THE HOTTEST INTERIOR TRENDS TO TRY IN 2019

Ahead of his Australian tour for the internationally renowned trend consultancy, Trend Union, leading trend forecaster Philip Fimmano reveals the key directions for homewares and interiors in 2019 when it comes to materials, shapes, colour and texture.

In presentations in Sydney (January 15) and Melbourne (January 16) with former Vogue Living editor David Clark, Philip will be casting his eye forward to 2020 to showcase fashion, interiors and lifestyle trends that will eventually filter into every level of our lives, from the way we wear our clothes to the way we style our homes, what plants we choose for the garden to the surfaces of our kitchen benches and even the colour and texture of our mobile phones and in-home technology.

From the rise of terracotta tones to the continued softening of interiors with curvy shapes and organic, rounded edges, here Philip gives us a glimpse into the trends to watch for in 2019.

What are some of the new colours for interiors and homewares in 2019?
The focus of Trend Union’s latest trend forecast for interiors is all about the impact of colour on the home. Consumers’ “colourphobia” is gradually making way for the transformation of our spaces. A splash of yellow can wake up a room, a shade of grey can design a space, a touch of pastel can make people smile. Terracotta is the new kid on the block, connecting our indoor spaces with outside.

What materials do you think will gain popularity in 2019?
Concrete will transform our kitchens, bathrooms and public spaces. Textiles continue to infiltrate the home, from rugs to curtains, bedding, throws and upholstery – including the hanging of textile art. Bio resins and hybrid materials are also coming into their own, designed in more sophisticated ways so they are no longer just pale imitations of natural elements like wood or stone.

What about surface trends. Shiny or matte?

Since texture is key in all materials today, most surfaces have depth and emotion: concrete is rough, textiles are tufted or at least woven as jacquards, ceramics are porous yet can play with both matte and shine, metallics have patina and are oxidised or rusted, and wood shows off all its grains, often stained versus painted, coming in the full gamut of brown shades or even coloured with fantasy.

We’re seeing a lot more curves and softer, more feminine shapes appearing in homewares, furniture and interiors. How do you see this evolving in 2020?
In chaotic and fearful times, humanity will naturally look for answers and find solace in its own inner circle. This is why one of Trend Union’s recent forecasts predicted the long-term importance of rounded edges and organic shapes. People want to create a home where they can cultivate everything human, as if designing one’s own sanctuary. Creating an atmosphere that is consoling and comforting, the idea of a house that heals; from the search for peace to a need for focus, from the happiness of the kitchen to the ritual pleasures of bathing and wellbeing.

What about flooring. How do you see terrazzo evolving?
Terrazzo is enjoying a major revival, not just as a material but also as a motif. The aggregates are either micro and refined or oversized and graphic. Terrazzo will merge with other materials such as concrete or basalt. Caesarstone knows how to do this best and is launching several interesting hybrid terrazzos this year.

Are there any particular rooms in the home that you see becoming a focus for 2019?
We’ve already seen the kitchen become the centre of the home, a place in which to cook, work, study, play and congregate. The bedroom is next as the room people want to focus on, creating junior suite settings in which to lounge, rest, work, read, text and of course catch up on Netflix. Several other areas of the home will also be rethought in the future, including the reinvention of the living room and the softening of the home office.

How do you see the trend for plants and greenery in the home evolving for 2019?
Instead of scattering individual plants all over the place, the newest idea is to concentrate them in one room, window or table. Plant pots as well as carved stone containers will hold the jungle at bay when distributed on wooden tables, glass shelves and mirrored surfaces, reflecting the green abundance. Plants are in the process of taking over all other spaces, from offices and restaurants to public lobbies, hotel rooms and retail.

Are there any other key decorative elements we should look out for in 2019?
Key decorative items will include botanical linen pillows in summer and velvet ones for winter, with wicker furniture and rattan mats all year round. Wallpaper is now printed to measure, allowing new murals to be created as if landscaping our interiors. And in tabletop, everyone will be bowling and spooning!

For tickets to the Trend Union seminars in Sydney and Melbourne book now at edelkoort.us