Edition 2 - The SS21 Edit

Spring is officially upon us, with whispers of summer just around the corner. The dawn of the new season brings light, warmth and joy – as well as a whole host of new design trends to start investing in.

For 2021, things are looking a little different. Although the seasonal regulars – such as pretty pastel colours and fresh floral prints, can still be seen (particularly in wallpapers and soft furnishings), the dominant theme this season moves away from tradition and monotony, with a strong sense of returning to our natural origins – with an overwhelming urge to compensate for the lengthy period of time we have been spent indoors. Raw materials and textures migrate inside, as we quench our thirsts and satisfy our inherent needs to be at one with nature.

Earthy Tones

Usually associated with autumn, shades of khaki, terracotta, taupe and ochre are saturating the savviest designer’s swatch books. Neutral interiors have seen a sophisticated resurgence over the past couple of years – truly reflecting our hunger to immerse ourselves in nature and echoing our return to natural materials, as we become increasingly aware of how consumption of synthetic materials has proven to be devastatingly detrimental to our environment. Our senses are satisfied through layers of textures – think linens, jutes, sisal and rattan; popularised this season in both furniture and home accessories, with shades of taupe and mushroom contrasting against edgy midnight blues and charcoal greys; creating a cosmopolitan approach to wall décor.

Biophilic Design

Bringing the outside in, ‘Biophilic design’ is the technical term for design and architecture that concentrates on our rudimentary connection to nature, integrating nature into our homes - raw materials are at the heart of interiors, and our outdoor living spaces function as an extension of the home – think outdoor kitchens and living areas. Partly owing to far too much time spent indoors, natural elements are peaking in popularity due to many of us now dwelling in cities, with limited access to rural areas. Our daily lives are becoming more detached from our organic roots, which is proving to have a deleterious effect on our overall health and wellbeing. Maximising the use of balcony spaces, furnishings comprising raw materials and taking the indoors out to the garden-space, are just a few of the ways that we are embracing Biophilic design.

The New Boho

Bohemian interiors have grown up and have taken on a chic, pared-back new look. Maturing away from the platitudinal eclecticism that we have known and loved, the new bohemian trend has an air of refinement and is far more polished. Vintage treasures are given a contemporary touch, and the prints, colours and layered textures, usually apposite to the trend, have a neutral inky palette that offers a subtly stylish new approach. Natural materials are given intricate finishing details through hand-carved patterns and inlays, as well as subtle texturizations to solid wood pieces, offering up pieces that are perfect for creating a layered look.

Minimalism

Only when it was mandatory to stop, did we truly take stock of our surroundings and how much “stuff” we actually have. Or, perhaps, it is our need for escapism from daily life, that can be saturated with tasks, chores and assignments; we turn to the cathartic act of decluttering and organising our home spaces – reclaiming a sense of stability and serenity. Or perhaps it was Marie Kondo’s enigmatic influence. Whatever your reasons for decluttering, minimalism is on trend and here to stay – with traditionally “busy” styles (like Boho) receiving a new refined style, minimalism is infiltrating its opposition, pioneering longevity within our living spaces. Discarding unnecessary items and investing in statement pieces that will stand the test of time, we see a gravitation toward living with the bare minimum and re-homing pieces that do not serve a purpose anymore.

Statement Kitchens

The kitchen is the heart of the home and its role has been drastically altered over the past year. As we see more celebration of this once unacknowledged room, the trends become bolder and more innovative. Cabinets steer away from the traditional pine or white, with fresh greens and pinks gaining popularity. Splashbacks and tiles are revived with prints, bold patterns and intricate finishing details (such as coloured grout), and wall colour is utilised to create a striking contrast against the core kitchen scheme. Complementing cabinetry with a contrast (think dark on the top, with contrasting glass or light-coloured cupboards on the bottom) is en vogue, whilst open-shelving and tiled splashbacks offer on trend updates, if you are not looking for a full renovation. Complementing accessories are used to elevate a space and communicate trends without the need for large-scale changes.

Curves

Furniture and accessories embrace graceful silhouettes and adopt more refined contours, as we see a shift away from cubist and geometric design details. Creating a softer look in the home, curved silhouettes appear everywhere from dining rooms, to bedrooms and even home offices and storage spaces. Paired with delicate shades of pink, and soft neutrals like taupe, this is the ideal trend to incorporate if you are looking to invite serenity and calm into the home.