GLOBAL TRENDS: Textiles Matter: Heimtextil Trends 23/24

According to Marta Giralt Dunjó of FranklinTill, “Considering the state of environmental emergency we are currently living through, the textile industry has a responsibility to examine its processes, and change for the better.” 

“That is why for this edition of the Heimtextil Trends we are taking a materials first approach, and focusing on the sourcing, design, and sustainability of materials. Textiles Matter showcases the potential of circularity and celebrates design initiatives that are beautiful, relevant and importantly sustainable.”

The Heimtextil Trends for 2023/24 are centered around four main themes: Make Remake, Continuous, From Earth, and Nature Engineered. These themes highlight the importance of sustainability and the use of environmentally friendly materials in the textile industry.

Make Remake

Make Remake is all about rejuvenating existing resources, such as second-hand and scrap materials. The theme celebrates the transformation of pre-used materials into beautiful, desirable products. Designers are encouraged to be creative and imaginative, using unexpected processes and applications to repurpose materials. Techniques such as overprinting, overdyeing, bricolage, collage, and patchwork create a maximalist look that is both joyful and sustainable. The aesthetics of repair are also highlighted, with contrast joinery, stitching, and patching becoming features in their own right. The Make Remake theme is energetic and joyful, with a color palette of nuanced brights that have been recycled and reclaimed.

Continuous 

Continuous is focused on zero-waste, closed-loop production. The theme celebrates the recycling of materials into new products again and again. Designers are encouraged to keep low impact front of mind, using mono-materiality and design for disassembly to make products easier to repurpose. The Continuous aesthetic is practical, pared-back, and timeless, with a sophisticated and subtle impact. The color palette is minimal and pared-back, with a focus on modern, essential hues.

From Earth

From Earth celebrates the natural world and its wellbeing benefits. The theme highlights the potential of diverse natural resources, emphasizing the warmth and softness of organic materials and the astonishing color diversity of natural dyeing. Designers are encouraged to collaborate with nature rather than control it, embracing natural variation. The From Earth theme is focused on adding textural, tactile richness to products through crafting techniques. The color palette is earthen and reflects organic matter and natural dyes, with warm, soft, and muted hues.

Nature Engineered 

Nature Engineered elevates organic materials through mechanical means, redefining what it means to be “natural”. The theme is all about using cutting-edge techniques to process regenerative substances into sophisticated, smart, and functional textiles and materials. Designers are encouraged to focus on sustainability from start to finish, from sourcing through processing to end-of-life considerations. The Nature Engineered theme is a warmer, more accessible take on utilitarianism, with a color palette of modern neutrals that celebrate the coming together of nature and human engineering.

Local trends – Vault Interiors 

Window Furnishings Magazine Australia spoke to Justine Wilson from Vault Interiors, who shared her expert insights on the current textile and window furnishings trends. 

“First up, the colourful kitchen trend, which is a modern twist on the vintage look of the 60’s and 70’s. Bold, bright and full of fun, this trend will feature kitchen cabinetry in bright colours, paired with marble or quartz countertops and modern tiled splashbacks,” Wilson says.

“I also think that pastel tones such as soft blue, mint, and pink will be popular, along with colourful appliances and kitchen accessories”.

When it comes to textiles and window furnishings, Wilson predicts that this trend will include bold, bright fabrics in striking prints, as well as colourful patterned roller blinds. She also mentions the potential revival of tie backs and valances in the same fabric as the curtains.

“Next, we look at the cottage core trend, which is a style that embodies the idyllic, simple life, with vintage finds and pretty china, lace, and floral prints. This trend also corresponds with the sustainability movement, and it’s characterized by vintage or reclaimed furniture, pretty china, lace, floral prints and eclectic trinkets or handmade objects.”

In terms of textiles and window furnishings, Wilson believes that this trend will be all about delicate florals, toile, or chintz fabrics, with more traditional curtains such as floor to ceiling, pleated curtains, with some puddling on the floor. Pelmets and valances will also be popular, with the window treatment fabric repeated on scatter cushions, bed linen and upholstered furniture.

“The earth textures trend takes inspiration from European style, and is all about terrazzo, concrete, stucco, terracotta, and natural stones. This style is perfect for outdoor spaces and will create a luxurious European hotel or Greek Island vibe to your alfresco entertaining areas,” Wilson says.

“For this trend think simplistic sheer curtains or roman blinds. The materials will be earthy textured fabrics, such as plain or textured linens in white, stone and off-white and brown tones”.

“The monochromatic trend is timeless and versatile, and is perfect for any style, whether it’s classic or modern rustic. Wood furniture will be paired with this trend, in mahogany or walnut for classic interiors, and light oak or wenge stained woods for modern interiors, Wilson says. 

“Plantation shutters always look great with a monochromatic palette, but instead of the standard white, we may see black and grey-tone shutters being in demand to create visual contrast”. 

“Roller blinds, whether they are sunscreen, semi-sheer, blackout or a combination, will also be popular, as will graphic patterns such as stripes, arrows, or dots.”

Finally, the jungle vibes trend is all about bringing the outdoors in, with homes and apartments brimming with plants. People want spaces that feel alive, lush, and dynamic, and this trend is all about embracing the joy of having a green thumb. 

Wilson predicts that curtains with graphic animal or plant prints will be popular, along with simple window treatments such as day/night style curtains or modern-look venetians with minimal or barley there hardware.

Luxaflex design trends for the home of 2023 

As we move into 2023, creating a beautiful sanctuary at home remains key.  For those looking to update their personal spaces, there are many fresh and diverse new moods on the scene that homeowners can individualise and tailor to suit their style.

“Having had time to reflect deeply on personal taste over the last three years, 2023 is a great opportunity for homeowners to express their individuality and style through their interiors,” says Vera Meharg, Marketing Communications Manager for Luxaflex Window Fashions. 

“2023 is all about being brave and letting the imagination run wild. It’s the perfect opportunity to create a wonderfully stylish home that is completely how you want it to be.”

While providing functionality tailored to the homeowner’s individual needs is paramount, window treatments can also elevate a room, creating depth and warmth, and add the perfect finishing touch to the overall home’s interior design.

“It’s important for the Luxaflex brand and product range to remain at the forefront of interior design trends to assist consumers in executing a unique style at home, and to provide our retailer network with relevant tools to help design a space their customers will love for years to come” says Meharg.

With this ethos in mind, the Luxaflex team worked behind the scenes with a forecasting firm to identify eight key looks that capture the interior lifestyle trends for 2023/24.

Le Salon 

An opulent theme, inspired by the luxurious femininity of a classic Paris apartment. The colour palette features gentle antique whites, soft pink and dove tones with cosy accents of brass and rose, enhanced through muted animal and floral prints.

Natural Elevation

A strong modern style, this theme combines warm woods, textured neutrals, robust shapes and artisanal accessories. A contemporary look is achieved using brown tones including rust, caramel, bone with highlight touches of ruby.

Soft Spatial

The soft spatial trend exemplifies serene and feminine spaces through tonal stripes and sheer detail. Muted clays and antique white hues are the core colours that feature throughout this elegant theme.  Accents of rust, pink and kohl allow for individual expression.

Monoterra

A dramatic yet elegant interpretation of the monochromatic expression. This bold scheme of black and white is accented with layered neutral tones, natural materials, powerful graphics, and bold stripes. Using colours that vary in lightness and saturation can create a clean, sophisticated look, whilst using variations in textures can subdue the boldness of a strong colour such as black.

Rural Contemporary

Reflecting a contemporary country farmhouse, this style highlights symmetry, texture and classic patterns, showcased through a colour palette of antique white and muted grey.  The look is softened through linen textiles and tonal layering.

Pacifica

Coastal themes are ever-present and constantly evolving.  Cool blue and crisp white accents are highlighted through beach-inspired tones, while natural materials such as rattan and bamboo alongside touches of green-based blues bring this relaxed theme to life.

Sunset Villa

Warm arid tones such as turmeric and rouge feature throughout this theme, evoking a suggestion of island life where waxed and distressed woods live with grasses and reeds. Matt textiles of brushed cotton and canvas bring a relaxed atmosphere to the overall aesthetic, while patterned textiles and exposed ceiling beams feature in living spaces that inspire relaxation.

The Moderne

Lineal elements, both vertical and horizontal are crucial elements of this streamlined look. Velvet, tight-piled textiles and burled woods accent the theme alongside brushed bronze and ribbed pewter.

Blinds by Peter Meyer: Trends driven by nature and sustainable materials

Woven blinds have been a hot trend in the interior design world, and Blinds by Peter Meyer’s Simply Naturals collection is at the forefront of this movement according to Simon Meyer. 

“The Simply Naturals collection has been gaining traction on social media and in magazines such as House & Garden and Home Beautiful.”

The Simply Naturals collection offers a diverse selection of textures, natural organic weaves, timbers, and sustainable materials. The range includes wild reeds, winter grasses, timbers, jute, twines, flax, bamboos, and cottons. The collection is divided into four ranges, each with its own unique style and features.

“One of the most popular ranges is Urban Weave, which features nine stunning weaves designed for city living. These natural-looking fabrics have excellent translucency and come in Romans, Rollers, and moving Panels. Urban Weave also provides 90% UV blockage and good heat retention, making it a practical and stylish choice.”

Le Blinde, with its French Woven Timbers, is another range experiencing a resurgence in popularity. With 17 varieties, including three new fabrics added recently, Le Blinde is a staple of Blinds by Peter Meyer since the 80s. 

“The see-through Dorchester and Cumberland provide a unique touch, while the limited edition Hampton is perfect for those seeking privacy. All weaves can be custom-painted any colour or left natural, and are available up to 3000mm wide.”

Chinois, with 12 handmade oriental bamboo weaves, is the perfect way to add an Asian touch to your decor. The Simply Naturals collection also features Silk Road, a range of rustic oriental woven grasses, reeds, and twines with 16 different weaves. This range is exceptional, with each 15m roll taking 3 days to weave by hand. The craftsmanship and uniqueness of Silk Road sets it apart and is contributing to its growing popularity in the market.

Meyer notes that natural window coverings are unbeatable in providing warmth and window definition. Furthermore, the French Woven Timber slats were once used to dry French camembert cheese, making them a unique and interesting addition to any home.

New options in curtains

Silent Gliss, the world-renowned brand in window treatment, has recently launched a new line of fabric, Colorama 2, that Meyer says is versatile, sophisticated, and a popular choice among customers due to its beautiful texture and stable weave. Meyer adds that the wide width of 3.4m makes it the widest fabric on the Australian market that is also available for use in Roller blinds.

“Colorama 2 has been the most successful fabric for Silent Gliss over the past 20 years,” says Meyer. “We offer all their technical fabrics on indent, providing even more options for our customers. All the fabrics in the Silent Gliss collection are flame-retardant and have been thoroughly tested on their systems to ensure consistent hanging behaviour.”

The Colorama 2 Multicolour fabric line features a multicoloured woven fabric that adds depth and texture to the Colorama collection. The versatile Trevira CS fabric comes in a range of neutral colours, making it an ideal choice for modern interior design. Meyer notes that “With the same appearance on both sides, it also works really well as a room divider.”

For those looking for a more environmentally friendly option, Colorama 2 Eco is made of 100% pre-consumer recycled polyester and is a good choice for architects and designers committed to the ‘Road to Zero’ program. The Colorama 2 Bioactive curtain fabric has been used extensively in healthcare settings due to its bioactive finish that helps to reduce the spread of bacteria, viruses, and odours.

The Colorama 2 fabric line has been gaining popularity in residential and commercial projects alike, especially with the rise of viruses such as Covid-19. The Colorama 2 Bioactive fabric is also available in a wide range of colours, making it a practical and stylish option.

Silent Gliss has also released Colorama Acoustic and Colorama Multicolour Acoustic, both of which provide superior acoustic performance by absorbing sound. With the trend towards open-plan living spaces and hard surfaces like stone or wooden floors, these fabrics offer excellent acoustic properties and are a versatile choice that can complement any modern interior design scheme or style.”

“Pandemic living” still driving external market

 With the pandemic making Alfresco dining areas more important than ever, the demand for outdoor blinds is predicted to rise again. Simon Meyer says that the cost of raw materials has started to decline and return to more affordable levels, making outdoor blinds a viable option for many customers.

“Weinor’s Vertitex II exterior Roller, combined with the Plaza Viva Patio Roof, is a complete system that gives customers the seamless look and all-round weather protection they are searching for.”

“The Vertitex II is designed for all seasons of the year and offers privacy and protection from the Australian weather. With its tiny 75mm and 92mm cassettes, it can span up to a massive 6m wide without being obtrusive.” 

The Plaza Viva II can have a maximum width and projection of 6m x 5m and boasts innovative features such as OptiStretch’s integrated LED lighting and gear handle-operated Valance Plus – leaving little to be desired.

Weinor Opti-Flow System ensures that the fabric position is always perfect. With a floating fabric roller bearing and specially coated glide profile, the fabric is kept in the correct position and has long-term protection, even on fabrics up to 6m wide.

Meyer also notes that changes made to the National Construction Code by the Fire Regulations have had a significant impact on projects. 

“Projects have become more challenging because anything above the first floor that is in Building Class 2 to 9 needs a performance solution. The interpretations have varied from state to state. In NSW, compliance has progressed much faster than in VIC.” 

Despite this he says that Blinds by Peter Meyer’s business in exterior awnings has not declined and, in fact, has grown.

Continuous Key influencer: Circulose by Renwecell

Circulose is a new sustainable and innovative material developed by the Swedish company Renwecell, Circulose is a 100% circular material made from post-consumer textile waste. The material is a unique blend of recycled cellulose and natural fibers, which results in a high-quality and durable material that can be used for a wide range of applications in the window furnishings industry.

The key to Circulose’s sustainability is its closed-loop production process. Post-consumer textile waste is collected, sorted, and processed into a high-quality raw material that can then be used to manufacture new products. This closed-loop process means that no new resources are needed, and the waste that would otherwise end up in landfills is repurposed, reducing the environmental impact of the production process.