Pantone elected Greenery as being of the colour of the year, a hue that does not reinvent anything and actually makes me think of a trend that was, {to my taste} overused in a not so distant past. Just remember those backsplashes, ceramic vases with tall blades of faux grass or even the subway tiles in that “celery inspired” colour. But it is the promise of this tonal choice that inspires me, its reaches far beyond the simple hue with all the best that nature’s most prevalent theme has to offer.
Last week’s Salon Maison & Objet, in Paris, was a beacon of current trends but also a barometer of what the consumers are asking for in terms of decorating needs, big and small. And it took me no time at all to realize that one very present recurring theme was that of plants, the various deep shades of green and anything with a natural vibe.
Here are 4 trends inspired by green
Living with plants
In my book, the biggest of these trends is the fact that plants are BACK! Not in a subtle way, but more in an “in your face and not going anywhere” kind of way. I absolutely love this trend. It’s been too long since we’ve seen any hint of green in our interiors. And why I ask? Could there be a sociological reason to the demise of plants due to our overbooked schedules, hectic lives and performance search? Or maybe it caters to a more egotistical approach by ways of plants requiring care and who has time for such thing these days? I mean, they do take a big total of 5 minutes to water and care for weekly. Either way, it seems that the world if fed up with it all and they are now embracing the urban jungle look.
The show featured a ton of super cool products to display plants, but these two stood a good leaf above the rest. From Taipei, Kimu Design’s The Old New Vase really struck a cord with me for its wire and wood composition. I also really liked Amsterdam’s Pikaplant and its Pikaplant Tableau which comes in black and white and is Oh so modern and gorgeous!
Tropical leaves
Another trend that is taking the design world by storm is the rendition of tropical leaves on about anything: rugs, pillows, wallpaper, linens etc. Spain’s Lorena Canals proposed a super cute washable version that I loved for an unisex nursery maybe or even the kitchen and I swooned over the handmade tropical wallpaper by French company Swabdesign.
Suspended plants
I am putting this next point as a subcategory of the living with plants idea, because it deserves a ton of attention. Watch out it’s about to get big. Suspended plants & green ceilings are the next frontier from the green walls that we’ve seen popping up in shops and coffee houses. Now the trend is getting personal by entering the residential market. Planters made of macramé, leather or wood were everywhere like French brand Miwitipee’s oak version or Denmark’s Nordal brass planter with beads. But it’s the total suspended ceiling that really got me weak at the knees. There was something so alive and lush about it, maybe not super practical in reality but the idea of it is brilliant.
Green materials
This next trend is not about the colour but more the composition. Organic, vintage and carbon neutral products were the rage. In a world weighted down by trash and landfills, designers all over are coming up with cool ideas to create products without leaving a carbon footprint. Italy’s All.Origine’s fabrics were just that; handwoven and handloomed hemp linen roll, these fabrics were made around in 1940’s. Uashmama is another great Italian company that proposes products all made of washable paper. From baskets to pillows their products are sold in the trendiest of shops all over the world. I am a huge fan.
That being said, the colour green is also a strong trend this year, as much on furniture, lamps, wall coverings as paint and fabrics. From a soft and muddied moss green to a rich emerald hue without omitting a certain shade of greenery, green is ZE colour this year… making the loop right back to where we started.
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