Cosy, contemporary and curated
The freshest looks are all about combining colours, materials, patterns and textures
If you’re looking to update your home decor this fall, you’ll find new furniture profiles, accents and textures galore, in everything from rugs to wall coverings to ceramics and bedding.
The trend toward mixing things up continues, from rustic to contemporary with a dash of traditional.
“What’s interesting is the warm breath of traditional style that infuses the season’s midcentury influence: Furniture, textiles and accessories, no matter how sleek-lined, are warm, inviting and touchable,” New York designer Elaine Griffin says.
Also coming on is the handmade or “collected” vibe.
“Our desire for authenticity, as well as for finely crafted and small production design, is resonating,” says Jackie Jordan, colour marketing director for the paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams. “We want to know whose hands actually created the object we’re purchasing, and how and where the materials were sourced.”
Griffin concurs. “This season, the handmade look reigns supreme, with highly textured fabric weaves, wallpapers (faux bois, faux hand-painted murals, and multicoloured and metallic- layered geometric prints) and appliquéd effects on upholstery.”
Expect more tabletop accent pieces and furniture labelled with place of origin and/ or maker’s information, whether they were crafted in Indiana or India.
One new kid in town is Scandinavian style. Simple, clean lines, gentle colours and charming motifs make for a look that’s contemporary and accessible.
And the dark horse? With the popularity of midcentury modern, some designers are ready to move forward to a 1980s redux. Decorators have welcomed ’60sand ’70s-era macrame, flame stitch, classic furniture and retro fabric prints. Will they also embrace Memphis style — the ’80s design movement characterized by disparate geometric shapes and contrasting colours? Griffin thinks there’ll be more to this trend come spring.
Colour
Jordan sees a shift “to soft monochromatic palettes,” citing creamy whites and mineral tones — grey, khaki, earth tones, and nature-inspired hues like spruce, smoke, pond and shell pink.
“The serenity of these colours provides a sense of calm to balance our hectic lifestyles, and celebrates natural materials, honed, soft and sheer finishes,” she says.
Stronger hues are in play, too. Griffin sees last spring’s pale pastels evolving into deeper, Southwestern hues such as terra cotta, pale pumpkin, deep salmon, dusty rose citron, and smoky French and teal blues.
Look too for boozy, midcentury modern hues: brandy, burgundy, whiskey and Merlot, as well as navy and olive.
Materials
Again, it’s all about the mix. “For both furniture and accessories, when it comes to finishes this fall, one is a lonely number,” Griffin says. “The freshest looks combine at least two colours and materials, like black lacquer with metallic accents (especially brass and copper); white enamel with gleaming metallic, acrylic pieces in harvest hues; and industrial iron paired with chrome.”
Patinated and polished brass, marble, copper, steel and mirror clad everything from accent pieces to furniture. See West Elm, Wisteria and CB2 for examples.
While silver and chrome are big players, Michael Murphy, design and trends producer for Lamps Plus, says brass and gold will be strong, especially in softer, burnished tones.
“These metals can be easily introduced in the home with a table lamp, chandelier or distinct accessory like a large vase or unique table sculpture,” he says.
Jordan says the handmade look extends to metals. “We’re seeing materials hand-carved, forged and assembled. Imperfections and flaws in materials like iron, wood, concrete and hand-woven wool only add to the character of the piece.”
One interesting place to see this trend is the bathroom: vintagestyle, weathered- bronze and cast-iron fixtures. Stone Forest introduced the Ore vessel sink, inspired by an antique steel pipe cap. The Industrial series, with a cast-iron sink, towel bar and paper holder, has an old-school factory quality.
Interesting woods continue to make inroads in furniture, flooring and doors. Watch for acacia, walnut, birch, maple and beech, and finishes ranging from weather-worn to highly lacquered.
Pottery Barn’s new Bowry collection of tables and storage units uses reclaimed acacia, teak and mango hardwoods. The Warren pulley lamp’s rustic-finished iron and functioning pulleys make for a steampunk-style fixture.
Konekt designer Helena Sultan’s Pause chaise lounge perches a comfy upholstered seat on brass or chrome legs, in several finishes.
Saddle and butter-soft leathers are strong players in ottomans, director’s and club chairs, and benches. The flip side is the proliferation of translucents such as acrylic and glass.
“These materials are being combined with unique fabrics like fur to create a clearly contemporary trend,” Murphy says. “We see this where the tops of settees, benches and stools are covered with a luxe fur and fabrics, and the legs are made from clear materials.”
Jonathan Adler has a Lucite étagère with polished brass joinery, and a burled wood desk on Lucite legs. Gus Modern’s acrylic end table is etched with a white grain pattern to look like a piece of timber.
Pattern and texture
Channel quilting, in which stitching runs in one continuous line, is another trend to watch for. The straight lines, even spacing, design detail and comfort all add to its appeal. “This is part of the continued resurgence of art deco, which is synonymous with fluid lines, bold shapes, lavish ornamentation and metallic finishes,” Murphy says.
Look for rattan and other woven fibres in items beyond basketry, like wall art, bowls and ottomans.
Shags, nubby wools, Southwest-patterned flat weaves and Impressionist-patterned Indian silks will be on the floor of rug departments this fall. West Elm has some graphic kilim rugs and pillows.
Geometrics and facets cover textiles, vases and mirror frames. Some have an organic quality — think beehives or reptile skin. But rendered in iron or wood, they can have an industrial vibe.