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Category: Monthly Themes

Importance of Play

By Susan Yashinsky, Sphere Trending VP, Innovation Trends

We track big picture societal shifts and a key area we’re watching is the balance of analog and digital. New priorities for play are emerging as a counter balance to the amount of screen time children are getting every day.

Play is not just for kids though, as seen at The Toy Fair in London, strategies for incorporating play span from youth to adult.

Follow along for more evolving home philosophies and key shifts! Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Sphere-spotting

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

As future thinkers, we are always on the lookout for trend indicators – patterns and groupings that feel fresh and relevant. Lately, we’ve been seeing sphere popping up everywhere (and just in time for the total solar eclipse)!

Sphere Trending was founded to ‘connect the dots’ between big picture macro shifts, consumer engagement, and design and product implications. The sphere shape is close to our hearts and minds and reminds us to think ‘outside the circle’. Here are a few of the recent spheres we’ve seen popping up!

New from Hansgrohe, the ‘Sphere’ pictured below stands for “wellness and waterless regeneration.” A new sensory experience for the bathroom that takes the place of a long soak while providing the same sense of relaxation and refreshment.

The Hansgrohe ‘Sphere’

At the Toronto Pearson airport, an art installation titled “Tilted Spheres” by the late Richard Serra creates space with curved steel walls creating a striking visual effect but also creates a more intimate acoustic area buffering the noise from the surround spaces.

Tilted Spheres, Toronto Pearson Airport

The ‘A’s baseball team in Las Vegas have revealed plans for a new stadium shaped like a “Spherical Armadillo” in Las Vegas, designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group. The playful structure will include a 33,000-seat park enclosed by a roof with “the world’s largest cable-net glass window” letting in natural light and providing a city view.

Lastly, the Las Vegas ‘Sphere’ has become a new iconic element in the city, projecting visuals across a seamless dome. We recently saw it up close and in person at the CES and IBS/KBIS tradeshows and love how the immersive venue shakes up traditional entertainment.

The Sphere Experience, Las Vegas

Calm Chemistry

By Lonnie Johnson, Sphere Trending Market Analyst

Sphere keeps a close eye on what is trending in fashion. As Fashion Week recently ended for New York, London, Milan, & Paris it’s time to analyze the colors, textures and aesthetics that stood out and may have an impact on what we will soon wear and style our homes with.    

Quiet luxury stood out again during recent Fashion Week for FW 2024/2025 as designers shifted toward more refinement and sophistication.  ‘Quiet Luxury’ or ‘Old Money Aesthetic’ is a shift in mindset that values investment in the highest quality with a style that will hold up for years to come and not feel trendy or out of fashion.  While not new its relevance is increasingly important as we look for more sustainable ways to live and dress.

 Follow along for continued insights in lifestyle chemistry. Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Design Chemistry

By Lori Salem, Sphere Trending Market Research & Trend Analyst

As we move into 2024, I am grateful for the return to travel and being able to attend incredible tradeshows that provide us with the opportunity to learn about new products, creative collaborations, design innovations, and give us inspiration for the year ahead.

The design industry has been fortunate enough to experience a plethora of tradeshows worldwide. Being connected to press coverage allows me to gain further insights, product details, and enhanced conversations with vendors. I really enjoy immersing myself into the design community and city that hosts the event.

1.Weaved woven wickers

Woven materials still had a strong presence at High Point, NC in furniture and lighting. However, it took on more of a structured interwoven pattern instead of the traditional lacing we’re used to seeing. Made Goods had credenzas and cabinet doors in this material, which resembled a clean, tailored look.

2. Gray Burl 

Burl was a statement at the show in many different collections. We generally think of burl as a lighter maple finish, but this new gray burl by Made Goods really made an impact.

3. Power Motion

Motion was the new technology for reclining sectionals. Four Hands was one who introduced Power Motion, a sectional that could fully recline with a touch of a discreet button.

We look forward to more travel and tradeshows in 2024 including the upcoming Spring Market at High Point in April! Follow along to see our insights from trendspotting around the US and abroad. Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

New Year, New Thoughts

In 2024, we are exploring new schools of thought that reveal emerging behaviors and interests connected to our trend forecasting. This video is a preview of the changing consumer attributes and personalities that will be critical to understand and embrace in the year to come. Please join us as we dig deeper into these new schools of thought this season – home philosophy, lifestyle chemistry and brand archeology. We look forward to hitting the books and diving deeper into these themes throughout the year.

Take note! Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.