Underscoring the global design trends for the year is a distinct shift from the bold. Trend forecasters insist on a softer hue as designers take cue from our collective desire for to a more serene state of living. I turn to the some of the UAE’s key interiors influencers to understand the big regional design trends worth investing in.
The Colours
Lisbeth Larsen, the Global Colour and Creative Director at Jotun was inspired by various social, cultural and environmental cues. She translates them into shades that adorn walls and best express the energy of 2016.
- The colour code. Exuding sophistication and luxury, variants of the sophisticated blues, warm neutrals, and a touch of gold or white that represents the passage of time have emerged as the top hues for interiors this year. Combinations of clean white hues in contrast with deep grays and soft blacks will inspire space transformation in its simplest form. Hues of the earth - shades of green and warm tones of browns synonymous with nature will soothe our homes and hint at mindful living.
- To the touch. Aside from colours, adding depth and texture with natural elements to a wall is a key design trend for the region. Textures inspired by nature will take center stage and wall paint effects will replicate soft materials like linen fabrics. Washed out greys will provide us the soothing familiarity of natural unfinished concrete, supporting the growing demand for interiors with an industrial feel and add depth to our spaces. Borrowing from bricks and stones as well, in 2016 textures reign, representing design brilliance and excellence, all achievable only using paint.
- The Neutrals. Not everyone embraces colours of the moment. For those of us after timelessness, a neutral shade that is taking the design world by storm is terracotta. From moody dark hues to its lightest blush tone, the colour makes for a delicate palette that helps create a warm and inviting space. A great alternative to ecru and duck egg that have charmed us for years.
The Bathrooms
Laurence Dehlen of luxury interiors label Purity lets us in on what will make our bathrooms stand out in 2016
• Its all about the finishes. We have noticed a trend towards antique brass for bathroom mixers and accessories. The styling is still very minimal although we are now finding more of a combination of extreme minimal design coupled with more rustic and brushed finishes. Shiny chrome mixers are a thing of the past or more ‘standard’ opposed to the fashion statements we now find in bathrooms.
• Your own spa. Showers have become a focal point with colour changing ‘chromotherapy’ as well as scented ‘aromatherapy’, being built into some collections. The theme of a spa at home is still very relevant, although more brushed antique finishes are finding favour with designers.
• Float it. Free standing bathtubs and basins are very vogue and offer a welcome departure from the standard bathroom compositions that we usually find. Corian or solid surface and marble are the key materials that we see in bathroom compositions and again the styling is quite minimal and super elegant.
• Store Beautifully. Bathroom shelving is exposed or open, although you need to be super tidy to maintain the elegant ‘showroom’ type open cabinets revealing all your luxury toiletries and cosmetics. Shelving and storage are essential in any good bathroom design and the practical use of the bathroom space remains crucial.
• Invest in Handmade. We have also seen a trend to use more rustic terracotta or handmade tiles, opposed to the standard ceramic tiles or marble. It adds a lot of character to the space and is a true reflection of your personality. The mixing of various finishes is the overall trend in bathrooms, although you need to maintain a clear direction to ensure it doesn’t look cluttered.
Be Mindful
Eco-consciousness is a state of being. Carlo dei Tedeschi who represents The Change Initiative highlights how being attentive to what we put in our living spaces can help us give back to the planet this year.
• Look at the light. In the Middle East where there is Sun aplenty, the safest investment in sustainable design are Solar Panels. Let them harness and convert the Sun’s might into useable clean electricity. Old generation LED bulbs costed a fortune. The models available now are not only less expensive, technological advances have ensured the harsh glare of the older LED bulbs is replaced with a soft, day light hue making the LED bulbs as friendly for home environments as they are for commercial use.
• Give the old some love. From re-purposing old wooden doors, window frames and bed casings by upscaling them to design features to investing in antique furniture, every time you bring home a pre-loved piece of woodwork, not only do you add history and character to your home, you save a tree from being cut.
• Go Natural. When it comes to finishes and furnishings, scope out more earth friendly option. There is a plethora of soft furnishing suppliers investing in fabrics made from organically grown fibres and natural dyes.
The Kitchens
Oliver Göttling of the German kitchen super brand Geottling gives us the skinny on key investments to make in your kitchens this year.
• Soft, muted color palettes. Good news if you’re already thinking about switching up your color scheme: Kitchen colors are changing, according to trend pundits around the world. Though white motifs will still dominate, everything from cabinets to back-splashes will be done in less saturated tones. Charcoal, grays and even neutral pastels like pale blue, pale green gray and tinted whites are the new alternative to the standard white, we predict. Kitchens sporting lighter wood tones, including walnuts, whitewashed woods and white oak in rift grain will be in demand
• Smart spaces. Get ready for a hi-tech makeover. More & more kitchens will have designated spots for smart devices this year. Look for areas with hidden charging stations to store devices like phones and tablets so that they are always operable, at hand and charged. The quintessential 2016 kitchen will focus on convenience for families on the go via accessible smart appliances. Expect kitchens full of state-of-the-art appliances, from steam ovens to built-in coffee machines to wine coolers. The shift in design trends – and particularly the rising popularity of the bespoke kitchen – is indicative of the fact that more people are using the kitchen not only as a place to cook, but to congregate and socialise. In 2016, design will have to work harder than ever before for the end user. Advances in technology and a move towards a modern yet unpretentious style will result in a happy marriage of clean lines and warmer colors.
• An 80’s reboot. Mirrored backsplashes, brass accessories and high-gloss surfaces aren’t dead by a long shot, but they’re more elegant and refined this time around. An elegance not seen in the ’80s will be an incorporation of a variety of natural materials to remove the ‘plastic’ look of that great hair decade. Homeowners will opt for brass with satin rather than shiny finishes.
Pratyush Sarup is design manager at one of the UAE’s premium interiors firms.