Graphic Trends to Watch Out for This Season

By the looks of some of the current hot design trends in textiles, we seem to be having a motley moment when it comes to graphic design.  From dizzying and dense zig-zags and chevron patterns to serene and vintage looking grain sack prints, there is a little something for all tastes these days.

Bold and Modern

Undoubtedly, the just launched Missoni for Target line of products, which crashed Target’s website, has captured the imagination of the consumer.  The Missoni Collection features the colorful and dense zig-zag prints that the company is known for and caused a buzz long before the line was launched. Clearly, the iconic pattern is both classic and right on trend. The Missoni zig-zag is not the only trendy graphic pattern either.  Classic Chevron, Greek Key and interlocking circle patterns are currently very popular patterns. These graphic patterns have been around for thousands of years as trim or border details, however today they take center stage as the primary pattern used on upholstered furniture or drapery fabrics.  

We see many “blown out” versions of classic patterns as well. This would include traditionally very densely patterned damasks, paisleys, or Ikats where a single motif in the pattern is pulled out and enlarged, to become the focal point. These single motif patterns are often presented in graphic colorful prints on a white or neutral ground fabric.

The focus on a single element of a classic design pattern immediately updates and modernizes the older styles for today’s style conscious consumers. It’s a way of saying, "This is not my Grandma’s house," while still being grounded in a classic style.

Time-Worn and Vintage

Vintage appeal remains a hot trend in home décor. Vintage train signs, street signs and the like have become very popular in the antiques and vintage markets and have inspired collections of reproductions and knock-offs. It’s no surprise then that we are now seeing these graphic text motifs moving off the hard signage and onto softer, printed textiles. 

Genuine vintage grain sacks became a hot trend a couple of years ago for their old world appeal. While the originals can be quite pricey, there are many reproductions and re-interpretations that remain hotly popular today.

Restoration Hardware has thrown everything it has into their interpretation of vintage, time-worn styles. Their textiles are soft, washed out grays and beiges that feature minimal or no patterns at all. This lack of graphic detail highlights the overall form of a piece of furniture or quality of the material itself.

Linda Merrill is a Networx - http://www.networx.com - writer. Read more articles like this one - http://www.networx.com/article/graphic-trends-to-watch-out-for-this-sea - on Networx.com.