There is something inherently magical about gardens. Perhaps it’s their ability to regenerate after the harshest of winters. Gardens, and by extension, nature, has a restorative ability – it reminds us that all things are cyclical – that where there is death and destruction there is also new life coming. Where there is cold and dark – new light and warm days will follow. Where there is hopelessness new possibilities can grow.

Perhaps the greatest reminder is that without the harshness and the dark days of winter, summer would not be as sweet, and as celebratory. Without the deep unease of what some days seems too dark, we may not be pushed to have some of our greatest and most profound inspirations.

And so it has been with this interminable bleak pandemic winter. At once terrifying and transformative. In the midst of the confusion and anxiety, new ideas, new thoughts and new directions began, perhaps imperceptibly, to find a foothold deep in our psyches. New ways of seeing and interacting with the world started emerging. Embracing the notion of slow living, of community and of craft and craftmanship have been such positives to come out of this dark time. Really looking and accessing how we are spending the most precious commodity we have – TIME, has been an invaluable takeaway!!

And so we have started to see this in TRENDS emerging from this time.

Wikipedia defines ANIMISM as: Animism is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence.^[3][4][5][6] Potentially, animism perceives all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork, and perhaps even words—as animated and alive.

The concept of Animism is being touted as a theme for life and art going forward.

What does this mean? Animism was the religion before religion – it is the theory of godliness – and the belief that there is life in everything – even the inanimate. Because everything is made up of particles of energy it is alive, it is vibrant and it should be respected. Given the wholesale destruction of the planet, we have seemed intent on wreaking, this new departure seems a healthy and optimistic way forward. If embraced it would mean that we are very mindful of what we consume, what we create and what we surround ourselves with. Excess and consumerism would give way to a more thoughtful curation of what we allow into our space and our lives – aware that it brings with it an energy – either positive or negative.

Covid has essentially forced us out of our rhythms – it has been a painful but necessary journey which hopefully has taught us something about slower living, about human empathy, about making time for observation and reconciliation and about the fragility and preciousness of all life.

Li Edelkort suggests that perhaps it is a time to put ourselves on the periphery of life rather than the self-centred approach we have traditionally taken. From the periphery, we are better able to see how we fit in, what we can contribute to all aspects of our world.

Pretty heady stuff right? but new directions – and transformations require some level of a new philosophy.

What this means for design, fashion, architecture and interiors is that there is a new veneration for all things Natural. Bespoke items, handmade items. Pieces that are made locally and have a story. The idea that we should resonate with the things that surround us – so that they are not just things but items with history –  imbued with experience.

Interior and design trends for 2022 and beyond are taking inspiration in terms of colour, texture and shapes from: Pebbles, Feathers, Clouds, Leaves, Moon, Animal, Seed pods, Roots, Shells, Twigs, Words and even Shadows.

Forms and shapes are almost other worldly, simple, graphic and beautiful.

There is so much here that I have given as much visual inspiration I can with just bullet points. I hope you find it as inspiring as I do. Images are from Animism – Trend forecast by Li Edelkort as well as photos that I have taken of products in various stores including Nap, SALT  and taken in restaurants and inspiring places Hans and Lloyd, Harvest Café, Dalebrook café, Crayfish Wharf Paternoster.