Launched in the last Ambiente Fair, Arfai 2019-2020 collection presented what’s hot in home accessories. The ceramic shapes, the decorating styles and the color combos that fit the house of tomorrow can all be found in ‘Hide&Seek’, a collection that is either clean and low-profile, either bold and daring.

Among all the collection main novelties, shape is key to define a ceramic design. A straight lines vase, a rounded shape t-light or a textured oval plate, formal characteristics that can make a ceramic design to be seen as a contemporary piece, a retro, classic or even kind of vintage one. This is undeniable. But what can have more influence than shape? COLOR! Color plays THE ultimate role to define a space, an outfit or a piece of design. It can make it desirable and trendy, or it can ruin it by making it unnoticed or, even worse, ugly. To choose a trendy color scheme is the first step to build a valuable offer.

IS IT INSTAGRAMMABLE? SELECTING THE RIGHT COLOR COMBOS

Society is, in fact, more visual than ever. Consumers have screens everywhere, even underneath their pillows. They check everything on screen; they photograph everything and they share everything on social media. Visual imaginary is stronger than ever and color is a visual element per excellence.

When working in fashion or interiors design, to select the colors that fit the current visual imaginary is half-way to success. As manufacturers, being in the almost beginning of the distribution chain, we have the responsibility of having this work done. So here it is: the trendiest color schemes of the season.

1. Honest and Naked Nature

Pale and faded tones of green, stained white and dusty creams.  An honest color combo that seems to be picked from a raw natural environment. Ideally applied in ceramics through decoration techniques that reveal a crafted touch.

2. Earthy & Grounded

Taking over the all-grey trend of the past seasons, colors like sand, clay, ochre, and terracotta are having a moment. An earthy color scheme that mixes neutral tones with warm pops of color and that is applied in ceramics through the use of textured and reactive glazes.

3. Tanned & Spicy

While the first color scheme gathers shades and tones of a dry and naked landscape, free from pigmented or saturated colors, this one invites us to dig into the living forest. Shades of deep green put side-by-side with vibrant colors like clay, brick, and terracotta.

4. Bloody Plum

Where in the world would you combine red with hints of lilac? Well. ‘Here’ is the answer. An unexpected combination of maroon and mix of plum, greyish lilac and lavender. A strong combo of colors ideally applied into ceramics using simple glossy glazes.

5. Glamorous Teal

Rich and intense colors that mix dark teal, with warm colors as cherry and burgundy and classy accents of mustard or gold. Ideally applied in sinuous designs or geometric patterns with glazes with a glossy finishing to highlight the piece’s shape.

6. Rejuvenative Blue

A combo of blues, mixing glossy and chalky finishes. Simple, fresh and rejuvenating. Besides simple glazes, this combination can be applied into ceramics by playing with some special effect glazes as lusters. These decorating options will ‘give more body’ to this somehow cold colors.