Stacey Sheppard is a UK-based freelance writer and author of the popular award-winning blog The Design Sheppard. She specializes in writing about interior design. She has a particular penchant for kitchen and bathroom design but also has a keen interest in surfacing and materials. When she’s not working she can be found manically pinning inspiration for her own home renovation project. You can follow Stacey on Twitter @StaceyJSheppard and Instagram @StaceyJSheppard.
Imm Cologne is an international furniture and interiors fair that takes place in Germany every January. This year a total of 150,000 visitors made their way to Cologne to be inspired by the interior design world and to find out what the design trends of tomorrow will be. And in this respect the show definitely delivered.
Trend Atmospheres was a real highlight this year. The newly designated exhibit premiered in Hall 11 and took the form of an immersive presentation of the emerging trends that we can expect to see in interiors this year.
Developed by creative director Dick Spierenburg in collaboration with Dutch stylist Floor Knaapen, Trend Atmospheres showcased seven different stages, each visualizing a different interior trend. The presentations focused on three factors – color, materials and product trends – and incorporated numerous products from the premium design brands who were exhibiting in the Pure Atmospheres section of the fair.
The show’s new hotspot featured products from the likes of And Tradition, Dedon, Ghidini, Interlübke, Jab Anstoetz, Ligne Roset, Menu, Normann Copenhagen, and Rolf Benz amongst others. It provided a great starting point for visitors who were seeking an overview of what’s happening in home interiors right now.
What was really interesting about the way that the trends were presented is the fact that they were personified. Each trend was described as a person and details were given about their personality traits, their likes and dislikes, their interests, where they find their inspiration and their strengths.
So let’s take a look at each of the seven trends that were presented.
The Materialist
The Materialist is a purist who loves experimenting, research and originality. They feel overwhelmed by the images and colors that we experience in the digital world and this leads them to seek out and surround themselves with nature and simplicity. They love going back to basics and therefore find materials like wood, leather, cork, and paper very appealing. They like to explore the reuse and circularity of materials and employ smart thinking in order to find solutions for materials.
The Minimalist
This person is a lover of modern refined shapes, straight lines and graphic solutions. They are not a big fan of color though. They get excited by materials like glass and stainless steel mixed with marble and concrete. They are inspired by the future and are always looking for new technologies and gadgets. They long for visual relaxation after a hard day at work so less is definitely more.
The Nightrider
The Nightrider is a brave and confident person who likes to live life on the edge. They are always looking for challenges. They never sleep, preferring to dive into the night for glamour and drinks. They love darkness, mystery and moody atmospheres, both at home and in public spaces. They gravitate towards blue steel, denim, graphite, navy tones and precious materials like silver, gold and crystals.
The Nordic New
This person wants to create the good life and is seeking out the sunny optimism of the 1950’s. They create their own dream world that is harmonious, peaceful, fresh, positive and bright. Inspired by Nordic living, they always look to the future and are not afraid of new technologies. They love soft pastel shades, soft tones and shapes, soft materials, clean lines and clean finishes.
The Romantic
This person is strongly focused on feelings, sensuality and softness. They are a sensory person who likes comfort and coziness. For them, emotional experiences are the key to happiness and they love sunsets and nostalgic moments. They like to be surrounded by velvet, lots of cushions and feminine shapes. They appreciate designs in shades of red and pink, combined in an exciting way.
The Traveler
The Traveler is a contemporary nomad who is always looking for the next adventure. They love to meet new people and explore new cultures. They try to stay young and healthy for as long as possible. They love natural shades and shapes, including tropical bright ones. They are drawn to patterns that include birds, flowers and jungle prints, in fact no pattern is too crazy.
The Collector
The collector is an art lover and modernist who is drawn to older designs and patterns. They have a critical eye and are always looking out for the next collector’s item. They are inspired by the likes of Ettore Sottsass, Andy Warhol and Gerrit Rietveld. They particularly like fixed shapes, playful bright color palettes, and long-lasting, timeless furniture.
Seeing all these trends in one space was such a feast for the eyes. Each trend is visually so different but it really did feel like there was something for everyone. I saw bits of myself in each of the personalities described.
from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/pure-atmospheres-7-interior-design-trends-spotted-at-imm-cologne/
