Every event in 2019 has taken place against the backdrop of global anxiety about climate change. Sparked by a United Nations report last year that gave humanity roughly a decade to get its act together, the low thrum of worry and guilt has run through this year, erupting in worldwide protests in September. Political instability and inaction have increased the tension.
In such times, designers know not to rock the boat. 2019’s design trends have pointed to comfort and familiarity, with nature inspired forms and minimalism. There have been few outrageous colors and not much appetite for style wars—even the millennial enthusiasts of Postmodernism have moderated their tastes.
Yet if design is good for anything, it’s good for bringing joy. As eminent trend forecaster Lidewij Edelkoort writes in a preview of her end-of-year seminar at Stockholm’s Moderna Museet: “Maybe the most important thing about [the color] green is its capacity to bring joy. Its energy and charisma are compelling and will help us be, combatting despair with optimism and happiness: joy seen as another form of activism.”

Jagged Little Pill
Gently curved and sinuously contoured, pebbles evoke movement and dynamism (despite their rather staid reality as miniature boulders). That simple, naturalistic naïveté has proved ripe for reinterpretation lately, as designers release products that riff on the pillow-like, bite-size clastic matter. Does it count as biophilia? Who cares! Pebbly designs channel the humanized, demure, and playful aspects of nature across all manner of spaces.

Worthy Luxury
Around the time when Julius Caesar was rising to power, the Roman Senate enacted a series of sumptuary laws—regulations on the display of wealth—to protect aristocrats from backlash. Similar, if less formalized, rules about ostentation seem to apply in our own time, when “billionaire” is an epithet in certain company. What sumptuous touches we have included here come with a worthy narrative—a golden faucet that saves water, velveteen carpets inspired by natural dyes, or finishes that preserve centuries-old tradition. If we dare to look rich, we must be sure to do good.

Drop a Line
While extravagance still has its place in interiors—see the furnishings and fixtures presented in “Worthy Luxury”— something remains to be said for spartan standbys. Take the line, the starting point of all art and design: Some manufacturers are casting it in three dimensions, creating spare forms that upstage cushier, more va-va-voom offerings. That means interesting configurations of wire bases, op-art–like compositions, and a taste for simplicity. A palate cleanser, maybe, from more-is-more culture.

Past Perfect
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus, so it’s natural that some of the flavor of the early years of the 20th century would return to suffuse interiors today. Orthogonal geometries and the machine aesthetic have been popular for many decades, but now postindustrial details have escalated to something akin to steampunk, and Frank Lloyd Wright-style stacked and intersecting volumes signal solidity and comfort.

Hang On
Minimalism has all but banished straps, buckles, and other seemingly extraneous evidence of design tectonics, but those bits and bobs seem to be making a comeback with a new crop of products that play with suspension and slack. Taut is nice, but perhaps a bit too rarefied and strained for our moment; loosely laid seats and strung-up lights seem better equipped to guarantee the casual comfort we crave.

Cut and Color
If the sight of millennial pink makes you queasy, good news: Designers in 2019 embraced a spectrum of vibrant shades. Gradation and clever tonal juxtapositions, as well as techniques like dip-dyeing and screen printing, all came to the fore this year in lighting, furniture, and accessories. Together, they point toward new opportunities for us to soften, brighten, and enhance interiors.
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Jagged Little Pill
GIMBAL LOW LOUNGE ROCKER
The marshmallow-like offering from the U.S. manufacturer facilitates movement and evokes a sittable pouf. HIGHTOWER, hightoweraccess.com, NeoCon
Courtesy HIGHTOWER
Jagged Little Pill
GIMBAL LOW LOUNGE ROCKER
The marshmallow-like offering from the U.S. manufacturer facilitates movement and evokes a sittable pouf. HIGHTOWER, hightoweraccess.com, NeoCon
Courtesy HIGHTOWER
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Jagged Little Pill
PEBBLE RUG
The neutral tones and highly haptic, handwoven surface of this Margrethe Odgaard–designed rug ensure its versatility in a variety of spaces. MUUTO, muuto.com, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy MUUTO
Jagged Little Pill
PEBBLE RUG
The neutral tones and highly haptic, handwoven surface of this Margrethe Odgaard–designed rug ensure its versatility in a variety of spaces. MUUTO, muuto.com, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy MUUTO
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Jagged Little Pill
LACUNAA
A printed layer of pebbly dots (with lines, dust, and droplets to continue the illusion) adorns this velvet wallcovering. INNOVATIONS, innovationsusa.com
Courtesy INNOVATIONS
Jagged Little Pill
LACUNAA
A printed layer of pebbly dots (with lines, dust, and droplets to continue the illusion) adorns this velvet wallcovering. INNOVATIONS, innovationsusa.com
Courtesy INNOVATIONS
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Jagged Little Pill
PEBBLE PENDANT
Taking on the delicately asymmetrical shapes of stones, translucent glass forms combine in a dual fixture. ANDLIGHT andlight.ca Euroluce.
Courtesy ANDLIGHT
Jagged Little Pill
PEBBLE PENDANT
Taking on the delicately asymmetrical shapes of stones, translucent glass forms combine in a dual fixture. ANDLIGHT andlight.ca Euroluce.
Courtesy ANDLIGHT
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Jagged Little Pill
DROPLETS SIDE TABLE
Designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, a metal table completes the Droplets collection of furniture inspired by the shape of water drops. CAPDELL capdell.com Feira Hábitat Valencia Designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, a metal table completes the Droplets collection of furniture inspired by the shape of water drops. CAPDELL capdell.com Feria Hábitat Valencia
Courtesy CAPDELL
Jagged Little Pill
DROPLETS SIDE TABLE
Designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, a metal table completes the Droplets collection of furniture inspired by the shape of water drops. CAPDELL capdell.com Feira Hábitat Valencia Designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune, a metal table completes the Droplets collection of furniture inspired by the shape of water drops. CAPDELL capdell.com Feria Hábitat Valencia
Courtesy CAPDELL
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Worthy Luxury
DYE LAB CARPET TILE
This sustainable collection mimics the hues and subtle shifts in saturation one usually sees in natural dyed fabrics. SHAW CONTRACT, shawcontract.com, Neo Con
Courtesy SHAW CONTRACT
Worthy Luxury
DYE LAB CARPET TILE
This sustainable collection mimics the hues and subtle shifts in saturation one usually sees in natural dyed fabrics. SHAW CONTRACT, shawcontract.com, Neo Con
Courtesy SHAW CONTRACT
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Worthy Luxury
OAK HILL WALL MOUNT BATHROOM FAUCET
Conserving up to 45 percent more water than conventional models, this faucet (shown here in a Satin Brass finish) marries high performance and traditional design. DXV, dxv.com, KBI
Courtesy DXV
Worthy Luxury
OAK HILL WALL MOUNT BATHROOM FAUCET
Conserving up to 45 percent more water than conventional models, this faucet (shown here in a Satin Brass finish) marries high performance and traditional design. DXV, dxv.com, KBI
Courtesy DXV
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Worthy Luxury
ARALDICA TILE
Artist Federico Pepe brings the refinement of marbled paper to fine porcelain ceramic tile—with a millennial color update, of course. CEDIT florim.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy FLORIM
Worthy Luxury
ARALDICA TILE
Artist Federico Pepe brings the refinement of marbled paper to fine porcelain ceramic tile—with a millennial color update, of course. CEDIT florim.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy FLORIM
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Worthy Luxury
BRAMANTE CABINET
The gradation on this Kazuhide Takahama– designed piece is achieved by multiple layers of hand-applied lacquer. CASSINA, cassina.com, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy CASSINA
Worthy Luxury
BRAMANTE CABINET
The gradation on this Kazuhide Takahama– designed piece is achieved by multiple layers of hand-applied lacquer. CASSINA, cassina.com, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy CASSINA
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Drop A Line
PLANNER COFFEE TABLE
Designer Paul McCobb’s unfussy design from 1953 finds new life in this series. FRITZ HANSEN, fritzhansen.com
Courtesy FRITZ HANSEN
Drop A Line
PLANNER COFFEE TABLE
Designer Paul McCobb’s unfussy design from 1953 finds new life in this series. FRITZ HANSEN, fritzhansen.com
Courtesy FRITZ HANSEN
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Drop A Line
WOOD & WIRE CHAIR
The wire enthusiasts at Bend Goods put an op-art spin on the café chair with this model, which features a wooden seat. BEND GOODS, bendgoods.com
Courtesy BEND GOODS
Drop A Line
WOOD & WIRE CHAIR
The wire enthusiasts at Bend Goods put an op-art spin on the café chair with this model, which features a wooden seat. BEND GOODS, bendgoods.com
Courtesy BEND GOODS
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Drop A Line
HECO LIGHT
Nendo embraces cheeky plurality for this outdoor fixture, crafting a statement piece that straddles the divide between lighting and furniture. FLOS usa.flos.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy FLOS
Drop A Line
HECO LIGHT
Nendo embraces cheeky plurality for this outdoor fixture, crafting a statement piece that straddles the divide between lighting and furniture. FLOS usa.flos.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy FLOS
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Drop A Line
SEGMENTS
Line goes dimensional in Guglielmo Poletti’s porcelain tile, inviting you to graze your fingers across its ridged surface. DECORATORI BASSANESI, decoratoribassanesi.it
Courtesy DECORATORI BASSANESI
Drop A Line
SEGMENTS
Line goes dimensional in Guglielmo Poletti’s porcelain tile, inviting you to graze your fingers across its ridged surface. DECORATORI BASSANESI, decoratoribassanesi.it
Courtesy DECORATORI BASSANESI
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Past Perfect
HOWARD CHAIR
Comfort is a priority in this chair designed by Egg Collective, with its down cushions and eight-way hand-tied springs. EGG COLLECTIVE, eggcollective.com, NYCxDesign
Courtesy EGG COLLECTIVE
Past Perfect
HOWARD CHAIR
Comfort is a priority in this chair designed by Egg Collective, with its down cushions and eight-way hand-tied springs. EGG COLLECTIVE, eggcollective.com, NYCxDesign
Courtesy EGG COLLECTIVE
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Past Perfect
VOLENTIERI RUG
Designed by Inga Sempé, this rug is a study in textures—soft and velvety rectangles separated by thin lines in a bouclé weave. MAGIS magisdesign.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy MAGIS
Past Perfect
VOLENTIERI RUG
Designed by Inga Sempé, this rug is a study in textures—soft and velvety rectangles separated by thin lines in a bouclé weave. MAGIS magisdesign.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy MAGIS
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Past Perfect
VITRUVIO LAMP
With a mechanism inspired by clockmakers, three rods click into place inside the diffuser of this lamp, holding the glass globe in place. ARTEMIDE, artemide.com, Euroluce
Courtesy ARTEMIDE
Past Perfect
VITRUVIO LAMP
With a mechanism inspired by clockmakers, three rods click into place inside the diffuser of this lamp, holding the glass globe in place. ARTEMIDE, artemide.com, Euroluce
Courtesy ARTEMIDE
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Past Perfect
MG101 DINING CHAIR
Designed by Space Copenhagen for Restaurant 108 in the Danish capital, this chair is now available as part of the Holmen Collection. MALTE GORMSEN, maltegormsen.dk, 3daysofdesign
Courtesy MALTE GORMSEN
Past Perfect
MG101 DINING CHAIR
Designed by Space Copenhagen for Restaurant 108 in the Danish capital, this chair is now available as part of the Holmen Collection. MALTE GORMSEN, maltegormsen.dk, 3daysofdesign
Courtesy MALTE GORMSEN
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Hang On
SHIMMER COLLECTION
Ordinarily reserved for two-dimensional installations, walls go 3D with Shimmer’s range of American brass sequin tiles. Clé Tile, cletile.com.
Courtesy Clé Tile
Hang On
SHIMMER COLLECTION
Ordinarily reserved for two-dimensional installations, walls go 3D with Shimmer’s range of American brass sequin tiles. Clé Tile, cletile.com.
Courtesy Clé Tile
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Hang On
PENNA PENDANT
Exuding a rustic, patinated utilitarianism, Penna’s wood volume hangs by way of leather straps. CERNO cernogroup.com ICFF.
Courtesy CERNO
Hang On
PENNA PENDANT
Exuding a rustic, patinated utilitarianism, Penna’s wood volume hangs by way of leather straps. CERNO cernogroup.com ICFF.
Courtesy CERNO
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Hang On
FOLDING STOOL
The debut furniture collection from Toronto design firm Yabu Pushelberg (with Yuichiro Hori of Stellar Works) celebrates craftsmanship with A-frames, tufts, studs, and straps. DEPARTO, departo.co
Courtesy DEPARTO
Hang On
FOLDING STOOL
The debut furniture collection from Toronto design firm Yabu Pushelberg (with Yuichiro Hori of Stellar Works) celebrates craftsmanship with A-frames, tufts, studs, and straps. DEPARTO, departo.co
Courtesy DEPARTO
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Hang On
BERNARD
Hay’s naturalistic interpretation of the easy chair hangs a single slip-on plane on a solid oak or beech frame. HAY, hay.dk, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy HAY
Hang On
BERNARD
Hay’s naturalistic interpretation of the easy chair hangs a single slip-on plane on a solid oak or beech frame. HAY, hay.dk, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy HAY
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Cut and Color
HERRINGBONE VESSELS
These immersion-dyed ceramics, produced by design studio RawEdges with Vitra, bring a watercolor look to a table setting. VITRA, vitra.com, Maison & Objet
Courtesy VITRA
Cut and Color
HERRINGBONE VESSELS
These immersion-dyed ceramics, produced by design studio RawEdges with Vitra, bring a watercolor look to a table setting. VITRA, vitra.com, Maison & Objet
Courtesy VITRA
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Cut and Color
BISEL - Color queen Patricia Urquiola imbues beveled edge-work with vibrant tones in this design. GLAS ITALIA, glasitalia.com, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy GLAS ITALIA
Cut and Color
BISEL - Color queen Patricia Urquiola imbues beveled edge-work with vibrant tones in this design. GLAS ITALIA, glasitalia.com, Salone del Mobile
Courtesy GLAS ITALIA
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Cut and Color
UPTOWN
Art Deco marries Memphis in this floor lamp, which uses glass volumes screen-printed in primary colors for the ultimate prismatic effect. FOSCARINI, foscarini.com, NYCxDesign
Courtesy FOSCARINI
Cut and Color
UPTOWN
Art Deco marries Memphis in this floor lamp, which uses glass volumes screen-printed in primary colors for the ultimate prismatic effect. FOSCARINI, foscarini.com, NYCxDesign
Courtesy FOSCARINI
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Cut and Color
DIPPING LIGHT
Marset’s confectionary dip-dyed light is now available in tabletop, handheld, sconce, and pendant versions. MARSET marset.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy MARSET
Cut and Color
DIPPING LIGHT
Marset’s confectionary dip-dyed light is now available in tabletop, handheld, sconce, and pendant versions. MARSET marset.com Salone del Mobile.
Courtesy MARSET
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