Trends to Take from the Decorex Design Fair 2021
Designers served up a mix of tactile, colourful designs at the show while staying focused on nature and sustainability
There was an optimistic feel at London’s Olympia this autumn, as the venue showcased new designs at the Decorex 2021 fair, 10 to 13 October. We went along to see the latest products from a range of designers and find out what ideas are inspiring their work.
Artisan tile maker Bert & May illustrated this renewed confidence by showcasing its collaboration with Little Greene paints (pictured). The tile company’s creative director, Ruth Webber, explains that the eight new colours “allow customers even greater choice to develop colourful, layered interiors with personality”.
At the Mylands paint stand, head of marketing Julia Lindquist told us she’s never seen customers be so bold. The brand’s new colour palette includes vibrant reds, greens and blues, but one of the most interesting trends she’s noticed this year is for gold paint, which customers are using in all sorts of interesting and creative ways.
Outside in
The design world’s focus on nature shows no signs of subsiding, and that was evident across the fair. Architect Richard Parr told the House, Home, Live, Work discussion panel how building within the landscape was already a trend before the pandemic, but that it’s accelerated since.
“People want to experience being in the garden through their interior,” Louise Wicksteed added.
Inventive ways to bring that natural world indoors included Timorous Beasties’ new range of fabrics and wallpapers. Its Matzu Tree fabric (pictured), for example, is a whirling abstract interpretation of wind blowing through Japanese trees.
The design world’s focus on nature shows no signs of subsiding, and that was evident across the fair. Architect Richard Parr told the House, Home, Live, Work discussion panel how building within the landscape was already a trend before the pandemic, but that it’s accelerated since.
“People want to experience being in the garden through their interior,” Louise Wicksteed added.
Inventive ways to bring that natural world indoors included Timorous Beasties’ new range of fabrics and wallpapers. Its Matzu Tree fabric (pictured), for example, is a whirling abstract interpretation of wind blowing through Japanese trees.
Original BTC’s Pebble light was another nature-inspired design on display. It’s made from 48 stone-shaped ceramic forms secured on a steel frame to create a tactile, layered cocoon.
Sensory objects
Richard Parr explained to the House, Home, Live Work panel how emotional investment has gone back into homes.
For ceramicist Harriet Caslin, who displayed her ceramic lighting (pictured) at the Design-Nation stand, an emotional connection is at the heart of her work.
On her website she says, “I love the idea of someone using one of my mugs and noticing how comfortable it sits in their hands and how tactile the satin glaze feels with the unique ridged design or how the porcelain light vibrantly transforms when it’s switched on.”
Richard Parr explained to the House, Home, Live Work panel how emotional investment has gone back into homes.
For ceramicist Harriet Caslin, who displayed her ceramic lighting (pictured) at the Design-Nation stand, an emotional connection is at the heart of her work.
On her website she says, “I love the idea of someone using one of my mugs and noticing how comfortable it sits in their hands and how tactile the satin glaze feels with the unique ridged design or how the porcelain light vibrantly transforms when it’s switched on.”
Softly softly shapes
The curved silhouette popped up all over Decorex this year, with plenty of desks, drawers, sinks and seating designed with rounded edges.
Furniture-maker Vincent Sheppard’s new Frida lounge chair is a great example of this look, with its circular teak frame complemented by soft lines of acrylic rope.
The curved silhouette popped up all over Decorex this year, with plenty of desks, drawers, sinks and seating designed with rounded edges.
Furniture-maker Vincent Sheppard’s new Frida lounge chair is a great example of this look, with its circular teak frame complemented by soft lines of acrylic rope.
Traditional updated
Sustainable choices are still very much in focus, and one way designers and their clients are engaging with this is to think about the life cycle of products they buy.
“We had a few years where everything was very temporary,” Alexandra Jurkiewicz said. “Now people are happy to invest in pieces that will stay in the family or even stay in the house when it’s sold.”
Classic and traditional designs that won’t go out of style are being updated to provide homeowners with a modern take on a timeless look. Decorative lighting company Pooky, which exhibited at the show, has introduced this with designs such as the Athena chandelier (pictured).
Sustainable choices are still very much in focus, and one way designers and their clients are engaging with this is to think about the life cycle of products they buy.
“We had a few years where everything was very temporary,” Alexandra Jurkiewicz said. “Now people are happy to invest in pieces that will stay in the family or even stay in the house when it’s sold.”
Classic and traditional designs that won’t go out of style are being updated to provide homeowners with a modern take on a timeless look. Decorative lighting company Pooky, which exhibited at the show, has introduced this with designs such as the Athena chandelier (pictured).
Elsewhere at the show, Annika Reed was displaying her wallpapers, which are created using traditional woodblock printing. This is a craft that, she explains, is on the decline. Here, the classic technique is used to create an escapist Pegasus pattern.
Modern weaves
Natural surfaces have become increasingly popular in interiors lately, and in particular woven designs made of rattan, seagrass or similar. Designers were showcasing woven textures in ever more interesting ways at the show, bringing a more polished, modern look to the material.
Fiona McDonald’s Hugo drinks cabinet (pictured), for example, combines the rustic feel of raffia with a chic, elegant design.
Natural surfaces have become increasingly popular in interiors lately, and in particular woven designs made of rattan, seagrass or similar. Designers were showcasing woven textures in ever more interesting ways at the show, bringing a more polished, modern look to the material.
Fiona McDonald’s Hugo drinks cabinet (pictured), for example, combines the rustic feel of raffia with a chic, elegant design.
At Decorex’s Future Heritage exhibition of emerging designers, Adam Nathaniel Furman took the modern woven look even further. His Beiruti Collection for Beit Collective uses sustainable, brightly coloured material for the Khayzaran woven seats. It’s described as “a respectful twist on a much cherished tradition”.
If you’re looking for more design inspiration this autumn or would like to catch up on anything from the show, Decorex Virtual takes place from 16 to 18 November.
Tell us…
Did you visit Decorex 2021 at London’s Olympia? What stood out to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
If you’re looking for more design inspiration this autumn or would like to catch up on anything from the show, Decorex Virtual takes place from 16 to 18 November.
Tell us…
Did you visit Decorex 2021 at London’s Olympia? What stood out to you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Colour was abundant at Decorex this year, with grass greens, pillar box reds, warm corals and pale pinks just some of the shades on display.
Handcrafted curtain pole maker Byron & Byron showed how to add brights to your windows, for example, with its Floral Neons collection of poles (pictured).
“The classic grey palette is getting outdated, finally,” Alexandra Jurkiewicz of Helen Green Design Studio said during the event’s House, Home, Live, Work discussion. “People have had time to reflect during the pandemic and know more now what they want.”
Louise Wicksteed of Sims Hilditch agreed, adding, “It’s an exciting and diverse time for design, as there are no rules. Clients want to be more bold.”