Trend watch: 3 design fairs this month and how to follow the best bits

Design Fairs are a great place to pick up ideas for the home and see trends as they emerge whether your special interest is colour, textiles, furniture or all of the above. We know our rugs are just part of the story of creating a loved home, and like us you are probably a smidge obsessed with the other components too. So, since the beginning of the year is also a time of many fairs, below are three of our favourites taking place this month, along with a few ideas of brands to look out for. Two of them are for industry only – interior designers note! However, if you are more consumer than industry (or simply prefer watching from the comfort of your own home) we’ve included the best ‘scouters’ to follow for reports on new finds as they are discovered.
The trends that emerge at these fairs will continue to shape the rest of the year in interiors. Here’s what we’re watching out for…

17-19 January,Olympia, London: Top Drawer

Top Drawer at London’s light-filled Olympia venue – trust us, if you’ve done as many design fairs as we have then you’ll appreciate that light – has exploded since its beginnings in 1984. Its speciality is crafts, gifts and smaller homewares pieces, often from rising talents. Some key colour trends we’re expecting to see from there: blush pink (still going VERY strong), green, black and blue (we love this room). Plus, the trend for tribal pieces, which works very well with our rugs – think woven wickerwork, such as chairs, baskets and lights, and a strong sense of the handmade. Full information here.

Brands to watch for: Minimal works from Eradu Ceramics, new black tableware Theo from Stelton, which includes a swish coffee maker, and Turner Prize winners Assemble no less (seen above).

Follow from your armchair: Top Drawer’s own Instagram and Twitter is constantly updated throughout the fair (and has previews beforehand). Read Design Hunter and Mad About The House – two blogs that are great for picking up on latest trends and new products.

19-24 January, Battersea Park, London:The Decorative Antiques and Textiles fair

We’ve been to this fair (for all visitors) before, and can attest to its ability to lead the eye (and the wallet) on a journey through all sorts of beautiful antique furniture and fabrics. It specialises in the quirky and obscure. As the fair’s own image above reveals, you can find everything from key furniture pieces such as Arne Jacobsen’s Grand Prix chairs, to taxidermy and yes, burl wood as a table display if you’re so inclined. Don’t be prissy about mixing styles and periods for that winning World of Interiors vibe. Find out all the details here.

Dealers to watch for: Fontaine for oddeties including papier mache masks, taxidermy and decorative busts, Gaby van Schagen for classic Scandinavian painted folk furniture, and contemporary art from Jenna Burlingham.

Specialists in the field: Writer and antiques specialist Judith Miller, Homes & Antiques magazine.

22-26 January, Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre: Maison&Objet

Every interiors trend forecaster worth their salt will be on the Eurostar to Paris come the 21 January to check out the enormous – at times overwhelming – Maison&Objet. This professional’s fair brings together the best and the obscure names of contemporary design from around the world, along with many local French brands. At last year’s event we learnt about Celie Hannes, a label that has worked with makers from some of the townships in Cape Town to make gorgeous pieces, including these woven wall matts and wall tiles.

This year, a selection of six new Scandinavian design talents are showcasing their works in a specially dedicated space – we love the look of recent Helsinki graduate Katrina Nuutinen’s work. Her focus is lighting, tableware and interior accessories. Her collection includes beautiful blown glass, birch and maple Lyyi boxes (above), for “jewels, bath pearls and other small treasures,” according to the designer.

Brands and makers: Menu for stunning pared back furniture, UK brand Tiipoi, which works with makers in India and follows the Indian ethos of wasting nothing, Belgian brand Muller Van Severen for beautiful clean-lined furniture in perfect colour combinations, and Yastik by Rifat Ozbek for striking contemporary textiles from the Turkish former fashion designer.

Follow the best bits: The ever updating Dezeen for straightforward reports and TrendPulse for their brilliant eye for textiles and colour.