Editor's note: Paula Berberian, Creative Director of WallPopsof Brewster Home Fashions, shares her observations.
Twice a year the latest home décor products are shown inParis at the Maison & Objet biannual housewares trade show. From furnitureand rugs to lighting and wallpapers, the exhibition halls of the Parc desExpositions and the galleries bordering the Seine showcase all things chic,revealing what will be fashionable for the home in the next year. After trekkingthe floors of the show noting trends, Paula Berberian, Creative Director of WallPopsof Brewster Home Fashions, one of the oldest independent, family-ownedwallpaper companies in the U.S., shares five fads sure to be big this year thatcan easily be integrated into the home.
Warm Colors
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| Kenneth James’ Suzani by Eijffinger |
It mayhave been winter weather when Maison was held but inside its halls sprung atropical array of colors. “Therewas an overall warming of the palette,” says Berberian. “As Pantone® namedTangerine Tango the color of the year, we saw a lot of the red family incorals, pinks and oranges, but surprisingly there was also another popular andunexpected hue, Palm Springs Blue that was everywhere.”
The aquablue was paired with oranges, oriental reds and browns. There was also ayellow-infused green just slightly subdued from chartreuse, along with a brightcurry yellow and red-infused purples. This trend is beautifully captured inKenneth James’ Suzani by Eijffinger® line featuring colorful designs liketrees, ornamental flowers and embroidered circles in bright, stylish colors. One design features a teal background with a colorful floral array in orange,teal, yellow and pink.
Modern Touches
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| Kenneth James’ new Zircon by Eijffinger® |
“Modernis still in,” says Berberian. “While we saw a lot of vintage designs, allwould have some modern element added, giving a fresh look to more traditionaldesigns.”
Fora modern spin, some of the items seen at the show were a classic chinoiseriethat went chic in a vivid purple rather than the usual French Blue or red andtraditional wood furnishings had an added splash of a bright color such as limegreen. Tribal designs like ikats and suzanis were also infused with moderncolors and interpretations. For an updated classic, Kenneth James’ new Zirconby Eijffinger® collection features dramatic, modern designs such as traditionalstripes revived with dry matte colors, suede printing and a mica finish.
Natural Woods |
| Kenneth James’Suzani by Eijffinger® |
“Therewas a continued move toward the natural and organic with hand-crafted woodenpieces throughout the show, particularly whitewashed pine,” says Berberian.
Toincorporate an eco-chic touch to any space, look to pieces made with reclaimed,whitewashed or wire-brushed woods.
Embellishments
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| Kenneth James’ Pipwallpaper collection by Eijffinger®, Silhouettes Flock Pink |
“Dimensional elements were added to furnishings and textiles such as jewels, pearls, mirrorsand other adornments,” says Berberian.
Addedluxe textures to already likable patterns is seen in the cheerful and colorful,Kenneth James’ Pip wallpaper collection by Eijffinger®. Pip, known for itstagline of “Happy Products, Happy People” that offers a line of bed sheets, kitchenwareand bags, now offers a wallpaper line. It includes floral and bird prints aswell as playful framed-photo, postcard and stamp designs. A classic damask designcomes alive with the textured flocking seen in its Silhouettes Flock Pinkwallpaper.
British Influence
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| Brewster HomeFashions English Style by Fairwinds Studio |
Whetherbecause of the Royal Wedding or with the upcoming Summer Olympics in London, aspotlight was on all things U.K.-inspired.
“Therewas a British explosion with the Union Jack flag, British flag and other iconicdesigns,” says Berberian.
Foran English update at home, experiment with hounds tooth and pretty floralpatterns or fun items emblazoned with images of crowns, Big Ben, London Bridgeor the city’s iconic red phone booth.
Beat the forefront of the most fashionable items for the home by incorporatingthese on-trend designs from Brewster Home Fashions.
Headquarteredin Randolph, Mass., Brewster Home Fashionsis one of the oldest independent, family-owned wallcovering companies in theU.S. that now spans five generations. Since 1954, Brewster Home Fashions hasbeen a prominent manufacturer and distributor of fine wallpapers and home decorproducts for residential and commercial markets globally.
