Much like the fashion industry, every year you can expect to see an array of home-based concepts and ideas presented by interior insiders that define what the best-dressed homes will look like this year. Even if you are happy with your home’s current design and look, these detailed and colorful presentations can provide a source of inspiration and an overall view of how the home zeitgeist is changing over time.
We’re breaking down home interiors into 5 key areas: Furnishings, Color, Materials, Texture & Pattern, and Accessories for a larger look at the trends. Central themes that carry across all five key areas are a prevailing sense of the natural world and the increasing importance of sustainability.
FURNISHINGS
Watch Word: Multi-Purpose
As predicted, many of the necessities created from pandemic-era living are carrying over into our present living scenarios and experts agree that its resulting trends such as modular and multipurpose furnishings are proving useful over the long-term. More specifically, we will see the influence of soft, curvy, even tube-like organic shapes applied to items such as couches, chairs, and anything that supports a reclining or relaxing mode. The practice of rounding corners and smoothing lines provides optimal functionality and conveys a simplification and ease in design that hopefully mimics life.
Seminal design expos such as High Point Market still had plenty of mid-century modern inspiration being seen in furnishings. But some experts are just beginning to feel a fatigue associated with the look, which they backed up with the appearance of some “sexier” mid-century modern pieces from Brazilian designers on the showroom floors.
These looks are marked by extremely low-profile silhouettes, dark woods with red undertones, elements of hand-crafted details, and next-level, rich, sumptuous leathers.
Sumptuous leather and splashes of leather detailing combine in this multi-purpose ottoman by Leathercraft (image 5).
Other new looks include updated iterations of tailored furniture designs including columns and arches. These pieces are fresh-looking and are intended on being new approaches to classic design rather than re-introduced reproductions of antique furnishings.
The Italian design house Gorini was well represented at High Point and did much to combine the aspects of warm wood, multifunctional design, and curved lines with their amazing sectional lifestyle sofa from the Tavolini Briccola Collection.
How to Use It In Your Space
For some consumers (there’s still plenty of traditionalists out there), the tube-like pieces can’t just be plunked down and expected to blend in, but there are a few exceptions when it comes to the curvy furnishings. We do see some of this influence from the mainstream marketplace such as Grandinroad with their Millie accent chair that offers a subtle take on the curve that can work in more traditional design scenarios.
The good news for traditionalists and antique lovers is that these genres of furnishings were very well represented on the floors of High Point, as well.
Photo Credits: 1. Mello swivel chairs by eichholtz 2. Accent Table by Baker Furniture 3.Sofa by Travolini Briccola 4. Millie Accent Chair Courtesy of Grandinroad.com 5. Ottoman by Leathercraft 6. Traditional Look by Woodbridge Furniture
COLOR
Watch Word: Warmth
All the major paint manufacturers annually announce their “Color of the Year” and then create a sub palette of hues that complement that color. Pantone, the color industry expert, does this as well. Rarely, do these color profiles mirror images of each other, but there is some overlap. Pantone announced a splashy, fun color, Viva Magenta, 18-1750, as this year’s must-use hue. While Sherwin-Williams is all-in with Redend Point, SW 908, a much dustier, earthier version of red, trending toward the pinkish, mauve side.
Making the scene on the color wheel at High Point Market for spring 2023, were shades of black, blue, and green. Retreating from seasons of minimalist whites and grays, experts are definitely seeing a push toward more color, overall. Natural greens remain extremely popular with warm, mossy greens, pistachio hues, and blue-greens taking center stage.
In softer furnishings, the colors are especially warm with shades of the spice rack evoking rustic tones of cumin, rich reds, burgundy, and mustardy golds.
How to Use It In Your Space
While the bold may use an intense color like Viva Magenta on an accent wall, it can also play a special role used more subtly in fabrics and wall coverings. Spoonflower’s collab with Pantone this year brings this concept to life by using Viva Magenta as the basis for a pattern, such as on this pillow cover, or even just a splash or pop to a whimsical wall covering.
Photo Credits: 1. Redend Point color by Sherwin Williams 2. Redent Point, SW908 by Sherwin Williams 3. Deep blue bath by Tempaper and Co 4. Deep green kitchen by Tempaper and Co 5. Black veins wallpaper by Tempaper 6. Black wallpaper by Tempaper 7. Pillows by Panton x Spoonflower
MATERIALS
Watch Word: Sustainability
Bespoke, Horo design lighting treatment made by Masiero, a company known for its sustainable manufacturing practices.
Dark Woods
What experts are seeing when it comes to materials, focuses on how they are created and then how they are used with more of an emphasis on old-school practices such as handcrafting, opting not to use synthetic dyes or chemicals, and sourcing materials locally whenever possible. Material manufacturers are also being more mindful of their footprint, not just by using recyclable materials but surpassing that standard by incorporating circular production processes and upcycling their waste materials.
Stone
No toxic dyes or chemicals in this bedroom area rug by CICIL. (image 7)
Few materials are more sustainable than stone, and over the last few years natural stone has played a larger role in the homes of discerning consumers, most prominently with the use of cool-toned Carrara marble. This year, style spotters found marble and travertine variations with bold veins of cream, black, and even some brighter colors on display in High Point showrooms.
How to Use It In Your Space
Even brighter, lighter interior schemes can benefit from that punch of rich, dark wood; here counterbalanced with supple upholstery and brilliant blue furnishings and accents.
Photo Credits: 1. Horo design lighting by Masiero 2. Side tables by Verellen 3. Coffee table by Ethnicraft 4. Live edge chair by Noir 5. Pink stone by Calla Stone Boutique 6. Marble pedestal table by Noir 7. Rug by CICIL 8. Dining set by MAVIN.
PATTERN & TEXTURE
Watch Word: Natural
Few things make home interiors look more pulled together than texture. Whether your space is large or small you will do well by making the conscious effort to balance the look by layering it accordingly. For instance, a sleek, living room of supple leather furnishings, and glass and chrome accents can always benefit from a fun, faux fur accent rug and a super soft, fluffy, and fiber-y throw on the couch.
Elements of Caning
At Market this year, many showrooms were filled with built-in textures, such as panels of caning on furnishings, and even touches of caning or a woven-like accents on lighting fixtures.
Masculine Sensibilities
Next-level performance fabrics that are created with less impact on the environment were popular, as were fabrics that featured channel-stitched or quilted detailing. Also seen, was a masculine aspect to fabric, with upholstery dressed in patterns of pinstriping, tweeds, and plaid.
How to Use It In Your Space
The great thing about texture is, there are so many easy-to-apply treatments. It can be as subtle as a woven wall hanging on a textured wall.
Photo Credits: 1. Towels by Native Spun 2. Tweeds by Native Spun 3. Textured accents by Calisto Home 4. Accent chest by Heckman Furniture 5. Plaid upholstered chairs by Gorini 6. Furnishings and accents by Eccentrics Homes
Accessories
Watch Word: Capital F-U-N, Fun!
With so many elements of the natural world still demanding prominence in interior design, it should be super easy and super fun to incorporate elements seen right in this year’s exhibitors’ showrooms into our local design schemes.
Splashy colors of the sea, wavy glass vessels, and accent pieces that pick up where the beach’s natural beauty leaves off, are making this year’s interior statements.
How to Use It In Your Space
Rise and shine! Rise to the occasion and allow yourself to add at least one truly fun element that just makes your place shine.
Photo Credits: 1. Planter by D & W Silks 2. Painting by Christina Sodano Art 3. Pillows by dvkap.com 4. Cabaret fringe chandelier by Regina Andrew 5. Starfish lamp by Forty West Designs 6. Onyx bowl by B.S. Trading Co. 7. & 8. Vases by EurDeco
