natural it looks, the better
• Wood grains and contrasting tones create natural patterns
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
18. CHAIRS
• Chairs continue to be a vehicle for more expressive designs, translating conceptual ideas into commercial products.
• Pared-back designs appear in natural wood, mostly light tones
• Slim and sleek shapes accentuate natural features such as wood-grain
• Wood is bent and turned, with fixtures such as screws concealed, or done away with altogether
• Artisan techniques are combined with mass production to create products with a handcrafted appeal, and sometimes a
story to tell.
• Return of the rocker in a contemporary style
• Exciting trends in materials, shapes, colours and textures first appear here and then expand to larger pieces such as sofas
and beds.
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
20. GREAT ACCESSORIES
• Coat stands are being replaced by wall hooks which are more accessible, smaller and a quirky alternative for wall decoration.
• The nature-inspired aesthetic appears more stylised
• Wood with natural finishing is combined with neutral colours, especially white
• Preference for lightweight and wireframe structures
• Strings, elastic and rubber bands, ropes and straps take on a new role in furniture design, being used as structural
components and even replacing traditional upholstery. Materials used as cords vary, from elastic strings to leather straps
• Textile-making techniques are applied in a large scale and pieces of string are neatly woven around or within hard structures,
creating a sense of continuity.
• Cords are used as an option for Traditional upholstery, to replace fixtures and fittings and add colour to designs
• Familiar materials such as trees, cardboard, books, newspapers, loofahs and shipping pallets are being repurposed and used
to divide rooms
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
22. DESKS
• Work surface as a micro-environment: desks are personal cocoons and are designed to give a sense of privacy and
ownership of the space
• In home office the user is not entirely separated from the surroundings, but the limits between leisure and work are still
clear.
• Niches and ingenious storage solutions replace cabinets and drawers
• Desks are versatile and have added functions, as they adapt to a new home office environment where the working area
merges with that of the living
• Narrow desks are an increasingly popular option for workers who need a simple workplace, just wide enough for putting
their laptop or tablet on. Minimal and discreet, they can be installed in any living space from entry halls, to bedrooms
• Wall-mounted desks embrace the simplicity of extending shelves, sometimes integrating storage systems.
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
24. OUTDOOR
• Indigo and blue tones, shades of chartreuse, lime and burnt orange are key colour directions among retailers. Teamed with
white or off-white for a fresh outdoor look
• A range of floral and leaf designs are prominent, from stylised leafs and bold florals, to more realistic lily prints and all-over
chintz florals for a classic look. See here for more chintz floral inspiration
• Fabrics are made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic yarns, Polypropylene fabric which are lightweight and stain resistant
• Fireplaces and fire pits are key items for comfort and warmth in this new expansive direction
• The garden's cooking space is evolving, with planchas and barbecues being replaced by outdoor kitchens
• The trend for large extendable dining tables which can accommodate large parties is growing, with comfort and flexibility
being key. Grills are fitted in the centre so guests can cook their own food, and heating plates keep food warm outdoors.
• Designs are pared-down and understated. Geometric shapes and unfussy forms provide a clean silhouette without the use
of surface detailing, pattern or colour.
• Furniture takes its influence from organic forms. Designs use manufacturing techniques and materials that appear to flow
easily and colours used are inspired by nature
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
29. OUTDOOR PLANTERS
• Planters are doubling up as garden furniture and lighting
• Plants add a visual softness and both textural and colour contrast to strong graphic structures
• Despite taking on pure, unfussy forms, designs are incorporating hidden irrigation systems and concealed wheels allowing
for plant pots to be easily moved
• Geometric lines are contrasted with a soft finish, making slender shapes blend into a calm environment
• Planters take inspiration from nature through the use of natural materials and organic forms
• Planters are now moved off the floor and on to walls, floors and railings in order to save on precious space in urban gardens
and bring an unexpected planted element to vertical surfaces
• Planters are raised from the floor on stilts, legs or within a framed structure. This design means new planter shapes begin to
emerge, creating an exciting relationship between the planter and the flowers that are chosen to sit in it
• Bright colours are a popular choice against metal frames or textured wood and fit in more with a modern naturalistic
environment
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
31. OUTDOOR ACCESSORIES
• Designs for balconies focus on alfresco entertaining, relaxation and container gardening
• Products are designed to hook over and fix onto the balustrade in order to save on space and gain height
• Products are designed to be easily collapsible when not in use or transfer easily indoors (visually and/or physically)
• designs that fold flat into the wall or floor, or
• Products that can easily transfer into the interior space. Products are stripped back to the essentials, with modular designs
enabling a user to easily adapt a product to fit with the requirements of the space.
• Designs are influenced by Moroccan tiles: decorative paisleys or ornate medallion motifs Beige and burnt orange colourways
create a warm sophisticated look while chartreuse and lime pops lift outdoor fabrics
• Moroccan inspired motifs are simplified to a two-colour outline design and worked with multicoloured decorative damask
placement motifs and large-scale paisleys
BY:KERRY HILDYARD
