Top Trends to Take Home From London's Decorex Design Fair 2021
Designers served up a mix of tactile, colourful designs at the UK show while embracing nature and sustainability
There was an optimistic feel at Olympia London in the UK, as the trade show venue showcased new designs at the Decorex 2021 fair from 10 to 13 October. Houzz went along to see the latest products from a range of designers and find out which ideas are inspiring their work.
UK-based artisan tile maker Bert & May illustrated this renewed confidence by showcasing its collaboration with Little Greene paints (pictured). The tile company’s creative director, Ruth Webber, explains that the eight new colours “allow customers even greater choice to develop colourful, layered interiors with personality”.
Redecorating your home? Find an interior designer near you to embrace trends in a timeless way
Redecorating your home? Find an interior designer near you to embrace trends in a timeless way
At Decorex’s Mylands paint stand, head of marketing Julia Lindquist told us she’s never seen customers make such bold choices. The brand’s new colour palette includes vibrant reds, greens and blues, but one of the most interesting trends she’s noticed this year is a penchant for gold paint, which customers are using in all sorts of interesting and creative ways.
Outside in
The design world’s focus on nature shows no signs of subsiding, and that was evident across the fair. UK-based architect Richard Parr told the ‘House, Home, Live, Work’ discussion panel how building within the landscape was already a trend before the pandemic, but has accelerated since.
“People want to experience being in the garden through their interior,” said Louise Wicksteed.
Inventive ways to bring that natural world indoors included Timorous Beasties’ new range of fabrics and wallpapers. Its Matzu Tree fabric (pictured), for example, is a whirling abstract interpretation of wind blowing through Japanese pine trees or ‘matzu’.
The design world’s focus on nature shows no signs of subsiding, and that was evident across the fair. UK-based architect Richard Parr told the ‘House, Home, Live, Work’ discussion panel how building within the landscape was already a trend before the pandemic, but has accelerated since.
“People want to experience being in the garden through their interior,” said Louise Wicksteed.
Inventive ways to bring that natural world indoors included Timorous Beasties’ new range of fabrics and wallpapers. Its Matzu Tree fabric (pictured), for example, is a whirling abstract interpretation of wind blowing through Japanese pine trees or ‘matzu’.
Original BTC’s Pebble light was another nature-inspired design on display. It’s made from 48 stone-shaped ceramic forms secured on a steel frame to create a tactile, layered cocoon.
Browse more beautifully styled living spaces
Browse more beautifully styled living spaces
Sensory objects
Richard Parr explained to the ‘House, Home, Live, Work’ panel how emotional investment has come back into homes.
For ceramicist Harriet Caslin, who displayed her ceramic lighting (pictured) at the Design-Nation stand, an emotional connection is at the heart of her work.
“I love the idea of someone using one of my mugs and noticing how comfortably it sits in their hands and how tactile the satin glaze feels with the unique ridged design or how the porcelain light vibrantly transforms when it’s switched on,” says the designer on her website.
Richard Parr explained to the ‘House, Home, Live, Work’ panel how emotional investment has come back into homes.
For ceramicist Harriet Caslin, who displayed her ceramic lighting (pictured) at the Design-Nation stand, an emotional connection is at the heart of her work.
“I love the idea of someone using one of my mugs and noticing how comfortably it sits in their hands and how tactile the satin glaze feels with the unique ridged design or how the porcelain light vibrantly transforms when it’s switched on,” says the designer on her website.
Softly softly shapes
Curved silhouettes popped up all over Decorex this year, with plenty of desks, drawers, sinks and seating designed with rounded edges.
Furniture maker Vincent Sheppard’s new Frida armchair is a great example of this look, with its circular teak frame complemented by soft lines of acrylic rope.
Curved silhouettes popped up all over Decorex this year, with plenty of desks, drawers, sinks and seating designed with rounded edges.
Furniture maker Vincent Sheppard’s new Frida armchair is a great example of this look, with its circular teak frame complemented by soft lines of acrylic rope.
Traditional updated
Sustainable choices are still very much in focus, and one way designers and their clients are engaging with this is to think about the life cycle of products they buy.
“We had a few years where everything was very temporary,” said Alexandra Jurkiewicz. “Now people are happy to invest in pieces that will stay in the family or even stay in the house when it’s sold.”
Classic and traditional designs that won’t go out of style are being updated to provide homeowners with a modern take on a timeless look. Decorative lighting company Pooky, which exhibited at the show, has introduced this with designs such as the Athena Chandelier (pictured).
Sustainable choices are still very much in focus, and one way designers and their clients are engaging with this is to think about the life cycle of products they buy.
“We had a few years where everything was very temporary,” said Alexandra Jurkiewicz. “Now people are happy to invest in pieces that will stay in the family or even stay in the house when it’s sold.”
Classic and traditional designs that won’t go out of style are being updated to provide homeowners with a modern take on a timeless look. Decorative lighting company Pooky, which exhibited at the show, has introduced this with designs such as the Athena Chandelier (pictured).
Elsewhere at the show, designer Annika Reed was displaying her wallpapers, which are created using traditional woodblock printing. This is a craft that, she explains, is on the decline. Here, the classic technique is used to create an escapist Pegasus pattern.
Modern weaves
Natural surfaces have become increasingly popular in interiors lately, in particular woven designs made of rattan, seagrass or similar. Designers were showcasing woven textures in ever more interesting ways at the show, bringing a more polished, modern look to the material.
Fiona McDonald’s Hugo drinks cabinet (pictured), for example, combines the rustic feel of raffia with a chic, elegant design.
Natural surfaces have become increasingly popular in interiors lately, in particular woven designs made of rattan, seagrass or similar. Designers were showcasing woven textures in ever more interesting ways at the show, bringing a more polished, modern look to the material.
Fiona McDonald’s Hugo drinks cabinet (pictured), for example, combines the rustic feel of raffia with a chic, elegant design.
At Decorex’s Future Heritage exhibition of emerging designers, Adam Nathaniel Furman took the modern woven look even further. His Beiruti Collection for Beit Collective uses sustainable, brightly coloured material for the Khayzaran woven seats. It’s described as “a respectful twist on a much-cherished tradition”.
If you’re looking for more design inspiration this autumn or would like to catch up on anything from the show, Decorex Virtual takes place from 16 to 18 November 2021.
Your turn
Which of these design directions are you excited to see on our local shores? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you found this story interesting, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need to catch up on more important international happenings? Read the latest from Cersaie 2021: Goodbye White Bathrooms, Hello Sumptuous Textures
If you’re looking for more design inspiration this autumn or would like to catch up on anything from the show, Decorex Virtual takes place from 16 to 18 November 2021.
Your turn
Which of these design directions are you excited to see on our local shores? Share your thoughts in the Comments below. And if you found this story interesting, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need to catch up on more important international happenings? Read the latest from Cersaie 2021: Goodbye White Bathrooms, Hello Sumptuous Textures
Colour was abundant at Decorex this year, with grass greens, pillar-box reds, warm corals and pale pinks just some of the shades on display.
British handcrafted curtain-pole maker Byron & Byron showed how to add brights to windows, for example, with its Floral Neons collection of poles (pictured).
“The classic grey palette is getting outdated, finally,” said Alexandra Jurkiewicz of Helen Green Design Studio during the event’s ‘House, Home, Live, Work’ discussion. “People have had time to reflect during the pandemic and know more now what they want.”
Louise Wicksteed of Sims Hilditch agreed, adding, “It’s an exciting and diverse time for design, as there are no rules. Clients want to be more bold”.