Decorating Guides
3 Burgeoning Design Trends Spotted at D/code 2019
High-tech homes, bespoke furniture, top-notch craftsmanship, consumer demands are moving towards more refined and eco-conscious tastes
The second edition of the design fair D/code 2019, which took place on 2–3 March 2019, at the Dome@NSCI, Mumbai, showcased a crisp selection of brands and artists. This year, the fair was curated by architects Krupa Zubin and Zubin Zainuddin of ZZ Architects.
At the fair, Houzz discovered how the design and aesthetics of certain brands and products on display pointed towards specific preferences and needs of Indian consumers. Read on to know about the standout trends seen at the show.
At the fair, Houzz discovered how the design and aesthetics of certain brands and products on display pointed towards specific preferences and needs of Indian consumers. Read on to know about the standout trends seen at the show.
Photo courtesy Sihasn
Similarly, the brand Sihasn showed an interesting way of designing personalised furniture which would also have sentimental value. The idea is simple – most of us have a saree or two that we have inherited from our mother or grandmother that can no longer be worn because of wear and tear. This is where Sihasn’s ‘Sarees as Upholstery’ service comes in. The brand displayed chairs and sofas clothed in vibrant silk saris that gave the seaters a unique fashionable flair.
These are the must-have pieces of furniture for every renter
Similarly, the brand Sihasn showed an interesting way of designing personalised furniture which would also have sentimental value. The idea is simple – most of us have a saree or two that we have inherited from our mother or grandmother that can no longer be worn because of wear and tear. This is where Sihasn’s ‘Sarees as Upholstery’ service comes in. The brand displayed chairs and sofas clothed in vibrant silk saris that gave the seaters a unique fashionable flair.
These are the must-have pieces of furniture for every renter
Photo courtesy NCC Telecom Pvt. Ltd.
2. Tech products that meld with design
It’s all around us and it’s difficult to ignore it or live without it – technology has taken over our lives. Fahd Khatib, a representative at NCC Telecom Pvt. Ltd., said that with the growing need for tech, the design aspect of gadgets cannot be ignored – they need to be made keeping the aesthetics of house interiors in mind. The brand has come up with the ‘Infinity Switch’, finished in various materials that blend seamlessly with the look of the home. On display were switches finished in stone, wood, canvas and concrete, where the entire surface is touch-sensitive. They look like a part of a wall or a panel, and help create a clean, sleek interior.
Check out these security tips for smart home devices
2. Tech products that meld with design
It’s all around us and it’s difficult to ignore it or live without it – technology has taken over our lives. Fahd Khatib, a representative at NCC Telecom Pvt. Ltd., said that with the growing need for tech, the design aspect of gadgets cannot be ignored – they need to be made keeping the aesthetics of house interiors in mind. The brand has come up with the ‘Infinity Switch’, finished in various materials that blend seamlessly with the look of the home. On display were switches finished in stone, wood, canvas and concrete, where the entire surface is touch-sensitive. They look like a part of a wall or a panel, and help create a clean, sleek interior.
Check out these security tips for smart home devices
Photo courtesy NanoTek Solutions
Technology isn’t limited to just electronic gadgets, as was evident at the show; specialised products, too, made a buzz. Take technology for fabrics, for instance. Mihir Kapadia of NanoTek Solutions said that one of the biggest pain points for consumers choosing fabrics is the problem of stains. His company has developed a nano technology in the form of coatings that work at a microscopic level to repel any kind of liquids that touch a surface. At the event, they demonstrated their special technology where they used various fabrics – velvet, cotton and silk – finished in their patented coating. When they poured wine and food on them, the stains simply slid off the surface, leaving it looking as good as new.
Technology isn’t limited to just electronic gadgets, as was evident at the show; specialised products, too, made a buzz. Take technology for fabrics, for instance. Mihir Kapadia of NanoTek Solutions said that one of the biggest pain points for consumers choosing fabrics is the problem of stains. His company has developed a nano technology in the form of coatings that work at a microscopic level to repel any kind of liquids that touch a surface. At the event, they demonstrated their special technology where they used various fabrics – velvet, cotton and silk – finished in their patented coating. When they poured wine and food on them, the stains simply slid off the surface, leaving it looking as good as new.
Photo courtesy Shruti Jhaveri
3. Growing awareness and need for craftsmanship and sustainable materials
Generations of knowledge and skills are entrenched in Indian handicrafts. The preservation and encouragement of these crafts and crafts people is an important discussion. Jaipur Rugs, for example, provides employment to such artisans who live in the most remote parts of India, with little or no access to transport or basic manufacturing facilities. Their stall gave a peek into the way each rug is painstakingly handmade – an artisan worked on a loom, showing how each thread is woven together to create a full rug, and how through a systematic hand process, a complex design finally sees the light of day.
When there is talk of creating homes using sustainable and using eco-friendly materials, why should art be left behind? Artist Shruti Jhaveri creates sculptures using paper, after having done intensive experimentation and research. Her inspiration is fuelled from fluidity and organic underwater forms. On display was her collection ‘Fragile Terrains’. She said that her art aims to translate ideas and notions such as harmony, peace and growth into creations that look like coral reef formations, made using ecological sustainable materials. After all, art doesn’t have to mean only paint, canvas or stone sculptures.
Take a look at these bold patterned rugs
3. Growing awareness and need for craftsmanship and sustainable materials
Generations of knowledge and skills are entrenched in Indian handicrafts. The preservation and encouragement of these crafts and crafts people is an important discussion. Jaipur Rugs, for example, provides employment to such artisans who live in the most remote parts of India, with little or no access to transport or basic manufacturing facilities. Their stall gave a peek into the way each rug is painstakingly handmade – an artisan worked on a loom, showing how each thread is woven together to create a full rug, and how through a systematic hand process, a complex design finally sees the light of day.
When there is talk of creating homes using sustainable and using eco-friendly materials, why should art be left behind? Artist Shruti Jhaveri creates sculptures using paper, after having done intensive experimentation and research. Her inspiration is fuelled from fluidity and organic underwater forms. On display was her collection ‘Fragile Terrains’. She said that her art aims to translate ideas and notions such as harmony, peace and growth into creations that look like coral reef formations, made using ecological sustainable materials. After all, art doesn’t have to mean only paint, canvas or stone sculptures.
Take a look at these bold patterned rugs
Photo courtesy The Big Piano
Another company that showcased their commitment to recycled materials was the The Big Piano. They believe that old wood can continue to have a long life when fitted with little bits of metal and treated with oil, for a new, modern look. At their booth were chairs and a sturdy, large study table fitted with multiple drawers and niches. All the pieces were testimony to the deft hand skills of the experts who made them.
Read more:
6 Indian Decor Brands’ Rendezvous With a Single Material
Tell us:
Did you attend D/code 2019? What was your take back? Tell us in Comments below.
Another company that showcased their commitment to recycled materials was the The Big Piano. They believe that old wood can continue to have a long life when fitted with little bits of metal and treated with oil, for a new, modern look. At their booth were chairs and a sturdy, large study table fitted with multiple drawers and niches. All the pieces were testimony to the deft hand skills of the experts who made them.
Read more:
6 Indian Decor Brands’ Rendezvous With a Single Material
Tell us:
Did you attend D/code 2019? What was your take back? Tell us in Comments below.
1. An increase in demand for handcrafted, bespoke furniture
In today’s world of rapid-fire trends, standardised mass-made furniture has given way to customised pieces that express unique individual styles. According to Nilofer Rustomji, Colonial Collections India, who showcased her firm’s work at the fair, homeowners now ask for handcrafted furniture that has gone through stringent checks in terms of line, form, design and detail. At the event, the brand displayed highbacks, armchairs and ottomans that had a vintage, old-school look to them. Each piece was crafted keeping specific tastes in mind, each piece being functional as well as decorative.