Design Trends 2011 : Opulent Overtures

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Decodir

If minimalism is being shown the door, the red carpet is being laid out for opulence. Luxury is most definitely ‘in’. Statements of grandeur are no longer to be shied away from. Restaurateurs seek a glam quotient and the hospitality sector is spending a lot of money on creating a ‘luxe’ effect. Even in budget options the endeavour is to create an experience that gives you luxury and comfort, not necessarily at a premium.

Design Trends 2011 : Comfort @ Work

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Facebook Office

Creating a sense of luxury and comfort is also essential in office design as sparse waiting areas and receptions have made way for their more comfort conscious brethren. In a fast moving world every moment of comfort is appreciated and remembered. Creating such moments often achieves a lot more than millions of dollars in advertising. High rates of attrition and employee turnover also mean that companies need to s ensure that their employees are ‘comfortable’ in their work environments. Happy people make for efficient workers.

Google Headquarters

In fact,an increasing feature of commercial design—offices, retail outlets, restaurants etc is home-inspired design. Creating a sense of home outside the home. Giving consumers a sanctuary of peace in a chaotic world. This is defining a lot of design in ways that were previously deemed unnecessary and superfluous. Understanding the profile of the people working in a space is as important as identifying the tastes of various members of a family in a home. Space cannot be removed from the people who occupy it when you consider design.

Design Trends 2011 : Metallica Rules

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New Forest Metal Work

Another trend that is raging through the design fraternity is the use of metal in all forms and tones as an element. Be it wall cladding in copper, steel in furniture, chrome in fixtures or the allure of bronze in floor tiles and zinc in powder coated finishes. Metal is absolutely everywhere, in almost every form.

Grand Scape Homes

But unlike the recent past, metal has now locked arms with traditional decor and eco friendly furniture to create an eclectic design ethos. In its new unbound avatar it is embracing a world that extends far beyond its minimalist home. A new language is evolving and the dictionary is changing at a fast pace to incorporate new meanings.

Design Trends 2011 : Passion for Detail

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Pitti Mosaici

Detailing is the new design mantra. Not restricted to residential and hospitality interiors .Old techniques such as gold leafing, texturing techniques and inlay are being used with new materials to create concepts that blend the traditional with the modern. Materials and methods are being combined in ways and means that have never previously been given such a widespread acceptance in the mainstream. What was hitherto a conceptual liberty used for the few is now a recurring theme in many homes and commercial spaces. A booming economy and confidence has created a much bigger market that is keen to go beyond design ennui and experiment with creativity in every way.

Design Trends 2011 : New Avatars

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Elle Decor

One change that a lot of apartment owners will cheer about is the movement away from mammoth sofas and tables to furniture made in more ‘reasonable’ dimensions! 

‘Think big’ has moved away from furniture and has now found its presence in textiles and floor covering. The repeat is not so repetitive, and the patterns are bold.

Pottery Barn

Leather and wicker have moved out of niche and entered mainstream furniture. Both materials are also being used in many innovative ways 

Studio Art

Design Trends 2011 : Glass House

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If there is one element of modern design that has maintained its pre-eminent status and will continue to do so—it is the use of glass in interiors and architecture. The mantra continues to be—let there be light. In any which way possible. With its comrade in arms---steel, it will continue to merge and blend with ecological trends without diluting its status. In commercial interiors it is likely to hold its sway for a much longer period. 

Design Trends 2011 : Texture and Tone

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Lumina Interiors

While metal finds itself being renewed in many forms, texture and tone carry the torch of contemporary design. Absolutely nothing is flat anymore. It is all about layers, textures and hues. From fabrics and flooring to walls and woodwork. Nothing escapes its attention. Wallpaper and textured walls are here to stay. At least for a while.