The latest edition of Maison&Objet held in Paris last month, was more than just an array of tuning displays, exquisite designs and innovative products and participants from around the world. The fair was a guide to the upcoming trends in home furnishing and textiles, served on a platter to those who could identify them. For those who missed the fair, Team AO presents its readers with the latest and upcoming trends for home 2013…
With an impressive traffic of visitors and serious buyers present at the fair, the event proved to be a huge success and confirmed that people are still interested in investing in their homes, despite the ongoing economic crisis. The main themes for 2013 were centred around minimalism, elements and essentials, highlighting the return of the basics in home furnishings, simplicity and fundamental values. A majority of exhibitors followed the same and explored new raw materials, drawing inspiration from the natural world like wood, paper, concrete, stone, metal and traditional crafts. Where all these elements were explored, the simplicity came with a twist. Products with organic lines, constructed from natural materials were observed everywhere with a more upscale touch, but the designs in particular took two extreme directions: angular forms and digitally inspired prints versus an exaggeratedly natural, handmade aesthetic.
With home furnishing increasingly becoming more directed towards the design prospects and philosophy, the main elements chosen to incorporate in the products either as inspiration or direct form were Air, Water, Earth and Fire. Air that brought in the layering and mix of fabrics both opaque and transparent; Water that offered blue and turquoise tones combined in blurred graphics of fusing inks in the prints in textiles; Earth that made its physical presence felt with its concreteness made of stones, minerals and clays; and finally Fire that was present in fused metal and mould cast iron as well as fixes liquids into solids present in furnishings.
Following the dip in demand due to the emerging consumer backlash to mass produced goods, the designs concentrated on simple, tactile and primitive forms, handcrafted and handwoven feel that should be kept in mind by all the manufacturers making products for the coming seasons, as consumers are ready to spend a little extra on their homes in order to fulfil their desire for original, authentic and beautiful products following a decade of fast and cheap goods.
Velvet for Haute Luxury & Prints for Simpler Décor
Key Trends 2013
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Refined soft lace — Use of laces on bed linens, cushion covers and throws
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Transparency in fabrics, especially drapes and the use of layering
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Use of opulent fake furs
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Re-embroidered and heavy weight lace
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Decorative cutwork
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Rich embroideries — There was a huge presence of rich embroideries with metallic and other threads in various products
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Delicate floral motifs
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Use of ribbon yarns
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Recycled and assembled materials — With the growing importance of sustainability, recycled resources will be used both in furnishings and textiles.
There was a clear divided direction in home textiles. While one base favoured the haute luxury displayed with embellished linens with traditional embroideries and trims like laces, cashmeres and velvet accessories laden with furs (both real and faux), there was another segment representing a simpler lifestyle focused on a treasure trove of prints ranging from needlepoint and impressionistic florals to experiments in digital patterns, and pattern layered foulards. With more and more importance being given to space, emptiness, transparency and lightness, the fabric weight ranged from light to medium weights in eco-friendly bases.
The cushions and bed linens observed luxury created by lush upholstery, jacquards, lace and embroideries. With ample amount of luxurious and lustrous velvets and velour and a generous use of trimmings, decorative fringes and braids, the collections were a perfect match of traditions and modernity. Also fine leathers, hand-stitched in melting caramel and cognac tones echoed the luxury direction toward more traditional furniture designs. The fabrics in the coming season have 3D effects, are sometimes shorn or contrary very woolly and fluffy. As per the strengths of the Indian manufacturers there is also a presence of fabrics and motifs in shades of blue with art forms like Ikat, Batik, Basket Weave techniques, raffia and straw beadwork, handcrafted details, tactile clay artefacts, linens and jute.
The fabrics in the collections representing simpler choices have a matt finish to represent a raw look from the nature. With an array of feather weight transparent sheers, veils and chiffons in highly structured surfaces with an irregular texture.
Innovative Decorative Details
The techniques of pin-tucks, pleats and gathers used in the products appear to be inspired by origami. Incorporating small, decorative details such as tufts of yarn, tassels or rosettes of fabric to large quilt stitches to update a plain, thick quilt. Solid ecru is emerging to be the best-selling colour for quilts, bedspreads and sheets. The textures also appeared to be stimulated in prints where backgrounds are covered in tiny sub prints supporting larger, grander motifs.
Layered tonal linear prints worked against crisp cotton bedding and sheets in harmonious colours of creams, whites and blues. The finishing incorporate metallic threads, mother of pearl decorations and luxe finishes for decorative accessories and textiles that keep the craft elements of the products alive. The shimmering surfaces are recreated by using lightweight semi-transparent layering that is folded, twisted and draped.
Colour Palette… Pale & Darker Tones Speak Loud
The colours for the season are focusing on the pale colours in the purple and fuchsia families with absinth green. The most prominent palette for the upcoming season being that with shades of greys, pale pinks, mustard yellows, black and white, where the darker tones advance in the way of midnight blues, teals, near black aubergines, deep burgundies, espresso browns and lots of dark anthracite greys and black, the pale tones present a refreshing change and a subtle effect of refined luxury reflected in a range of gentle pastels. With a fresh and youthful energy one colour that stood out with its fresh appeal was rose pink.
Exporters and manufacturers Expectations, was also a participant in the September edition. Dilip Chandak from the brands administration department shares, “We were at the fair to display our S/S 2013 collection, comprising of cushions, bed linens and sheeting. Our entire collection was framed and designed around six moods and stories comprising of natural earthy colour palette, hues of blues and browns.” The company works with a range of household textiles, floor covering, made-ups, bed spreads, cushion, curtain, rugs, throws, table linen, kitchen linen and quilts.
Mumbai based brand Bandit Queen’s collections generally comprises of four main areas, bed linen, bath linen, table linen and fashion accessories. The brand was present at the event with one of the most gripping displays of their latest collection; the brand showcased their digital print collection. The bed collection included pillows and detachable duvet panels.
Bandit Queen also featured its latest additions which were some new colours such as Dust and Olbia green. According to Yamini Namjoshi, Brand Manager, Bandit Queen bed linen was amongst the most inquired products at the fair. “People were really looking at the latest developments in bed linen in products, apart from this there was a huge presence of timeless designs, simplicity to be precise which is not restricted to one particular season or short lived trends. The September edition of Maison&Objet was definitely more about style and taste,” avers Yamini. Besides the exclusive showroom in Mumbai, Bandit Queen has a showroom in Milan and is sold in different stores in Europe and Asia like at Le Bon Marche, Paris, and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
