furniture UK

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Spring is in the air and we sniff out the
trends for the coming year
Two years on from the first lockdown in 2020,
here at Kernow Furniture we have been
considering how peoples relationship with their
homes has changed. We have also been asking
ourselves whether the trends we saw in home
design and furniture during the pandemic will
continue in the months ahead and what that
might mean for vintage fans and the industry,
including online retailers like
ourselves. Lifting the lid on working from
home People forced to work from home found
themselves needing to re-think their space at
home to create optimum working conditions. As
dining rooms and kitchens were commandeered as
offices, we saw a marked increase in demand for
antique escritoires, retro writing desks and
vintage bureaux. Styles are varied but often
feature drawers and pigeonholes above a flat
writing surface that pulls down and can be
locked to keep mess at bay or paperwork private.
Some models may have a concealed compartment to
add to its attraction. These statement pieces
enable home-workers to create practical yet
stylish working spaces with a piece of antique
furniture which will stand the test of time
against any pandemic. And demand has remained
strong as more people are working form home more
often and for longer periods. This Georgian
writing desk on bracket feet would provide a
beautiful work station with its decorative
inlay, central kneehole and recessed cupboard.
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Tall, dark and handsome Dark or, more commonly,
brown furniture has seen a huge renaissance and
our sales ledger indicates its going to remain
in fashion for 2022, especially among younger
people who cant seem to get enough of the
stuff. Grannys Victorian Whatnot is making a
comeback along with other items from this era.
Traditionally placed in the corner of a drawing
room to display china, ornaments and other what
nots hence the name these pillared shelves
are now gracing kitchens and offices in modern
homes and even student digs. Pretty enough to
show off storage pots and kitchenware, they also
make a handy and unusual desk tidy, with plenty
of space for pens and stationery items. This
black lacquered Chinoiserie corner whatnot is a
stunning example from the 19th Century and bang
on trend with its nod to oriental allure.
We consider that are three keys reasons why brown
furniture will retain its appeal for a while to
come. Firstly, re-using vintage is an on-trend
way to display your green credentials and saves
it from ending up in landfill. Secondly, it looks
great in a variety of settings. A
carefully-chosen antique chest of drawers, for
example, placed against a wall can add character
and quirkiness to a modern room. Old wood has a
richness and depth that adds instant glamour and
beauty. Finally, brown furniture is well-built
and will stand the test of both time and pocket.
Just dont invite your Granny round to admire it
though she might be asking for it
back! Coming up roses Patterned and floral
fabrics, especially in upholstered furniture, is
another trend we dont think will be nipped in
the bud just yet. Having chucked the chintz in
the nineties, there has been a resurgence in
demand for bold, retro designs in the style of
Sybil Colefax, John Fowler and Laura Ashley.
Driven perhaps by
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the current popularity of the English Country
House look, modern designers are turning back to
the colourful elegance established by their
predecessors for modern-day inspiration. Upholster
ed furniture is certainly a perennial favourite
with our customers looking to update and recover
classic pieces with jazzy materials. For lying
down on the job, this unusual teak chaise longue
ticks all the boxes. It comes with a loose seat
cushion and scrolled ends.
Turning the tables on tableware Vintage plates
and dishes remain one of the most popular
collectables that we sell, from kitsch designs
to classic china. Majolica, for example, is a
decorative pottery which fell from fashion some
years ago but has made a significant comeback.
Old pieces are highly prized by
collectors. This majolica corn jug is with
pewter lid is a great example and would add a
quirky touch to any dining room or kitchen.
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Glazed pottery, which is often brightly coloured,
is also gaining in popularity and sales soared
during lockdown as people used the time to review
their home décor. According to GlobalData, a
leading data and analytics company, almost 60 of
UK consumers used the spare time to refresh
their homes, including buying homewares. Perhaps
as an antidote to the prevailing mood, many
looked for inspiration from vintage tableware to
add a splash of colour and interest to their
homes. And as dining at home became a necessity
and more informal, buyers also rejected formal
functionality for fun, one- off, mis-matched
pieces a trend which started a few years
ago. For anyone looking to start plate
collecting, this attractive assortment of vintage
china tea plates from the 1930s would be an
inexpensive place to start.
In conclusion, it would appear the pandemic has
encouraged us to reach back into the past for
ideas on what is important to us in our homes,
and also what makes us feel both comfortable and
happy. Antique furniture and retro designs that
might have been thought dead and buried are
coming to life once again with an exciting new
take for buyers and sellers alike.