the key interior trends of 2024 - bold prints are here to stay!

it’s february again… and it seems to be a particularly grey one, but that just makes it perfect time to read about decorating trends, colours, patterns and all the fun stuff. and, as we do it now every year, we’ve collected the main trends to focus on so do join us on a trip into the hottest new interior trends.

1. bOLD colours and brave combos

at zitozza, we have been waiting for this moment for a looong time, but even for the minimalists, it’s probably a good time to say goodbye to the all-beige aesthetic and the grey everything. in the mid-2020s, we are in desperate need for mood-boosting colours and the stranger, and more eye-catching, the better. close the itten book, there are no rules, more is more - we’re getting ready to make some bold, wild prints on new interior fabrics and we cannot wait.

2. hand crafted statement pieces

we have discussed this before - sustainability is not a trend, but an imperative for all industries now, as it should be. for sure, sustainable design processes and practices can be interpreted in many interesting ways and many are slowly seeping into interior trends. one that’s here to stay is how the luxury statement pieces now mean the high-quality, handmade objects made by artisans. exquisite hand crafted details, small imperfections, material honesty - what’s not to love and do we have the rugs for you!

3. luxury gezelligheid

this one is an entirely biased inclusion in the list since zitozza are dutch lovers, but that thing that house beautiful calls “cosy, quiet luxury” and those “real and memorable spaces” dezeen refers to - the dutch have a word for it and if you ever went through a bit of a hygge phase, you need to learn to say gezellig.

it means so much more than cosy - it is a social and friendly kind of contentness. in the home, it may express itself in the shape of ambient lighting (think about our jute lampshades!), warm, tactile textures (think of layers of rugs on the floor!), and open, inviting, sociable spaces ready to be filled with warm conversations. naturally, this means high quality, long-lasting materials and finishes as time well spent is the real luxury now!

4. BROWN (FOR real!)

no, it is not the 1970s anymore, don’t worry. that kind of brown is not making a new comeback. this is a grown-up version, evolved from the earth tone trends we’ve seen in the last few years. at zitozza, we’re particular fans of the almost-black kind of espresso browns, and elle decor mentions chocolate hues, but if that’s not your thing, woods and finishes such as shou sugi ban may bring that tone in your home by more natural means.

5. stripes and checks

nothing we love more than patterns, of course and we’re so glad seeing them mentioned by vogue. horizontal or vertical, or have them clash and make a chequerboard - that’s right up our alley as our modular system of printing blocks can make up similar effects with that unique hand crafted appeal and we cannot wait to bring more of these prints to life - stay tuned!

6. mix and match

as we are all about tactile prints, we do always embrace a version of this kind of trend, but this year it really means a mix and match of all sorts of surfaces and patterns. textured walls are definitely a thing this year but it means a play with hard finishes - metals such silver and gold accents (and yes, stainless steel!) but also, of course, mixing coarse textiles (such as jute) with some soft linens too. exciting times!

if you’re ready to find something for your home, have a browse through our shop or request a sample to see what we’re able to do for your home!

below the articles we sourced these from are linked for further reading, and if you want to be the first to read about sustainable home decor and textiles, subscribe below (it comes with a freebie every month!)

-

links:

12 interior design trends we’ll see in 2024 (by amanda lauren, 4th january 2024, forbes)

maximalism to make way for “quiet refinement” in 2024 say interior designers (by casja carlson, 5th january 2024, dezeen)

5 interior design trends that will define 2024 (by sarah archer, 26 december 2023, architectural digest)

9 interior design trends to watch in 2024 (by david nash, 4th december 2023)

12 interior design trends you’ll see everywhere in 2024, according to experts (by medgina saint-elien, 9th december 2023, house beautiful)

the interior trends to know in 2024 - and what’s on its way out (by elise taylor, 4th january 2024, vogue)

the interior designs we’ll be seeing everywhere this year (by eleanor cording-booth, 27 october 2023, house and garden)

zitozza in milan!

happy new year! i hope you’re all well and had a nice little break in the weeks before. we’re back, refreshed, rested and ready to rock and roll! the year could not start better as in the second week of 2024, we went to milano home - well, our fabric and rug samples did, with huge thanks to british jewellery and giftware international. amongst these rug samples is a brand new material so it’s a bit of a mini-debut of our super heavyweight jute as well, which will bring you some even more exciting rugs this year, so there’s already plenty to look forward to (not to mention all those other exciting things in the pipeline that we don’t want to reveal just yet…)

so do stay in touch - and if you can, please visit fiera milano - the expo closes on sunday 14th. zitozza’s plinth is found at the british pavilion amongst other brilliant designers and they’re manned by the BJGI team. they have order forms and everything so do visit and get in touch with a sample!

image credit: BJGI

image credit: BJGI

zitozza in japan! - interior lifestyle tokyo 2023

hello again, hello june. we’re really due a nice blog post again, but we just have a small, but rather exciting news to share. we’re absolutely delighted to announce that zitozza has been selected by british jewellery and giftware international to exhibit at interior lifestyle tokyo 2023! while we won’t be personally present at the expo, we’re super excited to present a few of our block printed, sustainable homewares to a brand new audience!

the expo is on for three days between 14-16 june at tokyo big sight west exhibition park and the british lounge will be located at stand d015 filled with more than 20 amazing brands offering unique, designer homeware. if you’re in japan, please go and visit and we hope to report back with an amazing response!

image credit: BJGI

at home with the scandinavian style

new month, new blog post! wow, didn’t april just sweep past way too fast. it has been a busy month, and to our pleasant surprise, we have discovered our cushion in simply scandi magazine (which i was not aware before) but it’s a wonderful publication and it inspired a new blog post series - architectural tours are all well but i feel that for a homeware brand we neglect writing about interiors so we'll be doing that a bit more often.

in the first of this series then, we’ll have a look at how you can tweak the “scandinavian style” a bit to add some colours into it and make it uniquely yours. i don’t want to dwell too much on what even defines the “scandi” style, but it is often associated with clean lines and lots of natural light. but looking at the iconic mid-century designs coming from scandinavia, i also believe that it’s a mistake to see this style as anything too white or beige, and it’s really not that far from the modernist zitozza looks (and hey, brutalism!) so yes, yes, you can absolutely incorporate colours and patterns into a scandinavian style. while the traditional scandi aesthetic tends to emphasise light, airy spaces with a focus on white, grey and natural wood tones, there are lots of room to introduce some more colourful homewares in various ways.

pops of colour

the scandi style is not about using colour throughout the entire space, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be colourful! think about it more like using accessories of vibrant or bold colours as accents. this can be achieved through colourful accessories like cushions, throws, rugs, or artwork. select a few key pieces in complementary colours to add visual interest and create focal points in the room.

pastel tones

obviously, this is one of the more associated qualities of the scandi style - just pleasant and cosy! soft, muted pastel colours can work well within a scandinavian-style interior. pale shades of blue, pink, mint, or lavender can bring a subtle hint of colour without overpowering the space. use these colours on walls, textiles, or smaller decor items to maintain a light and airy atmosphere.

natural textures and elements

scandinavians are surrounded by some fantastic nature and they do like their outdoors, i think. so another way to introduce colour is through natural elements. incorporate plants and flowers to bring vibrant greenery and pops of natural colour into the space. additionally, consider wooden furniture or accessories with warm, natural wood tones that add warmth and texture while infusing the room with earthy hues.

patterns

scandinavian design can also feature patterns with colour (do you remember early 00s ikea huh?) so yes, my favourite advice - consider using patterned textiles, such as curtains, upholstery, or rugs, that incorporate colourful geometric or nature-inspired motifs. this can inject visual interest and personality into the space while still maintaining the overall scandinavian aesthetic.

statement pieces and fabrics

yes, this can mean the jacobsen chair, or anything else you may have in that category but there are lower-budget versions for this too. introduce a bold, colourful furniture piece or artwork as a focal point in the room. this can be a vibrant rug, a sofa, an accent chair, or a large colourful painting or wall hanging. by keeping the surrounding elements more neutral, you allow the statement piece to shine and bring a lively touch to the space.

overall, i guess the key is to maintain the finely tuned balance between colour, pattern, texture but in a calm, nordic manner, with the minimalistic, clean lines typically associated with scandinavian design. select colours that harmonise with the overall palette and aim for a cohesive look throughout the space, and don’t worry about a bit of clash - remember the colourful, contemporary looks of nordic brands like marimekko or hay - all is well with a splash of colour! by strategically incorporating bolder patterns, you can infuse your scandinavian-style interior with a touch of vibrancy and personal style - and we’re here to help you with that!

the key interior trends of 2023 - finally, brutalism is in (and sustainability remains)

february is here and if you’re thinking of any decorating work to be done around your home, you’re probably ready to make your plans soon… so to help you a little bit with that, here’s our yearly research into the interior design trends that will dominate the home styling scene this year!

1. BRUTALISM! embrace raw concrete and tactile, industrial materials

hell yeah! finally, raw concrete is in. in a chaotic world, we need clear and calming interior spaces and this is the perfect opportunity of the bare functionality of brutalist forms to make a come back. so, expose the surface, reveal the structure and get a raw, utilitarian jute rug to to match it (we have just the things for you…!) tactile surfaces have been around us for a while but finally it’s time for the raw materials to shine as they are.

“compared to the past, the new brutalist style results in a softer approach that incorporates natural elements like wood, stones, plants and sustainable materials resulting in a warmer and more welcoming aesthetic.” said giampiero tagliaferri for vogue.

2. BE BOLD AND BRAVE! embrace colours and patterns clashing

this is another one we absolutely love at zitozza - we’re all about patterns and colours here too. this is what house beautiful call ‘dopamine dressing’ and basically means just doing what you like, because it’s your home and your castle and who cares about rules anymore, right?!

so it’s time to dive into all the patterns, all the colours, and all the textures! more is more, less is a bore. it’s time to stop fretting about matching and embrace the clashing.

3. TEXTURES! embrace the tactile surfaces

yes, the bold and brave approach now extends to all the interesting textures too. "the recent pandemic deprived us of one of our most 'human' senses: touch. in response to that, i feel it will become increasingly important for designers to make use of materials that bring tactility to the interior scheme and to devise spaces that provoke an emotion in its users." interior designer tola oluojape told dezeen.

at zitozza, last year we have seriously extended our fabric range and we have a range of different textures from the soft and cosy recycled cotton blends to the coarsest jute and some interesting qualities in-between too, with bold, tactile prints too, to suit perfectly with the “hand-formed” textures trend predicted by elle decor.

4. sustainability! embrace the planet

i have always argued that this is not so much of a trend anymore but an imperative and it’s great to see now almost everyone jumping onboard. designers do have a huge responsibility in making products that don’t cost the earth and do last longer which is what we try to do at zitozza by using a lot of jute (one of the most sustainable fibres in the world) and recycled linens and recycled cotton blends (with recycled polyester and recycled polyester cushion inserts too!)

but it’s not just about fabrics, but a whole range of new materials from mushroom leather (by mylo unleather, as seen on dezeen’s selection), but also my personal favourite: bricks made of construction waste by kenoteq (discovered on material district). it’s genuinely exciting to see what the future brings in new materials to use for building and making homes.

5. HANDMADE! embrace the imperfections

and finally, here’s another fashionable decorating trend we can help you with - to embrace the handmade, crafted accessories with all their imperfections and naive charms. that handmade aesthetic is all over zitozza too, since, well, all our interior accesories are made by hand, slowly crafted with love and lots of passion for colour and texture.

“with thoughtful, sustainable design a key focus for 2023, as well as a nod to more nostalgic designs, these 'trends' will not only lead to us shopping more responsibly, but it will also see a rise in 'shopping small', and celebrating handmade, artisan designs and craftsmanship from all over the world.” writes jennifer ebert for homes and gardens and we take this fully onboard. shop small, buy handmade and cherish the object in your home with the same love as they were created with.

and if you want to stay in touch with the next lot of brutalist, colourful, pattern-clashing, tactile textured, sustainable handmade goodies, then do so by subscribing to our newsletter below and follow us on instagram. have a wonderful year and happy decorating!

-

links:

interior design trends to know in 2023 - and what’s on its way out (by elise taylor 13 january 2023, british vogue)

interior design trends for 2023 reflect "anger in the world” and post-covid community focus (by casja carlson, 5th january 2023, dezeen magazine)

interior design trends 2023: top 7 trends influencing our homes (by rachel edwards, 6th january 2023, house beautiful)

10 interior design trends that will shape our spaces in 2023 (by jennifer ebert, 23 january 2023, homes and gardens)

the top 8 home design trends we will see in 2023 (by kristen flanagan, 16 december 2022, elle decor)

a brick made of recycled construction waste (2nd february 2023, material district)

a report from the scottish interiors showcase 2022 (with good news on sustainability!)

first of all, please accept my sincere apologies for reporting on this event so late - as i promised about a month ago, i did indeed visit the scottish interiors showcase in late february and i was really looking forward to telling you all about it! but then, after managing to avoid it for nearly two years, i caught covid, and although luckily i escaped with mild symptoms, it was hard to concentrate in front of a screen for too long. isolating at home with little energy for anything whilst a horrific war breaks out in europe in a place close to my heart really annulled my motivation levels. i’m really sorry that blogging and posting has been a bit neglected.

however, life, and the love of beautiful things must, and will win under any circumstances, i really believe in that. so i’m trying to get back in shape and i’m finally ready to bring you what i promised, with highlights of what i found the most interesting developments from the world of interior design in scotland.

1 - SUSTAINABLE FAVOURITES

so, you know me by now, and as you’d have guessed, the one thing i kept asking every single sales rep that would talk to me was, “how much of this is sustainable?” the replies i got varied, but there was a growing interest and efforts by almost all brands and they mentioned that it’s a question that keeps getting asked. my first focus is on this angle, and here’s my top 3 that delivered:

1.1 william yeoward

the british household name had, as expected, some fabulous products on display. but the best news to report is the launch of a brand new rug collection, from 100% recycled PET. it didn’t look or feel synthetic at all, and the colourways are simply gorgeous. (link to visit)

1.2 designs of the time

i’d say the linen offerings of yvan puylaert’s company was an absolute highlight of the show to me and the tactile qualities of their linens were just a joy to look at. everything is 100% natural and mostly linen. the rep mentioned that they have a hemp line too, but it wasn’t on display as “it’s not popular in the uk - much more so on continental europe”. who’s with me to change that and try to get that here? who’d love more hemp (and of course, jute!) in british interiors?! (link to visit)

1.3 casadeco

the french group has always been one of my favourite supplier at these events, as i do love their geometric pattern designs. their happy surface patterns were no exception this year either. their newest launch is their cushion line, but their wallpapers were also very popular - for good reason too. however, i’m pleased to report on their wide range of plain, natural and recycled fabrics. (link to visit)

2 - SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN FAVOURITES

perhaps unlike other material expos, this particular event tends to be quite fabric-heavy and the vast majority of the exhibits were an eye-popping display of colour and patterns. i really recommend visiting as it really is a total surface pattern feast! for this reason, the next top 3 is selected from this angle, although it was quite a challenge!

2.1 ohpopsi

i have never heard of this company before, but their stand was beautifully arranged and proved to be very popular visitors. they also sent the friendliest reps to the fair, who were very keen on sharing some background info as well on their manchester-based company. they offer a wide range of wallcoverings, not only repeat patterns but also mural-style, non-repeating too, with really impactful effect on interiors. i did like some of the brutalist geometries but they do have some amazingly colourful patterns. (link to visit)

2.2 ian sanderson

now, if you are a regular reader, and you know the kind of homewares zitozza has, you know that it’s not a botanical type of brand at all. however, traditional, rich, heritage-based designs dominate this fair quite heavily, so it wouldn’t be fair not to mention at least one of these brands. i’m picking ian sanderson because they have everything you want, from the meticulous reworking of original block prints, through fabulous wovens and a collection of a versatile, cute range of coordinators that are made in the UK. (link to visit)

2.3 prestigious textiles

the pattern powerhouse delivers again, need i say more? i’ve been to a few fairs before and, as a lover of pattern, colour and texture, the pt display is always my favourite. in line with zitozza’s own aesthetics, i was looking for happy geometries and i wasn’t disappointed. the colourways are inspiring me to try some schemes that could work well with these! (link to visit)

3 - MATERIAL FAVOURITES

i keep mentioning that this is a very textile-heavy show usually, however, i want to mention a top three of flooring and hard finishes, because they are an important part of home interior styling. i enjoy looking at interesting surfaces and i can certainly get obsessive with where i want to lay my jute rugs.

3.1 crucial trading

this company had a lovely display of sisal floor coverings in all possible textures and colours. sisal is a natural, sustainable fibre that is even more durable than jute. the gold colour is similar and i got really attracted to this abundance of tactile samples. (link to visit)

3.2 miller’s 1893

i’m currently on a mission for hardwood floors in my own house (also home to the zitozza studio) so i was very happy to find this company. my favourite of their offerings were these antiqued hardwood floors that although they looked like they were reclaimed, they are entirely purpose-made for this somewhat industrial look. really, really fell for these. (link to visit)

3.3 la fabbrica

there weren’t many suppliers of stone or ceramics present, so i feel obliged to mention the la fabbrica range that put lovely, lovely slabs on display of some very interesting surfaces, which i’m sure that fellow fans of brutalism would also appreciate. (link to visit)

4 - OTHER INTERESTING FINDS

overall, it was a great experience to visit, and it’s great to see what some of the best of british and international interior design brands are up to, without having to travel too far, so i do recommend visiting again next year. we’re nearly at the end of this roundup, but i want to mention a few more observations.

4.1 nautical is in!

this one took me by surprise (a very pleasant one, may i add), as i do have my own range of nautical homewares. i do it because it matches the golden, raw jute materials i’m working with, but it was nice to see that quite a few brands, such as fryett’s (on left) and mulberry (middle and right) also offers interior fabrics and wallpapers to complete such looks. you love to see it!

4.2 ikat & travel inspired patterns

as i’ve written about before in my previous trend-forecasting post, travel inspired decor nand boho chic are going to dominate interior trends for a while. this can take a few interpretations, my personal favourites were from iliv fabrics (left), whose newly launched collection ‘kasbah’ has been evoking the ikat patterns (they also have a sustainable plains range!). for smaller accessories in travel-inspired style, glasgow-based premier housewares (right) had a room full!

4.3 happy geometries

i already touched on a little bit how i was hunting for geometric surfaces in this jungle of floral and heritage-inspired prints, and i think there is a genuine desire for clear-cut shapes and abstract angles. i’m showing you my two favourites here. this wool sample by moon (on left) really made me think of bernat klein, and the geometry reminded me of the architecture of peter womersley. love this pattern and they also released it on throws! the second image is of a print by studio g of the sanderson group (on right) who were present with many collections. it’s the slight handmade, block printed effect on this particular collection that i really picked up on and i hope this proves to be popular!

well that’s it for this year’s roundup! i hope you enjoyed this visit with me, it certainly was a great experience and it’s always a pleasure to take a dip in a pool of pattern, print and lovely interiors.

to keep this already long post slightly more concise, there is no separate section for the links, but you’ll find them all in the text. for further questions, please don’t be afraid to get in touch and for future posts, feel free to subscribe below!

the 5 must-watch colour & material trends in 2022 for interiors - and sustainable home decor is here to stay!

first of all, i apologise for the late post on interior trends, since we’re well into february already. to keep this post concise and focused, i’m going to concentrate specifically on colour and material trends that you might find easy enough to implement in your home (maybe with some zitozza stuff!) and i will expand on the current round-up suppliers and designers offer with a further post after having visited the scottish interiors showcase in a few weeks time. i’m really excited to visit (it’s been two years without trade fairs!), and i thought i’d share a little bit of research of the colour and material trends i expect to see.

1. RECYCLED & RECLAIMED

okay, sustainable design choices are not so much a “must-have-trend” but a pressing, urgent and permanent imperative change, so i shouldn’t really include this in the list but i do because it is getting embraced by more and more, and it may give some ideas to look further and think about what useless old thing you can turn into something cool. for us, it means, patchwork rugs and zero-waste, for others, this could be reclaimed wood, a bit of DIY upcycling, granny’s old nightstand-turned-houseplant shelf? all good and here to stay!

2. EARTH TONES

you may have observed that terracotta was kind of a big deal in 2021 - i hope you liked it, because it looks like it’s going nowhere, just growing and growing with many shades of earthy browns. expect to see plenty of fabulous, warm schemes usually paired with tactile surfaces and interesting shapes and textures, for a cosiness and warmth. it’s all about keeping it natural and down-to-earth - and it can result in a very serene, calming, loving home.

3. GREENS WITH GREENS

it seems that greens with greens in all possible shades are absolutely go this year. it may come in the form of breakfast room green by farrow and ball as one of their 2022 colour of the year, or a paler, more sagey october mist by benjamin moore. or you may achieve it simply with even more houseplants. or why not do all of them! the more green, the better. pale with deep jungle, dark teal with mint, dark olives with sage. they’re all in, and there is very little to go wrong with green!

4. WORLD PATTERNS

this is a very nice one - lord, how i missed travelling! but we are able to do so again so the travel-inspired details are back, with all the patterns from all the cultures and crafts of the world. of course there are more exotic interpretations of this trend than others, but the idea is to show off the individualities of the handmade, crafted details of traditional techniques. embroidery, print, weave - if inspired by experience and seeing the world, all good!

5. MIX & MATCH

the personal favourite has to be always the one that allows the greatest freedom. if you want to match geometric patterns with organic, modern with heritage, everything with everything, then you’re free to do so! this could mean all-out maximalism, colour blocking with bold, bright colours or perhaps cold, metallic details contrasting warm, earthy tones. or, my personal favourite, layering rugs with more rugs! there aren’t many rules here, it’s all about striking the right balance. it might take some brave choices and a little bit of thinking to pull it off, but it can result in the best looks!

this compilation was put together using the sources below, and the images illustrate zitozza’s interpretations, i hope we can show you that whichever way you wish to implement these trends in your home decor, we’ll be able to offer something useful. happy decorating in 2022!

-

link:

2022: our trend predictions in 2022 (farrow and ball, 6th january 2022)

7 interior trends that will dominate in 2022 (house beautiful, by rachel edwards, 5th december 2021)

colour trends 2022 (benjamin moore, no date)

interior design trends 2022: 15 key decorating looks for the year, from materials to moods (livingetc, 10th december 2022 by rohini wahy & rory robertson)

interior design trends to know in 2022 - and what’s on its way out (vogue, 3rd january 2022 by elise taylor)

interior design trends in 2022: styles, decor and color (the nordroom, no date)

the top interior trends for 2022 (sheerluxe, 24th january 2022)

zitozza at st james quarter

save the date! it seems that as life is opening up more and more, we’re coming to pop-up at more events and markets - and this time, at a really prestigious boutique location at the newly opened st james quarter in edinburgh!

the pop-up event series lasts altogether for two weeks, from monday 23rd august until sunday 5th september, and is organised by the wonderful people at women’s business station to showcase some amazing makers from all across scotland and it takes place at sook, a pop-up boutique space at the shopping centre. zitozza will take up two days here, on wednesday and thursday 1st & 2nd september, sharing the space with a few other brilliant makers.

no doubt more posts are coming - and do keep an eye on our social media, but i just wanted to let you all know that this date is also coming! keep safe!

-

links:

women’s business station

st james quarter

sook spaces

the 8 interior trends that will define 2021 - and the good news is, eco-conscious design is growing!

first of all, happy new year everyone! i guess we have all agreed not to talk about 2020, so i don’t want to say too much apart from how much i hope you all have an amazing new year with many well deserved, happy moments. for now, it seems as though we are stuck indoors for a little extra time again, and it’s all a bit grim. but here at zitozza indoors is what we’re good at, and with that in mind, you are invited to look through the interior trends of 2021 with our research glasses!

1. ECO CONSCIOUS DESIGN!

i was hesitating whether i should really call this a trend at all, when in fact it should be the standard really, but it’s just a fact that eco-consciousness has not been high on many agendas until recently. from the design industry’s perspective this has been imperatively rising though - and i’m 100% certain that it will be the most important one for decades to come. personally what i’m most excited about is the revolution collection by vondom - the first part of it (called “ibiza” by eugeni quitllet, made of plastic waste in the mediterranean) came out last year - read a little bit on design milk.

and this year we’re expected to see sustainability in many more ways - not just in durability and reusability but also in more innovative material choice such as foresso - the timber terrazzo, this beautiful surface. i love how it looks - texture within texture! made in the uk (birmingham) with bio-resin and timber waste, their sustainability credentials and transparency with their products and traceability are truly exemplary.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Foresso (@_foresso)

image and product design by foresso.

2. EARTH TONES AND TEXTURES

warm is the new cool, and interpreting a luxurious space as a kind, bracing cosiness has been growing and growing in recent years, resulting in a beautiful play with many textures and organic designs. clay, woodwork, boucle, velvets… this is very much about tactile qualities combined with warm colours and round, cocooning forms. coleur locale illustrates a rich, well-travelled take on this - below in the styling of the brilliant cleo scheulderman. it’s the comforting hug of mother earth that we crave!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cleo Scheulderman (@cleoscheulderman)

photography by Jeroen van der Spek. styling by Cleo Scheulderman, 
client: Coleur Locale.

3. FRESH, OPEN BLUES

remember what free, open spaces used to be like? remember the summer breeze under the bright wide sky? remember the beach, the colour of the ocean? it’s hard to imagine it right now, scooped up inside in the midst of an ugly, grim january but those amazing blue hues are being brought indoors with rather spectacular results. as a fan of this colour i’m really excited about benjamin moore choosing it to be colour of the year. if you’re familiar with nicola harding and co. then you’ll know that she is an expert of using these shades for cool, thoughtful spaces with lots of charm and character. the below snippet is from this project (published in house & garden last year) - can we please take a moment to note the rugs too!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nicola Harding & Co (@nicolahardingandco)

design by Nicola Harding & Co, photography by Paul Massey

4. ONE ROOM, MANY FUNCTIONS

hands up, who’s surprised at this one? since we have spent pretty much all events of our life at home recently, this trend has risen perhaps out of necessity, but it’s here to stay because it’s immensely practical. while it has really been simple reality for many people, 2020 has certainly brought it to the surface and the market for functional solutions might expand as a result. expect to find space dividers and lots of clever home office furniture - the personal pick is this super smart, modular home office by arnie.m - the brainchild of angela and matt maurer. british made (in manchester), masterfully skilled, fully customisable and it’s sustainable too - made of 100% natural plywood (with beautiful wood pattern on the surface) and none of that awful mdf stuff.

design by Arnie.M, photography by Paul Moffat Photography. 

5. FUNKY ACCENT RUGS

the one i’ve been waiting for! this one is for the pattern lovers out there and it’s just become barefoot-friendly. we have been layering upon layers upon layers for the past few years now, but increasingly we’re doing it to the floors as well and i’m 100% here for it. rugs outside, rugs in the kitchen, rugs on rugs, everything goes with everything. it’s the floor that makes the statement in 2021 so give it the love it deserves. london-based floor story always has some of the brightest and most exciting collaborations to look forward to - a great start to the year with the mediterranean collection by adam furman.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simon Goff (@floor_story)

image by Floor Story, rug design by Adam Furman. 

6. NORDIC WABI SABI

minimalism has also taken a more inviting, warmer form in recent years. it’s still quite rustic and sparse but with plenty of thought-provoking richness in texture and imperfect, natural form. it still seeks that delicate contentment, and it still finds it in the peaceful serenity of warm, monochrome hues and natural surfaces, worked with the most skilled craftsmanship. but recently, it has all taken a more hugging, cosy, organic form in a somewhat scandinavian manner - or dutch as seen on this take by cleo scheulderman for vtwonen. it’s an artful creation of an unfilled but stimulating space where we want to go to to feel better about everything again.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cleo Scheulderman (@cleoscheulderman)

photography by Jeroen van der Spek, styling by Cleo Scheulderman, 
assistance by Mette Sophie, client: vtwonen

7. VINTAGE LOVE

classic styles become such because they work, there is nothing new about that. however there are always new and ever more inventive ways to widen the boundaries and take braver, bolder twists on our cherished favourites. and if sustainability is chic, then surely, the glamorous way to do it is to give our vintage treasures the love and attention they deserve. it’s all about expression, maximalism, individuality and all the personal stories each object bears. i chose another take from nicola harding & co to illustrate this - a fabulous, opulent space that feels inviting and familiar at the same time.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nicola Harding & Co (@nicolahardingandco)

interior design by Nicola Harding & Co, photography by Paul Massey

8. NATURE AND GREEN (and all the other colours)

maybe houseplants are not a “trend” so much, we just collect them because they are great and we love nature. but those of you with gardens and balconies have really hit the jackpot and a new appreciation certainly grew out of last year’s events. outdoor spaces are being increasingly valued as an extension of the living space and they’re now getting their rightfully earned, fully saturated upgrade with appropriate cosy cushions and floor covers. this one by mimi forrest is obviously not an outdoor rug but first of all it’s too beautiful not to be shared here and secondly, the styling might just give you the right idea - it is exactly the type of indoor space we want to see more of in 2021.

i hope you will all have an amazing, productive and successful 2021 with lots of colour and pattern - and more importantly please stay safe and healthy! although the start to the year feels worrying and sad, i’m hoping that it won’t be much longer until we can work more closely again and i’m looking forward to seeing more of your creative projects. happy new year!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simon Goff (@floor_story)

image by Floor Story, rug design by Mimi Forrest

-

further reading

interior design trends 2021 – the 20 top looks for the new year (jennifer ebert, homes & gardens, 01/01/2021)

the biggest interior design trends for 2021 revealed (jacky parker, livingetc, 23/10/2020)

living room trends 2021 - top styling tips and trends to inspire (ruth doherty, ideal home, 09/10/2020)

pinterest predicts 2021’s interior trends: how to add them into your home, according to experts (eva waite-taylor, the independent, 15/12/2020)

interiors trends that will be big in 2021 :how to update your home for the year ahead (prudence ivey, homes & property, 31/12/2020)

how the UK's fire safety regulations make it difficult to bring eco-conscious materials into your home

first things first, i have some excellent news to share. zitozza fabrics can now be treated to domestic & contract upholstery and curtain fire safety standards, meaning it can now be used as upholstery fabric (yes, the heavyweight jute has the rub count too for general upholstery use!)

this is fantastic news and watch this space because some new products are currently planned to launch next year - and in the meantime, please do enquire about any bespoke projects, we’re here and happy to help and print for you!

now, i’m going to write a little bit more about this though because it feels that the issue of fire safety regarding eco-conscious materials is not often discussed - it’s probably because it is not the most exciting of topics, nevertheless it is very important and people in our trade must be aware of all of it anyway.

it is important, because it is estimated that in the uk, 37000 house fires happen claiming 200 lives every year. textiles in the home no doubt play a huge role in how these fires spread and the UK has one of the strictest regulations in the world in place called the furniture and furnishings (fire) (safety) regulations 1988, to make sure that all parts of furniture, filling materials and covers too should be fire resistant for domestic environments as well as contract ones. there are different standards for different environments and materials, but the bottom line is, all cover fabric, even in domestic environments, must be cigarette and match resistant as well. these are uniquely strict regulations and testing regimes that the rest of the world does not match, perhaps for good reason - the problematic chemicals required to achieve fire proof status. watch this excellent newsnight report on the topic, aired in 2017, soon after the devastating grenfell tower tragedy.

The devastating Grenfell Tower fire has prompted a complete review of fire safety regulations in tall buildings. But how fire-safe is the furniture inside Br...

there are exceptions though in these regulations: for cover fabrics consisting of over 75% natural fibre, it is enough to pass the cigarette test only, if it is used with a fire resistant interliner cloth that passes a more comprehensive fire resistance test (schedule 3.) it is quite common for cotton and linen blends to be used like this, without excessive chemical treatments. the regulations specify what they mean by “over 75% natural fibre content” - that is cotton, flax, viscose, modal, silk, or wool. not a very comprehensive list, is it? and because other natural fibres such as jute and hemp are not specified, those of us working with these fibres must treat it further to pass the more stringent match test too. luckily, zitozza jutes can be treated for these standards. the treatment does not seem to damage the print or the fabric in any way, and we’re happy to supply it for you to even contract standards.

i am however quite disappointed that in the case of jute (and hemp - probably the two most sustainable fabrics in the world), chemical use is the only route to compliance. i don’t know whether the treatment itself can be made more environmentally friendly, but at the moment it certainly does not seem to be health friendly - many of the chemicals used for such treatments have been found to disrupt hormone function and increase cancer risk. while the EU are moving towards banning many of these chemicals, in the UK the presence of chemicals in the dust remains a huge concern (and a particular worry with jute because it’s such a fibrous material.) it is argued that due to the toxicity of the fumes, these chemicals on the fabrics can actually make house fires more dangerous - the very thing they are meant to improve.

of course, i’m aware that jute in particular in its natural state is flammable. it’s a dry, woody fibre and dundee was notorious for fires starting at the jute mills. it was worse in the past because of the batching oils, but the amount used by the industry today is a lot more reduced, and i’d like to think, or at least test it to confirm, whether its behaviour would be any different from flax or certain types of cotton. these are specified in the regulations as exempt from the match test (with a schedule 3 interliner) and it disappoints me that jute and hemp are not. this makes it difficult for such sustainable textiles to enter the UK market, at a time when there is a huge pressure to make the environmental switch.

currently these regulations are so strict that even floor cushions count as furniture, therefore, while small, decorative cushion covers don’t have to be treated, for cushions over 60 x 60 cm the cover fabric must also pass. personally, i think this is overkill and while i fully trust my supplier with the safety of this treatment, i’m still being cautious with this product range because i’m worried it reduces the eco-friendly nature of these products.

it’s been a tough situation for many businesses trying to promote eco-conscious design, although i’m aware that there is a lot of research into better, less toxic treatments and i have no doubt that things will improve. i just wish the pace of these changes to be in line with the urgency of the environmental situation.

-

links:

FIRA flammability guides (UK domestic) (UK contract)

furniture and furnishings (fire safety) regulations 1988 (UK government)

testing & standards explained (maureen whitmore, interior designer)

house fire facts (first alert, smoke alarm company)

background briefing - flame retardants (breast cancer uk, charity)

the EU’s quest to ban toxic flame retardants (cool products, ngo)

the use of toxic flame retardants and their effects on health (question for written answer by MEPS to the european commission and their written answer)

britons and their unborn children at risk (the independent, newspaper)

why the uk fire regulations are killing eco-design (e-side, furniture business)

10 reasons why jute is one of the most sustainable textile in the world (including one huge potentiaL)

i have always wanted to write about this, because it is one of the main reasons i got interested in jute at all - apart from the amazing aesthetics, that sort of fibrous, raw, utilitarian, functional, “textile brute” appeal (which is worth another blog post at some other time). but right now, it’s time to talk sustainability because the textile industry is one of the worst offenders in the world when it comes to pollution and the responsibility is ours, designers, to find alternatives that are friendlier to our environment. jute is an amazing choice for this use too, and below i listed the main reasons of its sustainability benefits.

1. SMALL WATER FOOTPRINT

the jute plant grows in the tropical regions, in countries such as india, bangladesh, pakistan, thailand and southern china and it is also cultivated in many south american countries. it relies on natural rainfall, reducing the need of complicated irrigation systems and require fewer freshwater sources.

2. SMALL LAND FOOTPRINT

the jute plants grow very densely to each-other and crops are produced very efficiently, a decent crop can be cultivated on a smaller piece of land that doesn’t take a lot of space away from natural habitats or other agriculture.

3. REDUCED NEED FOR CHEMICALS

this density by which it grows leaves little space for weeds or other pests, and as such, it’s grown without a huge amount of pesticides. they also don’t need a huge amount of fertilisers either (typically less than 20 kg per hectare is applied)

4. SOIL HEALTH

growing jute plant leaves the soil with more nutrients than before the process. this is because their leaves drop often, creating organic matter that is feeding the soil with nutrients. growing jute can be used in poor quality soils to regenerate waste lands and help with food agriculture in some of the most impoverished regions in the world.

5. CARBON CAPTURE

the jute plant binds carbon dioxide faster than trees and it’s good at releasing oxygen (one hectare of jute plants can consume about 15 tons of CO2 from atmosphere and release about 11 tons of oxygen in the 100 days of the jute-growing season)

6. fast growth

jute plants reach growth in 4-6 months, meaning crops can be harvested a few times a year, this is not only highly economical, but also a sustainable pace and more in line with demand.

7. recyclable and biodegradable

while some of the jute plant is not used at the moment, all production waste is recycled and all of it is biodegradable in its natural form.

8. under-utilised potential for the paper industry

the inside fibres of the jute plants (jute sticks) are still considered waste and are recycled, however, research is ongoing into using it for paper production. it could potentially supply the paper industry with pulp, reducing the need for cutting down trees.

9. production

jute is a utilitarian, industrial fabric, usually woven to lower quality standards requiring less energy-heavy processing and a reduced amount of chemicals. most of the industry uses it in its natural, unbleached form.

10. long life-cycle

jute is a strong and durable fibre, often used for ropes, rugs, heavy duty bags and tarpaulins. it has a long life-cycle before it breaks down (and when it does, it is fully biodegradable and recyclable)

it is clear that jute is a wonderfabric which, if we could accept it being used more widely, could help our living situation on this planet. having said all of that, it is also important that we don’t brush over the inconvenient truths as well - jute is a hard fibre, and to soften it enough to make it spinnable, the industry killed a lot of whales for its oil in the last centuries. this is now replaced with other oils such as paraffin and palm oil which bear their own negative effects, however the industry is continuously working on reducing the necessary amounts of these materials. there is also research that the retting process (also used in flax and hemp production) can also be damaging to aquatic life which is yet to be resolved - unfortunately the textile industry remains an environmentally impactful one.

all in all though, when compared with other materials, jute comes out as one of the best ones. (according to the higgs index of sustainability and impact, natural jute has an overall score of 40, while, for instance, dyed cotton has an impact score 101. jute's water scarcity impact is 10 times less of cotton products.) when it comes to the responsibility of the textile industry, it is absolutely imperative that we use materials that cause the least possible harm to our living environment.

for me, jute and its industrial, raw, functional nature brings also an immense aesthetic value that fits into my design values - i think great parallels can be drawn with the raw concrete as the preferred external material and the functional architecture that is a great source of inspiration of the designs themselves - perhaps it’s worth expanding on that in another blogpost. nevertheless, i hope that in the future, we will see more and more of jute coming into the cosy, warm homes, bringing us the tactile comfort and the environmental benefits - for a more content home, inside and in the wider world too.

-

links:

the sustainable fashion collective

better meets reality

down to earth

the higg index

images: adobe stock photos