Posted: Dec 1, 2015
Continuing our new monthly column, leading property professionals and interior design experts reveal what's hot in 2016
Next season’s collections will take interior design to another dimension. Snow rooms, concealed kitchens and bold, beautiful wallpapers are set to make their mark on our homes.
Some ideas will stretch the imagination. Others might stretch the budget, but all will add a touch of glamour.
William Morris once said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” I wonder what the great man would put in his home today. And where would he shop? Who knows? But one thing is for sure, style and comfort are always in fashion.
Here 20 leading interior designers and international property professionals from around the world, share their tips, ideas and best looks in our mini-trend guide.
1. Design inspiration
“This season it is very much about flowers, from stylised more structural designs to fabulously painterly blooms. These bring the beauty of the natural world into a space and can work wonderfully when combined with plainer linen textures or sumptuous velvets. There is a new direction of wallpapers that offer great textural detail and which are more pared back in terms of decoration. Grey is a key colour for the season, and works as a neutral bringing harmony to brighter colours or elegance as a scheme of its own.”
2. Get the look
“Bold is back! One of our recently completed styling projects (a brand new apartment in Shoreditch) has combined a couple of trends that we perceive will continue into 2016. Here we’ve utilised big bright playful colours on fabrics and furniture, combined various materials, including rustic wood and glamorous brassy metals, which are becoming increasingly popular. Don’t be afraid to add a little quirkiness into your final look with statement cushions and artificial plants.
“Our second prediction is for ‘bringing the outside in’, using plants and nature from the humble succulent to the creation of elaborate green walls found increasingly not just to cover exterior light wells, but within the heart of the home, too. Fantastic giant aloe vera plants have brought a sense of tranquillity and colour to an otherwise relatively industrial space, which when the sliding roof is pulled back, literally brings the outside in!”
3. Scandi living
“A neutral colour palette is the trademark of Scandinavian interiors, I love the striking looks that can be achieved with such simplicity. Grey is so elegant and can be amazingly warm and inviting when used in the correct way, this will continue to be a massive trend for 2016.”
4. Dynamic designs
“Geometrics are an exciting upcoming interior trend which can look both impactful and opulent when used correctly. The size, shape and colour of the geometric pattern all need to be considered carefully to ensure timeless appeal.”
5. Mix it up a little
“Ask people what they want from a house and the words ‘airy’ and ‘light-filled’ will inevitably crop up. But this isn’t easy to achieve when space is tight and houses often closely packed. Yet there are ways to bring light to even the dimmest of properties. Often it just takes a little imagination. For us, light and space planning is often considered more valuable than any new trend.
“We all know the little tricks that can make a room seem bigger; painting the walls white or placing mirrors in strategic spots but, above all else, getting the floorplan right is key. When things are beautifully executed they look simple, but that simplicity is the ultimate design – that’s the luxury you can’t buy. Think how the space should be used ahead of picking out specific finishes. In general, the higher the ceilings, the fewer the rooms, and the more glass you can introduce, the better it is when it comes to creating light.
“Mix it up! Mix up patterns and textures. Mix up old and new, expensive and inexpensive. It’s really fun when we incorporate the old with the new. Wherever possible, try and integrate storage as much as you can with fitted wardrobes, for example, alternatively, look at bigger beds with storage underneath. “White works, it’s sometime that easy. You’ll never tire from a classic light coloured space. While trends will come and go, a white washed wall will always look timeless. “Study any of our floor plans and you’ll see that they tend to be very open, with large, relaxed living areas and spacious master suites. The more open-plan you can leave the living spaces, the better.”
6. Glass, gold and bronze
“One style prevalent at the moment, which I believe will never go out of fashion is indulgence and luxury. All too often modern means slick and harsh, however the recent take on this trend provides a sumptuous warmer feeling. Glass, gold and bronze accents will put the finishing touches to this sophisticated look.”
7. Peak viewing: snow rooms
“Amazingly I’ve heard that ‘snow rooms’ are the latest trend to emerge onto the market – similar to a sauna, but cold and full of snow for an invigorating rub down! “At the top end of the market, properties are now expected to have two kitchens. A luxuriously finished one with all the latest gadgets and coffee makers for the family, then a second ‘chef’s kitchen’ for the staff and caterers to use when serving at events.”
8. Minerals, marble and eco chic
“Chelsea Design Harbour [south west London] has been filled with slices of geode this year, and we’re seeing elements of these colourful stones appearing in accessories and fabrics everywhere. Gem stone colours such as blues and purples are definitely the “ones-to-watch” for 2016. And marble is a timeless addition to any property, which still features heavily in kitchens and bathrooms. “Choosing furniture and fabrics made from natural materials is a great way of being sustainable and eco-friendly. Rugs from wool, cotton and hemp are effective on a variety of different flooring types. Fabrics for window treatments and accessories can also be selected from a range of natural materials, including wool, cotton, linen, hessian and silk. Different fabrics will create different looks e.g. linen will give a relaxed feel, whereas silk will look more luxurious and expensive.”
9. Kitchens: all the right ingredients
“We have seen a growing popularity of concealed kitchens in upmarket Venetian properties. When you consider the limited amount of time actually spent using kitchen appliances, work surfaces and storage – it makes sense to shut off the kitchen when not in use, helping to give a neat and uncluttered look.”
“Venice is such a special part of the world and Palazzo Molin is the perfect place from which to discover and experience it, including the flavours of Venetian cuisine, and this sense of discovery influenced the veiled and revealed design of the kitchen. The idea is to contain the kitchen in a small and practical space that is able to provide the functionality of a larger kitchen, while blending in seamlessly with the open-plan space in the room.”
10. Home from home: working remotely
"For the ever-growing army of self-employed and those working flexibly, a home office has become an integral part of their living space. Creating an ecosystem where productivity can flourish is a challenge all home-offices face. The home environment is a fluid space and creating a boundary for focus is incredibly important. "At Opendesk our designs allow customers to create their ideal home workspace, and personalise the original design.”
11. To infinity and beyond: swimming pools
“While infinity pools have been a must-have for a few years now, I believe that they are going to get even more popular in 2016. If you have a property with amazing views down to the ocean, over mountaintops or into a valley, an infinity pool is one of the best ways to enjoy them. Other trends for 2016 which can be seen at “The Dream” [a five-bedroom luxury villa in Barbados] include beautifully laid out open-plan living, and wrap-around sundecks, which make the most of the views and the sunshine.”
12. Think outside the box
"Design trends aren't just limited to a property's interior; at City Wharf, just off City Road in London’s N1, we evoked the site's industrial heritage through the strategic use of metal detailing. Exterior Corten panelling provides a bold and distinctive finish to the warehouse style architecture. Dark grey metal pin boards combine with an industrial grey colour palette to extend the warehouse theme internally.”
Rosie Nesbitt, Sales and Marketing Director at FABRICA (www.fabrica.co.uk)
13. Tomorrow’s world: iPad technology
“With iPad technology and the ability to control one’s home remotely now a ‘given’ for most new home buyers, we are seeing those looking to purchase the most luxury properties putting top quality materials high up on their must-have list. Buyers are looking for a high-quality finish with the use of bespoke materials, such as book-matched marble.”
14.Lofty ambitions: industrial chic
“The popularity of industrial-style chic shows no sign of abating as we head into 2016, along with the need for large extended open-plan kitchens and a desire to 'wow' with aspirational colour combinations. Tint-able cement porcelain coatings, such as Munncrete, are set to be a hot trend next year, enabling those once put off by the cost, laborious installation and the colour limitations of concrete, to now enjoy industrial home style in any colour they choose.
15. Shape of things to come
“L’Amandier Hotel’s design is in line with 2016’s trends of earthy pallets and textual design. The interiors are inspired by nature and the incredible landscape that surrounds it. Peacock colours evoking shades of water take centre-stage and are layered against hues of neutral earth-tones, including taupe and mauve. Bespoke zelij tiles, and monochrome handwoven fabrics create rich and authentic layers, while lamps made from perforated metal create an ambience of understated luxury.”
16. Living in a London landmark
“We wanted to breathe new life into the interiors to create new experiences and a new future for guests of Ten Trinity Square in London. It’s about re-interpreting, adapting and modernising the details of the building. It’s archaeological, finding a common thread to create a new story. The public spaces contain a strong sense of voyage and history, and, essentially it is this alchemy that we will transcribe into the building. Ancient rooms will be restored and will comprise new furniture, while the lighting is specially designed for the space. The whole space will be timeless.”
17. Star quality: concierge services
“Nowadays people want facilities akin to those you would find in a luxury five-star hotel. Pools, gyms, spas and cinemas are now expected along with high-speed broadband, 24 hour security and a dedicated concierge. Valet parking is increasing in popularity along with on-site delicatessens and organic stores - buyers want their food freshly prepared. Developments need to be able to cater for the rise in home deliveries and have to factor in the space and man power for this. They should come equipped with a large post room and refrigerated space for perishable goods. Bin shoots are fast becoming a thing of the past. “Looking ahead, I think keys will become increasingly redundant as access cards and fingerprint entry systems become common place. Plus, developments where you can drive your car into an elevator and it comes with you to your apartment are definitely a trend to watch out for.”
18. Dream homes: a place in the sun
“In 2016, we will see more people using period furniture, furnishings and the use of recycled materials. There will be the rise of kitchen-gardens, mirrors to enhance lighting and lamps to create a more salubrious atmosphere. The ‘in’ colours will be blue and orange. Skylights are becoming more commonplace as a means to make the most of abundant natural light that Spain has to offer.”
19. Old meets new
“We wanted to create spaces that had their design character rooted in New York City. Our designs reflect a New York sense of place - they are simultaneously based in Park Avenue’s tradition of gracious living spaces and establish the paradigm for 21st century sophistication. This balance is apparent throughout. We juxtaposed oak herringbone floors that are reminiscent of the east side’s elegant pre-war apartments with stainless steel and marble kitchens that reflect a modern sensibility.”
20. And finally…objects of desire
“When budgets are unbridled, exclusivity is the order of the day. Many owners request that apartments are delivered in their ‘shell and core’ state to allow the flexibility of a blank canvas. At Altamount development in Mumbai, buyers will fly in their own team of interiors architects, antiques experts and art advisers to configure an unparalleled, utterly bespoke design.”
