The forecast for 2015 is in, with a wave of hot products and new technologies expected to shake things up at home.
The beginning of a new year signals change and a fresh start. For some it means the pledge of adopting a healthier lifestyle or chasing that dream job, but for the savvy homeowner with a keen eye for design, it's all about the promise of new collections.
Exhibitions such as Cersaie in Bologna and Milan's Salone del Mobile provide a home away from home for design enthusiasts hungry to explore the products that will be changing the way people live in their homes.
While some trends may come and go, what's predicted for the year ahead will become mainstays in the home for some time to come. From textured walls and earthy palettes to layered materials and old favourites reborn, the 2015 design scene promises to bring to the fore unique pieces that continue to push the boundaries of interior decorating.
"In 2015, we will continue to see a lot of contours and a more discreet, softer colour palette," says Mirella Scaramella of Mobilia. "Combining materials, such as metal and timber, or gold and silver, will be more hinted at rather than overstated, to create a slight drama without being overpowering." Adding weight to the old adage that what goes around comes around, timeless classics will also be coming back in a big way. "We have noted that many companies are reviving iconic design pieces and re-releasing them."
The demise of matched settings is another significant prediction for 2015. "Much like the move away from bedroom suites of the nineties where all pieces came from the same collection in the same finish, outdoor designs are moving towards carefully layered finishes rather than an all-in-one aesthetic," says Ultimo Interiors' Andrew Thornton Hick. "Choices to match seem obvious and are not as interesting as the unique balances achievable in layering different designs and finishes."
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The Max Bill pendant is available again, 50 years after its first appearance, in an LED version.
MOBILIA | REVIVAL OF THE CLASSICS
Mobilia's Mirella Scaramella forecasts a resurgence of timeless favourites in the coming year, with pieces that will transcend time and go on to be future heirlooms.
Expect to see:
• Drop chair Designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958, the chair was re-released in late 2014 and is a design classic that's still relevant today.
• Max Bill pendant Designed by Miguel Mila for Santa and Cole in 1964, 50 years later it is being re-released in an LED version.
• Egg chair The limited edition of this classic – in canvas fabric with leather piping – is another example of how combining materials is right on trend.
Mobilia (08) 9284 5599, mobilia.com.au
Chalk Emulsion, from Porter's Paints, is popular on furniture and frames.
PAINTED EARTH | AGAINST THE GRAIN
For a fresh update to any room, it's all about texture and environmentally friendly products, according to Painted Earth's Kristin Garland.
What can we expect to see in the year ahead?
We expect to see more texture on walls, be it wallpaper, timber wall cladding in wide, aged, smoke and lime oak boards, or natural paints such as lime wash, and polished plaster finishes using fresco (a tintable plaster) and stucco (and lime-based interior/ exterior plaster). There is always demand for environmentally friendly paints, which is an area we specialise in, with both natural and acrylic paint options. As we head into summer there will be plenty of colour in paints, including Cuban Turquoise, Wild Strawberry, Pink Ginger, and Lemon Limes & Bitters.
What areas of the home are people typically updating with your new ranges? Our reactionary paints, including Liquid Zinc, Iron Base and Rust, are being used in outdoor areas such as courtyard and feature screen walls, and garden ornamentation. For interiors, our chalk emulsion is very popular.
How can homeowners get creative with Porter's Paints products?
Every surface, piece of furniture and object in our showroom is painted in a different product, offering plenty of inspiration. Book a workshop to learn and what you can paint, and organise a consultation with one of our designers.
Painted Earth (08) 9430 5353, porterspaints.com.au.
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The Carioca dining table and Webber sideboard (below and below right) head up Ultimo's key new-season pieces.
ULTIMO INTERIORS | NEW GEOMETRICS AND DECO DELUXE
Repetition of form and highlighted craftsmanship in construction details and aesthetics is what's driving design in 2015. Ultimo Interiors' creative director, Andrew Thorton Hick, sees pattern and contrast making a return to the fold, layering sophistication on minimalist forms to create considered and detailed narratives in design.
"New geometrics and deco deluxe is about newfound appreciation for layering materials and using geometric repeats in forms as well as finishes," he says. "Raising the value of man-made over machine-made furnishings, more value is being recognised in hand-finished metal pieces, brass and bronze finishes."
Borrowing from deco-era designs, Ultimo Interiors is about to launch its 2015 collections, with key pieces such as the Webber sideboard, Carioca dining table, Bolle chandelier, Tetris tables and Connection coffee table. Each product features hand-finished bronze Stopsol and hand-burnished brass finishes, offering beautifully natural and irregular qualities that ensure each piece bears its maker's mark.
Ultimo Interiors (08) 9201 2479, ultimointeriors.com.au.
Fusion porcelain gres tiles in Terre, from 14 Ora Italiana, available at Myaree Ceramics.
ZUCCARI | NATURAL STONE
The desire for a minimalist look in home decor has seen natural materials climb to the top of the list as the key players in today's interior design trends.
"There is no doubt that 2015 will see natural stone take centre stage," says Nicole Di Leo of Zuccari. "The intrigue of natural materials satisfies part of the human appetite for a connection with Mother Nature."
The contrast with so many modern manufactured materials makes natural stone individual – a work of art to the end user in any contemporary space.
"The concept of 'less is more' can only be captured when there is some form of anchor with elements of strength or boldness," says Nicole. "No material achieves this more successfully than natural stone, with options for either dramatic colour or exciting veined patterns."
Zuccari (08) 9249 1929, zuccari.com.au.
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Fusion porcelain gres tiles in Terre, from
14 Ora Italiana, available at Myaree Ceramics.
MYAREE CERAMICS | METALLIC AND EARTHY COMBINE
The 2014 tile fair in Bologne (Cersaie) showed that the trends seen last year are definitely here to stay, according to Myaree Ceramics' Lisa Ciccarelli.
"We're seeing rustic, metallic colours like copper and brass mixed with earthy, textured colours such as terracotta," she says. "The trend is moving from a more coarse industrial look into softer, watercolour effects, while simple and elegant geometric patterns are a mainstay. While large-format tiles continue to get bigger and bigger, old-look tiles and natural finishes are creating an overall worn-in, soft atmosphere."
Myaree Ceramics (08) 9330 3611, myareeceramics.com.au.
Boston tiles in Argilla by FAP Ceramiche feature on this wall, while the floor uses FAP's Firenze tiles in Grigio.
CERAMIC CITY | NEUTRALS UNEARTHED
An earthy palette, with muddy taupes, warm greys, copper and terracotta, is making an impact on tiles, says Ceramic City's Paige Lee Kong.
What new products should homeowners look for in the coming year? Hand-crafted looks are very on-trend, with many companies sporting this modern take on a rustic look. Subway and hexagonal tiles were probably the largest movement at Cersaie 2014 – again in satin and hand-crafted styles.
Where do you feel the inspiration for a more earthy colour palette has come from? We saw glimpses the season prior. It has a real Mediterranean feel to it. The neutrals have been on-trend in a big way for the last few years, but I think it's a nice direction to have some really rich colours in this earthy palette.
Do you find homeowners are making bolder decisions when it comes to selecting tiles? It has been a slow progression but clients are definitely wanting more unique products. I believe people are generally starting to take more pride in their homes, and in doing so they are wanting to create something more unique and personal. It's nice to finally see this happening, especially in Western Australia.
Ceramic City (08) 9240 1040, ceramiccity.com.au.
Nature-inspired rugs like Kimono are also set to be popular in 2015.
JENNY JONES RUGS | CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMETAL INFLUENCES
Fresh from her travels to international design fairs including Heimtextil, Maison & Objet Paris, and the Cologne Furniture Fair, Jenny Jones shares four strong emerging trends for 2015.
• Tribal Nomadic and ethnic patterns. Mixtures of African, Aztec and oriental influences create a sense of storytelling and narrative.
• Nature-infused Embracing nature with lush forest greens, this trend covers all shades from moss greens to emeralds and khakis.
• Deep blue sea Aquatic-inspired patterns complement deep, rich sea colours, where seaweed greens combine with vibrant blues.
• Dreamtime Flawless symmetry and uniformity are replaced with organic and playful patterns with the appearance of brush strokes that resemble a painting.
Jenny Jones Rugs (08) 9286 1200, jennyjonesrugs.com.
Empty, designed for VIBIA, is a good example of illuminated outdoor furniture.
HALO LIGHTING | RAW FINISHES AND INTEGRATED LIGHTS
HALO Lighting's Reg Campbell highlights two key trends and products to look forward to in 2015.
• Integrated architecture is growing in popularity, whereby illumination is concealed within the framework of the architecture to enhance lines and curves within a space.
Product Mini Blade, designed by Atelier Sedap sits in its own specially crafted high-strength plaster channel to create seamless integration within plasterboard ceilings and walls. Indirect illumination means even, glare-free light distribution.
• Materials and textures are trending toward neutral palettes in aesthetically raw finishes. We've seen a rise in the use of concrete in contemporary design, and likewise an increase in neutrals. Product Empty, designed by Xucla for VIBIA, is a new series of illuminated outdoor furniture that incorporates energy-efficient LED technology into the minimal design of tables and chairs.
HALO Lighting (08) 9221 5544, halolighting.com.au.
Serralunga's Luba bench with Lou Lou table.
THE TERRACE GARDENER | NEW TECHNOLOGY AND SOFT HUES
Australians are learning how to create the ultimate outdoor sanctuary and, as Des Barbera of The Terrace Gardener points out, 'outdoor' as a movement or trend, and its importance in the overall living experience, is as popular as ever. Here he outlines the key products for the coming seasons.
• Plastic Through the advent of rotomoulding technology, plastic products are at the forefront of contemporary outdoor furniture and accessories, due to the long life of the modern polymers used and the versatility of shapes possible.
• Lighting Outdoor lights that mimic and exaggerate traditional indoor lighting forms continue their popularity, with new designs available this year. Their portability offers flexibility in placement, while LED versions with remote controls allow adjustment of colour and movement.
• Colour While bright colours such as reds and oranges are still popular and work well in bringing
a garden to life, a move to softer colours is occurring. This muting of colours is complemented by the integration of timber to substitute for aluminium and steel frames, making furniture warmer and softer in appearance.
• Pots Experimental advances in rotomoulding processes and colours has seen the creation of pots that graduate seamlessly in colour from the base of the pot to the rim. A pot may start with a soft yellow base, drift into blue and then white, giving rise to an item of exceptional and soft beauty.
The Terrace Gardener (08) 9386 4499, terracegardener.com.au.
