With over 80 design projects in 2022, we asked some of our Design team members at Hurray to take a retrospective look back at the past year’s trends and the lessons we’ve learned from them.

Boucle Fabric

as chosen by Micah Guevarra, Designer

The use of Boucle in design is not uncommon and has reemerged in the past year in upholstery and décor. But to one of Hurray’s Designers, Micah Guevarra, incorporating Boucle Fabric can be quite inconvenient. Despite being richly textured and eye-catching, they have their list of drawbacks.

For one, their yarns are often woven loosely, making it harder to sew as compared to more tightly woven materials requiring more yardage especially in upholstery. Another drawback is in its curls and roughness — which is mostly based on what it is made of — making it somewhat scratchy and irritable especially when used in the tropic regions like the Philippines. Another textural drawback is its dust-catching and pilling ergo, which will either require high maintenance care in the long run.

Instead, Micah suggests practical fabric alternates like Chenille that also provide texture and comfort to a space. She shares, “There are many types of Chenille that you can utilize. What makes Chenille practical is that it’s a mix of natural and synthetic materials.”

Minimalism

as chosen by Ar. Orange Clemente, UAP, Architect, and Ar. Nikki Ligan, UAP, Architect

Over the past 2 years, there has been a movement for minimalism in interior spaces. Minimalism can be cool, modern, and sleek. It has the ability to evoke a sense of calm in its dwellers. But if you’re looking for a space that would uniquely express your personality, Architects Orange Clemente and Nikki Ligan suggest other design styles. Nikki shares, “There is a difference between simplifying a space to its bare essentials and curating it to appear sparse. Minimalism may feel like a templated curation of materials and finishes if not personalized well.”

If not done right, a minimalistic space can look clinical and impersonal, devoid of any personality or fun. Without much personality in a space, it makes for an uninviting design that can also be perceived as cold and too curated. Nikki claims, “It’s just hard to feel comfortable in a space that looks near-perfect and uncharacteristically clean.”

Alternatively, it is possible to achieve a similar feel to minimalism by incorporating clean lines, simple finishes with a touch of your personality, as Orange recommends. To do this, it’s important to develop your own personal touches into the space and not just following what you see on the internet.

Curved and Rounded Edges

as chosen by France Alarilla, Designer

Aside from minimalism, there was also a rise in the use of architectural arches, curved partition walls, windows, and rounded-edge furniture in the past year; design elements you will find in newly-opened local salons and restaurants.

Generally, curved and rounded edges can provide contrast to a room, helping soften harsh forms, lines, and corners. Additionally, the application of curved arches, walls, and windows can help draw attention to the height of walls, and create an illusion of a big space, while rounded furniture can provide an interesting focal point to a room.

All these considered, you should know when to use and when not to use some of these elements to avoid overkill. France Alarilla, one of Hurray’s Designers, shares this sentiment. She continues, “There are limited options to incorporating [curved and rounded edges] in design.” Instead, you should work to create a well-balanced space. She suggests, “Maybe not everything should be curved. Consider using some curved accent pieces or walls to add character to your space.”

What do you think of our designer’s takes? Let us know what you think in the comments below and check out the rest of our blog at Beyond Ordinary!

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