Julie Smith Vincenti, Editorial Correspondent for The Trend Curve, is in Chicago for the annual trade show NeoCon, one targeted to contract, commercial and hospitality segments. Her top trends are below:
COLOR
- White was hot as base color for desk systems
- Bright, saturated accent colors—red, aqua, orange, blue-greens—popped, especially on lounge seating
- Yellowed-greens underscored the attributes of eco-focused products
- Plaids inspired in green/blue, mocha/brown, red/orange, and yellowed-green/aqua colorways
- Spot placements of fuchsia and purple felt directional
- A new, soothing pair: denim blues and steely grays
DIRECTIVES
- Contract-grade fabrics offered Mid-Century mood
- Leading brands balanced the need for privacy with spontaneous collaboration
- Tablets on lounge seating continued, confirming today’s work-anywhere mindset
- Street themes, denim and industrial influences were up in commercial floor coverings
- Spot placement was key in quilted treatments, heather wool, marble accents
FORMS
- Privacy seating solutions included exaggerated wings and floating forms
- Collaborative spaces succeeded in semi-circle configurations
- Portable screening elements supported impromptu meetings
- Standing tables/desks were on the rise, some for indoor/outdoor use
- Hex-shaped floor tiles refreshed the category