Heimtextil 2023

With the ability to completely transform a space and create a certain mood or atmosphere, colour is crucial to textile design. 

The monochromatic, grey-based neutral tones which saturated the market over the past decade are being usurped by a shared desire for warm, comforting colours within the home. Pigmented desert tones are rising in popularity, as we begin decorating our spaces with warm, sun-baked shades of burnt rust, pink clay, terracotta, and spiced cinnamon.

Complementary hues of parchment, calico, nougat, oat milk, and pumice evoke an inviting sense of comfort, while the resurgence of rich browns, melted dark chocolate, molasses, deep russet, and buttery caramel tones, in addition to the decadent, heady shades of whisky, tobacco, burnt orange, and bronze, is reminiscent of the 1970s.

“The importance of green isn’t going anywhere. We speak to green as ‘nature’s neutral’ – a decorative colour that elicits a calming, holistic energy to interior products and spaces, and brings an element of the outdoors in. We saw greens in every shade at Heimtextil – from pale sage through fresher mid tones and deep forest greens.” Says Annie Moir, James Dunlop Design Director.

Expect to see a myriad of green tones not only throughout James Dunlop’s new releases this year, but also in Mokum’s continued love affair with lush tropical and oxide-tinged greens and bronzes.

The concept of visual optimism has become increasingly popular over the past 12-18 months, as people cultivate joy within their visual environments through design, pattern, and especially bold colour palettes.

Key colours showcased at Heimtextil include sun-infused tones of bold citrus yellow and ochre, geisha-rouge red, coral, and peach-based pinks, all adding vitality and an uplifting glow to interior spaces. While classic forest green, ink blue, and Ming green sat alongside optimistic tones of lilac and fresh sky blue, off-set against chalky neutrals.

The past provides an infinite source of interior design inspiration; a key theme our designers saw at Heimtextil was the reinvention of heritage design. Recreating styles such as florals, damasks, tapestries, toiles, and chintz through a contemporary lens satisfies our nostalgic desire to connect to our past, real or imagined, and appeals to a more youthful audience.

“At Heimtextil I met with an incredible archivist from Lyon [France] and sourced original artworks for future James Dunlop prints. We love working with these authentic, knowledgeable archivists to find original inspiration. This theme is the foundation for our Revival collection – it’s a gorgeous collection which I can’t wait to share with you as it launches throughout the year,” says Annie.

Learn more about Reconstructed Legacy in our article: Trend evolutions 2023

From a construction perspective, the most prevalent theme by far was bouclé. This volumetric yarn has traditionally appeared as white or cream upholstery, ideal for curvaceous furniture and beloved by mid-century enthusiasts, but the recent development of bouclé has been monumental. 

Crossing categories and usages in residential and commercial spaces to become upholstery, drapery, and sheers in extensive, decorative colour lines for indoor and outdoor applications. Enhancing both maximalist and minimalist schemes whilst illustrating our enduring affinity for 1970s interiors – it’s clear that bouclé, much like velvet, is here to stay! 

Learn more about this tactile textile in our article: Bring on the bouclé and specify the ideal upholstery for your next organically-shaped piece of furniture with our article: Hugging the curve.

Heimtextil themed their curated Trend Hall ‘Textiles Matter,’ challenging the way we source and make textiles, and how we ensure they can be reused, reworked, or returned to the Earth. 

By encouraging the development of sustainable compositions our industry can create meaningful environmental change. Heimtextil reinforced the importance of synthetic materials such as recycled polyester, often made from post-consumer plastic bottles which can be reused and recycled many times with little to no loss of quality, and natural materials such as recycled cotton, acquired via the fashion industry’s off-cuts and pre-consumer waste. 

“When we last visited Heimtextil three years ago, sustainable fibres were exclusive to high-end mills and 30-40% more expensive than virgin fibres. This year every mill had a strong offering of sustainable textiles, ensuring greater access without dramatically increasing the price. We saw textiles woven in experimental compositions like banana peels and seaweed, as well as fully biodegradable synthetic textiles which can be composted and returned to the Earth at the end of their life.” Says Annie. 

Learn more about the processing of plastic bottles in our article: Innovative yarns | Recycled polyester