Australia/NZ trend insights

AUSTRALIAN INTERIOR DESIGN PREDICTIONS

Digital overkill and an underlying sense of flux and uncertainty are quoted by trend experts as the reasons for a general desire to create security on the home front. So it’s no surprise that comfort and luxe or a combination of the two, look set to form the basis of the major forward trends for interiors, according to Jenny Williams of Creative Style Interior Design (Sydney).

“‘Scandi’ design with its relaxed, homey look will still be popular, and Hamptons – think Shaker style cabinets, elegant yet comfy furniture, linens and other natural fabrics – has never fully left our homes either. Pantone’s 2020 Colour of the Year is Classic Blue, a navy which is perfect with Hamptons decor.”

However as many of the paint companies’ 2020 forecast colour schemes include colours from across the decades of  the 20th Century, these colours are likely to be incorporated into our homes too. For example, Dulux’s palettes include smokey greens, smokey pinks and purples, melons, peaches, even beiges and browns from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘70s and ‘80s. All the paint companies are predicting there will be fewer greys, and what greys there are will be warm (brown) greys. These colours may not be embraced on our walls but in elements such as feature chairs, bedheads, curtain and blind fabrics, cushions or rugs.”

An emphasis on sustainability and the use of natural materials will continue to grow as homeowners are increasingly environmentally aware, she adds. “Timber, cane, wicker, linen, cotton, bamboo will feature strongly, and there seems to be a big increase in up-cycling furniture.”

DIRECTIONS FOR WINDOW FURNISHINGS

In terms of window furnishing, Williams predicts a continuation of existing trends with some minor variations, rather than any marked directional change. 

“I don’t believe we’re going to see massive changes to window furnishings in 2020, but what’s still going strong includes natural and natural looking fabrics and perhaps the emergence of  demand for fabric ethically made using organic dyes.”

“Patterned fabrics, particularly semi-abstract florals and leaf patterns, checks, geometrics, all with a more classic edge, continue to be an influence, along with plain textured fabrics such as velvet and chenille, which speak of comfort and luxe on furniture and window coverings.”

And the trend for sheer curtains continues its unstoppable influence, in the form of sheers on their own or over roller blinds or other plain window coverings,  softening the look in “comfort” applications as well as offering an elegant finish in “luxe” settings.  

Shutters always create a very stylish look and suit most design styles, Williams says, while the wide range of modern blinds are still popular in contemporary decor, for those looking for cleaner lines.

“And with the move to ‘comfy luxe’, we may see more scope for roman blinds in fabrics and materials such as woven wood. I’m also starting to see fabric trims such as fringing, braid and cord, decorative tie backs with tassels that give a luxe look.” 

“The majority of my clients still see window furnishings as an integral investment,” she adds. “While most view them as decorative, there is an increasing awareness that window coverings also help to reduce energy expenditure on cooling and heating, saving energy and money on their energy bills. I think as more and more homeowners rank the environment high on their list of concerns as well as the increasing cost to their hip pocket of energy, window furnishings will increasingly be on their radar.”

HOMEGROWN INSPIRATION AND INSIGHTS FROM MOKUM

Mokum is a highly regarded brand from James Dunlop Textiles with a uniquely Australasian signature. In a recent ivy.co trend webinar, Stephanie Moffitt – Mokum Design Director and Annie Moir – Mokum Product Developer, spoke in depth on the topic of ‘Taking a cultural approach to textile design’ from the unique perspective of the Australia and New Zealand markets.

Mokum takes direction from its distinctive geographic location, with influences from both Australia and New Zealand. The brand also works with international trends and gains intelligence from forecasters such as WGSN. Proprietary research and extensive travel, along with fashion, textile and interior design insights and ongoing interaction with Pinterest and Instagram are also critical.

On the unique influence of Australasia, Moffitt and Moir’s presentation noted: 

“We have a hugely inspiring culture. It’s a juxtaposition of ancient indigenous culture and colonial history mixed with a contemporary multi-cultural society. We live in a melting pot. Our proximity to Asia creates an inherent love of simplicity, quality and craft.”

The brand’s geographic heritage also plays a role in the practical aspects of textile design. Damaging UV light is a factor; particularly given the growing Australasian trend for indoor-outdoor or “transitional living.”

“Our clients require textiles that are beautiful but also practical and robust.”

From an aesthetic perspective, Mokum’s signature lies in timeless pieces with a modern edge. Heavy dimensional and softly patterned items are particularly central to the current range, with textures amping up and coming to the fore. Critically, the pair say fabrics are taking centre stage, creating a sense of comfort and security.

Scale is an important influencer in Mokum’s finished designs, with motifs often deliberately overscaled to create an abstract pattern.

“The large scale of our decorative pattern is also balanced by the right amount of negative space, allowing our designs to breathe.” 

Australasia’s “clear, clean light” also has an impact on colour, Mokum brings grey to many of its hues to compensate for this. “Blues and greens with mineral undertones are key colours in the Mokum palette.”

And the biophilic direction underpinning current living and decor trends has been given its own spin by Mokum. “We regard Mother Nature as the ultimate designer,” the pair confirm,  with nature increasingly linked to the wellness movement across all industries and offering a respite from our overly digitalised world. Mokum predicts this will evolve further going forward, with increased tactility and another evolution in the resurgence of botanical prints. The influence of nature is also critical to colour palettes. “In 2020/21 Green is nature’s neutral. Green is coming to the fore and will be coming through a lot more. Green will be our hero colour going forward.” 

Extensive research and a complex process of ideation underpins the Mokum design process. One recent range, Peonia is influenced by Japanese print. It includes a bumble bee, reflecting the trend for depictions of insects in textile design, but more specifically the growing importance of safeguarding and honouring the world’s bee population. The upscaling of initial designs often entails re-working certain elements, such as the bee,  to enhance detail.

Mokum uses artistry to create its own unique ranges; it also aligns with creative leaders. The brand works with one of Europe’s top textile watercolour artists, who was responsible for the artwork underpinning the Magnolia and La Palma designs. Mokum’s collaboration with renowned film costume and production designer Catherine Martin has led to inspired collections such as Majorelle, characterised by tropical flora and fauna and referencing Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent’s famed Marrakesh retreat.

TREND/PRODUCT FOCUS: BLINDS BY BORONIA GROUP

Michelle Macready, Sales Manager at Blinds by Boronia Group, notes a continuation of the pared back aesthetic in the Australian market. 

“Airy and light filled open plan living seems to be on trend. Fussy window treatments that are layered into the room that need to be regularly laundered or dusted have fallen out of favour with the rushed lives we all seem to live.” 

Blinds by Boronia Group notes a move away from shutters as block sizes are reduced and homeowners move to maximise the natural light within their homes. Roller blinds continue to sell well, offering natural light when raised and privacy and dim out when closed. The Blinds by Boronia Group recently added three new screen printed fabrics to its roller blind range. The new range includes Quinton, Marley and Bayside and the fabrics  are suitable to make roller blinds up to a width of 2780mm. “As window sizes expand, these new fabrics add some texture and colour without overpowering the style,” says Macready.

Veri Shades on the rise

Macready notes that, with the trend for softer window shades growing, one of the company’s quickest growth product ranges has been the Veri Shade product. “Although previous products have tried to bridge the gap between curtains and blinds, it wasn’t until the Veri Shade, with its unique and patented design, that this was made possible.”

“The retail sector has recognised consumers’ dilemma of loving the look of curtains, while wanting the ability to see through the blind at certain times of day and being able to have privacy at other times. Veri Shades’ unique design ensures that it gives consumers the soft elegance of a ripple fold curtain with a modern colour palette ensuring a style to suit all interiors.”

“With streamlined and minimalist interiors now trending, it is important to attain a soft flowing appearance without the need for multiple layered window furnishings. Retailers are opting for the elegance of a sheer custom made curtain, however in some cases they are shying away from the use of a blockout roller blind behind as they can be problematic with sliding and bi-fold doors. It is in these areas that sheer curtains coupled with either dim out linings on a separate track or heavier blockout curtains over the top had been traditionally used.”

“The Blinds by Boronia Group offers all four track options including Belle, Cube and a decorative track with either round or flat finials. The tracks are available in several colour options complementing the five different fabric ranges.”

“Standard, Mist, Autumn, Net and Alpine have all shown increases in sales over the past six months. The practical and decorator fabric samples have been selling so well that we have had two occasions where our samples had been out of stock. We are now fully stocked and ready to fulfill orders.”