European Fall Fairs 2019: 3 Big Design Trends
Nature is coming inside, boundaries are breaking down and sustainability isn’t merely a trend at European fairs
Europe played host to a cluster of major design trade fairs in August and September, and Houzz editors were once again on the scene to take note of the biggest trends coming our way.
This year’s fall fairs continued to explore many of the themes we’ve been watching since the start of the year: Black and pastels continue to be hot, with palettes of multiple colours starring at Maison & Objet (Paris, 6–10 September). Wood, brass and marble still delight as wall and floor finishes or as accents and counterpoints to velvet or natural fibres, cane and wood. Terrazzo is back, and glass is getting creative with textured or chequered panes and variations on vases. Meanwhile, historical designs, from 1920s glam to ’70s burnt orange to ’80s extravagance, continue to be the muse of modern-day creators.
Yet from all these details emerged three major movements that have gained momentum and seem poised to dominate the design scene: First, the natural world is entering almost every aspect of design in both material and inspiration. Second, boundaries within the home are breaking down as the office and the bathroom begin to look more like the rest of the home (and vice versa). And third, sustainability is becoming an integral part of furniture design.
This year’s fall fairs continued to explore many of the themes we’ve been watching since the start of the year: Black and pastels continue to be hot, with palettes of multiple colours starring at Maison & Objet (Paris, 6–10 September). Wood, brass and marble still delight as wall and floor finishes or as accents and counterpoints to velvet or natural fibres, cane and wood. Terrazzo is back, and glass is getting creative with textured or chequered panes and variations on vases. Meanwhile, historical designs, from 1920s glam to ’70s burnt orange to ’80s extravagance, continue to be the muse of modern-day creators.
Yet from all these details emerged three major movements that have gained momentum and seem poised to dominate the design scene: First, the natural world is entering almost every aspect of design in both material and inspiration. Second, boundaries within the home are breaking down as the office and the bathroom begin to look more like the rest of the home (and vice versa). And third, sustainability is becoming an integral part of furniture design.
Vadim vinyl rug, in the Fleurs d’Automne print by Les Gambettes
At the same time, floral prints have returned in force, running the gamut from, as our French editorial team pointed out, tiny Liberty-style designs to larger-than-life patterns. Jungle and forest motifs are also inspiring more tile designs.
At the same time, floral prints have returned in force, running the gamut from, as our French editorial team pointed out, tiny Liberty-style designs to larger-than-life patterns. Jungle and forest motifs are also inspiring more tile designs.
Detail of the Care display by Elizabeth Leriche at Maison & Objet
It’s clear, however, that the incorporation of nature isn’t popping up as just a couple of trends but is sneaking into every aspect of design. Natural colours – greens, dark blues, terra cottas, blacks and flowery pastels – dominated the fall editions of the Maison & Objet trade fair; the Nordic design show Formex (Stockholm, 20–23 August); and Cersaie, the international ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings show (Bologna, Italy, 23–27 September).
It’s clear, however, that the incorporation of nature isn’t popping up as just a couple of trends but is sneaking into every aspect of design. Natural colours – greens, dark blues, terra cottas, blacks and flowery pastels – dominated the fall editions of the Maison & Objet trade fair; the Nordic design show Formex (Stockholm, 20–23 August); and Cersaie, the international ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings show (Bologna, Italy, 23–27 September).
Detail of a display by Laura Gonzalez at Maison & Objet. Photo by Aethion
Furniture and decor in creative, curvy shapes imitating natural forms were on display at the London Design Festival (the umbrella name for a number of events taking place around the city on 14–22 September) and Maison & Objet. Formex showcased rougher natural textures – spikes, loops, feathers, wool, bark, shells, cement, ceramic, twigs and glass were among the textures seen by our Swedish editorial team.
Furniture and decor in creative, curvy shapes imitating natural forms were on display at the London Design Festival (the umbrella name for a number of events taking place around the city on 14–22 September) and Maison & Objet. Formex showcased rougher natural textures – spikes, loops, feathers, wool, bark, shells, cement, ceramic, twigs and glass were among the textures seen by our Swedish editorial team.
Intarsi wood-look floor tile by Ceramica Sant’Agostino
At Cersaie, our Italian editorial team noted that technological advancements have led to an ever greater variety of porcelain tile products that replicate the look and feel of natural materials, such as marble and wood, with remarkable authenticity. Marble-look tile is imitating more and more varieties of the stone, while wood-look tile can now mimic wooden layouts more closely, including parquet patterns and inlays.
At Cersaie, our Italian editorial team noted that technological advancements have led to an ever greater variety of porcelain tile products that replicate the look and feel of natural materials, such as marble and wood, with remarkable authenticity. Marble-look tile is imitating more and more varieties of the stone, while wood-look tile can now mimic wooden layouts more closely, including parquet patterns and inlays.
Preserved moss wall by Bright Green, displayed at the London Design Festival
Meanwhile, nature itself continues to come inside: The plant trend is going strong, and this year we’ve seen more varieties of living walls, including the preserved moss walls spotted by our UK editorial team at the London Design Festival.
It’s becoming clear that “natural inspiration” in design no longer means just a pineapple-shaped paperweight or a couple of potted plants. We’re starting to see a wholesale movement to pull the natural world into design and vice versa.
Meanwhile, nature itself continues to come inside: The plant trend is going strong, and this year we’ve seen more varieties of living walls, including the preserved moss walls spotted by our UK editorial team at the London Design Festival.
It’s becoming clear that “natural inspiration” in design no longer means just a pineapple-shaped paperweight or a couple of potted plants. We’re starting to see a wholesale movement to pull the natural world into design and vice versa.
Selva wallpaper from the Inediti series by Inkiostro Bianco
2. Breaking down boundaries within the home. A few years ago, we started talking about the fact that kitchens were looking more and more like living rooms. As open plans have become more popular and the functions of the two rooms have occupied the same space — and as busier lives turn the kitchen into the social hub of the home – kitchen design has adapted: Cabinets now look more like furniture, appliances and functional components are being hidden away, and the overall footprint of the kitchen has become more streamlined and beautiful.
This year, other parts of the home – and public spaces – have begun losing their hallmark characteristics and incorporating more of the luxury and comfort traditionally reserved for living and dining spaces. At the London Design Festival, bathrooms took on some of the features of living rooms and sported the popular dark blue colour palettes of kitchens.
2. Breaking down boundaries within the home. A few years ago, we started talking about the fact that kitchens were looking more and more like living rooms. As open plans have become more popular and the functions of the two rooms have occupied the same space — and as busier lives turn the kitchen into the social hub of the home – kitchen design has adapted: Cabinets now look more like furniture, appliances and functional components are being hidden away, and the overall footprint of the kitchen has become more streamlined and beautiful.
This year, other parts of the home – and public spaces – have begun losing their hallmark characteristics and incorporating more of the luxury and comfort traditionally reserved for living and dining spaces. At the London Design Festival, bathrooms took on some of the features of living rooms and sported the popular dark blue colour palettes of kitchens.
Serie Ritratto tile frescoes from the Hand Painted collection by Target
OT 07026 tile collection by Cerasarda
On the other hand, at Cersaie our editors spotted decor traditionally associated with bathrooms showing up in the rest of the house, with beautiful tiles being used and marketed for living spaces and even external facades.
On the other hand, at Cersaie our editors spotted decor traditionally associated with bathrooms showing up in the rest of the house, with beautiful tiles being used and marketed for living spaces and even external facades.
Modular shelves with built-in desk by Gassien
Meanwhile, Maison & Objet cast an eye on work and the changing nature of the home office. As more employees work remotely or in co-working spaces, the nature of the home office is evolving.
Find an interior designer to help bring the latest decor trends into your home
Meanwhile, Maison & Objet cast an eye on work and the changing nature of the home office. As more employees work remotely or in co-working spaces, the nature of the home office is evolving.
Find an interior designer to help bring the latest decor trends into your home
Studio modular workspace system by Thomas Feichtner for Bene
The home office is becoming a more flexible and open space that can accommodate professional collaboration, hanging out with family and individual work.
The home office is becoming a more flexible and open space that can accommodate professional collaboration, hanging out with family and individual work.
Li Edelkoort exhibit. Photo from Formex
3. Sustainability. “Sustainability is no longer a trend,” moderator Pekka Heino said at the Formex press breakfast. Instead, as we’ve noted in other stories this year, it’s slowly becoming an integral aspect of furniture design. There’s no question that sustainability is an industrywide movement.
3. Sustainability. “Sustainability is no longer a trend,” moderator Pekka Heino said at the Formex press breakfast. Instead, as we’ve noted in other stories this year, it’s slowly becoming an integral aspect of furniture design. There’s no question that sustainability is an industrywide movement.
Reef shower tray by Agha
New eco-friendly materials are on the rise, from furniture made of potato waste to shower floors made from the byproducts of industrial supply chains (pictured). Designers are experimenting with reams of clever ideas, and some manufacturers are starting to deliver them to market. Bioplastics, especially, were more visible among the products of major manufacturers, especially at Maison & Objet.
New eco-friendly materials are on the rise, from furniture made of potato waste to shower floors made from the byproducts of industrial supply chains (pictured). Designers are experimenting with reams of clever ideas, and some manufacturers are starting to deliver them to market. Bioplastics, especially, were more visible among the products of major manufacturers, especially at Maison & Objet.
Limpha wall tile by Casalgrande Padana
At Cersaie, we even saw tile that fights pollution (Limpha porcelain stoneware, pictured) by using photocatalysis to clean the air.
At Cersaie, we even saw tile that fights pollution (Limpha porcelain stoneware, pictured) by using photocatalysis to clean the air.
Works in shaped metal by the Kin & Company design studio
Designers are also looking at product life cycles, and manufacturers are eschewing fast fashion in favour of quality craftsmanship and durable materials, in a bid to create products that will be loved for generations rather than heading quickly to the landfill.
Among the crafts gaining visibility is restoration, which was highlighted as a vital part of the circular economy at a panel at this year’s 100% Design conference, part of the London Design Festival. Restorers play an essential role in sustainable design in extending the life of the items we already have.
Designers are also looking at product life cycles, and manufacturers are eschewing fast fashion in favour of quality craftsmanship and durable materials, in a bid to create products that will be loved for generations rather than heading quickly to the landfill.
Among the crafts gaining visibility is restoration, which was highlighted as a vital part of the circular economy at a panel at this year’s 100% Design conference, part of the London Design Festival. Restorers play an essential role in sustainable design in extending the life of the items we already have.
Finally, the Oslo Design Fair (28–30 August) addressed the question of how to make trade fairs themselves sustainable. Its Rethink trend exhibition, pictured, was set up in wooden cabins that were to be reused after the fair, integrated into building projects in northern Norway.
Read more:
Maison & Objet: Top 7 Colour Trends for 2019
6 Hottest Home Design Trends of 2019
Tell us:
Which trend are you most excited about?
Read more:
Maison & Objet: Top 7 Colour Trends for 2019
6 Hottest Home Design Trends of 2019
Tell us:
Which trend are you most excited about?
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1. Art imitates nature. It’s something we’ve been talking about for a few years now: Design is increasingly drawing inspiration – and an ever greater proportion of materials – from nature. Likewise, natural materials that have been out of the spotlight for a while, such as rattan, cane, teak and cork, have been reappearing on everything from chairs and sideboards to lamps and wall decor.