Pin It

Matisse's MONDRIAN fabric - 100% cotton

Ptolemy Couch Interiors UK

Elitis fabric

Pierre Frey colorblocked linen draperies

La Fibule Refuge

We say we love it, but could never sell it; we tip toe around it, because we really don’t understand its power. We fuel the neutral self fulfilling prophecy by showing 50 shades of cream. What is it? It’s daring color in blinds and shades. For a lot of reasons design pros selling hard window coverings haven’t embraced color blocking, P.O C.(Pop of Color) or bold, intense hues like other segments of the home furnishings industry. So I am soo excited to finally see the vibrant hued pleated shades in this month’s House Beautiful. Hopefully, this arbitrator of American taste might move us off the dime. Also spotted – the pleated shades had XL pleats. OMG- color, a Pleated shade AND XL pleats! Is this a harbinger of what might be coming in window coverings?

The Shade Store Via House Beautiful

With Tangerine Tango the Color of the Year-why not try it at the window?

So if we start embracing color; could we , ( O heart be still) start to see bold dynamic pattern at the window? God, I hope so; I could use a little drama….

All shade images from The Shade Store

It’s that time again-  the trend  pundits are releasing their predictions for 2012. So in the spirit of sharing , I am bringing you 12 Days of Trends. The list includes a bit of everything. I’ll talk trends in color, design, textiles, consumer, marketing, social media and sprinkle in a couple of my own spottings to give you the big picture of what will be affecting you and your business next year.  I’m kicking it off with a preview of  Heimtextil Trends. Heimtextil, the largest textile show starts the round of design shows January 12, 2012. I’ll be there so watch for daily in depth posts and interviews.

Heimtextil Trend Preview 2012/2013

Montage, Heimtextil’s 2012/2013 trend reflects the thoughts, ideas, inspirations and predictions of the members of the Trendtable. Each year,  Heimtextil’s trends are developed by a  Trendtable of international designers that review the most important overriding trends and provides valuable orientation and predictions for product developers, creative teams, furnishing specialists and designers. The Trendtable defines Montage as a process that symbolizes the individuality and needs of the consumer.  Montage is about taking existing elements, mixing them together to make something new and creating something of our own, something that has never existed before.

The four new trend themes are ‘Colour Riot’, ‘Dark Lux’, ‘Craft Industry’ and ‘Split Clarity’. In all four trends, color plays the dominant role.

“Color is the decisive signal for the coming season. Powerful and omnipresent, color refreshes the senses, sets important accents and is a conscious part of all styles”. Claudia Herke

Overview of the Four New Trend Themes.

‘Colour Riot’: colors in revolt

In ‘Colour Riot’, dynamic, shades of color appear in a new context – fresh, bold and vivid. And there are no limits on the interaction with light. High-gloss materials, colored laminations, superimposed motifs, fluid and flexible fabrics underscore the brilliance of monochrome colors. New are ‘optical fibers’, iridescent effects and recycled materials. Quality, wear resistance and longevity are important to these high-grade materials.

When it comes to patterns- look for broad stripes, all-over geometric patterns and graphic motifs  The computer world is represented by digital designs, photographic prints and hologram effects. Despite the playful urge to experiment, the unexpected looks appear clear and unequivocal.

Buzz words:

glossy, coated, technical knits, smooth wool, clean felt, graphic patterns, diagonal stripes, pixel optics, overlay geometrics, color blocking, 3D effects, reassembled

‘Dark Lux’: the beauty of the night

The shadows of the night create a dark, mystical and elegant color series dominated by deep black, which is particularly expressive on lustrous materials. Rounding off the color world are dark, colored accents – pepped up by metallic champagne and gold. Rubberised, liquid looks and glossy surfaces interact with furs and long-haired, smooth hides. Clarity and severity give the sumptuous textiles their modern appearance. Iridescent, shimmering and transparent qualities with animated surface modulation generate an air of mystery. Deep gloss, metallic shimmers, sequins and elaborate materials are to be found in almost all product segments.

Buzzwords:

Luster, shadow prints, distorted patterns, embroidery, matelassé, crystals, glossy, leather, new opulence, varnished, 3d laminates, material contrast, elegant + modern architectural inspirations, straight line appliques, irregular reliefs, graphic stitching, graceful strength, metallic shimmer, brocade, vintage

‘Craft Industry’: a blend of tradition, handicrafts and the modern

The combination of tradition and handicrafts on the one hand and industrial and mechanical methods on the other dominate the look of ‘Craft Industry’. A sunny-warm and lively color series is oriented towards natural landscapes with sky, mountains, lakes and forests, which contrast with industrial, metallic coal, copper and old-gold tones.

‘Craft Industry’ shows lively surfaces with irregular textures and lots of structured elements. Important are qualities with an authentic image and materials with vintage character, as well as restrained destroyed and used looks.

Fine patterns are created using creative techniques. The dominant elements include composite or offset checks, extraordinary patchwork designs, broken patterns, stripes and checks with partial pile effects, hand-sewn looks, intarsia and elaborately processed patches.

Buzzwords:

Uncover, industrial past, lively, authentic, vintage, used, structured, reused, tumbled, washed, crashed, waxed, quilted, simple, inserted patches, interrupted pattern, handstitched, folk look, nomadic lifestyle, handmade character, flamed effects, embossed, Shetlands, pile effects, unusual skins, native, genuine, natural,

‘Split Clarity’: the bare essentials

Less is more – ‘Split Clarity’ concentrates on simple, functional and essential elements. In other words, the focus is on sustainability, quality, high technology and new materials. The result is clear-cut, modern aesthetics. Clarity is reflected by a series of colors inspired by nature. The minimalistic and restrained compositions are generally interrupted by a single expressive shade. Material versatility is crucial. Metallic and reflecting surfaces, semi-plain patterns and transparent materials are used, as are animated but restrained surfaces. Linear, high-contrast and severe graphic designs set unequivocal accents. Depth is created by the interaction of light and shadow in different materials and surfaces.

Buzzwords:

Minimal, graphic, functional, intelligent, smart textiles, vibrant surfaces, metallic aspects, severe, constructed, sculptural materials, volume, technological evolution, ultra-light, shiny, immaterial, smooth, faded and pleated, opaque prints, laser-cuts, varied nature of materials, sustainability, quality, hi-tech, new materials, modern, calm, pure

Fabri-alcoholics there is a new fabric collection at Lee Jofa that combines past and present for perfect. To celebrate their rich history, Lee Jofa asked seven of today’s top designers to dig into their archives and pull a favorite document print and then reinterpret to make it Modern based on their signature palette and style.

 Love the concept; and for the most part, I like what the designers have done to create the Heritage collection.

 Diamond and Barratta don’t disappoint with a ribbon and flora chintz recolored into two looks- a blue and white toile and Chocolate grounded floral with a decidedly English feel.  Best part of the chocolate colorway is the blown up mural as a backdrop.

Shiraz Print

Suzanne Kasler reinterpreted a Shiraz/Suzani print by rescaling and choosing neutrals. It looks entirely different -sort of  global imagery gone chic.

Suzanne Rheinstein's pattern

Which one is your favorite? Tell us by taking the poll in the sidebar.

See the complete collection’s patterns, the originals and designer’s renderings in video below.

Carniege Textiles

Swiss textile manufacturer Création Baumann recently presented its new Halina and Halina Stripe curtain fabric – an airy textile with an African touch from the new Living Line collection ‘Inspired’- at imm Cologne. Carneige Textile was showing the fabric at Neocon and it won gold award in textile category.

 Halina is a finely striped weave with the color woven in a heavier yarn.  In order to achieve a 3D effect, the finely striped weave is vertically pleated and horizontally embossed. Halina Stripe is a broad stripe of contrasting colors reminiscent of woven raffia. The design picks up on current fashion trends and adds an up-to-the-minute touch to any interior.

Celebrating it’s 30th  anniversary, Carnegie added two new patterns to the Xorel brand of multitasking textiles.  Xorel Pixie & Cascade Appliqué explore the blending of a modern innovative material (Xorel) with traditional textile craft process. Xorel, a high performance solution textile is embellished by appliquéing decorative design motifs in secondary layer of Xorel.

DesignTex

Through a licensing program, the Museum of New Mexico Foundation invites manufacturers to reap decorative harvests from its four museums, six monuments, and single archaeological-studies office. The roster of partners hits 18 with the debut of the Shelter collection from Designtex. After vice president of design Kimberle Frost connected with the foundation’s director of licensing, Pamela Kelly, a yearlong series of product-development trips to Santa Fe commenced. Frost huddled with two curators—the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture’s Valerie Verzuh and the Museum of International Folk Art’s Bobbie Sumberg—and mined their vast collections as sources for 11 upholstery patterns.

Wolf Gordon

Wolf Gordonhas turned out innovative and amazing wall coverings for forty years. Not one to  rest on their laurels,  the natural progression is toward textiles Fabrics by Vescom, named for the mill that’s manufacturing the line, includes 19 polyester drapery fabrics. Burano is one of the bold solids. In pattern territory, recurring geometrics read organic in Minu. Beadlike lines embellish Zembra. And wide bands of color dominate Etolin. All meeting or exceeding Association for Contract Textiles guidelines for colorfastness, breaking strength, and flame resistance, the

Knoll Textiles

I am always excited to see what Knoll Textiles will introduce or revamp from their rich storied archives. I am never disappointed!

Designer Suzanne Tick introduces Fila, a 100% high performance polyester drapery fabric, is the little sister to Suzanne Tick’s Escala.  This smaller scale warp knit potentially allows for interesting scale pairings when used together with the original.  It comes in 6 colorways and is 118 in. wide. 

 With her latest collection for Knoll Luxe, Dorothy Cosonas draws inspiration from current fashion with three upholstery fabrics, Arabella, Gramercy, and Vermeer. The collection includes two large scale velvet upholstery fabrics, which offer a modern twist on a traditional concept, as well as a classic Knoll nubby texture.

Inspired by trends on the runway, Arabellais a modern take on a classic plaid. Digitally printed on 100% cotton velvet, it comes in six colorways, including Serenade, a fresh combination of gray and yellow. This fabric is Greenguard certified and is made from 100% cotton. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Gramercy is a large-scale geometric cut velvet that combines a modern pattern with old-world technology. Colors range from classics like gray and camel to fashion-forward green and purple. It is made from 100% cotton and comes in six color ways. This fabric is Greenguard certified.

Included Archival reintroductions  is the expansion of Cato, which is celebrating its 50^thanniversary. Since its introduction in 1961, Cato has never gone out of production.  It was originally hand-woven in Germany in 30 yard runs.  In the 70’s, it was turned into machine woven goods in Scotland, where it has been made ever since.  Cato has become an iconic design for KnollTextiles, often pictured on classic KnollStudio pieces such as Eero Saarinen’s Womb chair.  Over the years KnollTextiles has added and deleted colors; For Cato’s 50^thbirthday, Dorothy Cosonas has brought back three colors from the original 60’s archives: natural, yellow and hot pink.  This high performance fabric is made of 86% wool and 14% rayon. It exceeds 100,000 double rubs, is now available in 12 colorways.