I’m forecasting textiles with a bright & youthful styling  and a new breed of intense, yet understated luxury that is meant to be admired rather than envied. Design studios at Surtex and Heimtextil said one of the strongest demands they have been receiving is for hand-painted designs, many noting that hard lines and computer-generated creations are less in demand. I concur that the free flow of the hand is growing in popularity and that artisan looks are  key.

What better way to do that than with florals. These florals are not the viney, mid size motifs from past years. Those have given way to large sometimes ethnic influenced full blown blooming florals in size, scale and motif.   

Pillow: Bluebellgray Fashion: Christopher Kane

Big blooms are making an impact in both fashion+ home. One of our favorites is Bluebellgray.

 We saw this new fabric collection at M&O introduced by two young gun Scottish designers influenced by a love of color and all things floral.  The designs are something unique and special; each design is painted by hand in the Bluebellgray studio before being printing onto natural cottons and linens using state- of- the- art digital printing.

 Digital printing enables every brushstroke and color to be captured, enhancing the feel of the hand painted design. The pieces above have a sense of provenance and the designer behind the product, adding to the feeling of exclusivity. (Hard to believe they are digitally printed!)

 Shortlisted for an Elle Decoration Design award at TENT London last month for their collaboration with Roger Lewis, the design philosophy behind the brand adheres to the ‘eclectic mix’ school of thought.  As Fiona says ‘it’s ok when things don’t match, if you love it- go with it!’ The designs are aimed at people looking for something unique and individual for their home, an antidote to mass production.

More Evidence:

Amrapali Fall/ Winter 2011 Designer’s Guild

Collier Campbell for Fabricut VPR 36"

Catalina for Duralee

Wall panels from Jakob Schlaepfer

I am a BIG fan of digital printing and have followed its evolution across several product categories in the last several years. One category that is underserved is window coverings. Here are some great examples of design opportunites in that category:

Three years ago Creatively Different launched its highly-creative, e-commerce concept for custom Roller Blinds. Their range of fabulous images that can be printed on window coverings is approaching 6,000 pictures, patterns and special-effect options for truly unique printed blinds to create the ‘wow’ factor.  They also offer  inter-related products – panel tracks, wallpaper, murals and art canvasses as well as help with a variety of special effects, including wallpaper/tiling effects, and image stylization and coloration. Personally I like the idea of putting art on the window, so I might pass on the murals, and wall effects.

The company has recently launched a range of versatile Panel Track blinds. Seen here is a room divider, printed with ‘Chrysocolla’, one of Richard Weston’s amazing ‘Earth’ images- orginial blown up scans of the interior of rocks and minerals.

They’ve added to their art collection with the recent recruitment of several artists offering some super limited-edition artwork,  great cityscapes of London, Paris and New York; wonderful contemporary art; and some sizzingly seductive and vibrant artwork.

One of my favorites is Cafe de Paris….This dresses up any window with or without a view.

I am in the market for a new sofa, so I was doing a little window shopping when I came across these stunning possibilities.

Favn

“Design needs to solve the problem and be long lasting – off-course. But it is important to remember that my design is made for humans – to be used by humans. I believe that design should provoke emotions. Design should make you feel good. Create happiness.”   Jamie Hayon

 Jamie  Hayon’s new sofa- FAVN does all of the above. FAVN – the Danish translation for embrace, is the result of an experimental dialogue between Fritz Hansen& Hayon. “FAVN is picking up from the long tradition of Arne Jacobsenin the sense that I wanted to create a form that was based on a shell, like the Egg™ and the Swan™ which looks equally beautiful from all angles.” Hayón continues.

“I wanted the sofa to be based on a shell. A shell being hard on the outside, soft and welcoming on the inside. I wanted to create a form that embraces you, something really organic – that’s why we named it FAVN.”  There is something very Mad Men about this sofa.

Personally, while I love the sofa, I find myself drawn to the sketches even more.

The Cape

This gives new meaning to a slipcovered sofa. Love! the idea of changing out the cover with the seasons.

  Cape by Konstantin Grcic is an upholstered sofa with an overlay cover. Cape grew organically from the initial design challenge to create covered seating with a casual yet luxurious feel to it. The inspiration came from the informal way in which loose fabric is draped over a piece of furniture as protection  in hotels or country estates off season. ( I know, you can’t remember when the last time was that you throw a cover over your couch as you closed up the country home for winter…. just go with it.)

The Cape pieces have  moved beyond the slipcovers and tight-fitting, washable coverings seen at last year’s Milan furniture fair. Grcic’s mantle is much more free-flowing, casual but still tailored — less Snuggie-for-your-sofa than these pictures might imply. It’s available in different colors and weights so customers can change looks over the years or even change textures with the seasons. It also allows for an instant update as an interior changes.

 I am thinking a subtle houndstooth; maybe a fine wool sateen???

High Point Market just released two sets of trends from last month’s market. Right Now details seven looks that are important to the Home today and Right One The Edge showcases seven trens on the horizon. Because to aim to be fashion forward, here are the seven key looks that are Right on The Edge.

Retro Runway

Mad Men and a mad, mad world have us reaching back for a nostalgic feeling. Retro looks were all the rage on the runways, and those styles will be stepping into the home.

Look for Mid-Century Modern Danish Modern and French Deco-look antiques from the ’30s and ’40s as the inspiration for upcoming designs • 1970s It’s ba-ack! The big bold patterns and avocado greens are very au courant • Lady Like On the runway, it was pearls and twinsets. In the home, the look will translate with lace, eyelets, ruffles, and crochet.

Verne’s Victoriana

A heady mixture of Victorian and industrial is gaining ground as a cultural phenomenon as much as a fashion statement, and it’s beginning to make an impact in home furnishings.

The Steam Punk Movement hits home • Victoria meets Jules Verne with proper silhouettesreconfigured in industrial metals • Gears and Rivets married with crystal and velvet.

Pattern Play

As always, we find inspiration in nature and travel, but it’s where we focus our attention next that garners the buzz. We’re seeing : Out of Africa Bead patterns and tribal looks • Fret Work -The newest Asian inspiration is fretwork and folk art chinoiserie • South of the Border Mexican textiles and woven patterns• The Buzz -Honeycomb shapes are finding a home, and we also see bees and apples as early trends.

Color Is Coming

Color is on the horizon( actually I thought it was already here). Look for the ’70s to be a major influence on the colors for 2011 and 2012.

Watch forPurple -Either with greyed tones or paired with grey • Teal- This blue-green combo packs a punch • Melon- A juicy color will brighten the color spectrum • Olive green- In light and dark variations.

French Connection

Ah, Paris – the romance, the history, the je ne sais quoi. Forget the Brit invasion, we’re feeling a need for joie de vivre.

Oh La La, my favorite trend topic is French Inspiration. Look for Antique Chic -The next big thing to inspire designers will be French antiques of the ’30s and ’40s • Old World Romance Heraldic symbols, fleur de lys, quatrefoils, and hardware fit for a castle on the Seine.

Art Gallery

Art has always inspired, but today’s interpretations feature grand works directly on the furnishings themselves. So will home furnishings become the next big thing in the art world?

Modern Art Scribbles and splashes that would be welcome in MoMA • Master Class Grand paintings that evoke Dutch Masters and famous Italians • Expressionism with it’s Fresh and colorful designs from artists such as Paule Marrot.

Glass Act

The material of choice for forward-thinking designers, glass is finding its way into fascinating forms.

Mercury Rising Mercury glass is staging a comeback, along with vintage or antiqued looks • Hue Knew Colors range from jewel tones to soft earth tones • Organic Tree shapes, gingko leaves, and other organic styles • Craft Made Handcrafted looks are key.

I’ve been following UK designer, upholsterer extraordinaire Aiveen Daly for several years and her new pieces do not  disappoint. Known for her sexy details, she has worked with the world’s top designers- Liberty of London, Paul Smith and Bill Amberg to name a few. I always find design inspiration from her.

This stunning satin upholstered canopy bed bedazzled with hundreds of tiny pearls and silver studs.

Aphrodite silk lampshade with hand braided detail.

The Can Can chair- What's not to love. Corset lacings and it's RED!