Text prints and patterns

Quick Brown Fox wallpaper by Identity Papers

Single-letter and initial prints, handwritten script designs, calligraphic letters as well as bold graphic fonts and statement slogans are increasingly applied to a variety of home interiors. From cushions, rugs and bedding to wallpaper, ceramics and lighting, modern or classical typographies are used as the basis for exciting prints and patterns.

Subscribers can see our full report on text patterns here.

Scribble wallpaper by Maison M

Parisian design store Maison M is launching a collection of colourful wallpapers by French interiors stylist Veronique Villaret. Each design is the blown up version of a simple scribble made with crayons. Spontaneous childlike squiggles are thus turned into contemporary wall art, to be hung as a one-off statement width of paper, or to cover entire walls with rainbow-like colours.

Manhole covers and gratings win the 2014 Compasso d'Oro design award

Founded in 1954, the prestigious Compasso d'Oro design award has been awarded this year to the Sfera collection of manhole covers and gratings, designed by Giulio Iacchetti and Matteo Ragni.

Trompe l'oeil ceramic carpets by Bisazza

Bisazza's new tile collection by Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel is inspired by traditional carpets. Geometric patterns such as fringe, stripes and diamonds are imprinted into fine porcelain stoneware through laser micro-engraving, so that hard flooring becomes as delicately decorated as soft furnishings.

Cut and Paste wallpaper

The Cut and Paste wallpaper collection by design studio All the Fruits is a collection of patterns and colours for the walls that can be arranged as randomly as desired. 

New Wave collection by Graham and Brown

Alien Crowd by Kev Munday

British wall coverings brand Graham and Brown has launched New Wave, a wallpaper collection made in collaboration with thirteen up-and-coming designers.

Precious organic soaps by IrèneIrène

Made from a combination of essential oils and natural aromatic plants, along with vegetal glycerin and various oils, Savons Gemme® faithful reproduce the colour and surface effects of colourful stones and minerals such as onyx, quartz, opal, garnet, malachite, amethyst or marble.

180 Chalkboard Paints by Ecos Organic

Ecos Organic Paint has launched its popular chalkboard paint in 180 shades.

AKIM tables by Gallotti & Radice: Milan preview

Gabriele and Oscar Buratti have designed a collection of dining tables for Gallotti & Radice that will be launched at Milan's Salone de Mobile. The pieces feature a glass base in the shape of an octagon, with sides in different sizes.

New furniture by Tony Grilo for Riluc

Vibe side table

French-Portuguese designer Tony Grilo has added a new side table and wall shelf to his collection for Riluc, as well as extending the metallic finish options for the Mousse side table and Line chair.

Alice by Bethan Gray: Milan preview

Designer Bethan Grey's first tableware collection Alice will be presented at Milan Design Week next month, during a one-off theatrical dining event and exhibition which will be held in the windows of design store Spazio Pontaccio.

Milan preview: Bisazza x Emilio Pucci

Onde by Bisazza

Bisazza will showcase a new collection of graphic mosaic patterns at Fuorisalone next month. Inspired by original prints by Emilio Pucci, the daring wall motifs blow-up ornate details into fresco-sized murals. Floral and geometric prints from dresses and scarves designed in the 1960's are thus transformed into wall art for the living room.

Graphic acoustic walls by Baux

Swedish design company Baux has just released a new range of modular acoustic wall panels. Designed by Form Us With Love, the Träullit collection is composed of 6 shapes, coming in 2 sizes and 20 colours, which makes for 240 possible graphic compositions.

Hexi: a wall coverage that responds to movement

Hexi - responsive wall from Thibaut Sld on Vimeo.

Made of 60 identical components, Hexi is a wall coverage created by Thibaut Sld that responds to movement thanks to an embedded camera and a smart fixture.

The honeycomb-shaped components are made of  vacuum casted aluminium and PVC and are fixed on the wall with a fixture that allows them to move and mirror the user's movements and appearing to be floating over the wall.

The surprise element is becoming more popular among designers and artists, who are adding unpredictability to day to day products. Homebuildlife subscribers can read more about this trend here.

Maison Martin Margiela x Omexco: couture wallcoverings

Le Point de Croix by Maison Martin Margiela for Omexco

Belgian wall coverings manufacturer Omexco has released Maison Martin Margiela's first collection of wallpapers, featuring trompe l’oeil curtains, reinterpreted floral motifs, a mix of textures and optical illusions. 

Key trends: live from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2014

Aud Julie Befring

There's a focus on softness and tactility this year at Stockholm Furniture Fair, with designers finding creative new ways to apply upholstery and incorporate fabrics into design.

Objects and the Factory: exploring industrial heritage

Elisa Strozyk. Photos by Alexander Böhle

Running in Cologne until Sunday, Objects and the Factory brings together a collection of new furniture, lighting and tableware that references the city's industrial past and explores the materials, tools and processes that we associate with factories.

Objets Ostentatoire by Mathieu Frossard

Mathieu Frossard's vessel series, Objets Ostentatoire, explores the build-up of material to create layers of colour and texture. In line with our spring/summer 2014 macro trend, Neo Geo, the crafted objects resemble artefacts unearthed by future archaeologists.

Illustrative children's rugs by Zugs

London-based children's rugs company Zugs will launch its first collection in March 2014. Made using 100% pure wool pile, each rug features a colourful character - there are eight designs in the range.

Moto lamp by Jean-Baptiste Fastrez

Made using the same technology as motorcycle helmet visors, the Moto lamp by Jean-Baptiste Fastrez is made of translucent acrylic with an iridescent finish. When lit from behind it casts a kaleidoscope-like display of coloured shadows.

Homebuildlife subscribers can find out more about using iridescence to create a sense of wonder in products in our trend report on Changing Surfaces and our retail report on Moritz Waldemeyer's Winter Wonder installation for La Rinascente in Milan.