With the New Year on the horizon, we’re setting our sights on the design trends set to sweep their way onto our Instagram feeds, Pinterest boards and homes throughout 2019. The coming year promises developments of existing trends as well as brand new styles meaning there is something for every home in the year ahead.
Terrazzo
In a time where we are constantly bombarded with visuals, design needs to work harder to stand out from the crowd. In 2019, there is an increased focus on creating sensory and emotional responses through design – whether that be through bold colours, vibrant patterns or unusual textures.
It’s no surprise then that we saw the first signs of Terrazzo making its way into homes this year. The hardwearing material is being used on everything from flooring to kitchen surfaces and shows no sign of losing popularity throughout 2019. Pinterest pins with the term “terrazzo” are up by more than 300% on last year.
What is terrazzo?
Terrazzo is a composite material, consisting of marble, glass, granite or even wood, set in cement or resin. Originally from Italy, terrazzo was used for floor and wall treatments, but due to the endless possibilities of colour, pattern and finish, it has become a popular material used in other areas of the home too. Despite this sudden surge in popularity, terrazzo has actually been around for years - centuries in fact. Originating in 15th-century Italy, it was used for flooring in grand palazzos. Many may recognise it from the 1970s where it was often used on the floors of school and train stations. Now the composite material has been given a new lease of life.
Why is terrazzo making a comeback?
Coined as the new marble, Terrazzo is now frequently used for kitchen countertops thanks to its hardwearing properties. Terrazzo is made with chips of marble, quartz, granite and even glass set into concrete or clay. The chips come in many sizes and colour combinations – from monochrome patterns to vibrant colours allowing for a myriad of design possibilities.
This wide variety of options means it can be incorporated into almost any style of home, from pastel-hued bathrooms to sleek, monochrome kitchens. Its beauty is also anything but skin deep - the pattern goes all the way down, so it can be scuffed for centuries and still repolished to rescue its original beauty.
While the base is usually made from concrete (not a material typically considered to be good for the environment) the rest can be up to 80% recycled material. Recycled plastics and resins in a spectrum of colours are often used for the flecks as well as waste collected from the stone and marble industries.
Tom Dixon's Terrazzo Candle is an easy way to add the texture to your home
How can you use terrazzo in your home?
Terrazzo is most commonly used for kitchen top or bathroom surfaces, adding a quirky, colourful feel to a space. If you’re not quite committed to the idea of terrazzo for your surfaces, introduce it through soft furnishings and home accessories instead. Little touches of terrazzo add personality and pops of colour, breaking up monochrome colour schemes in a subtle way.
Our ever popular Bristol range is available in a white terrazzo finish, and the Terrazzo candle by Tom Dixon makes for the perfect gift. Similarly, the Mini Cut cushions by Ferm Living are an easy way to introduce the trend to your home.
The Bristol Table Lamp in a white Terrazzo finish
Mid-Century Italian Design
The new year is a time to set goals, make resolutions and set our sights on the future. But one of the key interior trends for 2019 is all about looking back. Our love of mid-century design has been prevalent for many years, but 2019 will see us looking to a different mid-century movement for inspiration – the classic luxury of 50s and 60s Italian design.
The trend is all about embracing and reinventing the highly stylised design movements of the mid-20th century and incorporating them into the luxurious interiors of today. The Hepburn sofa
What does mid-century Italian design look like?
Many will be familiar with the work of Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, and Eero Sarinen who are closely associated with iconic design from the 50s and 60s. They placed an emphasis on function and form, with a simple and uncomplicated aesthetic. In comparison, mid-century Italian furniture is known for its beautiful colours, fine craftsmanship and luxurious materials.
Shapes are often simple but have a feeling of old world elegance about them. This look has been updated for the modern day – 1960s inspired colour clashes are encouraged with burnt red, peach, hazelnut and navy acting as the main hues. Dark walls form a dramatic backdrop to these sophisticated colour combinations. Materials are on the dark side too with a preference for walnut over oak as well as green and brown toned marble as an alternative to traditional white.
Clashing colours bring mid-century Italian design into the modern age. Image credit: Vogue
Why is it making a comeback?
For many years, Scandinavia has been the place to look for cutting-edge interior design. But with people now looking to express their individuality through different avenues, the home is seeing a shift from bright whites to moody hues, from simple materials to more luxe styles.
The exaggerated curves and luxurious finishes of mid-century Italian design has been given new life, creating clean and modern spaces that are also moody and immersive. Dubbed the new minimalism, it’s easy to see the appeal.
How can you get mid-century Italian style in your home?
The key to this trend is to opt for designs that have an almost sculpture-like quality. Clean lines, elegant shapes and luxurious finishes create the sophisticated, elegant aesthetic synonymous with mid-century Italian design. The Clay Round Table by Desalto was designed by prominent Milan designer, Marc Krusin.
Each piece is hand finished with lava from Mount Etna using only a pallet knife. The circular top of the table balances, precariously, on top of a conical base adding a feel of refined drama. The Disc Side Table features a dark green or brown marble top, as opposed to traditional white, making it an incredibly chic option for homes looking to channel the trend. The Clay Round table is finished with lava from Mount Etna
Responsible Design
Responsible Design was a recurring theme throughout the shows of London Design Festival 2018 and it’s set to get an increased focus throughout 2019 and beyond. Plastic was nominated as the material of the year by the London Design Fair with designers elevating the possibilities of waste plastics and championing support for plastic alternatives.
At time when the planet is on the brink of disrepair, homeowners are carefully considering the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. It’s no longer desirable to buy off the shelf - instead, a ‘waste not want not’ mentality is creeping its way into interior design. Reclaiming, reusing and recycling is becoming the norm.
Tala's lighting designs are both beautiful and sustainable
What does Responsible Design look like?
Responsible design has come a long way over the last 10 years. Innovation and experimentation has led to impressive material dupes that are indistinguishable from the real thing. Items made from recycled materials no longer look ‘eco’ meaning that responsible design isn’t restricted to any one style. It’s all about the materials, the processes and ultimately the environmental impact that the production of a design has.
Responsible design can be applied to everything from furniture to lighting to homewares making it increasingly easy to buy items for your home that have a low carbon footprint. From the use of natural pigments through to unconventional discarded materials, expect to see much more responsible design heading to our homes.
How can I make my home more sustainable?
An easy place to start is your lighting where a number of brands are committed to reducing their environmental impact. Tala produce striking, contemporary bulbs inspired by nature. Not only are their designs exceptionally beautiful but they are efficient as well.
They select methods and materials on their environmental impact, and remain committed to reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere. They also donate a percentage of their revenue to reforestation programmes in the UK, US and around the world.
Tom Raffiel's Wheal Noctis range is exclusive to Heal'sIn a similar vein, Tom Raffield puts responsible design at the heart of everything he does. From his sustainably sourced timber to his efficient design processes, no scrap of wood is wasted in producing the recognisable wooden designs.
Drawing on techniques that are altogether friendlier towards the environment, like natural air-drying and steam bending their timber, he is able to lessen the impact on the very thing that inspires him– the natural world.
Greenery
Another current trend carrying on into 2019 is the explosion of greenery and patterned foliage that has found its way into every unused corner of our homes. According to the Flowers & Plants Association, the UK’s flower and indoor plant market is now worth £2.2bn and the National Garden Survey reports that 30% of all US householders bought at least one houseplant this year. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDW8snj_fC/?taken-by=melissamlo
Why have indoor plants become so popular?
Increased population density and urbanisation has resulted in smaller homes, especially in London where many of the city’s dwellers are lucky to have any green space of their own. The issue extends beyond the capital - almost 31.4% of properties on the market across the UK’s towns and cities don’t have a garden.
Indoor house plants are an easy way to feed the desire for more natural surroundings. They provide a way to personalise your home and express individuality, as well as inject colour, pattern and scent. They are also linked to the nation’s greater focus on health and wellbeing, and are confirmed to improve household air quality.
Which houseplant should I choose?
For beginners, plants that need minimal care a great place to start. Aloe, Snake plants and cacti require little to no upkeep – a splash of water every fortnight is usually enough to keep them alive. Other varieties such as Monstera, Calathea and fiddle-leaf fig need slightly more care and attention but have proved incredibly popular over the last year, adding splashes of green to many styles of home.
This indoor greenhouse by Design House Stockholm is perfect for homes with no outside space
However, 2019 ushers in a new variety of indoor greenery: the fern. As urban gardeners grow in confidence they want to invest in larger, statement plants that make styling more effective. Ferns are leafy, luscious and help create the illusion of height. Look out for Chamaedorea and the Kentia Palm in the most stylish homes next year.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Trends & Lifestyle
Maximalism is back. For several years, we’ve embraced the popular minimalist design trend. From Mid-Century modern to Scandi to Japandi, we’ve seen muted colours, clean lines and pared-back style in homes worldwide. It was only a matter of time before the tables turned. Minimalism isn’t going anywhere, but we’re excited to see the rise of the next big design trend – the return of maximalism.
What is Maximalism?
Maximalism is characterized by mixing diverse aesthetics, shapes, colours, textures and finishes. If minimalism is about restraint, maximalism is about excess. ‘Less is more’ becomes ‘more is more.’
Maximalism has its roots in late 1970s visual culture, when Neo-expressionism emerged in response to the sleek minimalism of 1960s art and design. As an aesthetic, it’s seen in art, film, literature, fashion and more. Maximalist interior design is playful and daring, pushing the boundaries of traditional décor. Stripes and fur coexist with metallics and natural wood.
Orderly gives way to ornate. Clean lines get twisted and turned. It’s a mish-mash of prints, a clash of styles and a riot of colours all in one room – somehow balanced and beautiful rather than overwhelming. When done right, maximalism offers a lush, layered and cosy retreat from the outside world, and a space that is truly one’s own.
Creating Maximalist Interiors
Whether you’re a strict minimalist who wants to mix things up or a hardcore maximalist looking to expand, here are six elements to incorporate maximalism into your home:
Intention Is Everything
It can be tempting to think of maximalism as ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ decorating. That’s not the case. Simply putting every colour, pattern and style you’ve ever liked into one room won’t deliver a stylish look.
Intention is what separates maximalism from madness. Careful curation, a discerning eye and the tiniest bit of restraint will allow maximalism’s mismatched beauty to shine. Employ key design elements like symmetry and motifs to stop the room from descending into chaos. Symmetry brings a sense of balance and cohesion, while motifs help to connect the dots in a busy space and draw your eyes naturally from one area to the next.
This living room, filled with pieces by Timothy Oulton, has a maximal aesthetic but has used a restrained colour palette and similar materials.
Bold Colours
In maximalist décor, a plain white wall is a missed opportunity. Nothing draws attention more than bright hues and vibrant tones. Don’t be afraid of introducing bold colours into your home – it’s one of the easiest ways to decorate in maximalist style.
The right colour scheme is hugely important in a maximalist space. Choose complementary or analogous colours or stick to a monochromatic palette to avoid a cartoonish look. For example, several shades of purple – plum, lavender, violet, mauve – can pull a room together, while a mix of blues, greens and yellows will bring harmony to a space.
A bold splash of terracotta brightens up this room in a restrained maximal style They may seem simple, but black and white can also be a bold colour choice for a maximalist space. Contrasting and graphic, they can anchor a room, opening it up to whatever wild design choices you want.
Paint is the most obvious way to embrace colour – a well-placed accent wall or a whole room saturated in a brilliant shade. Sofas and chairs are another great option for adding smaller bursts of colour that act as focal points. Choose whatever colours suit your fancy, from earthy terracottas and royal blues to luminous yellows and vivid magentas.
Magnificent Patterns
Pattern is a great way to amp up the visual exuberance of a maximalist interior. Floral damasks, polka dots, stripes, brushstrokes, check, abstract shapes – there are endless options. Layer similar patterns in different scales or mix contrasting ones in complementary colours for maximum drama.
Wallpaper is an easy area for adding wild prints, as is fabric. A sofa covered in a striking fabric, like our Pendel 2 Seater in the Nympheus Linen print, makes a strong addition to a living room or bedroom.
The Pendel sofa upholstered in this maximal fabric shows an egret sheltering under lotus leaves as kingfishers fly above.
Decorating with patterned rugs is another great way to incorporate print. Choose a rug with bright geometric shapes or whimsical abstract patterns for a vibrant statement piece. Gandia Blasco makes beautiful maximalist rugs inspired by various visual references, including Middle-eastern Kilim weaving, stained glass windows and Valencian ceramic tiles.
You can also add flourishes of pattern in more subtle ways. A patterned lampshade enlivens any lamp, while Mia Sarosi’s ceramic tableware brings an unexpected jolt of shape and colour to the table.
Extravagant Textures
Texture takes maximalism to the next level by mixing visual and tactile diversity. Play around with different textures, contrasting soft and fuzzy with smooth and firm to add even more textural interest.
Mix and match soft furnishings with distinctive qualities, like the cosiness of fur cushions and throws with the subtle sheen of a viscose rug. Set them against a sleek marble or glass coffee table for maximum contrast.
Seating is another area where you can play with texture. Ligne Roset’s Togo, Ottoman and Ploum sofas all add a dose of subtle texture to a living room. Leather sofas, with their buttery soft feel, are another option.
Nothing says ‘maximalist’ quite like velvet. Mixing glamour and practicality, its lustrous finish fits perfectly in a show-stopping space. Choose a velvet sofa in a two, three or four seater style, like one from our Wallis, Balmoral or Richmond collections. For the bedroom, the Wallis bed or the Balmoral bed add a big punch of velvet to the space.
Curated Collections
Another hallmark of maximalism, collections are the perfect way to turn hoarding into an asset. You can collect anything – books, magazines, sculptures, tiles, boxes, photos, knick-knacks, coins or whatever else you like. Choose something you’re passionate about and something that has a strong visual appeal.
Collect colourful tableware to create a characterful collection.
Then, display your collection in the right way. Whether in the hallway or in the living room, a collections works best when it can be seen, but doesn’t get in the way. Use smart shelving options to organise your wares, or have items like records or t-shirts framed for a gallery wall. Once you display all the items together, they work as a family of objects and add pizazz to any room.
Standout Homewares
For a truly maximalist space, you need a few stunning homeware pieces – pieces that everyone comments on when they enter the space, pieces that have the ‘wow’ factor, pieces that elevate the everyday object into a work of art. For this, look to designers with unusual and arresting aesthetics.
Tom Dixon’s lighting delivers major impact. One of Britain’s most acclaimed industrial designers, his pendant lights and chandeliers are the definition of eye-catching. With pioneering techniques in etching, glassblowing and more, it’s no wonder his work has been acquired by museums around the world.
Another Tom in the world of lighting design, Tom Raffield crafts one-of-a-kind pieces by steam-bending wood. His pendant and floor lights are as beautiful in form as they are practical in function. Every piece is made in his Cornish workshop with sustainably-sourced wood.
A clock by Vitra is another standout home accessory. George Nelson’s iconic 1950s designs for the brand have stood the test of time, capturing the joie de vivre of that era with a quirky twist. Choose clocks in the shape of sunbursts, sunflowers, stars, asterisks, eyes, owls and more.
Timothy Oulton is another exceptional British designer whose work is singular in its point of view. Inspired by his father’s antiques business, he reimagines timeless pieces to be relevant today. His work ranges from classic dining chairs upholstered in wild velvet prints to side tables made from raw driftwood suspended in acrylic.
Wabi-sabi. It’s a concept, an aesthetic, and a way of life.
As a phrase, it cannot be easily translated from Japanese into English. But, even if you haven't heard of it, its presence in homes – from homemade ceramics and organic linens to rustic, earthy colours – is undeniable. Wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection. It promotes authenticity, organic forms and handmade items.
Much like Japandi, where the oriental influence of traditional Japanese design meets Scandinavian design, wabi-sabi is an emerging trend in the design world. Read on to learn all you need to know about wabi-sabi, including where the term originated, why it’s gaining so much traction in the western world and how to incorporate it into your interior.
The history of wabi-sabi
Wabi-sabi originally began in ancient China, with its history rooted in Buddhism, and developed into a distinctly Japanese ideal. It later arose in the country’s famous tea ceremonies, which appreciated utensils that were handmade, irregular and flawed. Although there’s no direct western translation for wabi-sabi, simply put, it’s an intuitive way of living that encourages you to find beauty in the imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. The concept also accepts the natural cycle of growth and decay of nature.
Wabi-sabi’s increased popularity
Faster, smarter, newer, better – it can feel like these are the only things that matter in today’s society. Our way of life can be exhausting, often promoting overstimulation and overscheduling. We seek instant gratification, make impulsive purchases and aspire to nothing less than perfection. Wabi-sabi is the perfect antedote to today's hectic pace and obsession with perfectionism.
The Voronoi Collection by tala is derived from the Voronoi patterns seen amongst the forest canopy. Derived from nature, it encapsulates the ethos of wabi-sabi It’s unsurprising that wabi-sabi and the idea of hygge are trending and being adapted to modern-day living. Our personal space now not only has to act as a place of shelter but also of sanctuary, where one can hide away from the external stresses of everyday life. Wabi-sabi lifestyle calls for living modestly, accepting that we are imperfect and learning to be satisfied with what we have.
How to bring wabi-sabi into your home
Wabi-sabi interior design applies these same principles to your home. Instead of seeking a sleek and perfectly coordinated home, create something more relaxed and peaceful. Wabi-sabi interiors appreciate nature, so pay attention to the materials you bring into your home and choose natural elements such as wood, leather, stone and clay where possible. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they mature well too.
Select hand-crafted, intentionally imperfect home accessories
When considering wabi-sabi home accessories, it’s important to seek handmade pieces that project authenticity. Explore our warped bowls and copper vases for ideas.
Tom Dixon's Form Bowl Set
These bowls by Tom Dixon are beaten, bashed and hammered into shape by hand from fine sheets of brass. Effortlessly decorate your bed, sofa or corner piece with our soft throws and blankets for a truly inspired wabi-sabi look. Hanging art in stormy grey colour is a great way to ensure a wabi-sabi interior design. Perhaps consider a gallery wall with a mix of artistic styles and frames.
Myer Halliday’s dining collection has a real feeling of craftsmanship. His collection includes everything from hand-painted espresso sets and jars to fruit bowls and Estuarine plates. Each piece is unique. Myer even hand signs the underside of every design providing a personal touch that connects customer and creator.
Collection by Myer Halliday To adopt true wabi-sabi style in your home, shift your perspective from one of prizing perfection to one of appreciating organic shapes. Our range of white glaze dinnerware from Mervyn Gers embraces wonky imperfection, making it easy to incorporate wabi-sabi into your dining room.
Choose nature-inspired lighting
For wabi-sabi lighting inspiration, look to pendant lights from designer Tom Raffield, who uses the traditional craft of steam-bending wood to create expressive and practical pieces of art for your home. With understated elegance, every piece is beautiful in form and unique in its use of sustainably sourced woods and traditional processes.
Tom Raffield individually handmakes his designs at his woodland workshop in Cornwall
Add simple furniture to your dining room
To incorporate truly rustic wabi-sabi design in your dining room, look to our Tuscan tables and benches. The original knots and grain of the wood are left in tact, ensuring each and every piece is natural, beautiful and unique. The Tuscan table pairs well with the our leather buffalo chairs which are upholstered in a hand-finished hide that, again, have slight inconsistencies and imperfections that are unique to each chair.
The Tuscan Table and Bench
Embrace change with your outdoor accessories
Our flame garden firebowl truly exemplifies Sabi, meaning the beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object is evidenced in its wear. Bring wabi-sabi principle to your garden or patio with our fire bowl and enjoy the pleasure of witnessing it naturally change from silver to beautiful copper tones.
The Flame Garden Firebowl
There’s something simple and calming about designing with wabi-sabi in mind. The idea of being surrounded by natural, changing, unique objects helps us to connect to our real world and appreciate simplicity. Over time, objects in our home lose their brand new appeal. Materials age, accidents happen, and things change. A wabi-sabi home embraces all of these aspects of daily life, allowing authenticity to be the star of every room.
There’s a new interior design trend in town – introducing ‘Japandi’: a hybrid of traditional Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian decor. Also known as ‘japanordic’, this fresh style has been deemed the biggest new design movement for 2018. Combining the modern-rustic appeal of Scandi style with the traditional sophistication that’s associated with Japanese design, it’s no wonder that it’s a growing favourite amongst designers.
What is ‘Japandi’?
Japandi is a portmanteau of Japanese and Scandi. The stylistic term blends elements from both of these aesthetics to create a style that is all its own. At its heart, Japandi centres on simplicity, which is a core element of both Japanese and Scandinavian styles. It draws on the Japanese notion of ‘wabi-sabi’, translating to finding beauty in the imperfect. It also takes aspects of “hygge”, the Scandinavian style trend which focuses on creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
Clean lines and minimal spaces are at the heart of Japandi style In the Japandi aesthetic, the neutral pale tones of Scandi style are balanced by the richness of Japanese palettes, while the polish of Japanese design is softened by Scandi’s eclectic, rustic nature. The result is clean lines, raw functionality, flawless craftsmanship and lots of contrast.
This exciting new look brings together the best of both worlds. Though from different parts of the world, Japanese and Scandinavian design share comparable principles. Both styles revolve around a minimalist approach, echoing clean and uncluttered interiors. They emphasise living a less is more lifestyle.
Space is created with functionality in mind, with a few statement pieces rather than an abundance of décor. The fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian simplicity makes Japandi the ultimate take on minimalism. With so much in common, it’s easy to see how these two styles team well together.
How to bring Japandi style into your home
Welcome this hybrid style into your home with elements of nature, natural wood, furniture from both design styles and functional accessories.
Elements of nature
Luckily for us, both interior styles pay homage to natural beauty. The best way to maintain a strong connection with nature is to bring it indoors. Instead of colourful flower arrangements, opt for the simple deep greenery of a houseplant in an elegant vase.
Keep things simple and opt for deep green plants over flowers.
In addition to plants, Japandi homes bring serene, natural views inside through expansive windows. If you have a garden or patio area, add sturdy garden furniture with clean lines and natural wood. Explore our luxury Tanso outdoor collection, inspired by the simplicity of Japanese furniture and crafted from Grade A weather-resistant teak.
The Tanso Range by David Irwin
Elements of wood
A hallmark of Japandi style is mixing the light wood tones of Scandinavian style with the dark wood of traditional Japanese design. This tonal contrast adds depth to any room. Create it in your home with a sleek dark wood dining table and chairs, set against light wooden walls.
The Cross Extending Dining Table
You can even mix light and dark wooden furniture. Nothing says Japandi quite like our Fiber Chairs with wood bases in black, placed around a light wood dining table.
Combine both furniture styles
Japandi is a hybrid aesthetic, so it requires mixing elements of Japanese and Scandinavian furniture. To achieve true Japandi style, clean lines are essential to all furniture pieces, colour palettes are kept calm and subdued, and plenty of open space is left around furniture items.
In the living room, try our Noguchi Coffee Table in black ash wood. Designer Isamu Noguchi was inspired by his Japanese heritage, which is evident in the table’s elegant curved shapes and dark stained wood. Pair it with the timeless sturdiness of our Scandinavian-inspired Rest Sofa in muted grey, available in two and three seater designs.
The Rest Sofa by Muuto
When considering the bedroom, use practical fabrics, textiles and wood. Add a plush sheepskin rug, natural throw or blankets to give it that homey, comfy Scandi feeling. For bedroom ideas, explore our exclusive Morten bedroom collection, offering simple yet sophisticated white wash oak furnishings. Again, mix light and dark woods for contrast – for example placing two dark wood bedside tables alongside a light wood bed.
The Morten Chest of Drawers
Choose functional accessories
Japandi celebrates the careful consideration of every item in the home. Beauty must be combined with practicality, so when considering home accessories, look for items with a functional purpose, like bowls or trays. For easy decorative ideas, draw from Scandi style and consider a patterned rug or cosy throw for textural contrast.
Majolica Dinnerware
For more furnishing inspiration in softer tones such as blue, pink and mint, explore our full collection from Muuto. Muuto is an exciting Danish brand bringing new perspective to Scandinavian design.
The Stacked Range by Muuto
Although Japandi is regarded as a new design trend, it has the potential to become a timeless staple. Combining the best of two popular aesthetics, it delivers the ultimate minimalist look. And, beyond that, it brings an inspiring philosophy to your home – embrace imperfection, honour authenticity, celebrate craftsmanship and live simply.
Scandinavian design is the beloved style embraced in numerous homes around the world.
Known for its simplicity, functionality and beauty, Scandinavian style originates from Scandinavia which, in this instance, refers to the countries of Northern Europe: Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
Scandinavian design is often referred to as democratic design as it adopts the notion of being made available to everyone through products that are accessible and affordable. Its style looks to improve day-to-day living through the unique design of furniture, lighting and home accessories.
Scandinavian designers seek inspiration through simple forms and from values of practicality, durability and comfort. Natural materials such as wood, leather, hemp, clay and ceramics are used to create nature-inspired pieces.
Highly functional, Scandi style is effective without the heavy use of elements; only what is needed is used. Even though Scandinavian interior design originates from one group of countries, each country has a slightly different character. Let’s explore the unique design styles and representative designers of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Norwegian Design
Norway boasts its own unique design identity; durability, beauty, functionality, simplicity, and natural forms are all hallmarks of Norwegian design. As a country that spends an extended amount of time shadowed in darkness, it is not surprising that innovative homes make the most of pale colours and lighting to create an elegant ambience.
The Buri sofa bed
What are the main elements of Norwegian design?
Norwegian design can be described as less style-conscious than its Scandinavian neighbours. Its designs offer a quirky mix of cutting-edge, modernist and historical design.
A strong minimalist aesthetic also runs through Norwegian design. Clean lines, simple designs and pale, indigenous woods all feature alongside new and sometimes unusual aesthetics.
Who to look out for
Hans-Christian Bauer is a Norwegian-born industrial designer, known for combining warmth and individually when creating ceramic forms. Renowned for his contemporary silhouettes, explore his sophisticated ceramic vases to add a truly Norwegian touch to your Scandinavian interior.
The Hammershoi Vase
Bringing Norwegian style into your home
Innovative lighting techniques are essential in Norwegian design – bringing much-needed natural light inside. The lantern pendant light designed by Anderssen & Voll is a great example.
When considering Norwegian decor as part of your home interior, our minimalist Morten range offers furniture in a light wood finish, which sits beautifully with our Scandi-inspired homewares.
The Morten Chest
To complete your Scandi interior and create a warm textural look, layer furniture with our luxurious throws and blankets.
Swedish Design
Long dreary winters call for bringing lightness indoors, welcoming anything pale, light, airy, and radiant. Pale walls, floors, and furniture reflect natural light, inviting a style that is cheerful, calm and warm on dark winter days.
A distinguishing feature of Swedish design over the years is the prioritization of efficiency – an ethos that its designers successfully embrace.
The Mistral Chaise
What are the main elements of Swedish design?
Swedish approach to furniture design is fairly minimalist, with an emphasis on functionality and simple clean lines. Diversity is a vital part of modern Swedish design, which challenges aesthetics and traditional methods. Interior styles often have a focus on a traditional light and clean aesthetic.
Think lots of white and blue, with pops of pastel colour – yellows, greens, pinks and dove greys are favourites. Certain areas are sometimes emphasized with red, purple or gold. Furniture design combines straight lines and gentle curves.
Swedish styles remain as successful today as they were in the 20th century, with everything from stick-back style chairs to more sophisticated pieces.
The Ercol All Purpose and Windsor Dining Chairs
Who to look out for
Bruno Mathsson was a Swedish furniture designer and architect with ideas highlighted by functionalism/modernism, as well as old Swedish crafts tradition. After working in his father’s gallery, he soon found great interest in furniture, especially in the design and function of wooden chairs.
Bringing Swedish style into your home
Apart from calm, muted interior design tones, Sweden is well known for its traditional crafts, including glass. Swedish-inspired furniture can bring a modern elegance to your home. Consider our wooden coffee tables as practical modern centrepieces for your living room.
Effortlessly introduce some of the fun and bold colours associated with Sweden into your home.A red armchair, purple rug or gold vase can add a pop of colour, or try floral prints, fabrics and stripes.
Danish Design
The Outline Sofa by Muuto
We can’t talk about Danish design without mentioning the word hygge, which relates to an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. However, Denmark’s design has a rich history of innovation.
Many Danish designers use new industrial technologies, combined with ideas of simplicity and functionalism for furniture and home accessories.
What are the main elements of Danish design?
Many homes in Denmark are sparsely decorated, with an emphasis on space. Denmark’s style was influenced by the German Bauhaus School, which became the cornerstone of the modern Scandinavian design movement in the 1950s.
Danish designers were quick to embrace the design philosophy of Bauhaus and make it their own, with its appreciation for local materials and functional forms.
Who to look out for
Despite its small size, since the 1950s Denmark has introduced us to some of our favourite designers. Architect Arne Jacobsen was possibly one of the most creative Scandinavian modernist designers of his time, best known for his iconic, futuristic design chairs: The Egg and Swan. futuristic egg chair is an easy way to bring a bit of Denmark into your home; pair with a chunky throw to give it the ultimate Nordic appeal.
The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen
Bringing Danish style into your home
Danish design has become synonymous with timeless style, so is easy to incorporate into any home. Homes in Denmark adopt spacious floor plans, clean lines and minimalistic furnishings.
Importance is set on windows and lamps, light-coloured fabrics, and other accessories including candles. Furniture pieces such as dining tables, side tables and chairs are kept sleek, simple and practical.
While design in Norway, Sweden and Denmark have subtle differences, they do have shared cultural, geophysical and historical threads. Luckily for us, we can incorporate these elements into our ever-evolving contemporary style.
It’s no secret that colour can have a profound impact on our mood.
Red is known for increasing blood circulation making us more aware and for its connotations to power and aggression. Blue, on the other hand, evokes a feeling of calm and serenity. When colour is used in the home, it can be completely transformative to the way we feel in those spaces. A room painted in crisp white will feel very different to one painted in a dark and moody blue, for example, and different people will be drawn to different schemes for different reasons.
In this post we’ll be taking a closer look at what colours are set to be popular in interiors throughout 2018 and, perhaps just as importantly, why we are seeing them. While trends come and go, they provide an interesting insight into the attitude we have towards the role of ‘home’. This is especially true for colour trends as they have such a close tie to our emotions.
From the trends that are emerging it seems that, in 2018, our homes are a place to escape the outside noise. As Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux, said, we don’t know what the news will bring us from day to day. We have more access to more information and choices than ever before but we live in a world that is more divided than ever before. With that in mind, let's explore four colour trends that are set to be popular throughout the year.
Modern Neutral
Let’s start with what we’re calling Modern Neutrals. Here, it’s about swapping the pale greys and cool blues for warm, versatile neutral tones. These hues offer a bit more depth and intrigue than the classic whites, beiges, and greys, but still have the same versatility. They create a statement without being too loud.
This trend harks back to our need for the home to be a calming and nurturing place where we can sit back and relax. We want our homes to be a place where we can tune out the outside noise and re-energise. Expect to see colours with more pink, red and brown undertones filtering through to homes, especially on walls. There is a subtle richness to their palette which creates an earthy and uplifting finish.
Dulux appeared to back the trend when they announced Heart Wood, a dusty mauve shade, as their Colour of the Year for 2018. The heathery colour has warm, brown undertones rather than grey that would make it feel like a cooler, pastel hue. It transforms the home into a sanctuary, a place to retreat to. And it’s surprisingly versatile. It sits easily with blues, greens and even mustard yellows creating a calming and refreshing atmosphere that’s easy on the eye.
Image source: Dulux
Styling tip: These colours pair best with natural materials and textures so it’s convenient that we are seeing an increased demand for unfinished woods, relaxed linens and leather. A sense of comfort is very much based around tactility. They work together to create a modern, understated and sophisticated space that relaxes you.
Terracotta
Next, we move on to a colour that packs a punch: terracotta. Pink has been at the forefront of design for the last year but now we are seeing a natural step towards stronger reds, with their spirit of bold optimism. For a long time minimal, white spaces filled with plants have dominated Pinterest pages and magazine features. But we’re beginning to see bolder and braver colours enter these spaces. Terracotta is just one of these bold and brave hues.
Commonly associated with border tiles in the 1980s, the colour has moved onto upholstery and other textiles, including our Mistral sofa that has been given a new look for the new season. Upholstered in the Terracotta Varese velvet, the mid-century shape of Mistral displays the rich colour beautifully.
The Mistral sofa in Terracotta Varese Velvet
The brown undertones of terracotta confidently fill any space with energy, without the brashness of a true, clean red. It gives a space an amazing depth – in low light, it will make a room feel irresistibly cosy and inviting while remaining visually striking during the day. Similarly, it transcends seasons: its burnt orange tone reflects the heat of summer but it can easily be brought into the winter months with the addition of deep blue throws and cushions.
Why the resurgence of this bold hue? Perhaps it’s seen to be the antidote to the divisive atmosphere felt around the world. The rich, earthy palette is unmistakably warm and draws upon a mix of cultural influences. It ignites our sense of community and kinship helping us to renew our faith in one another and the world around us.
Styling tip: This deep orange trend has many alternatives and, whilst we’ve singled out terracotta as our colour pick, there are many other shades that fit the brief. The key to a diverse colour palette can be as simple as keeping it tonal. Scheme rich ochre with terracotta and rust and use contrasting colours sparingly.
Image souce: Dulux
Colour Blocking: Primary Colours
The next isn’t so much a colour trend as it is a scheme. As the mid-century furniture trend moves towards 70s and 80s references, so does the return of colour blocking from the same era. However, it’s been reinvented for the modern home with a more muted take on primary colours.
The Pillow sofa bed, coming soon Although pastel shades aren’t anything new, the way of using them is. Not for the faint-hearted, the colour blocking of dusty hues creates a bold statement. Here, the trend is to go for colour on upholstered furniture and set these larger pieces against a neutral backdrop.
Think blue sofa paired with red cushions, or mint green bed layered with a yellow throw. It encourages us to take a more light-hearted approach to interior design. There’s no need to consult the colour wheel. This trend is about following your instincts and using colours that you’ve not been brave enough to before.
The Elgin chair and Wallis bed, coming soon
Unexpected colour combinations highlight a much-needed element of fun and creativity in today’s world. Pops of colour create an uplifting atmosphere and spark our imagination. It’s all about embracing your own personal style and not conforming to the status quo.
Styling tip: Make the biggest impact with a brightly coloured sofa or bed that immediately draws the eye. This bright yellow Balmoral sofa is made all the more dramatic by being set against a rich blue wall.
The Balmoral sofa
Ultra Violet
No colour trend report would be complete without a mention of Pantone’s Colour of the Year. For 2018, the colour experts chose a rather psychedelic, highlighter-purple named Ultra Violet. Described as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade” PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.” In a similar vein to the previous trend, this trend is about being innovative and encouraging us to see beyond what’s right in front of us.
While the colour doesn’t easily fit into many people’s décor it signifies the desire for experimentation and non-conformity with our interior tastes. It draws upon the increasing popularity of bold jewel tones and sits nicely with greens, teals and metallic elements.
It’s certainly a colour that makes you think outside the box. We expect to see more of it towards the end of the year when darker coloured home accessories and décor arrive in time for the cold winter months.
Image source: Pinterest
Styling Tip: The rich tone of ultra violet provides a beautiful backdrop for silver or gold elements. Metallic lamps or home accessories break up the colour preventing it from becoming overwhelming. Alternatively, use it on soft furnishings like cushions, bedding or even rugs to make a space feel cosy and inspiring.
Four very different colour themes are set to emerge this year: warm neutrals, terracotta tones, colour blocking, and vibrant ultra violet. We may not know what is heading our way in 2018 but one thing is for sure – it’s set to be a colourful one.
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