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Mixtape Moments: Layered Textures

The layering of textures have been a common thread seen at recent tradeshows. Texture can trigger all the senses, making design more appealing and attractive. Seen throughout multiple products, the layering of various materials creates a sense of excitement and robust style.”

LORI SALEM, SPHERE TRENDING DESIGN RESEARCH ASSISTANT

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Mixtape Moments: Residential Remix

By Riann Henkel Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Interior Home

The theme for the month continues as we delve into different ways that today’s consumers are mixing up design styles, materials and elements to create a personal mix. The lines between indoors and outdoors continues to blur, but think bigger than just seamless living.

Materials that we see on the outside of the home, such as the (unfortunately named) hog fence are being used for modern elements on interiors, while exteriors are borrowing pops of pattern and bold materials to brighten outdoor living areas.

Dwell – Exterior inspired hog fencing indoors

The lines between indoors and outdoors continues to blur, but think bigger than just seamless living.”

Riann Henkel, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Interior Home

Outdoor Remix

At the 2023 HGTV Smart Home, the outdoor kitchen spaces takes cues from interior inspired details. Patterned backsplashes and artwork bring interior influences outside.

HGTV Smart Home
The Harris Poll

Mixed Zones

Despite often appearing on ‘what’s out’ lists, open plan living is not fading away. But mixed materials in the home are bringing in architectural elements such as exterior-inspired sliding doorwalls to create purposeful zones floating within the open plans.

Detroit Design Awards – PRM Custom Builders

Mixed Use

Even the use of space becomes a personal choice, such as the increase of garages as hang-out spaces, complete with unique paint and décor and comfortable interior-inspired features. Often overlooked as utilitarian and functional, nothing is off limits in the new residential remix.

HGTV Smart Home

Stay in the mix with us to see what’s trending – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mixtape Moments: NeoCon 2023 – Pump Up The Volume

By Emily Siwek, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Architectural Design

We just returned from NeoCon, the leading US commercial furnishings fair held annually in Chicago and the change from previous seasons was audible. While the last few years have been somewhat muted, this year we saw the volume starting to creep back up with playful color and pattern, and an emphasis on embracing the noise and volume of life in commercial spaces.

Finding Their Voice

NeoCon debuted a working podcast studio along with the fair this year. The first floor studio was broadcasting studio added a new element to the mix of the event.

Hosts including design personality Amy Devers, recorded live during the show.

NeoCon Podcast Studio

Dialed Up Design

Within the products displayed, acoustical wall solutions have become high design, but they were not focusing on completely dampening the noise, rather they were celebrating it, creating strategic design compliments to the increasing complexity of life and design in public spaces. Turf Design also had a sense of fun with their ‘dial a decade’ installation where rotary phones played music from recent eras.

Turf Design Showroom at NeoCon

Need For Noise

Carpet manufacturers were inspired by audio elements as well. At Mannington a sound bath inspired pixilated patterns titled “the need for sound” and at the Shaw Contract showroom, Mike Ford shared rhythmic patterns inspired by hip hop.

Mannington and Shaw Contract at NeoCon
Shaw Contract collaboration with Mike Ford at NeoCon
Mike Ford’s Hip Hop Playlist

Ready for something to listen to? Check out Mike Ford’s Top 15 Hip Hop tracks as shared by Shaw Contract and stay tuned in with us to see what’s trending – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mixtape Moments: Patterns Partner

Another blend trend we are seeing is in the comeback of bold prints and colors. Pushing gray away and filling our spaces with things that make us feel alive! We are expressing ourselves and getting creative with color, pattern and texture.  You can surround yourself with everything you favor and love most.  Intentionally mix it up, throw it together, and explore the fun and joy of making it a true reflection of you. “

LONNIE JOHNSON, SPHERE TRENDING, MARKET ANALYST

To read more about the masterful mix of the Ralph Lauren flagship featured in the above moodboard click here. Stay tuned this month as we explore the topic of intentional movement in our lives. Don’t miss the latest on ‘Mixtape Moments’ – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mixtape Moments: Materials Mingle

Our theme this month is ‘Mixtape Moments’, a celebration of new blends we’re seeing, hearing, and watching in the trend sphere. To kick it off we have a moodboard of some of our favorite moments in the mix from recent tradeshows.

The mingling of materials have been a common thread seen at recent tradeshows. These materials are playing nice together and creating curiosity that makes you slow down to stop, think, and explore. Seen throughout multiple products, the combination of using natural and synthetic materials has become increasingly popular for 2023.”

-Lori Salem, Sphere Trending Design Research Assistant

Stay tuned this month as we explore the topic of intentional movement in our lives. Don’t miss the latest on ‘Mixtape Moments’ – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.