The team at Alexander Francis drove up to the NEC on Sunday to visit the Spring Fair. Feeling apprehensive about the snow but excited about our ventures and what we may find, we arrived in time good for the Home Trends – Winter 2012/2013 Seminar. Though we felt absolutely shattered by the end of the day (after approximately 4 hours of walking), we were excited over all of our photos and conversations with traders and designers.
Here we are now, back at the office and wanting to share our notes from our first seminar with you.
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The WGSN Trends 2012/13 Interiors inspiration and colour
Ali Morris from WGSN revealed their three trends for 2012/13 examples of which could be seen at The Trend Bar and the Trend Box.
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1. Radical Neutrality
Looking at how you can balance a radical but yet neutral attitude; an attitude that involves dedication and focus to achieve something that is perfect in moderation and within reason. This trend is subtle and clever, clean harmonious.
Less is more. Using materials that are perfect for each design, silent and trustworthy. Textures are soft and smooth and inviting to the touch.
Colour-blocking techniques rendered in paint, veneer, glass, plastic, resin, wool or suede. Radical neutrality is the new minimalism.
Sourced from Moco loco. Kopiad – a Swedish Company called Box it Design.
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2. Hyperculture
In this new age which we live in we are surrounded by multicultural happenings, issues, relations, no culture stands alone. Cultures are based on nationality or ethnicity, religion or belief, sports or music, youth or age and within this cultural understanding is vast and complex.
Innovative pattern, with motifs made up of elements of north, south, east and west, all in vibrant juxtapositions. Patterns become mixed up and become a rather radical mix of historical and modern, think manner mansion with website brand logos. Street art becomes intermingled with classical fine art. This clashing of cultures, layering of design is playful, vibrant and provocative.
Synthetics are mixed with naturals. Soft and hard materials are associated in innovative new ways.
Hyperculture mixes multiple cultures, times and techniques in endlessly inspiring combinations.
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3. Eco-hedonism
We are always striving towards becoming more sustainable and ecological, though this is more a necessity now than a choice. Everything must be created with the greater ecological good in mind. This trend focuses on the natural beauty of nature and what can be created and appreciated when natural materials are involved. Highlighting the integrity and spirit that comes with raw materials.
Think of rough-hewn stone and wood, hand-wrought metals, minerals and natural fibres. Organic shapes that are directly inspired from nature. Weathered qualities and reclaimed materials, with particularly tactile textures.
Patterns are delicate and refined and appear to have been created by the weather: sun, rain, fog, ice and snow seem to have worn or created motifs into and onto materials. 
Eco-hedonism expresses the nature of the seasons, and the beauty that lies outdoors. 
Photos Sourced from the Trend Bar, Hall 6
