Trend and color predictions are so very interesting to me, they always give me a creative nudge.  When Pantone announced their 2011 Color of the Year, I was all over it.  This time of year is especially interesting to me because I love the Spring/Summer predictions.  I found a series of predictions for 2011/2012 that I just love from Messe Frankfurt for home and textiles I want to share.

The first trend theme for the coming year is called Sobriety.

Sobriety – a return to the essential and traditional

The Sobriety trend theme shows where short-lived, seasonal trends end and consistent value begins. The background to this change in consumer behaviour is that, in recent years, consumers have built on an ethical self-image, concrete quality and service demands, which they want to maintain, even in difficult financial times. Consumer behaviour may have changed but standards have not.

The new consumer landscape is characterised by quality, longevity, sustainability and significance. In this context, a new generation of designers are researching forgotten skills and traditional craftsmanship is making a comeback. This goes hand in hand with a growing desire on the part of consumers to find out more about manufacturing and manufacturers.

This theme speaks to the nature of the Handmade movement so wonderfully!  Acknowledging that consumers are moving towards appreciating things traditional and handmade is exciting.  And even though this prediction is specific to home and textiles, I see it spilling over.

Here are a few Etsy sellers that seem to already exemplify this:

Handmade Wooden Buttons | $4 | TheLittleRagamuffin

Natural Linen Origami Bags | $22 | thefabricsociety

Mini Ploughmen’s Cutting Board | $40 | grayworksdesign

Rough Diamond Ring | $89 | valkasinskas

These are just a few examples of Etsy artisans who already practice quality and sustainability.

Please stay tuned for the second part of Sobriety as well as other three trend themes: Mix Mash, Utility and Wilderness.

~Lauren