Comfort and creativity
In today’s world full of uncertainty and harsh realities, it seems design is being enlisted to promote a sense of well-being. And what better than ample and enveloping shapes to lend a soft and cheery touch to our interiors? The trend towards curves makes our homes look cosy and designed while creating a soft and sensual atmosphere. In the refuge that is our home, rounded shapes make us feel good because they are comforting and reassuring.
Find inspiration in our curves-dedicated Pinterest board!
Straight Lines Vs. Curves
After years of sleek pared-down environments and sharp, straight lines, design has taken a completely different direction. Accent chairs are curvy and enveloping, like our Wyle chair, for example. Sofas are overstuffed, beckoning us to relax and take it easy. Chairs have rounded silhouettes and backs; tables are getting rounder and more oval; decorative objects are circular; light fixtures are spherical and semi-spherical; and rugs are shedding their right angles. Move over straight lines! It’s time to share the stage with round and fluid forms.
This new trend clearly draws on 1970s motifs and especially the furniture of the 50s and 60s. Inspired by the famed tulip table, our Carlyle table is a perfect example of a modern and timeless piece of furniture. A best seller of 1950s design, the tulip table was created by American designer of Finnish origin Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1956.
Designing Interiors
When it comes to interior design, the trend towards curves has many advantages: round and oval-shaped furniture lets you organize and open up the space in a dynamic way. Imagine, for instance, using a beautiful round rug in a living room to demarcate a spot for curling up with a book or a round table in a kitchen to set off an eating area from the rest of the room.
In the refuge that is our home, rounded shapes make us feel good because they are comforting and reassuring.
You can spot the trend in the retail sector. One example that comes to mind is the Pastel Rita café and wine bar on boulevard St-Laurent; the innovative design is the work of Kim Parizeau of Appareil Architecture.
Warm and soft colours
Cold weather calls for quieFor comfort, choose soft shades like gray, pink, green or beige which are calming, soothing and versatile. If you’re looking to keep your home cozy, style your room in these neutral and lighter tones.
Another trend is the terracotta and burgundy tones that are making their way into our interiors for an easy touch of colour. The WESS accent chair fits perfectly into this trend.
Geometric Shapes
The motifs in style now include visual elements that are part of our collective memory. When you think back on the wallpaper patterns in the 60s and 70s, the images were sharp, curves had pride of place and colours were cheerful. They also bring to mind the Memphis design movement of the 80s which was notable for its geometric forms. Art Deco, with its play of lines and curves, comes to mind as well. The trend towards rounded shapes picks up on all these past influences to inject a spirit of optimism into our interiors.
As the old saying goes, fashion trends eventually repeat themselves!
If you found this topic interesting and would like to learn more, here is a good place to start: here.
