Flamingos are gliding back into the limelight for 2017. These exotic pink birds, known for their elegant postures and beautiful bright feathers are everywhere from textiles, candles, wallpaper, to smart lampshades, cushions and striking artworks. Stunning coral coloured prints using flamingos in surface pattern designs with gold tones are evident across stationery, gift and home-ware. Whether you want to add a sophisticated splash of pink and yellow to your walls with these long legged birds or retro versions for children’s bedrooms, flamingo figurines or fun feather accessories, the flamingo motif is here to stay.
The theme of night and sleep evokes gleaming ornate patterns combined with rich velvety colours ranging from deep leather brown, bordeaux reds to berry shades and gem colours including ruby. Hints of brass, glistening materials and precious metallic touches create a sense of luxury against moody, dark interiors.
Swirling dust clouds and bright newborn stars dominate the view in this image of the Lagoon nebula from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. / Universal History Archive/UIG
Glimmering stars and constellations are back in fashion leading to glistening materials and LED lighting. The movement away from patterns and frills has shifted the focus to raw materials and simplicity. A product’s construction is key including overstitching, button details or pockets. Charcoal shades and cool reflections including lilac and grey add a lighter dimension to all black colour schemes. Crystals, gem stones, plant textures, sand swirls made by the wind and sea-like patterns, are recreated by 3D printing techniques. This highlights delicate colours.
Yellow diamond in the rough (diamond) / Private Collection / Photo © Boltin Picture Library
For many homemakers, nature is the best way forward! This trend is all about natural materials, a celebration of foliage and a journey back into the wilderness. The careful combination of original materials creates a strong rustic vibe with products that are down to earth and exposed to the elements. Cleaner looks, and honest, simple materials such as clay, enamel, cast iron and linen contrast well with crafted wood, creating tactility and texture.
The rustic theme is growing in popularity and the UK are following European-wide fashions for rustic greenery, plant life and luxury outdoor living. There has been a bold return to nature and a yearning for the past. The infusion between new and old means we are seeing retro references pop up and unexpected pairings including 1970s styles mixed with retro colour blocking, ornate and intricate, and asymmetrical patterns. Technology is fusing traditional methods of craftsmanship alongside contemporary art. Be prepared to see more subtle wood colours, muted, natural textures, oxide patterns or marble pattern effects.
Green is the Pantone colour of the year and there has been a flurry of interest in works that are inspired by camping. The rich greens remind us of the great outdoors which we can often forget once the weather starts to turn; and soothing shades of blue make all colour combinations more cohesive.
Majorelle Gardens, Marrakech, 1996 (carylic on linen) (see 186509), Larry Smart (1945-2005) (Contemporary Artist) / Private Collection
A burst of plant life has entered the home and it is blooming with exotic, tropical colours, vibrant designs and natural gemstones. Big bold palm prints, colourful florals with soft washed prints and punchy geometric plant patterns were strong on the catwalks for Spring. These tropical colours show no sign of fading despite the fact the Olympics in Brazil past by last year. Pantone’s intense botanical trend has paved the way for rich greens next to vibrant yellows and blues. When brought together in the home, these colours create a lovely, refreshing space that compliments both contemporary and traditional interiors.
Citron yellow will always have a spot on a Spring palette, working as a vibrant shade in contrast to the darker neutral tones mentioned before.
The Cornfield (near Argenteuil) (oil on canvas), Alfred Sisley (1839-99) / Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany
This colour dominated the Spring catwalks and evokes memories of the sky above or the gentle ocean below, along with blue-struck artists in the 19th century from Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne to Van Gogh. The rich blue seen in a number of striking fashion designs on the SS17 catwalks points to the influence of Yves Klein who produced the perfect ultramarine blues throughout his mesmerising work. For further inspiration, head to the exhibition ‘Yves Klein’ at Tate Liverpool until 5 March 2017.
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