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Happynest Trend... WHAT IS THE HAPPYNEST TREND AND WHY SHOULD WE ALL EMBRACE IT? Home comforts, traditional design, warm tones and natural materials are back in vogue. Claire Spreadbury discovers how to work the happynest trend... As 2020 continues to feel unsettled, it makes sense that many of us are hunkering down at home, surrounding ourselves with comfort, taking joy in the smaller things and conserving our energy. And it's having an impact in home design. It's a trend that Holly Harper, notonthehighstreet.com's head of inspiration and new business, is coining 'the happynest'. "It combines the growing consumer desire for natural materials, warming tones and timeless design," says Harper. "The rise in the conscious consumer movement is heavily influencing this shift, with customers keen to understand the provenance of their purchases, as well as finding solace in 'buying better' and redecorating with longevity in mind." Want to harness the look at home and create your own happynest? Three experts show us how...
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NATURAL MATERIALS This trend is all about embracing nature and bringing the outdoors in, notes Claire Hornby, head of creative at Barker And Stonehouse. "Whether you're looking to add a rustic finish to your home with natural wood and rattan, or simply want to achieve a sleek modern look with the use of concrete and metal materials, the use of furnishings and tactile accessories are a great way to do this," she says. "Not only can natural materials be beneficial to your overall wellbeing, due to the connections they have with nature, they also add a layer of texture, thanks to the natural variations and pigmentations featured in each individual piece." Harper gives a nod to the dominating rattan trend of 2019, which is still popular now, but says that it's evolving, with canework being used in furniture and lighting, and mixed material rattan pieces for storage and vases now emerging. "We've also seen fresh work emerging with the use of recycled plastics and jesmonite in particular," she adds.
