Lesley, founder and CEO of Bemz, recently shared a study on trends with me which I thought made for interesting reading. Peter Wippermann and his Hamburg trend research agency Trendbüro were commissioned by stilwerk to investigate current trends associated with lifestyle and living. Their study, entitled Trends for Tomorrow's Living, reveals new needs that will shape our lives in the future and how they are expressed in our day-to-day living.
Pictured from left: Henrik Chairs in Sybary- Dove Grey, New Baroque- Chocolate Brown, Hounds Tooth- Dusty Rose and Aubergine (on other side of table).
They identified four new primary movements which Prof. Wippermann has entitled Archaic Nature, Hysteric Wonderland, Eco Pop and Hybrid Living. Here are some excerpts:
Pictured left: Angby armchair in Unbleached Linen with a Classic Ruta- Blackcushion; and right: Klappsta armchair in Marimekko Pienet Kievet- Black/White.
ARCHAIC NATURE reflects a yearning for authenticity and veracity. In our increasingly complex and confusing social environment, many people have turned to seeking reliability – the security of what is tried and tested and the emotion of familiarity are our shields against the uncertainty of the future. The esthetic focus of this trend concentrates on natural, original materials, tangible entities, expressed in organic natural lines/shapes and geometric, elemental forms. These are products with unaffected, earthy character, communicating personality over perfection.
Pictured: Ekeskog armchair in Josephine- Strong Pink with a Fuchsia cushion.
HYSTERIC WONDERLAND highlights individuality and exclusivity, focusing on capricious treasures with immense visual impact and high prestige factor. A longing for whatever is exceptional, unusual, unique - furnishings become exhibition pieces. Effectively staged, they relinquish their status as consumer items for everyday use and become objects of display. Designer pieces becomes collectibles, art blends with market value. Artistic sophistication, opulence and luxury are the hallmarks. Interior design becomes the the benchmark and material/design adhere to the principles of art – creative, free, boundless.
Pictured left: Klippan sofa in Kaleido Blue/Blue with a Stockholm Stripe- Jet Black and a Gotland Stripe- Mandarin Orangecushion; and right: Jennylund armchair in Static Stripe- Fuchsia with cushions in Real Red and Mandarin Orange and a Fuchsia Tomelilla armchair.
ECO POPis emotionally bound up with the revival in 1960s and 1970s pop culture. It reflects the utopia of a blithe, carefree world. Bright colors, clean shapes and cute, playful concepts conceal a high-tech heart beating within complex communication tools. The fun factor wins consumers' hearts by delivering slick add-value benefits. We are in a position to design our environment along subjective lines. The boundaries between artificial and natural are gradually dissolving.
Pictured: Tomelilla in Basiq Unbleached Cotton.
Given the facts of climate change and the pollution of air and drinking water, many people are seeking a personal escape from the harsh, unpredictable reality in the outside world. The ECO POP trend uses high-tech to call for a better world, in which individuals can feel safe and comfortable and which fulfills the desire for a clean future – which, the majority are aware, cannot be achieved by applying a backwards-looking philosophy, but only by utilizing progressive and visionary methods.
Pictured: Falsterbo in Marimekko Spinning- Multi.
HYBRID LIVINGbrings deconstructivism into our living spaces, expressed in a redefinition of the perception of space. Boundaries that once separated personal and professional life, real and digital worlds are dissolving. Consumers seek the reflection of their modern lifestyle in their living spaces, aligned to their personal situations. Sensory illusions and the abandonment of familiarity and standardization become new status symbols. Changeable nature of the perception of space by the introduction of an array of different perspectives, the kaleidoscope effect is a key feature here, as well as hybrid structures.
Credit: Thanks to Alexander Garbe, CEO of stilwerk. stilwerk describes itself as an exclusive marketplace for interior decor, design and lifestyle, following a philosophy of “cooperation, not competition” which distinguishes it from conventional shopping centers.
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