A common misconception about interior designers is that we spend our days hunched over colour charts, house plans, kitchen blueprints and fabric samples, with the occasional cushion plumping session thrown in for good measure. What you may not realise is that we dedicate a huge chunk of our working time to ongoing training and expanding our knowledge to stay fresh, inspired and to be on the alert for fabulous new connections, sources and suppliers of furnishings and furniture.
We’ve had an especially busy couple of months at our Melbourne studio, with Sophie, our Director and Lead Designer, traipsing (our word, not hers!) around trade shows and design expos including DENFAIR 2016, Furnishings in Focus and Design + Decor. Events such as these give designers and architects (and other industry professionals) access to a huge amount of exhibitors from across Australia- there were over 300 at DENFAIR 2016 alone- showcasing innovative and inspiring products and trends in furniture, lighting, fabrics, wallpapers, flooring and homewares. We discover new makers, new talent, new work from local well-known designers and independent designers, and of course we think it’s the bees knees when there’s such a big collection of design-nuts in one space!
Events like DENFAIR 2016 and Design + Decor provide unbridled inspiration which then naturally migrates to our work with our wonderful clients. All three events are known as trend setting, and here are our predictions for design as a result:
• Delicate, fragile looking furniture legs, as well as whisper-thin profiles that seem to defy gravity.
• Natural oak- raw and polished.
• Faceted shapes across light fittings, planters and furniture.
• Foliage including air plants, which featured heavily across all events.
• Natural leather, and man made organic shapes in stools and tables.
• No more bling! Instead sophisticated metallics and unpolished brass.
• Upholstery featuring casual, chic finishes such as french seams replacing piping as a design feature for the past several years.
• Watch out for the never mentioned, but soon to return in a house near you; the colour mauve (all be it in a “Hazy mirage colour palette”).
We also feel it’s our duty to report that more than a few occasional chairs sported a plain front with a pattern to the back- yes the mullet of the furnishing world. We’re excited to adopt this approach in our designing, and time shall tell if you do too.
Our little black book is overflowing with new suppliers and sources following these events, which complement our existing, long standing relationships with Australia’s finest makers and craftspeople. Together, we’ll create a space in your home that you absolutely adore. Give us a call or an email to discuss your project.
