Reposted from Co.Design

I had to repost this because it is a fabulous example of the kind of   results you can get when you listen to the client and design innovation to meet their needs. I have always been intrigued with the design process, so I would have loved to be in the rooms with the show designers as they brainstormed and collaborated their way through the design process creating groundbreaking techniques to fulfill their client’s “wishes”.  Imagine the possibilities of this technology when applied to interiors! ( Window Coverings industry take note it CAN be done ; we just have to commit to it!)

Nike Unveils Its Big New Paradigm: Shoes Knit Like Socks

The new Flyknit shoe was the product of four years of R&D, which yielded new machines for a fabrication technique that never existed before.

When most of us think about what we want in a shoe, a sock probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Sure it has comfort, but what about stability? And how about some support?

Nike is filling in those blanks with its newest line, Nike Flyknit, which will make its big splash in the Olympics. Four years in the making, Flyknit is the product of an entirely new shoe-making process that can produce a single, lightweight knit upper (tongue included). The resulting intricate patchwork of yarn, cables, and fabric boasts a heretofore unseen look and feel.

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Walking the aisles and showrooms in Paris for Maison & Objet and Paris Deco Off, I couldn’t help but note several colors that kept popping up everywhere! Put these on your must have list for 2012.

Fool’s Gold

Schumacher's Ripple Effect

This bold citron gold hue with brassy green undertones was all over the place. This is a color that’s hard to put your finger on. I find myself drawn to it and recently when deciding to paint my living room this color, I had a heck of a time getting it just right? This hue definitely evokes emotion- shifting from in-your-face to  moody  and sultry.  We’ve seen it before, but this time it was the center of attention and not an accent; showing up on different surfaces on new product categories, was interesting finishes to almost in some cases looking lit from within. Plus, it was mixed and matched with new colors creating unusual fresh schemes.

Miss Print fabrics and wallpapers

M&O Scenes d' Interieur

Pamplemousse M&O

JD Staron Ikat Rug

Perse Velvet from Karin Sajo

If you love this fabric, call me I am carrying this collection.

Nobilis Window Vignette

Artketing Trend Presentation- M&O

Lelievre

Nobilis Spring 2012 Collection

Maison & Objet

It’s been a couple of weeks since coming home for M&O and Deco Off. I jumped right into business as usual and just now have had some time to reflect, organize and my thoughts about the show. So this week, check out my series of posts of what trends and themes I see coming from the shows as well as my favorites and picks for the coming season.

Next Post: Hot Pink and Red are back.

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“Naïve & Romantic” by Milou Ket is based on a romantic attitude- innocent and naïve. It is dreamlike and full of illusions. The emphasis is on painterly flowers in different interpretations. The colors are fresh and romantic. We see yellow, pink, salmon, shrimp, light blue, light green, light lavender and sea green. Yellow in this palette tends to be a bit greenish, almost with a fluorescent effect.

Naïve and Romantic sees the application of soft pastel colors. Coral and salmon shades freshen up  simple patterns  such as polka dots and stripes. Turquoise and lilac are combined in hand drawn checks, and hand painted patterns. Text, postcards, stamp motifs evoke memories Trees and tree trunks are used as decoration.

Dreamlike florals and blossoms are the most important subjects, in all possible variations, but especially watercolor looks and hand painted florals. Old-fashioned roses and birds are applied in new ways with a touch of golden details. Flowers of importance are roses and orchids. Oriental influences are present in blossoms, birds and flower patterns Old cupboards recycled and decorated with Japanese blossoms and 3-D branches add for a fairytale effect. Florals  and botanical motifs can also take on a refined effect. We see huge wallpaper with a flower photo print. Flowers, birds, butterflies, branches and botanical subjects like mushrooms. We see a 3-D flower motifs for pillows.

Shine, metallics and a touch of silver and gold are indispensable. Glass tiles,  Swarovski crystal effect and materials with the iridescent effects are  found in small details. F homey atmosphere is evoked by recycling and patchwork effects in the carpet. Multicolor effects are visible in stripes, and the fresh retro inspired combinations of pink and turquoise. Colorful patterns are mixed freely for a bohemian effect . Also here gold is important. Home accessories are pleated and folded for 3-D effects. Different shades of blue  are combined. We see how handcrafted designs play an important role in the prints. We see blots, spots and stains, but also ikat prints. Ombres, degrade looks, chipped paint add to the romance.

Milou Ket – Trend Forecasts, Home Colors, Product Development

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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

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As seen last month at KBIS in Vegas- several trends emerging from Kitchen and Bath arena that should be on your radar screen whether you do K+B or not. The trends are expressed here  in NKBA’s Design Competition’s award winning kitchen and baths.

NATURAL ELEMENTS

Design by: Lori W. Carroll
Lori Carroll & Associates
Tucson, AZ
Photo: Jon Mancuso

This refined rustic southwestern powder room is the perfect example of the use of natural elements in design. An agate slab became the foundation for this bathroom space that’s as unique and distinct as the elusively elegant stone itself. Translucent crystal formations within the rock are highlighted by backlighting that sets off the smoky grays, brown, and icy white. Polished stone combined with leather-wrapped cabinetry is at the core of this opulent space. When the beauty of nature can be brought inside a home, the impact is unmatched.

TACTILE APPEAL

Design by: Aimee Nemeckay
Susan Fredman Design Group
Chicago, IL
Photo: Nick Novelli, Novelli Photodesign

The use of actual and implied texture offers a tactile and visual feast. Lines, colors, and patterns can act as either a point of interest in a given space or a mellow background to a more prominent component. The textured touch is apparent through an oversized glass mosaic tiled rug inset into the limestone floor, creating the effect of an actual textured and patterned area rug. A quilted effect, also seen in fashion trends, was created using custom-made glass keystone tiles, adding a shimmering surface to the wall of the shower. 

COMMITING TO COLOR

Design by: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD
Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd.
Chevy Chase, MD
Photo: Bob Narod Photographer, LLC

Clients and designers alike are making strong commitments to color. The relationship with vibrant color is introduced into the room through a backsplash of back-painted glass in a strong carrot orange, representing a color that’s smooth and fresh, and also refined enough to pair with the contemporary exotic wood cabinetry. This is a sleek kitchen deserving of a color that makes a statement. The tangerine, mango, and carrot family of colors is being incorporated into the palette of stylishly appropriated residential spaces across the country.

Spotted: The carrot color family popping up in glass tiles. Tapestry by Nathan Allan Glass Studios to be introduced at NeoCon.

Speaking of consumers and designers alike making a strong commitment to color:

Pantone's New Colors

For the first time in eight years, color specialist and source Pantone LLC has amped up its Pantone Fashion + Home color system by adding 175 new colors, bringing the total to 2,100 shades.

Not since 2003 has Pantone added new hues to its color system.
“People have been clamoring for new color,” says Laurie Pressman, Pantone’s vp of fashion, home and interiors.

Its latest additions “reflect today’s global color influences across fashion, home furnishings and interior design and enrich the current palette and focus on areas of significant market importance and color trend movement.

The 175 new colors are permanent additions to the Pantone Fashion + Home Color System, and all color families were expanded to include: a broader range of nuanced neutrals and mid-tones; an increased number of vibrant brights; many complex hues with greater depth and intensity; more subdued and smoky variations of popular colors.

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