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Trends for 2022. We explore the looks that take us into the new year – and beyond

Words by interiors guru Rachel Leedham
Trends for 2022. We explore the looks that take us into the new year – and beyond

From captivating prints and weaves that evoke distant lands to painterly abstracts or classic equestrian designs, the latest decorating trends celebrate pattern in a whole gamut of styles. Our desire for honest, natural materials continues unabated whilst our quest for eco-friendly fabric is resulting in some truly innovative solutions. And if colour is your thing, you are in luck: this season we are decorating with deeper, earthier neutrals or introducing pops of joyful hues with rich velvet fabrics. Enjoy.

Be a global nomad

Japanese Garden/Linwood

 

Last year saw us dreaming of distant lands and embracing interior design styles that enabled us to voyage vicariously, with tribal prints, exotic woven fabrics and mystical landscapes all transporting us to far-flung places. As the opportunity for international travel slowly returns, decorating ideas continue to channel the global nomad theme, providing a sense of escapism and relaxation. Japanese Garden, an unusual 1940s Japanese toile print reinvented as a lush velvet fabric, encapsulates the contemporary take on Oriental interiors, bringing a rich exoticism to window dressings and upholstery. Also embracing the wanderlust theme is Adama, a bold geometric inspired by an archival design from Laos.

 

Decorate with landscape hues

Elba linen/Linwood

 

Paler neutrals will be taking a back seat and instead we are decorating with deeper, earthier tones picked from nature’s palette – think rich browns, mossy greens, smoky aubergines, and dusky pinks. Elba, our collection of 100 per cent pure linen that has been dyed and tumbled for a relaxed feel, comes in 48 hues including a huge array of landscape-inspired tones that are perfect for giving living room colour schemes a grounded, cosy feel. Cover a sofa in deep, purplish Damson and lift it with scatter cushions in Rosebay, Dusky Pink and Blush, or bring the outdoors in with curtains in Moss, perhaps trimming the leading edge in rich Ochre. Classic and elegant, we predict that these stronger natural hues will be influencing our home décor ideas for a long time to come.

 

Think sustainably

Verde/Eco fabric/Linwood

 

Sustainability is no longer an afterthought but the byword for the future of design, and Vivienne Westwood’s famous phrase, ‘Buy less, choose well, make it last’, is just as relevant to home interior design as it is to the world of fashion. Exploring new ways of recycling is key to a sustainable design industry and an exciting addition to our growing range of eco- friendly fabric offerings is Verde, a chemical-free cotton fabric woven from 80 per cent recycled offcuts from the fashion industry. Available in a comprehensive palette of 46 hues, this double brushed cotton is wonderfully soft on both sides, making it perfect for curtains, loose covers, and upholstery. We are equally proud of the eco credentials of our Saddle collection of upholstery leather, which uses leather offcuts from shoes and bags that would normally end up in landfill.

 

Upcycle a favourite piece

Close Encounters/Velvet Upholstery Fabric/Linwood

 

 In our commitment to be less wasteful in the way in which we furnish our homes, the trend for giving preloved pieces a new lease of life by upcycling is gathering momentum. Not only is this a more sustainable approach to decorating, but it also offers the chance to create a truly one-of-a-kind piece. A new upholstery fabric can transform an antique sofa or vintage chair and don’t forget that you can also upcycle more recent pieces: create alerts on internet platforms for the brands or designs that you are particularly interested in. We reupholstered this Chinoiserie daybed with Close Encounters, a charming 1920s inspired printed velvet that beautifully chimes with the Oriental style of the piece. A trim in dark gold velvet picks up on the lustrous metallics of the fabric.

 

Put comfort first

Serrano/Upholstery Fabric/Linwood

 

If we have learnt anything over the past couple of years, it is that our homes need to be cosseting spaces that provide us with a haven from the outside world. As a result, we will continue to focus on designs that offer that all-important cosy feel, creating spaces that give the impression of a warm hug. Our tactile Sienna fabric perfectly captures this cocooning mood: combining bouclé, chenille, and linen yarns, it lends warmth to any piece, from upholstery in a modern living room scheme to tactile curtains in a cosy bedroom. Layer with contrasting textures such as sisal, wool and slubby linens for comfort decorating at its best.

 

Pick an equestrian print

Tally Ho!/Wallpaper/Linwood

 

Classic wallpapers depicting British sporting scenes are having a moment in home interior design and what better than a traditional equestrian design? Capturing all the heritage trappings of a British hunt – from red coats to hounds to bucolic scenery ­– Tally Ho! looks equally at home in the living room of a country house as it does in the cloakroom of an elegant townhouse. Celebrate the eclecticism of a quintessentially British décor by teaming it with mismatched antiques or bring it up to date with contemporary decorating touches such as a chunky sisal rug. 

 

Celebrate natural materials

Lana/Eco Wool/Linwood

 

Our passion for contemporary craftsmanship continues to gather momentum and hand in hand with a revived interest in the work of the artisan comes a desire for room schemes that celebrate the organic qualities of natural materials: think timber, stone, washed linens and soft wools. Our Lana collection of Italian milled wool fabrics perfectly hits the spot. Warm in winter and cool in summer, it is made using recycled wool and comes in 55 melange hues that bring a sense of integrity to all manner of room schemes. Try using two contrasting shades for piped seat cushions on simple wooden chairs or choose a rich berry shade for a pair of gloriously thick eyelet curtains that can be pulled across a front door in a stone-flagged hall. The possibilities are literally endless.

 

Choose painterly abstract prints

Crystal Sunset/Printed Velvet Fabric/Linwood

 

Abstract prints are bringing an artistic touch to our room schemes, with their indistinct forms lending movement and depth to our home décor whilst still feeling soft and calming. Inspired by the work of British landscape artist John Nash, Crystal Sunset is a striking printed velvet fabric featuring blocks of fresh hues. Available in two colourways, it provides a brilliant catalyst for the colour palette of a room scheme­– simply use its varied hues to pick out paint colours, furnishings, and home accessories. An eye-catching choice for a piece of statement upholstery or curtains.

 

Embrace joyful colours

Moleskin Velvet/Linwood

 

Colourful home décor is making a comeback as we recognise the need for our homes to raise a smile. Pops of lively hues bring energy to a space and encourage the eye to travel around the room. Our Moleskin collection is a range of soft yet super hard-wearing velvet upholstery fabrics in a profusion of 42 colours, from jewel-like shades such as Sapphire and Gold to upbeat Tomato or Coral hues. Perfect for bringing an uplifting feel to a sofa or armchair or to enliven a smaller piece such as an ottoman or pouffe.