Michigan Design Center showcases 2023 interior style trends

METRO DETROIT — Interior design is always changing.

One day, light matte paints and velvets are in, and the next day, it is high gloss and linens that take center stage. It can be difficult for even trained designers — let alone the average homeowner — to keep up with the ever-changing trends and aesthetics, but those in the design business already have an idea of what the next year will hold.

Representatives from paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore and fabric distributor Fabricut visited the Michigan Design Center in Troy Nov. 10 to outline each company’s outlook on trends in their respective fields.

For Benjamin Moore, their presentation focused on the unveiling of its 2023 Color of the Year and the palette to go along with it. Benjamin Moore sees the bright coral pink of Raspberry Blush as the defining color of 2023 design trends.

“For 2023, it is all about charismatic color,” Beth Maguire, Benjamin Moore architectural design representative, said. “And really, Raspberry Blush leads that charge for the entire palette. … Here we have this vivacious shade of coral tinged with pink, and it really just livens the senses and kind of gives this optimism. It does not enter the room quietly at all.”

A rather loud color when compared to the more subdued pinks that predate it, Raspberry Blush is the epitome of upcoming interior design trends by being a paint that stands out and defines a space all on its own.

“It is a really different way of looking at color this year,” Maguire said. “We have always talked about paint colors as this kind of a backdrop. But we are saying (to) let it take center stage for your designs, and (Raspberry Blush) wants to be noticed for sure.”

While Raspberry Blush is a color with a modern focus, its intended use of color as a centerpiece draws inspiration from 20th century interior designers like Dorothy Draper and Billy Baldwin, who used bright colors to make private homes and esteemed spaces like the Greenbrier Resort take on a distinct attitude.

Of course, paint is not the only way to design a room. Wall coverings can bring texture and designs into a space, while fabrics can be used on multiple surfaces and objects to complement or contrast the background.

Wendy Baker, territorial account manager for Fabricut, spoke about the top trends in fabrics and wall coverings.

For fabrics, the future is in textures.

“Textures are huge at the moment,” Baker said. “Bouclés, velvets, chenille, menswear and performance — performance fabrics in general, but performance textures are huge.”

One such collection of textured fabrics is the Stroheim Escape Collection, which has many patterns and textures that pair well with Benjamin Moore’s 2023 palette. Baker said the terracotta/whiskey designs pair well with Raspberry Blush.

As for wall coverings, which Baker said are an increasingly popular way to finish a room, the common material trends are grasscloth, painted grasscloth, and prints and patterns with many bold colors. Baker showed S.Harris’ Ted Baker collection of residential and commercial approved wall coverings, which feature floral patterns on solid color backgrounds.