It’s October which of course means it’s Decorex time. Every year I make my way to the design event of the year in London to gain inspiration, discover new brands and network with the interiors community. It was the warmest I recall in October as I made my way to Olympia London in my summer dress and sandals (I usually wear a winter coat so this deserves a mention!). And what a great event it was with such fantastic exhibitors, interesting talks, trend forecasts and the ever-so-fabulous ‘Le Boudoir’ VIP lounge. There were lots of colours, exquisite embroidery, woven wallpaper, curved shapes, rouged textures and more. I was so happy to see plenty of earthy, warm colours too and bouclé, especially in darker colours, which just goes to show some trends are here to stay. I especially love seeing a shift from mass production to slow and ethical furniture thanks to changing consumer habits. As much as I talk about trends, I would never recommend or try to keep up with them myself. Trends should be used for inspiration, so you can create your dream interiors that speak to you and reflect your personality.
Now, let’s go through some of the favourite things I saw at the event.
Vinyl Wallpapers
Wallpaper has come a long way since the old-fashioned paper version. I saw lots of textile and vinyl wall coverings at the event. Textured wallpaper not only adds depth to your space but it can also reduce noise. I’m not a huge fan of silk wallpaper from the practicality (and price) point of view but man-made materials are a total game-changer. Vinyl wallpaper can be used for wet rooms and high-traffic areas without having to worry about durability. They are pretty bomb-proof and quite cost-effective too. We installed vinyl wallpaper in one of our bedrooms recently and I couldn’t be happier with it. It also hides a multitude of sins especially if you live in an old house like we do.
GLASS LIGHTING
Frosted and coloured glass lighting is a huge trend right now and I am not mad about it. Especially, retro-inspired lighting has made a comeback, although technically it’s always been around. I do think the current trend is about moving away from minimalist lighting to more mid-century modern styles that blend traditional and modern beautifully. I also think that oversized lighting is having a moment. It’s such an easy way to make a statement and works best in most spaces. Pure White Linens always have the most amazing lighting pendants on display. The chandeliers combined with dark velvet and veined marble are just the epitome of chic.
CURVED SHAPES
Curves have been making a comeback for some time and it looks like the trend is not slowing down any time soon. From curved sofas and armchairs to wall lighting this trend has no boundaries. I love seeing organic shapes in bigger statement pieces as well as in the finer detail. Rounded shapes add instant warmth and depth to a room and work beautifully in larger or smaller spaces to create an intimate setting. Serip deserves a special mention. I love how the Portuguese lighting brand produces nature-inspired designs and decor pieces. The materials and details are truly something special.
MULTIFUNCTIONAL DESIGNS
Multifunctional design has become a norm for interior design. The same goes for furniture. People need their homes to work hard for them and multi-functional pieces save them both money and space. My favourite Portuguese upholstery brand Domkapa is famous for creating multifunctional furniture with endless comfort and customisation options. The star of the show was the Beaumont sofa bed (picture above). You wouldn’t know it’s a sofa bed by looking at it or sitting on it. It is so much more comfortable than your average sofa bed! But what perhaps surprised me even more was the clever opening mechanism which tucks away the cushions underneath automatically. You can literally do the whole thing with one hand. How smart is that?!
The other multifunctional piece that caught my eye was the Avery pouffe. It looks like a regular pouffe but once you remove the lid it converts into a side table/storage. I love how it’s upholstered in a grey boucle making it it a very practical choice for family living.
NATURAL MATERIALS
Biophilic design, incorporating nature and natural elements, has been making waves for some time. I totally see the appeal. Connecting with nature through our homes helps us live a more relaxed, happy life. It is also important from a feng shui point and will support us to lead a more balanced life. Natural materials like wool, wood, natural stones and cork are a pretty prominent trend in 2023 and lighting design in particular seems to draw lots of inspiration from nature at the moment. Oh, and I loved everything from Eccotrading!
WARM, EARTHY COLOURS
Since the current furniture and design trends draw inspiration from nature, that naturally goes for colours too. Earthy tones and warm neutrals are very popular right now. These colour palettes are ideal for bringing the outdoors in during the cold winter months, although personally, I love them all year round. You probably know already how much I love the colour green but it would appear that I’m not the only one. What could be more inviting than a big green velvet sofa (curved one, of course)? The Alexander armchair in Rupert (colour forest) from Domkapa was incredibly comfortable and I loved the clever swivel base. I’ve been working with the brand for over a year now and I’ve gotten to know all their products well enough to say that it doesn’t get better than this; you really need to try it yourself to fully experience the ergonomics of this armchair!
OIL PAINT ON ACRYLIC SHEET
No article about trends would be complete if I didn’t mention art, am I right? The most important thing when picking art for your home is to find the pieces that truly speak to you. My personal preference is abstract art but I quite like mixing our collection with figurative pieces as well. I also think it’s nice to have some variety to keep things interesting. I love the way Marrikur uses oil paint on acrylic sheets. The East London design studio designs objects, leather artwork and homewares too so make sure to check them out!
That’s a wrap! Let me know which trend is your favourite in the comments below.
