One of the best things about the changing season is seeing what designers have in store for us, and this year there are plenty of new and exciting trends to look out for. Overall, there's a sense of renewed faith in the economy that sees us tentatively throwing off minimalism and investing once again in our homes, turning them gradually into rich havens where we can escape, relax and entertain family and friends.
Recovery is a slow process, however, and there are still enough reminders of recent frugal, pared-back styles to keep us from getting carried away. This creates a sense of balance and just a slight underlying tension to keep things interesting.
The palette: dark and moody
Forget the fun and frivolity of summer; as autumn falls, we’ll be seeing a much more moody look in the home, with colours taken straight from a thundercloud. Deep, rich purples, inky indigo, navy and grey are the shades to go for, especially when it comes to textiles, accessories and artwork. This isn’t about doom and gloom, though – instead, jewel tones subdued with a wash of winter frost are keeping the look opulent and regal. It’s a time for indulgence, for shutting out the world and enjoying your kingdom.
Lighten the mood by setting these new dark tones against a gentler background of cool neutrals, such as chalky whites and dove greys, as well as natural wood and stone – the key elements of the Scandi style of recent years, which still hasn’t disappeared but is getting mixed into autumn’s new trends for an altogether more eclectic feel.
The materials: marble and brass
In keeping with this rich, indulgent theme, marble and brass add a suitably luxurious air that isn’t about flashing your cash but rather about making a worthy investment in your home. Marble colours range from natural creamy whites shot through with gold to deep jade with swirls of black and grey. The kitchen is an ideal place to play with this trend, whether you want to make a real statement (and investment) with marble tiles on your floor or solid worktops and splashbacks, or just add the odd touch. For example, replacing your old unit handles with new brass hardware is simple and subtle, but will instantly give the room a new look.
For a real wow factor, either here or in the bathroom, fitting a marble sink will definitely win you trend points and get your visitors talking. Elsewhere, accessories such as photo frames, plant pots and vases, and even lighting can help you add these on-trend materials to your look without spending too much time, effort or money.
Whatever you choose, the key is to keep your new additions (especially any larger ones) fairly simple in style, rather than over-the-top or ornate, so as to maintain that sense of relaxed and relatively understated luxury.
The textiles: plenty of pattern
There are so many patterns on offer this autumn, you’ll be hard pressed to pick your favourite. Florals are back, but with a distinctly Gothic feel. Cheery ditsy prints and country-cottage designs are out; instead, we’re seeing old-fashioned blooms, such as hydrangeas, roses and tulips, dominating the season’s most on-trend fabrics, ideally in the dark and moody palette described above.
Nature provides the inspiration for many of the other emerging patterns, from hard crystalline structural prints to softer ones inspired by feathers, butterfly wings and even the cosmos. Some designers have chosen to add a stylised, even computerised touch to give their textiles a more modern feel, while others have taken inspiration from the adult colouring-in craze – with its Zen doodles and mandalas – and created something altogether more graphic.
Whatever you prefer, keep your look from becoming overwhelming by ensuring your textiles are displayed against a more restful and plain background, and don’t layer up too many patterns, unless you’re going for a more ethnic, boho feel.
The furniture: simple and elegant
If there’s one element of this autumn’s trends that isn’t new, it’s furniture, which is still holding on to the mid-century, Scandinavian-inspired simplicity and clean lines we’ve come to love in recent years. This is actually great news, as it forms a simple backdrop against which to show off all your new dark colours and exotic prints, without risking the final look becoming messy.
Other Nordic influences are wintry natural accents, from chunky knits to animal skins. On the other side of the spectrum, if you decide to go with the more ethnic, tribal style patterns in your textiles, choose some of the dark-wood furniture that’s gaining popularity. From ebony to walnut, this will give your room a much more exotic African or East Asian feel, and can handle being a little more ornate – brass handles, locks and subtle inlay work particularly well.
The finishing touches: eclectic
Often a season’s trends will contain a few must-buy items, and this autumn is no exception. First up is the velvet sofa, which fits nicely into the “sumptuous and luxurious” bracket, and works brilliantly in jewel tones to add a spark to the relative darkness of the dominant colour scheme.
Chalk paints are another rising star, with their rich yet muted shades and matte finish. Use them to upcycle furniture or create subtly textured walls.
Our love of succulents continues, but we’re also longing for something a little more dramatic, so invest in a couple of larger structural houseplants, such as the split-leaf philodendron, to get the requisite touch of green.
Finally, a rather unexpected addition – animal art. Taking over from the faux taxidermy of recent years, this autumn we’re preferring our furry friends in two dimensions. From illustrated prints to personalised canvases of your favourite pooch, these will make a quirky and fun addition to your winter walls.
Expert takes on the seasons’s trends
• Warm and darker tones are a big hit this season. Shades of grey, such as Jotun’s Evening Sky, create a contemporary setting that’s graphic, elegant and minimalist when paired with black. Blue nuances have also made a comeback, as have warm reds and browns. Jotun’s Whispering Red is uplifting and fits very well in any setting.
Texture has also emerged as an equally important design factor, and matte-finish walls are increasingly popular. Jotun’s varied range of beautiful colours are available in a rich matte finish. Fenomastic My Home Rich Matt offers the best colour experience, providing the most accurate colours.
Femke Speelman-Ellenbroek, regional brand manager at Jotun Middle East, India and Africa
• Orange is big, from a touch of colour on accessories to total upholstery. There’s also a leaning towards hues of blue and green; deep and bold. Changes in furniture design are reflecting the way we live now, with a need to move things around, depending on what we need to do and where we need to do it. Portability and practicality, alongside beauty and style, converge in elegant laptop tables, modular seating and storage units-cum-desks.
We’re seeing furniture with an ever more practical element. Extra shelves, hooks or rails being added to lighting, for instance. Natural materials, such as wood, stone and copper or brass in moderation, are still very much on-trend and add layers and texture to the home.
Matteo Bianchi, interior and product designer, and tutor at the Chelsea College of Arts
• This season’s colour palette includes the introduction of oranges, blues, olive and caramel; 1960s-inspired colours such as gold yellows, moss greens and blues; bold pastel colours; monochromatic greys; and black and white. To accomplish a natural theme, which is very strong this season, you should include green tones and natural textiles. Also, the introduction of corner plants helps to bring natural elements into your space. Minimalist design is taking off, with a minimal introduction of colour and intricate prints mixed with medium-light wood tones. An aquatic theme includes a healthy combination of turquoise tones with dramatic greys. The comeback of cobalt blues mixed with nautical elements results in a fresh living space, especially in the bedroom. Warm metallics are a score for the upcoming season. Elements that we have introduced at Ethan Allen are grey metallic tones of woods, from charcoal greys to silver, which you will find in our coffee tables, dining tables and chairs. Done in the right way, animal hide can be genius. The introduction of hide as entry or living-room floor mats isn’t enough; at Ethan Allen, we’re taking it to the next level by introducing it on upholstery pieces such as accent chairs.
George Foster-Vincent, head designer, Ethan Allen UAE
• Art-deco-inspired dining chairs and tables with round steel or wooden legs and upholstered velvet seating is a big trend right now. Metals are still hot, especially gold and copper. Marble has made a big comeback, and you can see it both as a finishing in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as tabletops and home accessories.
In terms of colour, deeper and darker shades of green add a new and interesting look this season. Animal prints can add a sophisticated look to a clean interior with a natural colour scheme or be the fun twist in an eclectic and colourful interior.
Floor screens are back on the radar, and you can find some really pretty versions now. They work great as room dividers or as an interesting backdrop in a reading corner.
Hanne Gokstad, concept conceptualiser, The One
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