7 Downtown Design Trends You Need To Know

Curating some of the most innovative and progressive design brands, the fifth edition of Downtown Design (14-17 November) will reflect the ambition and vision of the world’s fastest growing design economy – the Middle East. Here, we highlight the indisputable trends emerging from the regions’ only fair dedicated to original design

“Downtown Design takes a very different approach,” says Downtown Design fair director Rue Kothari of its positioning in the regional scope of design fairs that includes Design Days (Dubai) and Beirut Design Fair. “As a design trade fair we are focused on the needs of the regional buying community – those architects, interior designers and design directors that are looking for unique, relevant design solutions.” This year, it doubles its size, featuring 150 brands from 23 countries spanning 26 product categories, such as bathrooms, kitchens, rugs, flooring, tableware, furniture and lighting, alongside live events and installations.

We share 7 design trends emerging from the carefully curated, highly anticipated event that you must keep an eye out for.

Art of Lighting

From purely functional to singularly sculptural, lighting is one of the most dramatic tools in interior design. This season, brands marry the latest in intuitive lighting tech and artistic compositions, delivering immersive lighting experiences. After a critically acclaimed presentation at this year’s Salone del Mobile, Preciosa, Czech masters of innovative and progressive lighting design return to the fair with a never-seen-before luxury collection. Known for its unique, bold and original design, Serip builds on its established codes, offering statement pieces inspired by the fluidity of shape, scale and colour found in nature. Leaders in contemporary lighting design, Bomma and Santa Cole bring a nuanced take on material composition, artisan craftsmanship and innovative technology to the fore. As RoMi and Nahoor explore beauty through industrial design, be prepared to be drenched in crystal rain courtesy large-scale lighting fantasists Sans Souci.

From L to R: Bomma ‘Shibari’ pendant light and Sans Souci ‘Symphony’ lighting fixture are a blend of high-tech innovation and artisanal crafts

Materiality

As our appreciation of luxury evolves, new opulence rests on a play of materials and textures, contrasting what’s naturally available with the latest technological marvels. Our material palette is the hero. The award-winning luxury rugs brand Illulian offers hand knotted rugs featuring wool and natural fibre in a contemporary colour range and design; the Dubai-based decorative cement tiles brand Mosaico presents versatile design implications while rooting its manufacturing in traditional manufacturing. Sophie Mallebranche builds on her experience as a colourist to render bespoke metals in the most innovative textiles, while Lealpell explores possibilities in leather with its range of fireproof, outdoor and machine washable materials. Kesseböhmer and VD Works Furniture Trading will showcase embossed wood panels and structured wood surfaces inspired by the both natural and man-made textures for the most sumptuous of kitchens.

Illulian Woodstock rug. The award winning luxury rug company manifests contemporary designs and colourways in wood and silks

Nordic Chic

The perfect antidote for these overbearing times, design originating from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland has a fine way with muted colours, natural material and clean lines; the fifth edition of Downtown Design brings some of its best proponents to the Middle East. Carl Hansen & Son presents its portfolio of classic design, such as the Wishbone and Shell lounge chairs. Danish purveyor of fine living, Georg Jensen is known for combining functionality with great design and a flair for the arts. They showcase a hand-picked assortment of fine home products and silverware. Dubai based Nordic Homeworx, dealers of Kährs, the Swedish inventor and producer of modern hardwood floors celebrates the 160th anniversary of the brand with the launch of an exciting new collection of sustainable wooden flooring. Alias, the Italian furniture manufacturer blends Scandinavian design ethos with Italian refinement to exceptional results.

Purveyors of Scandinavian design classics since 1908, Carl Hansen & Son fly the flag for timeless beauty

Earth Call

As global conscience looks at creative means to address global warming and climate change, some of the most exciting innovations in design feed into our collective need for eco-conscious living. Downtown Design’s latest presentation empowers architects and designers to approach sustainability from the ground up. Trendsetters in ventilation, sun protection and terrace coverings, the Belgian brand Renson is deeply concerned with energy efficiency. Source of natural woods and veneers, Dubai-based Chabros focus on catering to the innovative needs of wood workers, interior designers and contractors. Awareness is key to sustainable living. Case in point, Interface. The world’s largest manufacturer of sustainable commercial carpet tiles uses zero water in their production process, often relying on biomimicry in designing new products. Apical Reform’s latest collection, Terra, transforms the Earth’s terrain into stunning bespoke furniture. (Read more about the design studio on page 26).

Apical Reform explores georgraphic terrains as design features for its new collection Terra. Featured here, the Locoma Console

Art in Design

In the age of mass produced, flat packed, assembly line powered design, real luxury lies in artisanal, contemplated works. These creations that bring age-old craftsmanship into the 21st century revive craft communities and lend an undeniable, humane texture to our spaces. Since 1963, Loloey has championed the European traditions of rug making, infusing new energy through collaborations with Daniel Libeskind and Kirk Nix. The Italian furniture brand Moroso applies cutting end design to the most evocative, hand woven upholstery, uplifting and update traditional weaving techniques. Universally recognised for its quality, handcrafting and excellence in art porcelain, Lladro maintains a classical approach to creation. Belle de Nuit, its latest family of lights is a contemporary imagination of the traditional Lladro colour palette through monochrome and degrade expressions.

Moroso, the Italian furniture maker uplifts a cutting-edge design with handwoven upholstery

Metal Mania

Its interpretation may vary, but the use of precious and refined metals in interiors never goes out of style. While the likes of Gaggenau and Axor turn to high gloss steel for refinement in the kitchen and bathroom, L’OBJET, the fine home accessories brand pays homage to the Punk movement, anointing its fine ceramics with copper studs. Luxdemob revels in bespoke furniture – its latest collection of faceted furniture epitomises its distinct vision in matte yellow metal. Gold – from rose to antiquated patina – is evident in the latest collection of faucets and mixers by THG Paris, Fratelli Frattini and Zip. Dubai-based Apartment51, an e-commerce site dedicated to fine design, hones the trend with its presentation of a gilded home accessories.

L’Objet by Elad Yifrach delivers a restrained interpretation of metal mania 

Under the Sun

While one might not obviously associate the Middle East with outdoor living, and rightly so, new-gen innovation in design for alfresco living makes for very viable and stylish solutions for those who seek a year-round bond with the nature. Collaborating with the most renowned names in international design – Patricia Urquiola, Doshi Levien, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, amongst others – Kettal delivers timeless, contemporary solutions for modern day living. In the hands of design stars Vondom, Ora Ïto, Ross Lovegrove and Karim Rashid, the Spanish brand Vondom has refined outdoor furniture into an art form. Exploring beauty through engineering, Tuuci, specialist in high-design parasol pavilions and loungers deliver meticulously designed products that perform in the most extreme environments. 

Kettal makes a case for stylish outdoor living with its masterful, expressive collection

Downtown Design runs 14-17 November at Dubai Design District (d3). For more information, visit Downtowndesign.com