Although the word “hot” is a synonym for hip, in or trendy, in terms of fashions, in this case I mean it literally: experience a road trip through the silence and vastness of the desert regions of this earth. Who would have thought it possible that of all the unfriendly wastelands on the planet, seemingly uninhabitable landscapes could become the inspiration for new living trends? 

Photo by Boris Ulzibat and Trang Nguyen

Nomad Chic

The golden sand dunes of the Sahara are magical and full of sublime beauty. It is the home of the Bedouins and Berbers, nomadic tribes, who to this day ride camels through the desert and pitch their tents with colourful woven kilims with geometric patterns and fluffy Berber rugs on the floor in oases under date palms at night. This trend is dominated by bright colours such as cream, sandy beige and stony grey. Accessories made of natural materials such as woven baskets or macramé pendants bring summer moods into the home. Orientalism, luxuriously interspersed with gold, silver and copper. Inspirations.

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Photos by Mamun Srizon and Kamil Szumotalski

Bees don’t only produce honey, they are responsible for pollinating many plants and therefore they are the important animal for nutrition of humanity and biodiversity of this planet. Because of monocultures, reduction of agricultural land, use of pesticides, viruses, pathogens and climate change, there is an alarming mortality rate of bees. Urban beekeeping became a big trend because he plants in gardens, parks and cemeteries are less contaminated with pesticides. We can help by planting bee-friendly plants in our garden or balcony like lavender and lupine, currant and raspberry, melon and pumpkins, and herbs like sage, rosemary and peppermint. And you can also use these plants, especially the blooms, as inspiration for the design of your product. Designs with bees, beetles and other insects are very popular. Be(e) happy, because happy people don’t destroy our planet.

My favourite product, which I discovered at Ambiente, is bee wax wrap, a natural alternative to plastic wrapping for food storage, and which can be made very easily by yourself.

Photos by Biel Morro and Kami

An important issue that will also play a major role in interior design is the growing concern and awareness for the state of the oceans, which we are polluting more and more. “Every little piece of plastic manufactured in the past 50 years that made it into the ocean is still out there somewhere.” (Tony Andrady, chemist at the American Research Triangle Institute).

The ocean is the main source of inspiration for this trend of paying tribute to the world underwater. Sea creatures such as fish, coral, shells and mermaids are swimming across every surface. The colours of the ocean: indigo, dusty blues, aquamarines and deep navies create a calming, and at the same time, invigorating atmosphere. They bring peace and serenity into our homes, where we want to switch off from everyday life and recharge our batteries.

Photos by raw pixel, Jimena, Anna Gru and Chuttersnap

This trend brings the fun and adventure of a summer vacation back to our home. It is reminiscent of glamorous luxury hotels in sun-drenched locations like the beaches of Rio, Miami and Palm Springs. Tropical colours such as dark, juicy jade green and mustard yellow are combined with shades of pink, ranging from pale pink to rosewood, with accents in Yves Klein Blue. Black is used in small details. The unexpected colour combinations can be found in botanical print patterns, which look as picturesque as the sketchbook of an expressive artist. Leopards, monkeys and exotic birds like flamingos and toucans peek out from behind palm trees and ferns. The style of different decades is masterfully mixed: 50s shapes meet 80s geometry, as well as the elegance of the 70s.

Photo by Andy Witchger, illustration by Heike Schick

The unicorn, one of the most beautiful creatures of all, fulfills our need for hope and our wish to believe in magic. This trend is characterized by pastel hues and glitter. But the days of the unicorn are numbered, and the llama becomes the new unicorn. Although they lack the magic and mysticism of unicorns, llamas, with their shaggy fur, floppy ears, the squishy nose and adorable smiles, have a cuddly factor that makes them ideal for graphics on soft goods. The word ‘llama’ inspires puns such as No problama, and rhymes with ‘drama’, ‘karma’, etc. This year will be the year of the sloth, a lifelike portrayal of the carefree lifestyle many of us strive for every day. Perhaps we are attracted to the sloth’s laid-back demeanour because it reminds us of ourselves watching television on the couch. The sloth is the new llama.

The year starts with important lifestyle fairs featuring interior products. The Heimtextil is a source of inspiration and the IMM a revelation. Please follow me on my expedition through five trend themes.

Pursue Play

In our meritocracy we tend to consider play as a pastime or childish activities. And yet play is a mode of being human and a fundamental part of our well-being. While play is an activity, playfulness is an attitude; it’s the state of mind, of mindfulness, of connection, of responsiveness and of giving oneself over to the moment. Playfulness is one of the core characteristics of being creative. All creative acts are forms of play, and with play comes a sense of humour. When it comes to design playfulness doesn’t mean an arabesque style, but humorous unexpected combinations. In this trend interiors look like playground and furniture reminds us of toys. Vital primary colours are combined with washed-out pastels spreading optimism. My designs for children are also meant for adults who are young at heart.

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