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Colour Interior Design Material Trend

Behind the Scenes for Spring Summer 2021

© Trend Bible and snapshots from when I creatively directed Trend Bible´s Home + Interiors Lifestyle trend books

Feeling ready for Spring Summer 2021? Baked and faded tones are reminiscent of the warmth of sun-soaked days spent in laid-back retreats in Southern Provence.

‘La Belle Vie’ is one of the trend stories I developed with my team at Trend Bible in early 2019. It´s lovely seeing what we predicted to gain importance on the high street now. The palette I designed for this modern rustic look is still one of my favourites with its nonchalantly relaxed charm.

When I selected the nuances I made sure they work in various lighting conditions – not just in regions naturally gifted with more sunshine. The palette certainly still cheers me up and I love how versatile it is. You can easily combine any of the shades with each other.

#colourdesignthinking

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Trend

Autumn Winter 2021/22 Trend: House Bar

HOUSE BAR is the nonchalant invitation to entertain friends and family at home. Back in the game are card and board gaming nights. Hanging out with each other in sophisticated loungewear and a trend for low and no alcohol drinks are the real move-on from the house bar´s old days.

Design direction celebrates 1970s aesthetics. Rich colours and bold, dynamic shapes radiate an optimistic outlook. Boiled wool, tufted and shaggy textiles emphasise the retro feel. Modular and flexible furniture serves different levels of social distancing, remote work or homeschooling.

I forecasted a version of this already 1,5 years ago. The steep rise of the homebody economy was already evident. However, back then, I couldn´t predict that staying in would become the new going out to this extent. In 2019, most of this was a choice. In 2021 we will see many with no other option; due to the economical, physical and mental impact of corona restrictions. Brands offering easily accessible excitement and catering to shifting consumers behaviours will stay of relevance.

I completely reworked some 2021 mood boards to show you how I inform different markets. This is a fairly international look suitable for directional brands anywhere in the world.

Image sources clockwise from top left:
Goodmoods (photo: Cyrille Robin) 〰️ Montana Furniture 〰️ Haus 〰️ Sage and Clare 〰️ Helle Mardahl 〰️ Areaware

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Colour Trend

2021+ Trends: Key Colours

As an advocate for more sustainability within trend forecasting, I believe we should not suggest new or more colours for the sake of it. Whenever I develop a collection, I also look at other ranges for the same season. For brands that focus on longevity, I make sure they harmonise with older ones.

Pale Olive RAL 095 80 20 will be important throughout 2021 and beyond. Gentle greens make us feel more connected to nature all year round.

Wheat Flour White RAL 080 85 05 is the perfect match; it is a move on from all the greys we have seen previously. Over the last few seasons, there was a general shift towards warmer and more earthy nuances on a global scale. However, at home and often also in retail products of many seasons are combined. This is a fantastic colour to layer on top of cool greys as well.

Fox Red RAL 040 50 60 is an eye-catching warm shade. In ‘MODERN COTTAGE’ (previous post) it is used in tiny quantities. Alternatively, you could also try Foxflower Viola RAL 280 70 15. In ‘HOUSE BAR’ (next post) it sets a bolder statement. This colour works better with off-whites; bright white can make it look garish. But do have a try at some of the combinations I´ve shown in the mood boards!

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Trend

2021+ Trend: Modern Cottage

MODERN COTTAGE is a contemporary take on country-inspired living, which has steadily risen in popularity in previous years. This trend story is all about cherishing the simple joys of cosy days spent at home.

Preparing and sharing wholesome meals with loved ones has regained importance for almost all of us. This look is a highly commercial interpretation of the #cottagecoreaesthetic which boomed on social media recently. It particularly resonates with householders that care about longevity and sustainability.

Well-crafted products made from responsibly sourced wood, hand-painted ceramics and linen are key. Consider unbleached and naturally died fabrics. Romantic frills adorn pillows, patchwork-blankets and lampshades. More maximalist brands boldly mix plaids, gingham, stripes and florals in varying scales. Balance out generous patterns with clean shapes for furniture.

The desire to feel closer to nature – even in urban areas – and escape daily pressures has intensified through global restrictions of free movement. We will see this trend continue post-pandemic. It can work all year round for several seasons. Add extra warmth with rug-hooking techniques, recycled wool knits and (faux) shearling for Autumn/Winter 2021+.

I completely reworked some 2021 mood boards to show you how I inform different markets. This was developed for the DACH region where a more restrained approach to design is popular. For the UK, North America, or certain countries within the APAC region, where #cottagecore #farmcore #countrycore are trending, more embellishments, different colours and bolder pattern clashes would be suitable for some brands.

Image sources clockwise from top left:
Homestyle Magazine (photo: Bayly & Moore) 〰️ Liv & Dom 〰️ Michell Lott (photo: Brejo) 〰️ Grain 〰️ Projekti Tyyny 〰️ Rose Pearlman

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Trend

Spring Summer 2021 Trend: New Lightness

NEW LIGHTNESS encourages us to freshen up our homes after the longest winter ever. Let’s boost our physical and emotional wellbeing with colour and light. Ready for a new wave of upbeat designs?

Clubs have been shut for so long it’s time to turn up the volume at home! Bored of the grey dominating the last decade, we now see increased enthusiasm and bravery to revamp bland interiors. As we move through 2021, more homemakers seek to surround themselves with fun decor.

Scalloped, arched and squiggly shapes continue to grow in popularity. Motifs inspired by 90s rave culture move from fashion to interior design. Translucent materials, colour gradients and mirrors make rooms seem more spacious. Clever ideas for zoning and lightweight, flexible products are vital as the home has taken on more functions.

Combining pastels with chromatic neutrals and bolder accents prevents the overall appearance from looking too sweetly. Rough textures and a mix of matte and glossy finishes add interest. Print, pattern and messaging reflect the uplifting spirit.

I already forecast a rising awareness to use colour and light for therapeutic measures in early 2019. This trend was accelerated for larger parts of the population by all of us spending more time at home than ever in 2020. Expect to see a shift towards more extraordinary and playful design in the years to come.

I completely reworked some 2021 mood boards to show you how I inform different markets. This is a trend for the world´s youthful early adopters. It will continue to gain more traction amongst mavens and early adopters; from London to NY, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Milan and back to Berlin.

Image sources clockwise from top left:
Gustaf Westman 〰️ Embellished Talk 〰️ Rowan Made 〰️ Sophie Lou Jacobsen 〰️ Kvadrat 〰️ 2LG Studio

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Trend

Spring Summer 2021 Trend: Mediterraneo

Alina Schartner Spring Summer 2021 Trend: Mediterraneo

MEDITERRANEO evokes memories of sunny days indulging in the mild breeze of the Mediterranean sea. Homemakers recreate the warm, relaxed feel of traditional Southern European interiors with a modern twist.

The region’s rich cultural heritage inspires the design direction for SS21+. Rounded arches, columns and terracotta are reminiscent of vernacular architecture. We see consumers freely blend indoor and outdoor features, even in spaces that lack an actual outside area.

Warm neutrals, baked tones and a clear sky-blue hint at summer holidays year-round. Glazed and hand-decorated finishes on majolica ceramics and zellige tiles contrast chalky surfaces. Linen, cotton and net-like fabrics are draped casually. Combine rustic materials such as rattan, sisal and raw wood with minimalistic shapes for a contemporary edge.

I completely reworked some 2021 mood boards to show you how I inform different markets. Versions of this trend will not only rise in popularity in Southern Europe as well as Germany, Austria, Switzerland (a significant part of the population north of the Alps has always been at awe of interior design south of it), but also in Australia and New Zealand.

Image credits clockwise from top left:
Christina Celestino 〰️ Juliette Wanty 〰️ Ceri Muller 〰️ IBKKI Paris 〰️ Kip&Co 〰️ Bonne Maison

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Colour Industry Expertise Trend

RAL Colour Feeling 2021+

reThink stands for a humane use of colour which is easy to implement.

With reThink we are providing designers and architects with a 15-part colour space as a tool for future-oriented designs. The shades selected are very well-suited to product design/architecture and flexible so they can be adapted to a range of requirements.

The complete PDF of the current issue can be downloaded HERE.

Borders are increasingly blurring between our private and professional lives, action and regeneration, global and local issues. We therefore want to provide suggestions for designing these new interpersonal living spaces through corresponding colour combinations. We call the confrontation with the current topics of our times – in particular how we want to live and work in the future – and their colours reThink. The result is a colour world with the challenge to all designers to integrate it into their projects: CREATE!

The colours selected for this are based on the observation and analysis of social, technical and design trends over the last 50 years until today. However, the colour spectrum developed also refers to basic design categories and detailed studies regarding colour effect and colour perception. In addition to the visual function, the focus is also on the combination with sensual perceptions and cultural meanings of colours.

Our goal was not to define fixed trend colours, but to develop a current to sustainable colour profile, which creates design possibilities instead of reducing them.

The colour language of reThink has an inspiring and at the same time grounding effect. In a world view that increasingly appreciates sustainability, an easy combinability and longevity become key requirements for design. 

reThink encourages the creation of spaces and products that create long-term added value. The colour range invites you to feel, think, rethink and combine freely. Polarities – such as natural/artificial or monumental/filigran – complement each other in this unobtrusively inspiring colour space. Together with the RAL Design System plus this colour space is integrated into a complex colour system and can easily be expanded.

reThink is the impulse for a society where empathy and humane objectives are important. Wisdom from earlier cosmopolitan eras, such as the Renaissance, is combined with visions for a better future. In a networked and unpredictable world, we see an increased orientation towards values of mindfulness and holistic prudence.

The Slow Culture movement, which has grown out of the megatrends of neo-ecology, health and a new culture of knowledge, is focusing on greater appreciation of resources in the long term. Creativity and a creative drive are combined with a growing holistic sense of responsibility on a global and individual level.

Appealing colours and sensual surfaces create a positive relation to our surroundings.

Subtle, variable colours and sensual surfaces create a balance to the digitalization and sensory overload of everyday life. The range is characterized by a reserved, changeable colourfulness. Matt shades reminiscent of lime paint and chromatic shadowy tones create versatile applicable harmonies. Selected shade-in-shade combinations modulate empty spaces discreetly.

Thanks to mainly light to medium tonalities, the overall impression is light and yet solid. Materials inspired by clay, stone, loam and sturdy plasters provide strength and sensitive textures. By using light, transparencies and soft graduations an airy atmosphere is created. Despite being unobtrusive, surface and product designs appear imaginative, personal and approachable.

I was one of the CMF specialists, trend forecasters and also one of the two main editors on this project. Really loved this collaboration with RAL colours and IIT Institute International Trendscouting. All work was done fully remote. To guarantee colour accuracy, we all used RAL Design System plus original samples. Well done team!

We work globally and care about colour education: The trend report is available in English, German, Chinese, Spanish, French, Russian or Dutch for free. Share this info with anyone who should know about it. You can even download the colour palette as .ase files to easily integrate them into your digital workflow.

Head over to www.raldesignplus.de/en/colour-feeling for insight, colour inspiration and the download links.