Sometimes before I write, I like to center myself by drinking a cup of tea and looking out at my garden. In the winter months, it never fails to impress me how the cold creates an opportunity for our natural surroundings to hit the “reset” button. All the ice and snow covers the slumbering earth, only to reveal lush gardens again come spring, always with slight, yet unmistakable changes from the year before. What I love about interior design is that the new year does something similar. It is my version of springtime, revealing new opportunities to breathe life into my clients’ interiors by harnessing cutting-edge trends, blending them with ancient wisdom. Thankfully, 2019 will not disappoint — here are Laurence Carr Design’s major predictions for upcoming design trends.
Sustainable Natural Materials
As I’ve written in previous posts, sustainability is key. In fact, I’ve built my career on this concept, integrating sustainable items and materials into each and every project I tackle. In 2019, sustainability will become woven more intricately into the methodology into more mainstream retailers, making sustainable furniture, textiles, and accessories even more widely available. A great example is Ikea, infusing its signature streamlined, Swedish style with sustainable, eco-friendly design. Natural materials will be celebrated in a deeper exploration of interior form. In 2019, we’ll say goodbye to materials like rayon and will usher in fabrics including, but not limited to linen, jute, sistal and rattan. In seating and accents, we’ll see a return of wicker, and will even see lighting fixtures increasingly featuring natural elements in surprising, unexpected ways.
Nordic Design
Native to Scandinavia, Finland, and Iceland, Nordic design has been making its way into the mainstream for quite some time with a focus on calm, cozy retreats and wellbeing. However, in 2019, Nordic design will pivot slightly, embracing dynamic hues typically uncharacteristic of the monochromatic, typically simple style. Though this trend will continue to embrace minimalism and utilitarianism, pieces will emerge featuring bold new detail. Varying shades of pink will emerge in spring/summer of 2019 in Nordic design, the color scheme eventually making its way into well-rounded, notably Nordic pieces that can fit nearly any design scheme.
Shapeshifters and Modular Furniture
Interior design is no longer bound to traditions or rules in 2019 as shape, form, and function rethink their relationship. This coming year, luxury designers will embrace fluidity in design, creating unexpected, artful furniture and accessories that effortlessly become a room’s focal point. Established & Sons’ Nekton stools by Zaha Hadid are a prime example of a surprising, nearly liquid flow, lending creativity, and even sensuality that promises to elevate a luxurious seating area.
Patterns
In addition to changing shapes and shifting forms, patterns will find new life in 2019, entering design schemes in new ways. Patterns themselves will offer a nod to retro design, but will be harnessed in innovative forms. This draws lines between nostalgic design and new creations, creating an ultra-contemporary look with retro undertones. Plaster accents will be prevalent, adding a tactile element to already intricate designs.
Not only will patterns be embraced on furniture and in textiles, ceilings and floors will showcase patterns in a new way this coming year creating a feeling of a space perfectly curated from top to bottom, enveloping anyone who enters.
Metallics
In 2019, we will continue our love affair with metallics, but we’ll say goodbye to brass and hello to chrome. Following emerald green and cool blue, chrome pushes us into warmer territory, offering a fresh, sleek look, punctuating our ever-present bent toward minimalism. The coming year will see deep burgundies and soft purples blending with charcoal or smokey grays. Metallics are best harnessed in accessories and luxe tables, perfectly exemplified by designer Patricia Urquiola’s Liquify Extension collection.
Color
2018 was all about bright, bold, empowering hues, with a special emphasis on nearly neon pinks. In 2019, we’ll take a step back and breathe a sigh of relief as our eyes rest on sumptuous earth tones. Moss greens will mingle with riverbed grays, and soft eggshell whites will be lifted by muted clay colors in soft oranges and reds.
When it comes to color pairing, 2019 will usher in orange and yellow accents that will gain momentum in spring and summer months, but the pairing will continue its surprising reign far into the holiday season. 70s inspired, the color palette enters this century with an earthy feel, embracing the warmth of terra cotta and rust, contrasting the still sunny yellow hues.
Looking at the fashion world, we can predict that vibrant, primary colors will also burst onto the scene, best harnessed by color-blocking. In the home, this can mean accenting your brightly colored couch with single color throws, adding an additional solid colored throw, neatly folded on one end.
Prepare to see all of these colors in velvet. From fashion to furniture, velvet is the must-have fabric of 2019.
Statement Art
In 2019, your walls open an opportunity to showcase interesting, over-the-top pieces. This coming year, oversize statement pieces add visual interest, while creating opportunities to exercise your flair for curating fab, fine art. We love how international boutique consultancy and agency Velvenoir embraces Art as a holistic experience in interior projects.
English Country Style
Chintz textiles will make a comeback this year, which will be featured on everything from pillows to quilts, lampshades, chairs, and can even be used to upholster walls.
Mixed Woods
Wood has always been a popular material for design, especially among those who enjoy a more neutral, earthy pallet. In 2019, mixing woods will become extremely popular. Paying attention to the wood’s undertones allows simple, yet contrasting pairings that celebrate the diversity of this long-celebrated material.
As 2018 draws to a close, I reflect on the trends that graced our industry this year. As new, exciting furnishings, color palettes, fabrics, and materials come into focus, I look forward to finding ways to weave them into custom, holistic interior designs to replenish you in 2019. Luxury, as always, is personal.
