Trends gleaned from the Ambiente Tradefair in Frankfurt, Feb 8 -12, 2019

A beautiful crystal glass collection displays at Ambiente 19, tradefair in Messe Frankfurt

There’s a lot one observes during a trip to a tradefair. When you flit from stall to stall, and section to section, a pattern starts emerging. And so it happened to me.

The collection of tea sets on table showcases at Ambiente trade fair 2019 in Messe Frankfurt

At Ambiente, the tradefair that I have been covering on my social media and this blog, if one didn’t obsess too much on the official trend forecasts and displays (which are brilliant, by the way), one would still be presented with some amazing inputs about emerging trends.

Lemons spotted in bowl sets showcases in the Ambiente 2019 trade fair

As a decor watcher and visitor, I formed my own conclusions of emerging trends, simply based on the products and displays that I witnessed.

A lovely crystal glass collection displays at Ambiente 19, tradefair in Messe Frankfurt

the overall theme was warmth, effortless putting together of a tablescape, and making a home special and inviting, the haven one would come home to.
since there are as many different types of homes as people, you could interpret this in a way that would suit your home.

Ambiente 19 tradefair, showcases the living trends of dining sets

The bottom line though, is that this year the theme was without a doubt – own your space, make it truly a place you can come home to and unwind, whether you choose to do it the luxe way or simply basic.

A place which love to rest at Ambiente 19 tradefair

EMOTIONS

Fuzzy warmth, careless elegance, comfort, pro-family, dining in, cooking-in

comfort, warmth, fuzzy items at Ambiente 19 tradefair

The entire ambience seems to suggest a shift back to making the most of family gatherings, cherishing simple home cooked food, serving elegantly, making the whole concept of coming home after a tough day, an experience to look forward to!

carelessly elegant, cosy by Seltmann Weiden
carelessly elegant, cosy by Seltmann Weiden

You can see these emotions in the pictures here.

Kaschkasch a furniture and lighting design studio, also asks visitors to invoke feelings, poetry
kaschkasch a furniture and lighting design studio, also asks visitors to invoke feelings, poetry
One of the most 'homey' displays spotted at Ambiente
One of the most ‘homey’ displays spotted at Ambiente


the most 'homey' displays spotted at Ambiente

COLOUR TRENDS

Colours are the most pronounced and easiest way to look trendy and stylish.

Taupe and green for backgrounds, yellow for colour pops and typical Scandinavian dusty rose and 50 shades of grey for the rest of the room!

The uber trending pop of yellow and turmeric on a traditional Scandinavian palette!
The uber trending pop of yellow and turmeric on a traditional Scandinavian palette!

And of course, the Pantone Colour of the Year was very prominent, as I spotted it on tropical themed products, especially in the Dining section.

the Pantone Colour of the Year printed on the Dining sets
The living coral colour of the year printed on plates, showcases at Ambiente 19 tradefair

Purple was spotted often, and in varying shades that all looked lovely!

Purple and yellow spotted often, and in varying shades that all looked lovely!
the beautiful dining sets spotted at Ambiente 19


colours in trend : olive, taupe, withered rose, dusty rose, grey and of course coral

A Blomus display in dusty rose, withered rose, greys
A Blomus display in dusty rose, withered rose, greys

LIVING GREEN

Slowing down means taking the time to nurture other living things. Plants in decor is a theme close to my heart, and one that we announced in our Facebook decor group, Decor Drama way back in January.

living trends displays at Ambiente 19 had incorporated living decor

Of course this trend will only grow, and it was no surprise that the displays at Ambiente had incorporated living decor. Here are a few examples!

House Doctor made us want to chuck everything and retreat to their tent with a cool lemonade! The focus was sustainable, natural products and touches of green.
Tica Copenhagen founder of Tia Bremhholm posing with a pot, just like the one on the ad in her stall!
tica Copenhagen founder Tia Bremhholm posing for me with a pot, just like the one on the ad in her stall!

PRODUCTS IN FOCUS

These gorgeous and highly sustainable cutting boards from Orthex are 98% bio-based made out of wood fibre and sugarcane!
These gorgeous and highly sustainable cutting boards from Orthex are 98% bio-based made out of wood fibre and sugarcane!

handmade, sustainable, eco-friendly, breathable, environment friendly were the buzz words for products this year.

It was heartening to see both large manufacturers and small makers come up with their own versions of sustainable products. As a trend, this is a theme that is balooning!

the beautiful bedroom sets display at Ambiente 19

Unsaid, but like the proverbial elephant in the room, the impression one got was that in the years to come, if you didn’t have a sustainable or bio degradable product, the world may not want to do business with you.

I hope manufacturers the world over pay heed!

The Rug Republic's range of colourful 100% sustainable rugs
The Rug Republic’s range of colourful 100% sustainable rugs

There were also products that had part machine part hand components and if you ask me, this is a great combination to have. All machine made products need not be bad. Mass produced ceramics for instance can live on for generations to come, that make it quite sustainable. A lot of the dining exhibitors displayed beautiful hand painted ceramics that gave the personal, handmade touch.

As consumers it makes sense to buy wisely, with the environment given priority in your purchase.

PATTERNS and MOTIFS

Geometric – Black and white geometric patterns lent their stamp in several displays

Monochrome geometric patterns from Henriette
Monochrome geometric patterns from Henriette
the Pantone Colour of the Year printed on the Dining sets

Botanical

botanical pattern

Floral

the Pantone Colour of the Year printed on tea sets

Tropical
Parrots, birds of paradise, lemons – both real and as prints on fabric and plates – were quite the rage! I did see that the pineapples, the flamingos and the monstera prints were on the decline.

Lemons were spotted in quite a few displays
Lemons were spotted in quite a few displays.

Sea Animals
Corals, octopus and star fish were visible on many products and featured in displays too.

The Pantone Colour of the Year Living Coral in  these Sea Life themed plates
The Pantone Colour of the Yeat Living Coral in these Sea Life themed plates

MATERIAL TRENDS

House Doctor made us want to chuck everything and retreat to their tent with a cool lemonade! The focus was sustainable, natural products and touches of green.
House Doctor made us want to chuck everything and retreat to their tent with a cool lemonade! The focus was sustainable, natural products and touches of green.

material in trend: smoked cork, lightweight bark of birch wood ethically harvested from South American forests, bamboo courtesy spectacular indian presence at Ambiente.

When there’s so much talk about sustainability, it is natural that natural or naturally processed material take center stage. Bamboo, cork, smoked cork, soapstone, wood, coir, rubber, hand woven, hand blown glass, were some of the materials that I spotted.

German designer Anastasiya Koshcheeva's beautiful birchbark sustainable products.
German designer Anastasiya Koshcheeva’s beautiful birchbark sustainable products.
hand carved wooden spoons matarial sponsored at Ambiente 19 tradefair
Linen for a natural Back to Nature feel from Lovely Linen
Linen for a natural Back to Nature feel from Lovely Linen

INTERPRETING THESE TRENDS IN THE DESI-GLOBAL DESIGN STYLE THAT IS SO FASHIONABLE IN INDIA AT THE MOMENT

For us Indians, I find absolute truth in the words and displays of Ayush Kasliwal.

His curated Indian living room space (pictured below), had much of natural India – he says opt for diwan instead of a couch, use a chatai, a beautiful gond painting to bring your space alive. The walls need not be dull and boring. He has used Indigo for a stunning modern twist using a colour very ubiquitosu with India.

Indian living room trends in desi-global design style

He recommends the use of traditional material like bamboo or rattan and local fabrics with modern minimalist prints.

Traditional material rattan and local fabrics with modern prints at Ambiente 19

Under Joyful Ambience which was one of Ambiente 19’s 3 TRENDS, I spotted the Asian Paints Colour of the Year Awakening.

Asian Paints Colour of the Year Awakening 2019 printed on cookware
So while you are probably bookmarking this colour for accent walls or upholstery, buying cookware in this colour is a great idea!

In India we shy away from black and white – choose one (yes just one per room) from these monochrome items, and incorporate it into your colourful desi-decked up home, I promise you will love it!

black and white monochrome items, incorporate it in colourful desi-decked

finally, don’t shy away from your Indian-ness – celebrate it!

I loved that Mr. Sunil Sethi, who curated a couple of sections at Ambiente19 took the trouble to mark and source products from India’s GI product locations (pic above). Perhaps our trend could be to source at least one of these original products for our homes!

These embroidered caravan animals from Mr Sethi’s curated section 
Kārwān
These embroidererd caravan animals from Mr Sethi’s curated section
Kārwān

Want to know more about my trip to Ambiente?
Do read my blog on the highlights of Ambiente19 by clicking right here!

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