DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2020

DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2020

By Connie Cook

Looking for some ideas to update your window display, gallery, frame designs, or social media posts? Incorporate some fresh, new design trends! Whether it’s a new coat of paint in one of the trending colors, or a custom frame design that incorporates new trend influences, your new look will wow your customers and position you as a trend leader.

In addition to leading paint companies’ Color of the Year news, a recent trip to High Point Market revealed some fresh design trends for 2020. Some exciting new-yet-approachable trend categories have appeared and are ready for you to incorporate in your framing that your customers will love! Let’s look at some of the more prominent trends for 2020 and see some examples of how you can achieve these looks in your custom frame designs.

HUMBLE MATERIALS

One of the most prominent trends seen at High Point Market 2019 was the use of simple and humble materials such as rattan, plywood, jute, sisal, hemp, and terracotta. Also referred to as the Japanese-influenced wabi-sabi trend, this look celebrates the imperfect, with handmade touches and softened edges. The finishes are simple and allow the natural texture to be the star.

According to interior design website thespruce.com, wabi-sabi is a Japanese term that essentially means “finding beauty in imperfection.” Wabi refers to living with humility and simplicity while being at one with nature, while sabi is defined as the ability to accept the lifecycle of anything as it is—flaws and all.

In an industry defined by precision, it’s a bit tricky to infuse wabi-sabi into custom framing. You can still achieve this look by selecting matting and moulding that reflect this trend while still delivering a finished product you can be proud of. Look for organically textured mouldings and matting with natural fabric finishes.

NATURAL WOOD FINISHES

Wood finishes have shifted over the last several years, which had been dominated by gray driftwood, cerused, and whitewashed hues. Now, wood finishes are appearing in many different shades—grays included. Also coming forward are lighter and warmer wood tones such as blond and honey finishes.

While no single color family in wood finishes stands out, what is uniting current wood trends is texture. Satin and matte surfaces, plus textural effects such as hand-scraping, wire-brushing, and natural, oil-rubbed finishes, are all very strong. In flooring, wide planks, mixed-width planks, herringbone, and diagonal designs are also standing out. Look for these design features in moulding selections to bring the same trends your customers are seeing in the home decor showrooms to your custom frame designs.

RETRO LUXE

There’s a surprising retro glam trend appearing right now that is a nod to the 1970s and 80s. Like any “retro” trend, this look is updated with a modern interpretation and restraint. The retro luxe look can be achieved by combining luxury finishes with metallic touches, such as the hand-crafted Sinuous wall covering by Vahallan with distinctive rhythmic and sparkling swirls.

You can achieve this sophisticated retro design style in custom framing by combining metallic textured matting with retro moulding selections.

GOING FOR THE GOLD

This mixed-metal composition includes two metallic mats plus moulding with a burnished metal finish.

Silver tones and stainless steel have been the center of design for over a decade, and although warmer metal tones have made occasional appearances, their dominance at High Point Market suggest it’s time for silver to move over and let shimmery golden finishes take the spotlight. Not that silver, pewter, nickel, and other cool metal finishes are going fully away; rather, they are becoming the supporting cast to gold, bronze, and brass, all presented in a variety of finishes. Leading the way are nuanced metallic tones that are mixtures of copper, brass, and gold.

The most modern and interesting way to present metal finishes is in layered combinations. Just as wood trends are all about the texture, the trending warm metal surfaces feature interesting patinas, brushed finishes, and more textural variations. Look for mouldings that feature warm metal finishes or add top mats with metallic tones. Don’t go too matchy-matchy with the metallics; this current trend is achieved by mixing them up, so have some fun combining metallic tones.

MOODY BLUES

Deep blue is showing up not only on walls but also in linens, furniture, accent pieces, and frame design. White provides great contrast.

Dark blues are quite prominent now but primarily in moody and muddied shades. Sherwin-Williams recently announced its 2020 Color of the Year to be Naval (SW 6244). Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin- Williams, says of the 2020 color choice; “People want to feel grounded and inspired to pursue their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Naval is reminiscent of the night sky, which people have looked to for centuries for guidance, as a muse and as a reminder to live more mindfully.”

Dark blues are showing up not just as wall colors but also in furnishings, accent pieces, and linens. Blue and white are natural high-contrast companions. You can easily incorporate the moody blue trend by incorporating dark blue matting or moulding into your framing designs. Try using deep blue moulding with simple white 8-ply matting, or white-toned moulding with a textured, deep blue top mat.

SEEING PINK

This framed art features soft pink matting; in stark contrast, the wabi-sabi-influenced moulding has a charred wood look.

Pinks have been on the rise for several years, making a big splash in 2016 when Pantone announced Rose Quartz along with pale blue Serenity as its Colors of the Year. Benjamin Moore recently announced the rose-tinged pastel First Light as its 2020 Color of the Year. Described as a “refreshing alternative to white or beige, First Light 2102-70 is a soft, airy pink that flatters any space and plays well with other colors.” First Light takes on a modern look when paired with rich neutrals such as charcoal gray or chocolate brown.

Pink and peach tones have long been known to be universally flattering for all skin colors. It isn’t surprising that bathroom and powder room walls often feature a selection from this color family. The color reflects off the walls and onto the face for a boost of confidence when checking one’s appearance. Today, pink is taking a more prominent place in the modern home. According to Architectural Digest (October 2019), celebrities including Anne Hathaway and England’s Prince Charles have incorporated pale pink walls into their homes.

Pink no longer carries a stereotypical gender association, especially when used in gently muted versions such as First Light. If your customers aren’t ready to go all in with pink, try infusing a little of this calming color as a second or third mat, or in warmed-up pink tones such as coral. Keep it grounded by contrasting these ethereal tints with deeper tones and textures.

ABOUT HIGH POINT MARKET

The wavy moulding detail and irregular fabric weave on the top mat create a subtle interpretation of the wabi-sabi design trend.

High Point, NC, also known as the home furnishings capital of the world, hosts both a spring and fall market that attracts local and international exhibitors and buyers.

While many home decor suppliers have permanent showrooms to host year-round visiting design professionals, there are also ample temporary exhibitor spaces where suppliers from around the globe come to show their wares during the biannual markets.

Located in the heart of what was once America’s historic furniture manufacturing center, High Point now features furnishings and home decor items produced from all points around the world.

SELLING TIPS

As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Display framed pieces in your consultation area featuring these design and color trends as inspiration and your customers will easily see how these sophisticated styles can be incorporated into their custom framing projects. Seeing is believing!

Let these design trends inspire you to create framing designs that will wow your customers and show that your shop is leading the way in decor trends. PFM

Connie is a design and trend consultant to the custom framing industry. She has led lectures at The National Conference, held at the West Coast Art and Frame Expo in Las Vegas.