Architecture, interior design and fashion this year, looks set to see an infusion of pastels, minimalism and Elizabethan influences, with a strong emphasis on the beautification of renewable forms of energy. Take a look at some of the popular trends emerging from the world of design this year.

Minimalism

Many experts are predicting a return to minimalism this year. Interior designs will see simple, geometric furniture, free of ‘fussiness’ and clutter. There is also an emphasis on minimalist collections in the spring 2011 fashion trends. Dubbed as being fashion ‘make-under’, unadorned fabrics, pared-down silhouettes, and untainted shapes and shades have seized the catwalk this season.

Honeysuckle

The annual and seasonal colour planner of graphic design, architecture, fashion and make-up, Pantone, has predicted that ‘honeysuckle’ is going to be the colour of 2011. The emphasis on ‘honeysuckle’ this year is to imitate a colour that is “bright without being bold: reflecting a brighter outlook on the future, but not an ebullient one.”

Pantone has also predicted that there will be a leaning towards pale pastels contrasting with richer colours of iron and brick in the world of interior design in 2011, whilst architecturally, there will be an emphasis on darker irons and stone colours.

Elizabethan Influences

Textiles, patterns, ornaments and accessories in 2011 look set to be influenced by the Elizabethan period right through to the 1940s. Bold, lush velvets will contrast with cooler pastels, providing some extremely interesting and daring textural patterns and colour.

Solar Beautification

In a world where climate change and global warming has become a leading issue, there is an increasing emphasis on sustainable materials and construction in the world of architecture and design. The most prolific and talented of architects and designers are recognising the urge for sustainable forms of energy to be ‘beautified’. Consequently, there is predicted to be drive towards ‘solar beautification’ this year, meaning the days of unsightly looking solar panels stacked on top of buildings, may be an architectural aesthetical affliction of the past.

An example of the ‘beautification of solar’ are Sole Power Tiles by SRS Energy, whose impressive blue solar tiles, saw the company win several energy awards in 2010.

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