Homing in on Europe’s accessories

The year 2003 will be remembered by the home furniture industry as the year when the trends pointed towards "homing," defined as the desire to create a home that is beautiful, cozy and homely. This is reflected through the use of warm, sensual colors and patterns; natural materials such as wood and leather.

Style wise, retro elements came back, as well as Art Deco. The use of black, round and semicircular shapes and dark tropical woods dominated the scene. Black was combined with red, and for pattern yellow florals emerged.

Acrylic, identified as a ‘40s material, is being used more and more. The trend, however, is for mixing different materials and styles – floral patterns and light colors for furniture while geometric and organic shapes for houseware such as glass, ceramics and porcelain with a minimalist feel.

African and Oriental motifs – either in figurative, realistic or abstract interpretations – are found in accessories while flower vases and bowls are mostly in pastel shades of pink and violet.

The key element in product design is the interplay of both the aesthetic and the functional aspects, making life easier in this age of convenience. Flexibility is also given emphasis as people’s lives are becoming mobile and their basic things within reach.

Even in this age where industrial style homeware are as popular as ever, plastic is not far behind, achieving functionality and fun in transparent, opaque or rainbow colors.