What new materials and finishes do you see emerging in the interior design industry, and how do you see them being used?

We’ve seen a lot of bouclé, and now it’s time for corduroy and velvet to have their moment. 3D printing gets more and more attainable and scalable, from objects for the home to homes themselves. Venetian plaster elevates with colour or texture, from sandy and grainy to rough and Mediterranean-inspired. Chalky finishes have a place, and on the other end of the spectrum, so do high gloss ones. One fits well with the minimalism trend, and the other works well with maximalism, both of which are trending currently. Tactility will also reflect either of these directions; think wool, brick, limed finished, and rough-rendered surfaces for minimalism, and colourful, shiny, layered patterns and interest with shiny Venetian plaster, colourful natural stone, and bold colour decisions for paint, furniture, and décor items for maximalism.

How do you approach designing for different generations and lifestyles, and what do you think are the key considerations when doing so?

Multi-generational spaces are about understanding the constraints of users of different ages and abilities. Start with what a space will be used for; for example, a kitchen can be a workspace, an everyday dining space, a place to entertain, and, of course, a place to cook. It can also be used for completing homework by students, so you need to consider the function, what is required to allow for the function, and what you need to include from different types of lighting to different heights of the bench, power requirements, and materials to allow for comfort during use. As with all design, you start with a brief, listing the uses, the constraints, the dos and don’ts, and any musthaves. Working with constraints sets parameters for successful design and provides a road map for the myriad of decisions required when designing for different users.

How can we create timeless interiors that won’t go out of style?

Almost everything has a shelf life; it’s just a matter of how you, as the occupant, feel about the space and its style. You can try to be broad and bland to get the longest possible use from something, but often that robs the joy of adventurous design. You could go with the latest trend verbatim and apply it wholeheartedly, but you will likely grow tired of it swiftly when the next best thing comes along.

The key to longevity in design is to create something that is well-considered in terms of floorplan, access to light, and provision of amenities and function. Aesthetic decisions should either be embraced with gusto to reflect your own personal style, or if you wish to keep the option to sell your property to someone in the future, design risks can be measured and applied to things that are easier to update, such as paint colours, rugs, décor, furniture, and even lighting.

You can update things like kitchen cabinet fronts and handles relatively easily but with some considered expense. You will find it a little more difficult to update tapware, but it’s definitely possible. It’s very hard to update things like tiles should they sit on top of waterproofing. For easy-to-update colour, turn to Almonte rugs, Clay or Honeycomb would be a great fit. For patterns, look at Marigold and for texture, look to the Envi rugs.

What trends are you seeing in carpet and flooring options, and how do you see these evolving in the next few years?

Right now, it’s about the bouclé look in carpet, with regular larger bumpy loops that are either uniform or offset in pattern, and a little colour variation. We may well see a shift toward shaggier or cut pile carpets, but for now, the large loop is king.

For eco-friendly options, look no further than the luxurious Correa wool range. Alternatively, the ECONYL® regenerated nylon carpets made from recycled fibres are another great consideration for your home.

Who were the key design inspirations for the decade?

A decade is a long time, but you can be sure that we will see the resurgence of several periods as we have with mid-century, brutalism, and Memphis in the last few years. Everything has a way of coming back around but with a contemporary lens.

We will likely see decisions being made to either reflect personal tastes without much regard for resale, or at the other end of the spectrum, a broad and considered approach to interior inclusions with a view to safeguard should economic realities require a swift sale of property assets.

What are some of the current trends in carpet and flooring design, and how do you see these evolving over the next few years?

Currently, carpets are uniform loops, and neutral colours skew either cool grey, warm grey, or warm neutral white. We may well see an emergence of colour in carpets and will more than likely also see patterns being used in designer projects filtering into homes.

Are there any emerging technologies or trends in carpet and flooring that you are particularly excited about, and how do you see them being used in future designs?

At present, the single most exciting innovation is carpet made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon. The fact that it is a closed-loop yarn overseas means that with investment into recycling technology on our shores, we could also have a closed-loop yarn that takes waste fibres and materials and transforms them into beautiful carpeting products of different compositions, weaves, and colours. The idea of taking plastics out of the environment and locking them into flooring for decades to come within homes is a very exciting one.

How do you approach creating a cohesive look and feel throughout a home while incorporating new carpet and flooring trends?

Cohesion is always about having a clear and defined written brief, a set of parameters for use, including exposure to elements such as moisture, wear, and sunlight, and then having a clear indication of the colour and materials palette most appropriate for each project. That should start with ideation, either from translating thoughts into sketches or from collation of reference. The final key to cohesion is in the editing of materials, colours, patterns, and references to ensure that what is left is refined, consistent, and coherent, aligned with the brief and fit for purpose.

How do you balance the desire for style with practical considerations, such as durability and maintenance, when selecting window furnishings, carpet, or flooring options for future design projects?

Form follows function; the parameters of inclusion dictate what materials should be used. For example, silk is not UV resistant and will disintegrate with direct UV exposure over time, whereas rayon, being a synthetic fibre, can be UV resistant and hold its form and colour while mimicking the same characteristics. Due to the glut of options you have in interior finishes and materials, you have the ability to choose an aesthetic solution to your style and design requirements that also fits your use, wear, and exposure parameters. As with all good design, it first comes down to casting the right net in the right area to have options, then knowing which options to edit out and which to keep.