Posted on 28 Jul, 2026

The furniture industry has been significantly transformed by the rise in new materials.  With the combination of sustainability, new technology and trends it is now transforming how furniture designers design.

With increased awareness of environmental issues, designers are opting for sustainable materials to decrease their impact on the environment. More and more traditional materials such as plastic and timber are being replaced with eco-friendly options. These are becoming increasingly popular as they are renewable and less destructive to the environment such as bamboo, reclaimed wood and recycled plastics.

Bamboo is a rapidly growing... Continue reading >

Posted in: Furniture Design

Posted on 14 Jul, 2026

The key to success in the highly competitive field of design is to build a team of talented people. Design organisations often struggle to locate the ideal specialists, not only in terms of talents but also in terms of the culture of their organisation. The fast-paced technology growth and the ever-changing nature of design has never made finding the appropriate applicant more crucial. However, many businesses fall into similar pitfalls and make blunders that can hold them back and impact on their longer term goals.

One of the most common blunders is failing to clarify positions and duties before hiring begins. If job descriptions are unclear, candidates may not kn... Continue reading >

Posted in: Careers in Design

Posted on 30 Jun, 2026

Design for wellbeing is a new concept that is gaining momentum and it is all about designing spaces that encourage mental and physical health. This design process is not only about aesthetics and beauty but also to create settings that promote the overall wellness of the individuals.

The approach to Wellbeing in design is a holistic consideration that incorporates choice of materials and hues, spatial organisation and natural aspects. These elements are all deliberately interwoven to create harmonious places that develop mental clarity, reduce stress and promote physical mobility. 

Posted in: Designers

Posted on 16 Jun, 2026

Design interviews are not only about design skills and project experience, but also about testing candidates’ problem-solving skills and creative thinking. Many interviewers use hypothetical scenarios or real-world problems to see how candidates think and approach problems. This helps the employer to see how the candidate can think on their feet and use design principles in a practical way. Preparation is therefore the key to successfully navigating these interviews.

It also helps if you have a good understanding of the company’s culture and design philosophy going into the interview. Candidates should research the organisation to tailor their responses and show how they would contribute to the team. If a candidate can ma... Continue reading >

Posted in: Interviewing | Tagged: Interview Questions

Posted on 26 May, 2026

Many professionals are unsure of how best to negotiate their salary. They may be fantastic at their jobs and deserve that rise, but negotiation brings up emotions like fear of rejection, lack of confidence and self-doubt that can sabotage the process. Most employers however expect you to negotiate and often respect you more for it. Not negotiating can mean leaving money on the table, not just today, but for future raises and bonuses. So, how to negotiate a salary offer? We look at why negotiating salary can be daunting, how to prepare with confidence, and what to say during negotiations to get the pay you deserve.

Salary negotiation can be scary for so many reasons but it doesn’t have to be. The reason salary negotiation is so intimid... Continue reading >

Posted in: Interviewing

Posted on 12 May, 2026

Interior design trends for this year are currently in the spotlight, with Google searches for ‘burl wood furniture’ soaring by more than 5000% in the past month alone! It’s a sign of the changing homewares sector. The French home decor market alone is worth about 25 billion euros a year. Consumers are increasingly looking for quality pieces that combine craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. Our latest blog looks at what will define the leading homeware brands in 2026 and features the top designers driving the industry. It also explores the latest interior design trends shaping the collections with practical tips to pick statement pieces.

Posted in: Designers

Posted on 28 Apr, 2026

Mid-century modern interiors are a fine line between classic style and old-fashioned nostalgia. The style's clean lines and natural shapes will always be popular, but there is a risk of making rooms that feel more like museum exhibits than modern homes. The key is to find a balance between classic pieces and new ones that show how people live today. 

We thought we’d ask around to see what the consensus is on how to decorate your home in a mid-century modern style that honours the design principles of the time while still looking modern and liveable. Which furniture pieces to focus on first, how to use colour and materials, and the mistakes that make rooms feel like they're stuck in the past.

Posted in: Interior Design | Tagged: Interior Design

Posted on 14 Apr, 2026

There is a small, but big change happening in the way businesses hire people. More and more companies are moving away from traditional hiring methods that put a lot of weight on degrees, job titles and years of experience. Instead, they are using skills-first hiring, which is more practical and open-minded. As sectors change quickly and there aren't enough skilled workers, employers are reevaluating what makes a candidate desirable.

What Does Skills-First Hiring Mean?

When you choose someone based on their skills first, you look at their abilities and competences instead of their formal qualifications or lineage. Instead of looking at candidates' college degrees or past job t... Continue reading >

Posted in: Careers in Design | Tagged: Careers In Design

Posted on 24 Mar, 2026

As designers and homeowners move away from the sharp, angular pieces that were popular in the past, sculptural furniture with softer, more natural shapes is changing the look of modern homes. This move toward curved shapes isn't just for looks; in fact, rounded furniture has real benefits for comfort, health and the flow of space. Biophilic principles and mid-century design ideas are now part of modern furniture design. This makes pieces that feel safer, more inviting and more comfortable to use. These sculptural pieces, like curved sofas and round dining tables, are changing how we live in 2026.

After decades of angular minimalism being the... Continue reading >

Posted in: Furniture Design

Posted on 10 Mar, 2026

Each December, the Pantone Colour Institute reveals its Colour of the Year — a hue that’s meant to capture the cultural mood and influence design, fashion and interiors across the coming 12 months. For 2026, Pantone has made a striking choice: PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer — a soft, billowy off-white that’s unlike anything the institute has picked before.

Cloud Dancer isn’t just “white” in the ordinary sense — it’s the lightest shade Pantone has ever selected as Colour of the Year and marks the first time a white-leaning neutral has taken the crown since the tradition began in 1999.

... Continue reading >

Posted in: Designers | Tagged: Cloud Dancer