Heather, Amy and Suzanne attended NeoCon this year at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, IL. They racked up over 10,000 steps each, while seeing all of the trends, color reports, and new product launches that filled the 10 floors of the Mart.
Once again, the line between residential and commercial design has blurred, and a more soft pastel color palette took the forefront. Light wood tones paired with curvier lines and woven textiles were abundant. Bold patterns were not as contrasting as what we have seen before, but instead, slightly muted and serene.
Speaking of serene, another trend of the show was relaxation and wellness. There was a focus on soundproof pods for people who need a break from the busy world around them. One of these pods was equipped with a reclining chair, headphones that streamed calming noises, and twinkling lights on the ceiling. Within a few minutes, all of your senses are recharged, helping you get on with the rest of your day.
Lastly, biophilic design continues to remain prominent in the design world. Colorful moss walls were used as backdrops for logos and in window displays. In one space, greenery lined an entire room, making you think you just stumbled into a tropical rainforest. Vendors grab inspiration from rivers and landscapes to develop their product design concepts.
Our top three favs:
- Designtex’s Charley Harper graphic animal print fabric – not only does it come in a variety of colors, it’s available as a wallcovering and vinyl upholstery.
- Artistic Tile’s edgy garments – each of their windows made you stop in your tracks to see the mannequin’s artful attire made from tile.
- Scandinavian Spaces’ recycling can – who said a trash can has to be unsightly? Their design is reminiscent of a popsicle.
With the bridge between residential and commercial design getting smaller and smaller, spaces are becoming more relaxing and welcoming with the use of serene color palettes and cozy textiles.
