Special Feature: New trends in furniture and lighting.
Softened designs, comfort and natural good looks top this season,s list of furniture and lighting features
‘If something is square, it’s juxtaposed with something curvy’
The way we live
The global pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives so it’s not surprising there has been a paradigm shift in the way we use our living spaces.
In the past, home was somewhere we returned to at the end of each day. Now that we’ve realised we can be just as productive working remotely, living areas are being redefined. Interior designer Gilly Baillie of White Linen says families are spending more time than ever sharing home spaces, so they’re thinking more about how to delineate them.
“While this doesn’t mean the end of open-plan living, it does mean the open area needs more definition and character. People have been doing this in converted loft-type spaces for some time.”
Nikki Burnet of Wellington interior design studio ES Design agrees. “Maybe 10 years ago there was a massive movement towards open-plan and everybody was knocking down walls. People are now saying, ‘We like our open kitchen family area’ but it’s common to reserve a separate space for intimate family time.”
Greater consideration is being given to the way furniture is arranged to create spaces within spaces. Nikki says there’s a move away from the typical corner sofa as people realise they can do something more clever. And gone are the days when matching sofas were a thing.
“If there are four pieces of furniture in a room, as a general rule, I make two match [while] the others don’t. If you have two
different sofas, then add a pair of matching occasional chairs and link them with your overall palette.”
Foliage is a massive trend, whether as a garden backdrop, in vases or on our walls. Natural colours such as earthy moody tones and restful greens are also in demand. Nikki says we’ve gone from greys to beige, taupe, olive, sage and terracotta.
Also trending are highly detailed and often deeply coloured decorative walls that add dimension to a room and give a sense of age. Panelling, wainscotting and beading have returned in a big way as an alternative to wallpaper, which is still popular. Shiplap weatherboards on walls gives a coastal feel and batten-and-board panelling brings the outdoors inside.
Textures enhance the tactile interaction with the environment, says Gilly. Favourites are natural fibres – timber, rattan, wicker and chunky linen. The light, fresh, casual, almost Scandi look remains popular as it suits the relaxed resort lifestyle feel that New Zealanders crave given that overseas travel is off the table.
Mixing materials is big for coffee tables and sideboards, says Nikki. “For example, stone or marble tops feature metal bases, or they might have a wooden body with stone or high gloss lacquer inlays.”
She is also seeing an increase in cylindrical forms such as pedestal dining tables, either in wood or with a wooden base and
stone top, and small round side tables with a reeded pedestal.
Small nests of side tables with metal bases and stone or metal tops are very popular. None of these pieces match – all stand alone, but are complementary.
In this era of uncertainty, comfort is high on the agenda and there’s a big push towards rounded forms, particularly for occasional chairs. Says Nikki, there are fewer angles: “If something is square, it’s juxtaposed with something curvier.”
And where does the big black box fit within this equation? TVs can be intrusive and don’t quite fit so well when we’re trying to turn our living areas into calming sanctuaries.
“Some people put gallery walls around them to make them blend in. And there are places for beautiful art TVs,” says Nikki. “If the budget allows, some people are creating dedicated movie spaces to keep living rooms free of clutter.”
Gilly says: “Streaming on computers is set to minimise the importance of these beasts for the next generation. I don’t mind them as long as there is enough in the space to draw the eye away so they don’t become a focal point.”
Sofas go soft and snuggly
Now that people aren’t travelling offshore and want to cocoon in their homes, the sofa has become the pivotal piece of feel-good furniture. Never before have we taken so much care in their selection, says Amy Shaw of David Shaw. “We’ve become more house proud, as there are more eyes on the sofa.”
Sofas tend to be blocky, overstuffed and supremely comfortable. Lashings of soft luscious cushions suggest the ultra-luxurious, sumptuous feel of an international showroom.
New Zealanders love their pets which has seen a rise in the popularity of traditional loose covers. Not only do they make it easier to wash the fabric more frequently and keep it clean, but they offer a more relaxed look.
When we select sofas, we think hard about our individual lifestyles, says Amy. Often we’ll pick one for a more casual indoor outdoor vibe and another that’s dressier. To add a point of difference, mixed materials like timber, metallics and interesting textiles can be incorporated. Investing in quality remains key. Sofas are big ticket items, so shoppers should make sure they buy
a well-crafted piece with good framing and foam, she says. Even if fashions change, a sofa can be modified and tailored to suit the space in which it sits. She noted a spike in reupholstery requests after Christmas – the slow furniture movement has started to take hold in response to the mass production of cheap furniture.
See in a new light
US-based designer Lisa McDennon, who creates pieces for global lighting company Hinkley, and Hinkley senior product manager Annie Decker have noted distinct trends in their industry this year.
Over-scaled pieces are definitely becoming more popular including giant domes, drums or more airy asymmetrical designs, they say. “We see scale as being an important element in design, especially in the kitchen. Two large pendants over an island are bold and statement-making,” says Annie.
Look out for jewel tones such as rich burgundy, rust and emerald green especially paired with gold or for a fresher look,
with soft peachy pinks, mint or other delicate pastel colours.
Mid-century has become a classic design style and it’s not going anywhere soon, they say. But now, art deco and retro styles are starting to make their way into interiors. Last year at international furniture fairs Salone del Mobile and Maison&Objet there were a number of designs that emulated an art deco feel. “It plays so easily into go-to material choices such as marble, alabaster, brass, ceramics. And the 1980s are in full swing. Designers are embracing curves once again – we are seeing a softening of furniture designs across the board and pop art, Memphis style, Michael Graves-influenced designs are a huge source of inspiration right now,” says Lisa.
Homeowners are updating living spaces to be more enjoyable and functional. Wall sconces with integrated LED lighting and brighter 3000K lumens have proved perfect for makeshift working spaces – now that we have become more used to working from home. “There is a lot of interest in remodelling [and] transforming spacing into multi-use spaces. Also, exterior lighting has surged residentially with the growth of outdoor dining,” says Lisa.
LED lights don’t have to just be modern. Integrated LED allows designers to create a more glamorous look. “You get all the glitz of crystal with clean, bright light – and no bulbs!” says Annie.
Mixing materials has always been a designer favourite and this trend is not fading. Clear glass globes have been popular for a while now, but opal or opaque glass is gaining an audience. “There has been talk of playing with some coloured glass as well and I’m very excited to try expanding beyond clear. The opal glass has a nice ambient glow, giving great light output but obscuring the bulb, which some people prefer not to see,” says Lisa.
Homeowners are seeking options that offer interest and personality, such as sea glass beads and coral motifs.
“Nature is always inspiring design. We have seen a shift toward botanicals and more literal organic elements make their way into lighting,” says Annie.