Future Forward

Yesterday the Freeworld Design Centre held the first of their décor trend talks, something the team hope will become a regular feature. Under the theme ‘Future Forward’, four different speakers shared the trends that will shape 2012 with the packed auditorium.

VISI’s decor editor Tracy Lynch shared a feast of images from her recent trip to Maison et Objet, pointing out recurring themes in the design, décor and art pieces she encountered there. Bespoke Bathrooms’ Lisa Millbacher shed some light on the move away from sterile bathroom spaces filled with chrome and tiles. Helene Lindsay, the strategic director at New Media Publishing spoke about ‘change’ in the media environment, something that inadvertently affects all consumers. And to end off Plascon’s Lauren Shantall gave an insightful talk on lifestyle techtonics and the colours that will shape the new year. Entrance to the event was free but guests were urged to donate R20 to the design charity Rock Girl.

Trends from Maison et Objet

Tracy’s visually stimulating talk revolved around things that stopped the décor guru in her tracks at the Parisian show. She said a common theme at the show was the use of humble materials in extraordinary ways; from the Campana Brothers, named the designers of the year, who incorporated corrugated cardboard into their design sculptures to Solleti who created ceramics with a cardboard aesthetic. Tracy also noticed that designers, through the use of gold, were turning disposable items into covetable goods. Of course the use of recyclable products is still huge while bright colours and the use of unexpected materials continue to delight the design world.

Trends steaming up the bathroom

Lisa Millbacher’s bathrooms trends talk also revved up the audience. The bathroom is often the room in the house that receives the least TLC, but with a few simple changes, it can really become the highlight of the home. Lisa says there’s a big focus on black and white colour choices, while interior specialists are also favouring freestanding furniture pieces, washbasins and baths. Lisa says another trend, spearheaded by renowned designer Patricia Urquiola, is the use of the classic zinc aesthetic, most commonly found in outdoor washing areas and farmhouses. International bathroom trends are also favouring angular lines and the “roundish square”, while geometric shapes are being used to inform the way the water leaves the spout, influencing the design of shower roses and taps.

The colours that’ll shape this year

Plascon’s Lauren Shantall began her talk with the increasingly popular music video ‘Somebody that I used to know’ by Gotye, Lauren’s focus wasn’t on the harrowing lyrics but rather on the colours used in the inspired video. Lauren says the use of rosy nudes and peaches is bang on trend, colours she says work best as “pop accent colour”. Peach hues have been seen all over the catwalks and are quickly becoming a favourite in décor palettes too. Pantone named ‘Tangerine Tango’ the colour of the year, further confirming the world’s current obsession with the fresh citrus tones.

Another thing Lauren says the music video nailed is the use of the hand painted technique, something she foresees to become a trend in the décor arena. Lauren says another colour trend to look out for is the use of gold. Using local designer Frauke Stegmann’s work as an example, Lauren says gold and metallics add a “splash of luxury” and that she personally prefers the use of metallic colours as moments rather than central themes. And while luxury is big, so is, on the other hand, a move to nature. Lauren says new colour ways are increasingly being inspired by farm life and the colours of vegetables.

It goes to show, that no matter what your personal preference, be it glam, more subdued and natural or eccentric and wild, the trend forecasters have good news for you.

Keep a look out for the next décor talk held at the Freeworld Design Centre.

More information: www.freeworlddesigncentre.co.za, www.bespokebathrooms.co.za,  www.maison-objet.com

Can’t view this video in your browser? Watch it on YouTube.