2019 European Design Fairs: 3 Big Movements in Interiors
Nature crept inside, boundaries broke down and sustainability was more than a trend at Europe's latest design fairs
Europe played host to a cluster of major design trade fairs in August and September 2019, and Houzz editors were once again on the scene to take note of the biggest trends coming our way.
This year’s European autumn fairs continued to explore many of the themes we’ve been watching since the start of the year: black and pastels are still hot, with palettes of multiple colours starring at Maison & Objet (Paris, France, 6 to 10 September). Timber, brass and marble still delight as wall and floor finishes, or as accents and counterpoints to velvet, natural fibres, cane and wood. Terrazzo is back, and glass is getting creative with textured or chequered panes and variations on vases. Meanwhile, historical designs – from 1920s glam to ’70s burnt orange and ’80s extravagance – continue to be the muse of modern-day creators.
Yet from all these details emerged three major movements that have gained momentum and seem poised to dominate the design scene. First, the natural world is entering almost every aspect of design in both inspiration and materials. Second, boundaries within the home are breaking down as the office and the bathroom begin to look more like the rest of the home (and vice versa). And third, sustainability is becoming an integral part of furniture design.
This year’s European autumn fairs continued to explore many of the themes we’ve been watching since the start of the year: black and pastels are still hot, with palettes of multiple colours starring at Maison & Objet (Paris, France, 6 to 10 September). Timber, brass and marble still delight as wall and floor finishes, or as accents and counterpoints to velvet, natural fibres, cane and wood. Terrazzo is back, and glass is getting creative with textured or chequered panes and variations on vases. Meanwhile, historical designs – from 1920s glam to ’70s burnt orange and ’80s extravagance – continue to be the muse of modern-day creators.
Yet from all these details emerged three major movements that have gained momentum and seem poised to dominate the design scene. First, the natural world is entering almost every aspect of design in both inspiration and materials. Second, boundaries within the home are breaking down as the office and the bathroom begin to look more like the rest of the home (and vice versa). And third, sustainability is becoming an integral part of furniture design.
Vadim vinyl rug, in the Fleurs d’Automne print by Les Gambettes
At the same time, floral prints have returned in force, running the gamut from, as our French editorial team pointed out, tiny Liberty-style designs to larger-than-life patterns. Jungle and forest motifs are also inspiring more tile designs.
At the same time, floral prints have returned in force, running the gamut from, as our French editorial team pointed out, tiny Liberty-style designs to larger-than-life patterns. Jungle and forest motifs are also inspiring more tile designs.
Detail of the Care display by Elizabeth Leriche at Maison & Objet
It’s clear, however, that the incorporation of nature is not popping up as simply a trend, but is sneaking into every aspect of design. Natural colours – greens, dark blues, terracottas, blacks and flowery pastels – dominated Europe’s autumn trade fairs. Houzz spotted organic hues at the Maison & Objet trade fair; the Nordic design show Formex (Stockholm, Sweden 20 to 23 August); and Cersaie, the international ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings show (Bologna, Italy, 23 to 27 September).
Find an interior designer or decorator near you to weave contemporary trends into your home in a timeless way
It’s clear, however, that the incorporation of nature is not popping up as simply a trend, but is sneaking into every aspect of design. Natural colours – greens, dark blues, terracottas, blacks and flowery pastels – dominated Europe’s autumn trade fairs. Houzz spotted organic hues at the Maison & Objet trade fair; the Nordic design show Formex (Stockholm, Sweden 20 to 23 August); and Cersaie, the international ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings show (Bologna, Italy, 23 to 27 September).
Find an interior designer or decorator near you to weave contemporary trends into your home in a timeless way
Detail of a display by Laura Gonzalez at Maison & Objet; image by Aethion
Furniture and decor in creative, curvy shapes imitating natural forms were on display at the London Design Festival (the umbrella name for a number of events taking place around the English capital from 14 to 22 September) and Maison & Objet. Formex showcased rougher natural textures – spikes, loops, feathers, wool, bark, shells, cement, ceramic, twigs and glass were among the textures seen by our Swedish editorial team.
Furniture and decor in creative, curvy shapes imitating natural forms were on display at the London Design Festival (the umbrella name for a number of events taking place around the English capital from 14 to 22 September) and Maison & Objet. Formex showcased rougher natural textures – spikes, loops, feathers, wool, bark, shells, cement, ceramic, twigs and glass were among the textures seen by our Swedish editorial team.
Intarsi timber-look floor tile by Ceramica Sant’Agostino
At Cersaie, our Italian editorial team noted that technological advancements have led to an ever-greater variety of porcelain tile products that replicate the look and feel of natural materials, such as marble and timber, with remarkable authenticity. Marble-look tiles are imitating more and more varieties of the stone, while timber-look tiles can now mimic wooden layouts more closely, including parquet patterns and inlays.
At Cersaie, our Italian editorial team noted that technological advancements have led to an ever-greater variety of porcelain tile products that replicate the look and feel of natural materials, such as marble and timber, with remarkable authenticity. Marble-look tiles are imitating more and more varieties of the stone, while timber-look tiles can now mimic wooden layouts more closely, including parquet patterns and inlays.
Preserved-moss wall by Bright Green, displayed at the London Design Festival
Meanwhile, nature itself continues to come inside. The plant trend is going strong, and this year we’ve seen more varieties of living walls, including the preserved-moss walls spotted by our UK editorial team at the London Design Festival.
It’s becoming clear that ‘natural inspiration’ in design no longer means just a pineapple-shaped paperweight or a couple of potted plants. We’re starting to see a wholesale movement to pull the natural world into design and vice versa.
Meanwhile, nature itself continues to come inside. The plant trend is going strong, and this year we’ve seen more varieties of living walls, including the preserved-moss walls spotted by our UK editorial team at the London Design Festival.
It’s becoming clear that ‘natural inspiration’ in design no longer means just a pineapple-shaped paperweight or a couple of potted plants. We’re starting to see a wholesale movement to pull the natural world into design and vice versa.
Selva wallpaper from the Inediti series by Inkiostro Bianco
2. Breaking down boundaries within the home
A few years ago, we started talking about the fact that kitchens were looking more and more like living rooms. As open-plan layouts have become more popular and the functions of the two rooms have occupied the same space – and as busier lives turn the kitchen into the social hub of the home – kitchen design has adapted. Cabinetry now looks more like furniture, appliances and functional components are being hidden away, and the overall footprint of the kitchen has become more streamlined and beautiful.
This year, other parts of the home – and public spaces – have begun losing their hallmark characteristics and incorporating more of the luxury and comfort traditionally reserved for living and dining spaces. At the London Design Festival, bathrooms took on some of the features of living rooms and sported the popular dark-blue colour palettes of kitchens.
2. Breaking down boundaries within the home
A few years ago, we started talking about the fact that kitchens were looking more and more like living rooms. As open-plan layouts have become more popular and the functions of the two rooms have occupied the same space – and as busier lives turn the kitchen into the social hub of the home – kitchen design has adapted. Cabinetry now looks more like furniture, appliances and functional components are being hidden away, and the overall footprint of the kitchen has become more streamlined and beautiful.
This year, other parts of the home – and public spaces – have begun losing their hallmark characteristics and incorporating more of the luxury and comfort traditionally reserved for living and dining spaces. At the London Design Festival, bathrooms took on some of the features of living rooms and sported the popular dark-blue colour palettes of kitchens.
OT 07026 tile collection by Cerasarda
On the other hand, at Cersaie our editors spotted decor traditionally associated with bathrooms showing up in the rest of the house, with beautiful tiles being used and marketed for living spaces and even external facades.
On the other hand, at Cersaie our editors spotted decor traditionally associated with bathrooms showing up in the rest of the house, with beautiful tiles being used and marketed for living spaces and even external facades.
Modular shelves with built-in desk by Gassien
Meanwhile, Maison & Objet cast an eye on work and the changing nature of the home office. As more employees work remotely or in co-working spaces, the nature of the home office is evolving.
Meanwhile, Maison & Objet cast an eye on work and the changing nature of the home office. As more employees work remotely or in co-working spaces, the nature of the home office is evolving.
Li Edelkoort exhibit; image from Formex
3. Sustainability
“Sustainability is no longer a trend,” said moderator Pekka Heino at the Formex press breakfast. Instead, as we’ve noted in other stories this year, it’s slowly becoming an integral aspect of furniture design. There’s no question that sustainability is an industry-wide movement.
3. Sustainability
“Sustainability is no longer a trend,” said moderator Pekka Heino at the Formex press breakfast. Instead, as we’ve noted in other stories this year, it’s slowly becoming an integral aspect of furniture design. There’s no question that sustainability is an industry-wide movement.
Reef shower tray by Agha
New eco-friendly materials are on the rise, from furniture made from potato waste to shower floors made from the by-products of industrial supply chains (pictured). Designers are experimenting with reams of clever ideas, and some manufacturers are starting to deliver them to market. Bioplastics, especially, were more visible among the products of major manufacturers, especially at Maison & Objet.
New eco-friendly materials are on the rise, from furniture made from potato waste to shower floors made from the by-products of industrial supply chains (pictured). Designers are experimenting with reams of clever ideas, and some manufacturers are starting to deliver them to market. Bioplastics, especially, were more visible among the products of major manufacturers, especially at Maison & Objet.
Limpha wall tile by Casalgrande Padana
At Cersaie, we even saw tiles that fight pollution (Limpha porcelain stoneware, pictured) by using photocatalysis to clean the air.
At Cersaie, we even saw tiles that fight pollution (Limpha porcelain stoneware, pictured) by using photocatalysis to clean the air.
Works in shaped metal by the Kin & Company design studio
Designers are also looking at product life cycles, and manufacturers are eschewing fast fashion in favour of quality craftsmanship and durable materials, in a bid to create products that will be loved for generations rather than quickly heading to landfill.
Among the crafts gaining visibility is restoration, which was highlighted as a vital part of the circular economy at a panel at this year’s 100% Design conference, part of the London Design Festival. Restorers play an essential role in sustainable design in extending the life of the items we already have.
Designers are also looking at product life cycles, and manufacturers are eschewing fast fashion in favour of quality craftsmanship and durable materials, in a bid to create products that will be loved for generations rather than quickly heading to landfill.
Among the crafts gaining visibility is restoration, which was highlighted as a vital part of the circular economy at a panel at this year’s 100% Design conference, part of the London Design Festival. Restorers play an essential role in sustainable design in extending the life of the items we already have.
Finally, the Oslo Design Fair (28 to 30 August) addressed the question of how to make trade fairs themselves sustainable. Its Rethink trend exhibition, pictured, was set up in timber cabins that were to be reused after the fair, integrated into building projects in northern Norway.
Your turn
Which of these three design movements excites you? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious about what the future of design holds on the other side of the globe? Find out here with Spotted: 4 Nature-Inspired Trends at Interior Design Show, Canada
Your turn
Which of these three design movements excites you? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious about what the future of design holds on the other side of the globe? Find out here with Spotted: 4 Nature-Inspired Trends at Interior Design Show, Canada
1. Art imitates nature
It’s something we’ve been talking about for a few years now: design is increasingly drawing inspiration – and an ever greater proportion of materials – from nature. Likewise, natural materials that have been out of the spotlight for a while, such as rattan, cane, teak and cork, have been reappearing on everything from chairs and sideboards to lamps and wall decor.