May 05, 2018

Decor & Design 2018

Insights into consumer trends are a must for both retailers and designers. They are one of the key reasons why Decor + Design in Melbourne has forged its position as Australia’s No.1 Interiors Event. Hosted by leading UK Trend Forecasters Scarlet Opus, the 2018 Trend Hub at this year’s Decor + Design will be an immersive, sensory experience which will showcase innovative new materials that Scarlet Opus are forecasting to be a major part of upcoming collections.

Sourced from designers and makers from around the world, Scarlet Opus have given us a sneak peek into some of the materials and confirmed that there will be a focus on recycled, bio-composite, sustainable and natural materials. The overall theme is inspired by the many cultures along the Old Silk Road – a trading route from China through Persia, across to Europe. The Trend Hub will bring together a global mix of styles and the earthen luxury of nature.

Decor + Design visitors will be able to ‘post and like’ their favourite products at the show on the giant analogue Instagram page and collect free samples. They will also discover the top colours for 2018, gather trend information and content for social media platforms, and explore the new material displays.

Join us at Decor + Design 2017 from 20 – 23 in Melbourne to be inspired. Entry to the Exhibition and the Trend Hub is free for Trade Visitors. Tickets for the Trend Tours by Scarlet Opus – as well as Head Forecaster Victoria Redshaw’s keynote presentation on Macro Trends for 2018 – will go on sale May 10.

Written by and with thanks to Skye Rytenskild

For years, interior design has been dominated by cool Scandinavian minimalism. There’ll always be a place in design for clean lines and a stripped back approach. Sometimes, however, the eyes and heart need to be fed more. Which is why we’re delighted that maximalism has made a triumphant return in 2018.

Maximalism is fundamentally an aesthetic of excess. It is perhaps best summarised as “more is more”, rather than the minimalist ethos of “less is more.”

Maximalism allows for an eclectic approach to design – brimming with nostalgia and references to different eras and design styles – combined with modern functionality and luxury.

As a design approach, maximalism is vivacious and very much alive. It is a reaction against both the inhibiting, repressed aspects of minimalism and a form of escapism from tumultuous world affairs.

If you haven’t yet experimented with maximalism, be inspired by some of these incredible interiors and unleash your inner prima donna.

Maximalism is the onion of interior design approaches. Layer upon layer is applied, so that even a single room can become a dominion unto itself.

A wonderful example of haute maximalism is the Hotel Antoine in Paris, designed by renowned designer Christian Lacroix in collaboration with interior designer Philippe Medioni.

Each room in the hotel was designed so that it revolves around a key decorative theme. In one room, it’s wallpapers, juxtaposed with vintage furniture. In another, it is a neutral, light approach contrasted with a bathroom completely covered in gold tiles that look like ingots in a bank vault.