Trend Concepts Watch
6.3.2012 12.00
Street Smarts help you to see the street for what it is, and its function and beauty will inspire us to look more closely. The street continues to influence color and texture in unconscious ways. Food is essential to our existence, and organic bright colors are the perfect balance for every design diet. Feathers seem to be fragile, yet they possess a strong and protective function.
Trend Concepts Watch 1: Street Smarts
The
street is ablaze with tonal texture. What is in front of us will be important
in the future, and seeing the street for what it is, its function and its
beauty will inspire us to look more closely. Neutral greys will shift and
become the universal backdrop on which to build other hues—imbedding tonal
nuances and/or in contrast with brighter colors. Call it what you want—tarmac,
concrete, pavement, macadam—it continues to influence color and texture in
unconscious ways, even though it’s right in front of our eyes… and feet! It’s a
step in the right direction.
Tikkurila "street grays"
As
I walked the streets of Milan last year I started noticing how the streets “talked”
while I walked. I was amazed at the textured designs and shapes of manhole covers,
so I started taking photos all along my path.
As I followed my “trend nose” I
noticed that other designers were inspired by the same thing! And look what I
found! Top center image:
“GAZ” realism…is a street manhole cover. Image on right: a manhole cover carpet design by Eno Studio.
Designers
are taking an alternative spin to street design. Translating the obvious street
texture into unexpected forms for rejuvenated use puts the fun back into FUNctional.
 |  |
| Melbourne Movement heightens the pavement
stone particles into a functional, fluid and textural chair. | www.fordesignfor.com literally picks up the
pavement for interior direction. |
Brooklyn,
NY: The Street is in the House leaves “caution” to the wind with
re-purposed garden containers and road construction seating.
Tikkurila "caution street colors"
Trend Concepts Watch 2: Food
Food—it’s tangible and tactile. It’s immediate
gratification. Food is essential to our existence and always will be. Why do we
have a heightened awareness of Food at this time in our lives?
The focus is at
home…local… sustaining our existence—and the one thing we can control in our
lives. Food reminds us of rooting ourselves in the ground and sharing a
community of seasonal growth with those around us. It fosters a community and a
“back to basics” vision.
Organic
bright colors are the perfect balance for every design diet. What I call the “Succotash
Palette of Peas, Corn, and Carrot” are timeless. Juxtaposed against the soil
rich naturals, this combination of delicious color texture can be summed up as
utterly delectable and great for sharing at the design table.
I studied an
overview of color over the last 13–14 decades and the “aha” moment for me was
discovering that the peas, corn, and carrot combination has remained popular in
the color offering ever since the 1880s, at least in North America! This
translates into “timeless” and “fail-safe” colors and color combinations that
have universal appeal. Where do these colors originate in influence… food… of course!
The
Daily Rind: I love the way some designers think beyond the obvious! Take a
second look at these repurposed peels from fruit and vegetables! ”Solskin
peels” that function as eating dishware and speakers and from Ori Sonnenschein
of Bezalel Academy of Arts/Design from Jerusalem.
Peas,
Corn, Carrots: Marshmallows mimic with a clean version of peas, corn and
carrots for stackable seating from Casamania. Hot peppers sconce the wall in
vibrant chili Red from Casamania.
The
perfect scenario of the Peas, Corn, Carrot combo is shown here from the company
Benchmark. The colors are vibrant together or on their own. How versatile and
timeless is that?
Tikkurila "peas, corn and carrot colors"
Trend Concepts Watch 3: Feathers
The
“idea of fragility” is coming to the forefront of trends, and an element of its influence
is showing itself in the form of feathers. Feathers seem to have a fragile
quality, yet they possess a strong and protective function in nature. In
design, we layer them, use them as accents, and display them as tactile and
dimensional textures. Ultimately, feathers translate the feeling of lightness
and wanting freedom of flight from the heaviness that surrounds us. Birds will
continue to inspire us through the many feather textures and colors.
Terms
such as “warm, delicate, airy, sheer, handle with care, and blanketing” come to
mind when we experience the texture, shape and color of feathers… and no two
are the same!
Talents a la Carte at Maison et Objet in
January 2012 showcased Eric
Charles-Donatien. The basis of his work and material is feathers. In
this design, Eric juxtaposes concepts of heavy and light contrasts, often with
a sense of fragility of each element. It’s interesting to see how the concept
of “heavy” floats and the “light” weighs in. For more information about Eric
Charles-Donatien link to www.maison-objet.com.
Click here to give feedback about the blog
Palaa otsikoihin
