Yes, we stole the term “Look Book” from our way more refined fashion counterparts and had our way with it. We asked some good friends to look into their crystal balls by cracking open their sketchbooks to identify what trends will explode next year for interiors. The next few pages feature original artwork from three designers, created exclusively for I&S! Here’s what they had to say (and show) about it…
Chris Larson
Design director, IA Interior Architects
The specific trend that I’m identifying is a melding of the environmental character of the home and the workplace. There will be a desire for a more residential, less corporate feeling at the office. Not only the look and feel, but amenities you might find in your home will be included in the office such as exercise equipment, kitchen and gaming, and less formal meeting places. This reflects a merging of market types from hospitality, to corporate, residential, retail, and even healthcare in office design.
Jenni Jane Hellstern
Interior designer, Studio 11 Design
Over the past few years we’ve seen a steady surge of technology becoming yet another tool in our designer toolbox. No longer left solely to the electrical engineer, designers are playing with technology in new ways every day. We predict that 2016 will be the year of interactive digital elements in hotel design, from light panels that mimic your shadow as you walk past, to touch integrated bar tops that allow the customer to re-order their favorite drink. The limits are dropping away in terms of how people interact with spaces and as designers we are ready to make that move with the masses.
Daniel Scovill
Principal, Arcsine
This trend sketch “crystal ball moment,” is dedicated to an incredible material: fish leather. Arcsine recently specified a textured leather for a bar countertop, and since then my eyes have been looking for new ways to work with leather and new leather options. During a recent trip to Iceland, I had the opportunity to visit one of the few fish tanneries in the world, Atlantic Leather. This incredible group of people in the small northern town of Sauðárkrókur divert fish skin from landfills and transform it to a luxury material. Currently, the material is used most often in the fashion industries for clothing, accessories, jewelry, and shoes. However, the design community is starting to take notice. The smooth, dark spotted pattern from the deep-sea wolffish is my personal favorite; though the texture of the perch leather is bold and inviting to the touch. Hundreds of finishing options are also available in colors, metallics, and sheens. This is a building material that can be used in its natural tone, or dressed up for an array of exciting applications.