One of the most widely anticipated events of Liverpool’s 2008 capital of culture year was the Gustav Klimt exhibition at the Tate gallery. On the ground floor is a reconstruction of the Beethoven Frieze from the secession building in Vienna. The contrast of the highly decorated gold on the rough unfinished concrete is striking in its delicateness. It reminded me of Bernardaud’s gold leaf and silver leaf dinnerware, the roughness of the gold leaf contrasting against the highly polished smoothness of the porcelain.  In fact, a few of Bernardaud’s luxurious new designs remind me of Klimt with their brightly coloured circles paired with lavish gold and silver metallics.

It is clear throughout the exhibition that Klimt was incredibly accomplished at painting life like representations. However, he appeared most comfortable when his paintings took a turn to fantasy. For a designer, what’s most exciting is what lies behind the figures in his paintings. He has a gift for patterns and colours. He could almost be described as a decorator. Sections of the backgrounds could stand on their own as fabrics and wallpapers. 100 years after it was first exhibited his stylised flowers are on trend today.  Similar flowers are seen on fabrics today on the catwalk and in the high street. Stella McCartney’s floral print dress comes to mind.

In addition to Klimt’s paintings the exhibition focused on the larger Vienna Secession group and the interaction between art, architecture, and interiors that it represented. As tableware designers we take direction from trends, not just in tableware but also fashion, interiors, and art. Dinnerware isn’t displayed by itself on a wall, but is part of people’s lifestyle.

The exhibit also gives us a look at the table with a beautiful set of flatware that looks strikingly modern by today’s standards and an equally contemporary silver coffee set. Only when you see old photographs of it being used do you realise how ahead of its time Klimt and the Vienna Secession must have been.

Statement Colours -> Neons & Brights
This season’s kaleidoscopic colours make bold statements. From electric blues, acid yellows, hot pinks, emerald greens, to the leader of the pack: neon orange. These hues work best in block colours, standing out against blacks or paired with subtle neutrals such as greys and beiges.

Artistic Brush Strokes
The Jackson Pollock inspired paint splatters seen on the catwalk cross over effortlessly to interiors. Expressive splashes and dribbles are a great fit for the table.

Florals
From soft seventies meadow flowers to bold expressive botanicals, florals are still proving to be a fashion staple. This style will continue to strengthen developing more edgy blooms and exaggerated silhouettes.

Geometrics
Geometrics will take the form of ethnic patterns and abstracted African prints in this season’s neons developing from the Eighties Rubik’s Cube style angular graphics.

Figurative Graphics -> Comic Book Chic
Comic book colours, cartoon figures, surreal decorative icons, and punk graphic scenes. Inspired by the emergence of urban art and graffiti in mainstream popular culture.

Having decided to update the base here in the Albert Dock we’ve been trawling the interior shops of the North West for inspiration. It’s early days yet but judging from what’s already in the stores I think the big colours for 2008 are going to be the usual greys and blacks but complimented by lime greens, yellows and a few eighties fluorescents. They started to appear a couple of year ago but with anything a bit daring it takes us a while to come round. My tip for colours in the home are the wonderful muted grey paints from Farrow and Ball. I’d like to have the guts to paint a room with the sultry ‘Downpipe’ but we have opted for the more easy to live with but no less striking ‘Pigeon’. Now we need a bright lime rug or a couple of yellow accessories. It will be interesting to see if any of these colours have made it to tableware collections at the Frankfurt show; they certainly make several appearances in our portfolio. My eyes will be peeled.