PRESS RELEASE
March 2023
DESIGNER CONTRACTS INSPIRATIONAL SHOWHOMES
Designer Contracts Showhome and Design team works with leading national and regional house builders and developers across the UK. The hallmark of their Showhome & Design Service is meticulous attention to detail. They blend creativity, expertise and exceptional service with a professional, commercially focused attitude to deliver consistently successful projects on time and on budget.
Designer Contracts are always ahead of the game when it comes to trends and the announcement of ‘Viva Magenta’ by Pantone and ‘Wild Wonder’ by Dulux it was almost like they predicted it as they were able to look back at some of their schemes installed towards the end of 2022 where similar shades were used. With this in mind and their apparent intuition for creating unique, on trend and bespoke schemes that work perfectly for their customer, they were delighted to share some of thoughts.
Trends of 2022
2022 brought us pantone colour of the year ‘Veri Peri’, but are purple tones here to stay for 2023?
As we fall into autumn, Designer Contracts are researching, looking for new inspiration and ideas for the upcoming year. With show homes, it is important that they stand the test of time and are still stylish for up to 5 years. So, what trends do their designers believe ran their course for 2022? The year saw the rise of past eras, with panelling making a huge comeback after a surge in DIY videos on social media. They foresee a rise in organic shapes and smother curved panelling with a rise in manufacturers opting for this new look. The mid-century fabric “Boucle”, flooded the market in 2022, with its teddy bear like texture, Boucle gave their show homes the warm and cosy feel that clients loved! Trade shows and talking to fabric manufacturers has reaffirmed to the designers at Designer Contracts that they think boucle is here to stay.
Trends for 2023
“Private Spaces”
It has been scientifically proven that taking downtime every day is good for your mental and physical health. In the new year, you will continue to see Designer Contracts utilising small spaces within show homes, to allow customers to envision themselves using and connecting with the space. A built in window seat or a reading area off of a landing are great ways of creating the private space we crave.
With the use of organic shapes like arches, and the need for private spaces still as important post pandemic, Designer Contracts have high hopes for the trends of 2023. Their designers have seen the use of arches coming through in modern architectural styles. Without changing the architectural structure of show homes, how will their designers use the new arch trend? Colour blocking feature walls and using arch mirrors is a great way of softly using this trend in modern day interiors.
Senior Interior Designer at Designer Contracts, Ben, says “With the cost of living affecting us all, our budgets don’t stretch as far as they once did. By using an arched colour-block on a section of wall, it will create added interest and make a statement focal point in the room, without the cost of wallpapering”
“Background Walls”
Since the pandemic, many people have continued to work from home. When on video calls, it is often that you find yourself looking more into the background of peoples homes. This has made us more aware of our visible backgrounds and the importance of injecting some colour, personality and interest into our spaces.
By creating a background wall, you are giving people a talking point and creating a feature to showcase any key pieces that have great significance to you. Their mid-weight Designer, Liv, says Liv “When you are planning working from home space, we think about the placement of furniture and the seating position. Think about what people will see be behind you. If you’re close to a wall we use a smaller pattern wallpaper, if the wall is further away we add impact with a large scale wall mural.”
“The return of the 70’s”
The concept of vintage has never been more en-vogue, with an increase of interest of second-hand furniture, thanks to the likes of online second hand stores such Facebook Market Place, vintage and antique are back with a bang. Their Designers are tapping into this style with using brown tones and fun shapes to add interest and a touch of 70’s to living spaces.’
“Raw & Natural”
With the world hoping to improve on sustainability, earth friendly products are becoming more and more popular. From natural woods to marble, the prediction from Designer Contracts is that we will be seeing such items coming through more. There has also been an increase in natural materials coming through in new fabric collections, more manufacturers are producing sustainable wool and linen fabrics, along with polyesters made from recycled plastics and they intend to include as many sustainable elements to their schemes as possible.
“Cyberpunk”
The underground digital world known as Cyberpunk is set to make bold statements in interiors where the design style sees the use of neon lights, LEDS and vibrant colours. It isn’t for the faint hearted but pared back, it is a great way of making unique talking points that potential house buyers will remember. Taking inspiration from Miami’s Art Deco buildings and Tokyo’s neon signs, cyberpunk is making its way out of nightclubs and into our homes. Their Senior Designer, Claire, shared with us her top tips to create a unique show home using vibrant colour splashes and eclectic lighting, she says “Adding a neon sign into your home is a great way to elevate your space and add a bit of personality! Opt for a warm toned white or colour to add a soft ambient glow to your space. Finding the right spot for a neon sign is important – let it stand alone in a quiet corner or mix it in with timeless pieces like a group of montage frames.”
“The perfect pair – monochrome and reinvented heritage”
Gone are the days where heritage checked fabrics including tartan are associated with the older generation and country style schemes.
The reinvention of checks will be a huge trend in 2023. Used in a modern way these once heritage fabrics are sure to make interiors look luxurious, yet still cosy.
The Designers at Designer Contracts think this monochromatic trend creates a great opportunity to combine with prints and fabrics such as houndstooth and jacquard check to create a new take on a luxe scheme with a heritage feel.
Creating homes that sell houses
The centrally based department operates nationally and boasts a recently expanded team with over 94 years’ experience between them and all trained to degree level as a minimum.
From the initial brief to installation, you can rely on a dedicated team to work with you throughout the process. Their talented designers monitor trends and ensure every scheme is bespoke to meet the specific requirements of their customer and their target audience.
Huge pride is taken in the designs that are created and every measure taken to understand the brief and proposal, each meticulous last detail is coordinated by the designers in preparation for the exciting final reveal.
Designer Contracts do not disappoint when it comes to delivering inspirational show homes.