Furniture design is swinging in opposite directions, according to one interior design expert.
John McLennan, managing director of Indigo Living, said on one hand, there was the overstated richness seen in the furniture in Ian Fleming's 007 classic film From Russia with Love. And on the other, there was an understated elegance reflected in Holly Golightly's apartment in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Indigo Living is launching new designs from these two lines this month. The From Russia with Love line uses velvet, fur, glossy jewels and trinkets to give a luxurious feeling which is rich, bohemian and regal in style.
The Breakfast at Tiffany's line has a more classy and timeless appeal. Black glass, silver and nickel are used in designs which are sleek and stylish.
'Traditionally, our products are more detailed and more Oriental in style. Customers asked for more modern furniture to match our other designs. So we now have clean, simple designs to target this slightly younger crowd,' Mr McLennan said.
'Generally, furniture trends lag behind fashion by about six months. We cannot go too far because people don't accept it. And we have to adapt to the trends. For example, if purple is a hit, we can't make purple furniture because it won't sell. What we usually do is pick a seasonal colour palette and see what works in our collection.'
Even ceiling fan designs follow different directions. Jennifer McBride, director of Life's a Breeze, which specialises in ceiling fans, said the outlet sold two brands and styles of ceiling fans. Hunter Pacific from Australia is a more contemporary style in a silver colour or wood with clean lines. American brand Hunter Fans has more complicated details in its designs.