Golden Wheat: Bedding Color Trends

This fall's color trends for top-of-bed introductions includes a multifaceted neutral: a golden tone that evokes the soft coat of a newborn fawn. Paired with white and bearing faint accents, such as metallic yarn, fringe and embroidery, fawn-colored ensembles suggest peace, relaxation and livable luxury.

	Wheat sheaves luxuriously graze the Egyptian cotton sheets in this set by Malaika, which is distributed by Luxe Brands Intl. Accented with rich ecru and natural linen, this golden grouping named Wheat is available in all standard bedding sizes and comes with an array of pillow options.
	Isabella duvet set and pillow combination by BlissLiving Home is cream-colored and made of 100 percent organic cotton. Delicate embroidered patterns of flowers and vines adorn the set, which is available in standard sizes.
	Designed by Eastern Accents, Aileen’s paisley pattern brings a neutral palette to life atop a flax-colored linen blend fabric. Decorative pillows enhanced with flange, ruching, ribbons and embroidery add distinction. The duvet cover, bed skirt and bed pillows are hem-stitched.
	Most of the pieces in the eco-friendly Organic Bed Collection by Peacock Alley are woven from 100 percent certified organic cotton. Shown: Adriana matelassé, which bears a geometric pattern and wears a tailored trim; Allegro sheets; Nantucket, a blanket that is yarn-dyed and features a bias stripe; and a decorative pillow named Fantasia.

Furniture Design Trends 2008/2009

What are the most interesting novelties in furniture design? Which trends from recent years have prevailed and which new design trends are emerging? In our red dot trend report we are introducing the most important trends and the most fascinating innovations in furniture design.

All in white
Possibly the clearest trend is: white – it is not new, but very dominant and nowhere near its peak yet. In 2001 Apple launched the first white MP3 player. The iPod has sold a million times and the non-colour began its triumphant climb. The trend has spread to all areas of life – be it fashion, accessories, high-tech or cars – everything shines in the colour of innocence. In Germany alone 70 per cent more white cars were sold last year than in the previous year and the trend is upwards. In the furniture sector white is omnipresent; whether it is tables, chairs or cupboards – white is the dominant colour also in this sector. White is above all associated with lightness and clarity and is regarded as timeless and easily combinable – with other colours or tone on tone with muted shades of white and beige, and also with different material combinations. The opposing trend to the colour white consists of bright, shining colours.

All in gloss
Clearly dominant is also the trend towards high-gloss, lacquered fronts. Smooth, shiny surfaces dominate – regardless of whether its cupboards, chairs or tables. Chairs are covered with lacquered leather. In the field of upholstered furniture the combination of high-gloss elements and matt upholstery fabrics creates an attractive contrast.

The play with tradition
The borders between professional production and technical ornamentation are blurring more and more. Things that are not handmade nevertheless appear to be. Braided patterns and braided structures are reminiscent of traditional craftsmanship techniques. Sitting furniture with braided leather sides and mesh-like seating surfaces thus receive a three-dimensional effect.
Furniture designs which refer to traditional techniques and which are combined with new materials show new ways of using a material and finding a new visual language.

The play of the materials
Generally, combining materials is still a hot trend. Harmony and softness of fabrics and upholstery meet austerity of braided leather, lacquered woods and metal. These give furniture a haptic and at the same time visually interesting look.

Completely classic?
This year, the tendency to use ornamental patterns alternates with a clear purist language of forms. New interpretations and re-editions of tried and tested classics combine the familiar with the new. Just as in the automobile industry, which has combined striking designs with modern manufacturing techniques with new editions of old classics such as the Mini, the Fiat 500, the VW Beatle or Scirocco, many furniture manufacturers borrow familiar forms from the past and combine them with innovative production techniques.