This weekend has held the Autumn 2011 Formex Fair. As always with these fairs – and maybe with this one in particular – there is much ado about nothing. Of what makes this event, fresh ideas & insights, trends and innovations are extremely small parts. Actually, you almost only find it in the marketing material! This of course is beneath contempt, since Formex could be The Place for inspiration, clearly ahead, like a fortune-teller-market. Instead, the exhibition is mainly blah when it comes to fresh new thoughts. Luckily enough though, we stayed for a lecture by Lotta Ahlvar, the CEO of Swedish Fashion Council. This very inspiring talk outlined some upcoming trends. Again it was confirmed that the Swedish white minimalist era is over. It belongs to the 00s. The successor can not be understood and defined already, of course, but Ahlvar spoke of somethng like “down-toned and cozy” as the present new concept. An anti-trend of course, after all the whiteness in this country. With the 70′s as style reference, nature as the source and the farmer as guru, a bit of style- and view-shifting is afoot.

Lotta Ahlvar highlighted a clearly growing trend in Sweden – the urban farmer. Or at least, the urban cultivator. The city is transforming into Farmville. Think potato plantations in the window and warp chickens on the balcony (and maybe a dairy cow in the garden?) Long passed are those multi-equipped fancy kitchens people never cooked in, just showed off the occasional sourdough. Now it’s time to plant some uniquely rare beans. In a cozy and 70s nostalgia environment. Crafts belong to the new (new-old) movement too and wool was noted as a trending material; knit, crocheted or tangled. Recycled. And wood! Lots of wood. Even more of the Swedish pinnstolar and Windsors (especially appropriate as one of our main resources and exports is wood). Moving on to the trend colours,  the charts for 2012-2013 contained lovely reds and 70s yellows together with gold and copper (i.a., this is only one / my selection). I really believe in Brandy orange + brass. There was also charcoal and clay. Now this was some of the trend news, let’s await a greater impact! I personally am convinced Lotta Ahlvar is right on track in her trend spotting (and n.b. I’ve fueled some of the content; all excesses are on me, not the lecturer). If not already, in due course (the style-anxious) Swedes will take the new trend line very seriously. Furthermore, this path is a natural consequence of our eco-thinking, conscientious waste sorting & recycling and not least given the ongoing trendification of the countryside.

As mentioned above, the innovativeness and trend sensibility demonstrated in the Ahlvar speech (and in the written Formex material) was not very much reflected in the Formex fair’s main content: the exhibiton. Some nice things were spotted – pictured above, though seen before -  but the overall impression was just as shabby chic as 2005. Loads of factory-worn or whitewashed signs with positive messages and other “newly-made antiques”. Not one single eye-opener, which leads me to conclude that the Swedish (mainstream) market for interior design products is pretty dull. Do It better Yourself – my next mission is to find/invent and share some DIY-ideas.

And speaking of, I like the DIY fair Hem & Villa and the Home fair way better. This year [Oct 13-16] it’s themed – tadá! – Close To Nature. Trend report follows.

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Etsy is one amazing place. I keep finding so many nice things! My latest catch is a gorgeous vintage monkey I’m so much looking forward to meet. Here’s a collection of some other nice things, available right now.

| a hand woven ikat pillow @ lai grai, a vintage task lamp & a vintage robert mitchum framed portrait @ confetti garden and a gift set for the craft lover @ funretro |

| a vintage 70s swag ceiling light (in sweden we call them ‘tiffany-lamps’) @ funretro, a sea foam herman miller eames chair @ comod and finally, there’s something special with this montana brewery fine art print @ awakes |

The Stockholm Formex Fair is the largest trade fair for Nordic interior design, and we have a tradition of tracking their statements on future home decor trends. Before each season’s fair, Formex pronounce their trend predictions, and the current season (SS2011) was given the trend theme Glorious Mix. This season was the first I didn’t get at all what they were talking about. Or well, it was the new surge for gleaming shiny surfaces, the psychedelic patterns and the modern jet-set feel I couldn’t see coming. Maybe it’s here now, at its peak, in the middle of the season – it has nevertheless escaped my eyes. And most definitely escaped my home :p

For autumn/winter 2011 the prediction says: Cosy Minimalism. With influences from the simple and natural elements of both Nordic and Japanese design and architecture. The focus is on a warm and comfy atmosphere.

With disasters and conflicts increasing around the world we seek security in a cozy home environment that exudes warmth, companionship and care. We gather around a crackling fire and enjoy surrounding ourselves with timeless materials such as rough wood surfaces, leather, suede, wool and terracotta – robust natural materials that will stand the test of time and simply become more beautiful as the years pass. The design expression is elegant, austere and sculptural, with a masculine feel. This is softened and given a warm, cozy feel with the aid of attractive, tactile materials such as knitted and soft structured textiles in patchwork and layered designs. Classic masculine check patterns are combined with graphic stripes and geometric, ethnic motifs. You will find updated versions of tweed, glen check and tartan. The color scheme focuses on a warm and sophisticated palette. The base consists of saturated earth tones and beige tones inspired by wood and leather, complemented by wonderful warm red shades and a selection of brighter colors inspired by the vegetable plot. The metallic shimmer of copper in a variety of forms is the most interesting accent for the season. The interior design feel is modern retro, but with a new aesthetic mix that radiates a timeless and relaxed elegance. Warmth, harmony and balance are the catchwords for the season.

Allright, I can believe in this! Makes sense. Did my own little inspiration board below.

Formex pic plus wood lamp by Muuto, a vintage Eames DSW from Firefly House, London and a beautiful patchwork kelim auctioned at Lauritz.

…from the embroidery and needlecraft blog Mr X Stitch – with posts about people who make amazing art using the power of stitch & pushing boundaries of the threadiverse; found via Kurbits.

Global folklore, handicrafts, knitted decor – they are all part of one major interior trend this season. I think these images, from Country Home & Interiors (Nov 2010), have a fresh folksy feel. An inspiring merger. Stylewise it’s like a hybrid of country and folklore with a touch of light bohemian. Added a slight granny-wibe.

The trend theme of the AW 2010 Formex Fair and Exhibition is now realeased: it’s HAPPY!  Next professional meeting for nordic design will take place August 12-15, 2010.  It will be gathered around “togetherness”;  to bake together, make things together, cook, go out, work, relax and share our experiences via facebook, blog and tweets – conversation and interaction between people is what makes life worth living. The theme encourage us to come up with new traditions, give friends and family unexpected compliments and lower our guards. To feel the optimism in the changing times and have an elegant glass of bubbly on Tuesday and a slow-cooked meal on Thursday. Sounds jolly fun to me!

As for home decor trends the upcoming season, trend theme states:

Simple furnishings, no showing off. Go with what you like in a delightfully personal, slightly crazy mix. Get rid of any burdens. We furnish our homes to match our way of life; loves, impulse purchases, faithful companions and old memories combined with brand new and home-made items. Country accessories mix with urban influences. Handicrafts and a studio feel are still super-current. For colours, look for 1950s pastels and bolder colours. Delicate patterns, checks, stripes and flowers, with shades of grey as a base.

Formex, by virtue of its size and impact, usually have a nose for trends. To not say, set trends. I am *happy* with the direction mapped out in the autumn theme. It’s a spin on what is trendy right now, adding an extra scoop of freedom, friendliness and optimism.