Around the World
INSPIRED BY ITINERANT TRAVEL AND GLOBAL STYLE, THE INTER/CONTINENTAL COLLECTION FROM CETEC TAKES DESIGN CUES FROM OPULENT HOTELS AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
With frequent travel a typical part of our urban lives, it seems only natural that these journeys should influence the way we decorate our homes too. “People who are used to staying in hotels or serviced apartments abroad now expect the same comforts and amenities in their home—this changes the way interiors are designed,” shares German textile designer Pascal Walter. This peripatetic lifestyle serves the starting point of the new Cetec collection designed by Walter, presented recently at its Singapore showroom. Entitled Inter/ Continental, the collection continues the bordercrossing inspiration of Cetec’s previous collection, the Origin of Occident. The Hong Kong-based interior textile purveyor distributes European brands including Zimmer+rohde, Sahco and Nobilis, while producing a new collection each year under its eponymous label. “As an extension of our 2017 collection, we wanted to show how elements of the East and West are coming closer together, by blending in ornamental Asian touches with contemporary design,” shares Winnie Wong, managing director of Cetec. Here, they discuss the collection and the decor trends to watch.
Tell us more about the concept for this collection.
PASCAL WALTER (PW): We wanted a mix of European influence with a bit of Asian inspiration through the patterns we create. For example, the Regency fabric features an abstract graphic inspired by berries and floral motifs that I saw at Yu Garden in Shanghai. If you take it out of context, it’s a beautiful pattern but at the same time it can remind you of its traditional influence. Another piece, the Carlton, features a braided design embossed on it that is reminiscent of woven bamboo or rattan.
What’s the key design of this collection?
PW: It’s the Shangrila, named after the hotel group for its glamorous appeal and inspired by the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, which are so contemporary yet with a shape similar to traditional paper umbrellas. The pattern is made using warp printing; a traditional technique by Italian textile mills that creates an intentionally blurry and beautiful effect. WINNIE WONG (WW): I love the Shangrila in midnight blue—we were even talking about turning it into a Chinese dress that I could wear.
What’s the most innovative material featured in this collection?
PW: This collection focuses on easy-care fabrics, most of which are washable, as they are made with a material blend based primarily on high-quality polyester. The Trevira CS textile, for instance, is a polyester blend with a silk-like finish and colourfastness. It is also a flame retardant material that is particularly useful for hotels and restaurants.
What are some ways to bring the hotel-inspired look home?
PW: Have a beautiful set of cushions as part of your bed setting, which is complemented by a textile headboard and a bed cover. These can be easily changed when you want a fresh mood. It’s also about creating an atmosphere using premium textiles. Roman blinds are another good example; they’re coming back into fashion in Europe. For me, this is very typical of a hotel-inspired setting, next to a set of curtains. The blinds are easy to adjust and can dim out the daylight; it also gives a nice cosiness while improving the acoustics of the room.
What are the colour and decor trends to watch for this year?
PW: The trending colours are leaning towards lighter, pastel tones. In Europe, purple is popular again, with Ultraviolet being the Pantone Colour of the Year. Last year’s orders from Asia did show a preference for purple, although in lighter shades. WW: As Pascal was saying, light shades of purple and teal are gaining popularity in Asia. Neutral colours are still a perennial favourite, along with fabrics with accents of gold.
Tell us more about your possible plans for the next collection.
WW: Lately, we have noticed a small but growing pool of customers in Asia who like the look of natural fibres such as linen; we have received requests for linen-like fabrics to complete our future collections.