We have collected four trendy interior design ideas——Art Deco, Color Trend, African Pattern, and Material Charm.
Art Deco
The elegant and ornate Art Deco has made a strong comeback and has inspired young designers in a brand new way.
Starting in the 1910s, Art Deco followed the Art Nouveau paisley decor and ornamentation. The regress of rigorous form, exquisite decorative technique and geometric pattern constitute the main characteristics of this global art movement.
It began to wane in the 1930s. A century later, it is reborn, even more alive and inspiring than ever! Wallpaper, fabric, cutlery, lighting, furniture and rugs are all in this style again. Why? “Art Deco has gone through a very prosperous period in Europe. It conveys the message of carefreeness and joy. That’s probably why it continues to inspire creative workers,” said Emil Humbert of Humbert & Poyet Architects.
Maybe it’s nostalgia for the crazy 1920s. The Art Deco style is based on its continuing appeal and the decorative elements (lines, geometric patterns, graphics, and soothing materials such as brass, wood…) that please us.
“We adopted this unique style in our projects and designs, especially the lamps.” Dorothée continues, “However, certain materials should not be misused as there is a risk of visual fatigue. So the decorative arts revival, like any other inspiration, is a matter of degree. Materials such as brass and velvet are fine, of course, but use them sparingly and with caution. Only the simple style without too much decoration can pass the test of time, and become eternal beyond time.”
Color Trend
Pink and green, with a sense of fresh happiness, brings re-examination and nostalgia of the Golden Age. These two colors also serve as the best weapon against gloom.
The spirit of Art Nouveau and its bold juxtaposition seem to bear a new breeze of the era.” The combination of pink and green is re-explored in this era, but you can also find them in the beautiful interior spaces of 1950s American houses,” recalls Patricia Beausoleil, Head of environments & design + graphic studio.
In restaurants, hotels, and indoor spaces, green and pink combinations are everywhere. “Green brings a sense of nature and depth, while pink brings a sense of freshness and joy.” said Sarah Lavoine, an interior designer who has just launched six new colors for a project with Ressource, which was inspired by features of different neighborhoods in New York.
The collection consists of two greens — a bright green called Huddlestone, inspired by the central park arch, and a lime green called Williamsburg, a tribute to Brooklyn’s art and freedom — and a light pink called Broome Street, which has the warmth of Greenwich Village and the sweetness of Little Italy.
“It’s because many women designers like India Mahdavi, Laura Gonzalez, and Patricia Urquiola have tried bold styles that we have the courage to adopt this color type,” said Patricia Beausoleil.
African Pattern
It’s charismatic, compelling, and exploratory. Wax cloth, colorful African cotton fabric, has become an essential element for interior design.
What if there were no patterns in life? How sad that would be! Each of us perceives patterns in our own way, with cultural and educational knowledge, origin, and religion that one holds in reserve. They present a multitude of pictures, stimulating senses and arousing emotions.
Among so many patterns used to decorate wallpaper, clothing, cutlery, and exterior walls, one particularly influential pattern is that of wax cloth. It is a multicolored cotton cloth waxed on both sides. “In fashion and decoration, we went from faux unis to patterns,” explains designer Sandrine Alouf.
In this case, wax cloth has its place because it meets several criteria. It’s decorative, it’s ethnic, it usually has an oversize repeating pattern, and it has a bold color mix… its simple and striking geometric shapes would remind us of the stained glass in Tom Dixon Design.
Material Charm
The exquisite combination of golden brass and marble has continued to heat up in fashion for several quarters. This Art Deco style inspiration still appeals because it knows how to keep itself fresh with free forms.
Tom Dixon said his 2016 Stone collection was inspired by “The marble used to build the Taj Mahal.” Steady and enduring, this hard semi-precious stone has a unique texture and has been popular with architects, sculptors and designers for thousands of years.
When it comes to lighting fixtures, candlesticks, cutting boards, grinding devices, the once-glamorous mainstream metal give way to the combination of noble marble and golden brass.
Brass brings a sense of rarity in the trend of jewelry that features metals and stones,”says Vincent Grégoire of NellyRodi, an innovation and creation consulting firm. “We want everything to be golden, even the decorations.” Alabaster chandeliers of Allied Maker, for example, are sometimes rounder and more organized, giving both of these cold materials a soft and life-like feel.
On the other hand, through modern technology such as laser cutting, these two materials can be sublimated. For example, the Vulcain lamp of La Chance uses a traditional shade, which is made entirely of brass and perforated so that rays of light are presented in a beautiful way. Its foot is a simple white marble cylinder, with a black key on it to control the light. This retro design is a perfect re-edition of the lamps in the 1950s.
