December 2018 / Turning Tradition on Its Head


Located throughout the world, the Trendease Team continues to deliver our subscribers around the globe must-know market information and inspiration straight to their computer screens.

Crystals are growing on us, digital print is improving, fresh retail concepts are born, gaps between east and west creativity are narrowing, and the traditional method to hire an interior designer gets turned on its head, plus learn about new materials chock full of meaning and potential uses. These are just a few concepts we review this month. Get inspired with the December edition!

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REPORTING TO INSPIRE,

Jennifer Castoldi,
Chief Creative Director

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Features and Articles

StoneCycling

Jennifer's December Diaries

Multiple European Cities — Materials with meaning. The materials that make up our products, our interiors, our architecture, and the infrastructure around us have a direct impact on our well-being and our planet, so why not design these responsibly?! Thankfully more producers are considering it and here are just a few who are disrupting the marketplace.

Grey shearling with crystals

The Glistening of Innovative Crystals

Worldwide — What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “additive manufacturing”? That word combination likely conjures up ideas of rapid prototyping and 3D printing, which is perfectly inline with contemporary production techniques. But what if we told you, in this case, we are referring to crystals? The 25 images featured here within exemplify the creativity of using crystals in a new way to adorn lighting, home accessories, fashion, textiles, leathers, skins, and even feathers.

Tom Dixon

Going Digital the Right Way

London — There is some impressive digital print technology out there, but so few specifiers (producers, product designers, interior designers, architects, retailers, end consumers…) know about the full range of possibilities. There is a cavernous gap in education between the talented engineers developing the technology and the people utilizing it to produce beautiful products.

Tom Dixon Puts the Best Coal in Your Stocking

London — Well, he has done it again. Tom Dixon’s London hub that was formerly at The Docks has moved to a snazzy new venue: The Coal House. This impressive and historic building just across from Granary Square (home to Central St. Martins), and a stone’s throw from the new Google and LVMH offices, houses his HQ, design studio, retail store, and restaurant. Take a tour here.

Spot the Difference: Emerging or Classic Design

Bangkok — This is a review of a special exhibition titled ‘The Residence’ by François Russo, the French designer who has worked for some of the world’s recognized luxury brands such as Chanel and Poltrona Frau. Russo brought together in a single space Thai design and art alongside classics of western design. The idea was to demonstrate that there is no gap between Thai and western creativity.

The Bold

Part One: The Bold & Beautiful

London — With the ever-increasing cross-pollination of disciplines, we continuously see new paradigm shifts taking place. We all know how disruptive the sharing economy has been to traditional business models, just look at Uber and Airbnb. Well here comes another one: interior design through an international short-term rentals property management platform. Designers, home owners, listen up!

The Artisan

Part Two: The Artisan is Home

London — In this pop-up space, visitors could pay for a workshop to create personal macramé hanging plant holders with a crafts master. And in addition to the displays, there were a number of paid activities and potential to win trips and interior design services. It was a fresh way to launch a new service as well as raise brand awareness.

The Botanist

Part Three: An Interior Study of Plants

London — Trendease found this space to have the most attention to detail. The giant centerpiece of hanging wildflowers was most impressive in the room. Candles, balms, books, knickknacks, and carefully staged products made for a warm, lived-in feel. Biophilia can embrace even those who are not green thumbs. This pop-up offered more than meets the eye.

NEWSLETTER #626 - M&O Inspirations Preview

Paris — Vincent Grégoire of Nelly Rodi ponders, “What do first lady Brigitte Macron, choreographer Benjamin Millepied, and the singer Christine and the Queens have in common…” We will see this thought visualized for the trend area at Maison&Objet in January in their Inspiration Zone.

NEWSLETTER #627 - Holidays & Talent

Worldwide — The Trendease Team is winding down for a little break, before we go, we have one more opening for our curated New Talent space at the Surface Design Show in London February 5-7, so if you, or someone you know who has been in the industry for 5 years or less, might be interested to apply, email opportunities@trendease.com. Also, anyone working on digital surface innovations for interiors and/or architecture please get in touch for another showcase we will be curating.