Design Trends 2009: Slow, Global, Colorful, Environmental (and Snowflakes!)

I often do a Google News search for keywords textile art design just to see what comes up -- today I found this article in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal forecasting design trends for 2009, by local designer Stephen Thompson. I've highlighted the textile- and craft-related trends. Even if your own work isn't concerned with design trends, I think the article is enjoyable for all who are interested in color and texture, the visual world and the decorative arts (also visit Dijanne's blog for a great post on pattern and decoration). For anyone who's watched bird images become ubiquitous over the past few years, for example, you have to marvel at the way trends enter the culture, take shape and take hold.

STEPHEN THOMPSON:Stephen's Design Trend Forecast for the year 2009 

12/26/2008
Daily Journal  

Watch for the popularity of wood to thrive in home decor. 2009 will see wood's use increase across all spectrums in floors, walls, ceilings (bead board) and furniture. Eco-friendly products continue to be in demand. Consumers will buy sustainable building materials that may cost them a bit more up front, but will save them a lot over time.

Watch for a resurgence of interest in vintage furnishings. The modern furniture lines popularized in the '40s and '50s fit well with the sensibilities of 2009. Smaller seating arms (like those of studio sofas and Garvey chairs) have already found their way into student housing, big city apartments, and will soon come home to the South as we reclaim, recycle and rediscover yesteryear's treasures.

There will be a resurgence of French and Delft styles. The simple marriage of blue and white will be huge, especially among a new generation that finds its design inspiration from Crate&Barrel. 2009 will see lots of hand-painted ceramics, embossed dinnerware, and whitewashed woods paired with clear glass accessories and natural linens.

Metallic will continue to shine - from bronze, mercury glass lamps all the way to bedding fabrics. Envision your decor accents translated into modern metallic finishes and textures imbued with a sense of visual excitement and high energy. Particularly noteworthy for 2009 are platinum, dark silver, rose-gold and copper.

The complex dimensions of snowflakes and crystal quality of glacier ice is one of the freshest themes in home design. Imported design schemes from Nordic climes - with their frosty glass, metallic accents, and cube shapes - will redefine the fine line between hot and cool in 2009.

Global trends continue making many inroads from abroad, particularly items and patterns from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. 2009 will see even more of the ethnic, patchwork patterns in warm reds, burnt oranges, browns, plums and olives.

Bold patterns of the former Soviet Union combined with Russian folk art will be embroidered across all genres of upholstery. A caravan of traditional themes from Mother Russia will resurface in patterns of circular motifs and bold colorations in strikingly modern ways.

American patchwork quilts are far from country kitsch. The modern mixture of pieced fabric, tiny flowers, and color-blocked graphics - long heralded by Alabama-born, Manhattan-famous, interior designer Raymond Waites - is coming of age across all continents.

Passionate, warm, and seductive, the red and orange family will have a strong presence in 2009. Crimson and citrus combinations appear in table linens and lamps. Clear reds make a splash in ethnic textiles, sculpted candles and silk flowers.

Speaking of color, the Pantone Color Institute forecasts lively colors and sophisticated, grounded hues with Fuchsia Red, Salmon Rose, Palace Blue, Lavender, Rose Dust and Vibrant Green predicted to be very popular.  [hmmm . . .what happened to Mimosa?]

Mustard and Plum, last seasons' two most prominent colors, are pairing up as this next year's dominant palette. Plum and gold tones stand out while deep purple or rosy lavenders pair well with (and all forecasters agree on this) bold yellows made with just a hint of green.

Neutrals, especially the warm and cool grays, along with boldly colored accent pieces have long transformed ordinary homes into light-filled living oases. But as homeowners reach out and embrace the deeper, more intense paint colors - not only as accent walls, but for entire rooms - a higher level of light is needed for illumination. Lighting manufacturers have responded by introducing chandeliers with more arms (or multiple lights per arm), as well as pendants and wall-mounted fixtures that accept brighter, energy efficient bulbs.

2009 trends are about organic shapes and colors, woven patterns and eco-friendly materials. If there is one overall theme coming for 2009, it might best be called SlowTec - a simple back-to-basics style that is all about less speed for better living - and a focus on quality craftsmanship and eco consciousness.

May you always live in beauty!

Stephen Thompson is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Questions or comments may be addressed to Designer Connection, P.O. Box 361, Tupelo, MS 38802 or to stephen2816@comcast.net.

What do you think? Snowflakes and Rose Dust and Russian embroidery? 

Comments

[Libby Alexander]

I think perhaps the return to basics and ethnic styles is our way of grounding ourselves again, finding our roots. All those earthy colors and textures remind us where we came from or where we would like to return to. I love white modern rooms but we do just sort of float through them...they don't exist so to speak the same way a room full of slotech does.

[Rachel Biel Taibi]

Interesting article! Any trend that encourages recycling and handmade textiles and quilts appeals to me.

Happy New Year, Lainie!

[Eva]

I'm looking forward to an end of the Sixties-/Seventies retro style. It is still strong in the living concepts. I hope it will be replaced by the desirable trends you're predicting. Although it is inevitable that there is a fashion for homes, I'd rather see individual styles.

[Helene H]

Hm... it seems every part of the world will bring a piece to fashion. Great. I am all for russian embroidery.

Happy New Year !

[Lainie]

Hi all - Bobbi, I like the warm colors too, but it seems the cool palette of blue and white and snowflakes will be popular too --

Thanks Judy - yes, I think the trends speak well for textile and color lovers.

Hi Jude, that's an excellent point -- shall we call it the "slow paradox"? That's worth a whole post, maybe a good one for SlowPlanet.com.

Happy new year, everyone.

[jude]

well, it is a bit too funny to me because i used to do these forecasts when i was a fabric designer for the fashion industry. it seems slow is creeping in to all areas of design, the weird thing is the process to market has to be faster than ever....strange contrasts.
there are real snowflakes here right now. nature is one up on all of us!

[Judy]

Thanks Elaine for this post. I found it very interesting and affirmative.

[Lainie]

Hey there Heather -- I always appreciate your comments. Personally, I wish I had the money to do some decorating -- and knew where I'd be in six months -- but I do love reading trend forecasts. Have to admit the snowflakes caught me by surprise, if it's out there already I've missed it.

[Heather]

Trend forecasts are always an interesting thing to read. Personally, I try for timeless and really thought more than twice about putting stainless in my kitchen. But I do like that they mentioned SlowTec. Now let's just hope at least that concept lasts.

[bobbi]

Slow tech...I like the concept...and oranges and reds for colors...and wood for furnishings.