Five fabric trends to inspire
Don’t be timid when it comes to fabrics – take an idea and run with it, writes Cassie Doherty.
Using textiles in our interiors is key to making our homes warm and welcoming. Fabrics soften the edges and add interest.
‘‘They are about comfort and protection,’’ says Carol Fry of Unique Fabrics.
‘‘A house becomes a home with the addition of textiles: drapery, soft furnishings and bedding.’’
On a January trip to the Heimtextil exhibition in Frankfurt and Deco Off in Paris, colour made a comeback and pattern had its moment.
She also saw a lot of textured and chunky drapery and upholstery fabrics – and velvet was everywhere.
‘‘At Unique Fabrics our strong coloured velvets are selling well. But these colours are not bright and clean, they are more rich and sophisticated.’’
More is more. And while it’s a big call to upholster a new sofa in a bold colour, it’s stimulating and energetic and more fun than playing it safe.
‘‘Some people use fabrics to make a statement,’’ says Dayle Bygrave of Seneca. ‘‘Other people use it to create a feeling of comfort.
‘‘There is a definite trend towards the natural: the use of a lot of greenery and earthy colours there are a lot of really chunky weaves, sophisticated yarns, natural fibres.’’
Technology also plays a part. ‘‘Digital technologies are certainly influencing the way we design, develop and purchase fabric,’’ says Meg Sinclair from Warwick. ‘‘We can be more creative and experimental with digital printing.’’
The following are five of the top trends in fabric: Tonal, which layers a variety of the same colours. Weather patterns inspired by swirling clouds, raindrops and mist. Sheers, which are practical and modern. Geometrics, including mixing scales of patterns. And futuristic fabrics.
Tone on tone
Monochrome doesn’t mean black and white these days. Sinclair says: ‘‘Layer up tonal variations of blues, reds or greens for an all-over monochromatic look. I’m loving tones of green at the moment – chalky sage greens, eucalyptus and smoky jades – as well as sunfaded red and orange tones like terracotta, red ochre and brick.’’
Mokum design director Stephanie Moffitt recently travelled to Heimtextil, Deco Off and Maison et Objet, where she noted colour combinations of golds, mustards and masalas, as well as soft peaches, pigmented oranges and terracotta – and, of course, pink ‘‘in every shade’’.
Weather
With the trend towards everything earthy and getting back to nature, we’re all about bringing the outdoors in. Today’s patterns include clouds, raindrops, rough seas and mist.
Dayle Bygrave of Seneca says: ‘‘We do see a lot of marbled patterns, like stone that has been worn by the water.’’ In its 2018 trend report, James Dunlop noted the rise of the Japanese principle of wabi-sabi, inspired by the imperfections of life.
Sheers
These are not your grandma’s net curtains. A theme at Frankfurt’s Heimtextil was The Future is Urban, which theorised most of us will be living in busy cities in the 21st century, with pre-fab construction and flexible living areas.
Says Dayle Bygrave of Seneca: ‘‘Especially with urbanisation we need privacy, but some of the sheers now are amazing.’’
Mesh materials are trending, and sheers with cut-outs, colours and patterns, add interest to lightweight gauzy fabrics.
Geometrics
There’s nothing like a geometric pattern to add a pop of visual interest. Take it one step further by playing with scale: a small tight pattern contrasted against bold wide stripes, for example.
However, says Sinclair, mixed geometric patterns need to be anchored with some solid or plain surfaces or pieces of furniture otherwise the look can be too frantic.’’
Futuristic
It’s already the future. With metallics, pixelated patterns, structural details and architectural construction, fabric is one step ahead.
In a report on current trends, Seneca’s Dayle Bygrave says: ‘‘In recent years we’ve followed the wellbeing trend by creating quiet, zen spaces to retreat to… this technology trend comes as a direct point of opposition. It is not seeking to attack or undermine our dependency on gadgets, bright lights and stimuli, but rather to find beauty and exoticism in everchanging, unpredictable and futuristic hi-tech.’’