State Of Origin

Homespun textiles in natural fibres are reclaiming their place draping windows, upholstering furniture and covering walls and floors in a wealth of pattern and colour.

- Stephen Todd

TEXTILES ARE ON THE RISE. No longer confined to the occasional zany scatter cushion or spontaneously draped throw, materials that appeal to the touch are becoming integral to the home. In an increasingly disembodied world, the haptic of every day makes us happy. “Super technology is going to lead to a need for super tactility,” says Li Edelkoort, the Dutch trend forecaster known for her accurate predictions. In 2016, she and collaborator, Australian Philip Fimmano, launched New York Textile Month – a program of exhibitions, seminars, and awards aimed at stimulating the sector. “Consumers spent the 90s removing textiles from their homes, preferring hard floors, leather couches and sparse decor akin to loft living,” says Philip, a director of Trend Union, New York. “This has reversed. We’ve seen the return of upholstered furniture, rugs, curtains, blankets… The kitchen has embraced rustic linens for tables and the bedding industry is soaring, with start-ups offering sheets in sophisticated palettes and textures.”