Seed Vessel courtesy SkLO 
DIVAS AT HOME

Blob and Flow

Lois Macaulay

When predicting things to come for furniture, cars and personal products, a design futurist emphasized two shapes: the 'box' and the 'blob'. That lecture was around 15 years ago and I've forgotten his name, but never his message. While straight corners have ruled the interior design world since, we have now arrived at the 'blob'. The supreme takeover by organic rounded contours is upon us.

Dania Relyakova courtesy Yatzer.com, Claude Cartier courtesy Pierre Frey

No need to panic and throw out your square pieces yet. Balanced design incorporates both straight lines and curves. However, if you are contemplating new purchases, I recommend schooling your eyes on these images because things are changing fast.

(Essex Armchair courtesy Brabbu Design Force, Claude Cartier courtesy Pierre Frey)

Swivel lounge chairs on cylindrical brass bases are already very popular. I particularly like this rounded shell with deep padding inside from Brabbu. The line between chairs and sofas has blurred into big soft amorphous shapes somewhere in between. The latest additions to the trend are upholstered in looped pile fabric that was called 'poodle cloth' in the late 60's. This fabric takes to the blob shape like Cocoa Puffs to milk.

Louison bouclette fabric from Pierre Frey, Helix Floor Lamp courtesy Lumifer

There's penthouse glamour in the sculpted and smoothed ice-white sofas. The flowing forms of Odette from Boca do Lobo make heady decorating material for Divas creating suitable dwellings.

Odette courtesy Boca Do Lobo
Karl Springer at Todd Merrill Studio, Hemisphere Table through Lois Macaulay Design

The coffee table has undergone a change in shape and a reduction in size. I'm seeing pod tops and straight sides like Karl Springer's free form low table, customizable under Todd Merrill's exclusive representation. The half hemisphere is another iconic shape to watch.

Nelson Chow courtesy Yatzer.com, drinks tables through Lois Macaulay Design
Curved back customizable sofa from Todd Merrill
Goroka Table from Brabbu, Eden Tables courtesy Boca do Lobo, Float Pendant courtesy SkLO)
bowls
clockwise from left Nelson Chow on Yatzer, Holly Hunt, Christian Liaigre