This space gathers observations from the field: moments, materials and movements that signal what is coming next. Here I reflect on themes from my trend books, emerging societal shifts and developments within interior, colour and home design. Collected through ongoing research, travel and fair visits, and translated into direction for future interior and home collections.
A seed in a little pot, in a corner with light, with just enough water and patience. At first, almost nothing happens. Then suddenly a shoot, a few needles, a fragile beginning you hardly dare to touch. You watch, you wait, you give it what it needs. Slowly it grows sturdier. More green appears, more shape. You move it into a bigger pot, and after a few years you recognise it: a Christmas tree in the making. Not perfect, not finished, but carefully raised.
In a time when algorithms increasingly dictate what is considered attractive or relevant, I want to pause and reflect on something that, for me, lies at the heart of creative work: feeling.
DDW Eindhoven always feels close to home, geographically and creatively. Paris (M&O) is where I look for newness in interiors, accessories, materials and colour; Milan is the high-end design feast; Eindhoven is that gentle week among innovators, moving from halls to museums, from conversations to material exploration, from curated shows to the tiniest details.
This is only a small selection of the beauty and surprises I encountered; there is simply too much to name. The rest lives in my trend books.
It’s here: my new trend book ATHOMESS27 is finished. Months of research, photographing, traveling and writing come together in seven inspiring themes that shape the interior and outdoor summer of 2027.
From the monumental and fiery Magna Forma to the playful luxury of Dolce Framenti, from the earthy softness of Clay Day to the fluid movement of Aftertide. Each theme is a world of its own, built from colours, materials and stories that make the spirit of the times tangible.
Summer holidays have started in the Netherlands. Calendars are clearing and routines are slowing down. While others take a break, I am still working behind the scenes. My new trend book for Spring Summer 2027 is nearly finished. It is filled with new colour cards, materials, design directions and themes. Some of the tones from Avant Opale, last year's theme, continue to flow gently through.
Avant Opale explored the fluid nature of design. Surfaces that ripple like water, structures that crack open, pigments that behave like watercolour, and materials that appear as if they have been lifted straight from the mountainside. Not sharply defined perfection, but textures that seem to stay in motion. Flowing and sensorial.
Are you interested in the new ATHOME SS27 trend book? I am currently ordering Pantone colours and sourcing materials. If you would like to reserve a copy in advance, just send me a message. The release is planned for September, perfectly timed for those starting SS27 product development in October.
For those who would like to revisit SS26, I have exactly one copy of ATHOME SS26 left in stock. All others are sold out. Since the new edition is on its way, this final copy is now available at a fifty percent discount.
I wish you a wonderful and restful summer.
Yesterday, July 5th, was my birthday. No cake, no guests. This year, I spent the day with my daughter on a trip to the Marker Wadden, because I love water, the Dutch Wadden Islands, nature and photography.
Upon entering the inner courtyard of Palazzo Litta during Milan Design Week 2025, my gaze was immediately drawn to an expansive surface of terracotta-coloured, sand-like material. An earthy ground layer that covered the square in a single, unbroken gesture. Above it hung a large banner, printed in both English and Korean: “Nobody owns the land / 땅은 누구의 소유도 아니다.” A powerful opening to an exhibition where materiality, trace, and connectedness took centre stage. No loud spectacle, no design as performance. Instead, a quiet installation where clay, memory, and the act of making played the leading roles.
There are moments when you simply cannot ignore current events. As the fall of the Dutch government dominates the media and opinions slice through the air like sharp knives, I notice once again how the tone is hardening. Anger, frustration, cynicism. And although I usually keep politics at arm’s length on platforms like LinkedIn, sometimes I can’t avoid it. What happens socially and politically also affects consumer behaviour and influences designers and creatives.
Photo by Khai Islam
I regularly share selected insights from my work as a trend forecaster and designer.
These notes connect interior and colour with broader cultural and societal movements, observed through ongoing research, travel and international fairs.
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