As an established Furniture Retailer, our Flagship stores have a reputation to inspire and display product that won’t normally be seen on the average high street or retail park.
Our experienced buyers travel the World visiting exhibitions, leading factories and design conferences, making us an authority on the latest trends. This year alone, we’ve attended product launches and exhibitions in – Milan, Cologne, Paris, Copenhagen, Brussels, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong and even Birmingham!
Some of the current trends that we’ve identified and will be filtering into our stores, if they haven’t already , can be seen below:
Glamour – with great use being made of Crystal on cabinet and bed frames. Sequins being applied to soft furnishings to give more opulence; a significant trend towards ornate carving and elaborate painted finishes on cabinet and Showood trims; the use of luxurious crushed Velvets to give a sophisticated aura.
Funky Victorian – many designers are going back to classical styling but reinventing them with a contemporary twist. This includes the use of fashionable, co-ordinating contemporary fabrics on renowned classical icons such as the Chesterfield, Knowle and Camel back sofas. As a contrast, they are also doing the reverse in putting Damasks and Velvets onto cutting edge modern designs.
Motion – a lot of designs are now incorporating innovative motion bringing excitement to functionality – this is best highlighted by the prevalence of twister and swivel chairs of all sizes and shapes within many upholstery collections. Added to this are some cutting edge extending dining tables with an impressive circular mechanism movement to impress your guests.
Colour – although the market is predominantly still very neutral with varying shades of Beige and Brown, plus Black and White, there is at long last more exciting colour – including refreshing shades of Purple and Lime Green, plus some daring Fuschia Pinks and Rhubarbs for the Summer. If that’s all too bright – there’s also the re-emergence of Grey tones to some of the most popular colours.
Natural Products and Finishes - there is a noticeable return to nature for many products with a widespread use of Stone, Natural Teaks and Oak, Rattan and Linens. In Leather upholstery, there is a trend towards more natural waxed and oiled Leathers to give a fashionable, aged look, even to the most contemporary of designs.
High Gloss – in keeping with the trend for glamour and sophistication, is the popularity of lacquered high gloss painted finishes in contemporary dining, living and bedroom furniture. The most popular colours are Blacks and Whites, but there is a movement towards combining them with Walnuts, Wenge and Beech. A more acquired taste is the daring introduction of Oranges, Reds and Lime Greens into lacquered finishes.
Environmentally Friendly – just as with household products and foodstuffs, we have noticed an increased demand for product made from sustainable sources, by-products and re-cycled materials. This can be seen in furniture for all rooms in the home, as well as in many fillings used in beds and sofas.
New Materials – if it’s a revolution you’re looking for, then you’ll probably be disappointed. In this age of economic uncertainty, most designers are avoiding needless development costs and using tried and tested materials. That apart, there is a move towards Perspex, coloured glass and brushed metals in contemporary dining and living.
Boring Beds – or are they? In a drive towards making the purchase of a new bed more fashionable and desirable, there has been a swing towards the use of more exciting designs and materials. This includes being able to select the fabric or your divan base to match your headboard, or even curtains, with a choice from some exciting co-ordinating fabrics. There is even a trend for the use of bold, glamorous fabrics on mattress ticking. When it comes to the fillings, many leading companies are now combining memory foam with pocket springing to give unprecedented levels of comfort and support. In homes where space is an issue, the broad selection of Ottoman beds is becoming an attractive option.
To add more glamour to the bedroom there is a definite trend towards more ornate carving and elaborate painted finishes, plus the use of sensual Silks, Linens, Diamantes and Sequins in bed linen.