Arts
There is always a new interior design trend around the corner. Some designs last through the ages, while others fade away as fads; today we explore the ones that we think are going to have a lasting impact on the industry. On this episode of Element Sessions, we welcomed Chris Dwyer, western regional sales manager at Element Designs, to break down the latest trends in kitchen and bath design. Coming off a whirlwind trip to Cologne, Germany having attended the leading international trade show for furniture design, interzum, Dwyer dished on what he saw there. Bright pops of color, etched patterns in glass, and gold and brass embellishments on aluminum fixtures were just a few standout design trends that could be here to stay. Interzum, a sprawling trade show taking up eleven different convention halls, was a “buffet of design trends,” as host Sean Heath put it. So what design elements stood out among the throng of booths? “It’s definitely about space...how to get more out of the space," Dwyer said. Design elements that open up spaces without the clutter of extra fixtures are top performers. Open shelving stood out among the crowd, as well as clean cabinetry. “How to conceal everything was a big point at the show," Dwyer said, referencing how hardware, like hinges, are becoming less visible to the user’s eye. In short, “clean, contemporary, straight modern lines” are in. Consumers are seeking minimalism as their living spaces shrink, and the design world is reflecting this global shift. Dwyer's take on European furniture and design gave us a glimpse into what will take footing in the US next year when trends make their way across the pond.