This year I was chosen to be a Trend Scout for the #StyleYourSeason program, a collaboration between Pantone and AmericasMart. We were tasked with scouting our favorite finds and emerging trends at the Nation’s #1 product destination and lifestyle market in Atlanta. It was three days of scouring showrooms to find the most lastest & hottest home design trends for 2016. From emerging trends to those that have withstood another year in the design race and have made it to the finish line. What did I find at Market? Well here are The 7 Hottest Home Design Trends….
- Crystals/Agates & Stones–Natural stones-Diamonds may be a girls best friend, but Agates, Geodes & Crystals are perhaps a more attainable if not equally stunning option. The design industry has taken some of the most unusual semi-precious stones & crystals and manufactured them into fireplace surrounds, lamps & accessories. Crystals continue their trajectory into the design stratosphere, and they were displayed at Market in either a polished or raw form. I’ve always felt Crystals emit an ethereal glow, and when they are cut the beauty of the veining and fractures can be highlighted when exposed to light, lending a certain allure to an otherwise ordinary object. From uncut specimens to larger clusters used as lamp bases, crystals were a market favorite second only to Agates. Polished the latter offers a luxurious, artistic quality to the stone exposing rings in iridescent colors from bright fuschias to earthy neutrals. They were stand-outs at Market not only as pieces functioning as tabletop art but also as cuts adorning boxes, wall art & even chandeliers.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
A rock crystal planter from Kathryn McCoy at AmericasMart in Atlanta…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Gold planters with GlamGems semi-precious rocks & minerals act as plant filler.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
A quartz fireplace surround from Kathryn McCoy.
2. Pastels-Pantone gave birth to twins in 2016, namely Rose Quartz & Serenity. Although Pinks and Pastel tones emerged toward the later part of 2015, they are garnering even more attention in 2016. The “twins of color” were evident everywhere this year, from bedding to furniture, lighting & wallpaper. In stark contrast were rich jewel tones from bold blues to regal purples. I noticed the introduction of pinks and soft lavenders at market last year, and it will continue well into 2016. Atlanta Market showcased a striking range of soft purples and pinks in bedding, accessories, and rugs. It was evident that the industry found a myriad of ways in which to honor the Pantone colors of the year.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Wallcoverings from Mitchell Black springboarding off from the trend of pink.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Beaded Chandelier with light blue glass from Mr. Brown-London. The colors of Serenity…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Pastels & jewel tones trending for 2016 are showcased in rugs at French Accent Rugs.
3. Micro-Sculptures-Last year I began noticing a trend of interpretive art components which could be placed on a wall in a random pattern. They are called Micro-sculptures. Individual elements which encourage participation in the creative process. As a designer, I see all the possibilities of creating a unique Micro-sculptures in my home. And there were certainly some fine examples displayed at Atlanta Market. From metal discs to paper flower wall art, and wooden tiles. These decorative elements can be arranged on a wall in any formation, and the beauty of this trend exists in the fact that custom pieces of art can be created and installed in large arrangements or to supplement existing pieces. Giving all of us an opportunity to let our inner creative shine.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Worldly Goods Inc. displays a set of mixed orbs that can be arranged in any formation creating a unique piece of artwork…
Via Gold Leaf Design Group
Micro-sculptures allow you to create art your way…
Photo/ Phillips Collection
Individual micro-sculptures offer a unique art grouping around a larger piece…
4. Sustainably Harvested Woods-The industry’s commitment to sustainably harvested woods was evident at Atlanta Market. From live-edge tables preserved in their original forms to pieces of reclaimed timber manufactured into benches or even sculptures. In it’s rawest form, some of the pieces functioned as art from table bases constructed from root balls, to large slices of wood-cuts on stands. The beauty of nature was apparent, recycled & repurposed into an eye-catching array of products.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
These reclaimed wood benches from Europe3You are given new life in a variety of wood tones.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
A Root-ball table in all its natural state at Jeffan.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
A log slice used as a striking piece of floor art…
5. Statement Hardware-If lighting is considered the jewelry of a room, then furniture hardware is a very close second. A trend emerged last year and it’s going to continue well into 2016-“Statement Hardware.” As a Trend Scout, I began to notice furniture introductions over the past few years that mimicked one-of-a-kind pieces giving the illusion of bespoke. I think people crave a “custom look,” but unfortunately, not all can afford it. So furniture manufacturers have come up with a brilliant solution, furniture that gives the illusion of an original, and what better way to achieve this than through the addition of “Statement Hardware.” It serves to elevate a piece of furniture in a way that a “statement necklace” serves to enhance an outfit. Adding refinement and custom appeal.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
From Global Views, the hardware is the star of this cabinet…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Global View takes the design stage with another statement piece.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
From the Global Views showroom, a console that is branching out into new territory…
6. Abstract Impressionism-If you followed me on Social Media during Market, I mentioned this trend, featuring what were at times bold adaptations to more sophisticated brush strokes of an artist’s imagination. Shifting lights & colors captured the attention and are easily translatable into any style of interior. The abstract movement was making it’s way through the Market from fabrics to tabletop accessories.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Refined abstracts at Liz Marsh…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
The sisters at The Blush Label define the new trend of colorful impressionism…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
Tabletop accessories with a Rorschach abstract vibe at Codarus.
7. Gold Tones-Although, I saw chrome and silver tones slowly making their way back into the design hemisphere, gold tones were still at the forefront of accessories and lighting during Atlanta Market. Brighter, brassier versions of this shiny metal are making way for warmer, richer tones of gold with more pronounced textures. A micro-trend that is certainly noteworthy was the material combinations fusing gold with woods, lucite or used as a wash over organic elements. The gold rush is still very much alive and well, in Atlanta and Markets across the country.
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
One of the noteworthy trends at Market were materials combinations fusing gold with other materials…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
This gold chair from Made Goods, Inc showcases warm metals in a way that is simply breathtaking…
Photo/ Vicki Gladle Bolick
This gold feather Spaturral in glorious gold at Dimond Home.
It’s award season…and I found out yesterday that I am a finalist for Best Overall Design Blog for the 3rd year in a row. There are many stellar blogs in the running so I hope you’ll cast a vote for me. This award recognizes excellence in the field of Design Blogging, and I hope you’ll vote for The Ace of Space. You can follow the link here to vote in the Best Overall Design Blog Category. Many thanks in advance.
http://design-bloggers-conference.com/hall-of-fame-awards-…/
As always don’t forget to follow us on Social Media for more design inspiration & happenings.
Until next time.
BE INSPIRED. LIVE IN BEAUTY.
