Trend Alert: Ethnic style in the form of FUSION

This is a stable trend in the contemporary interior design - we have been witnessing its growth since 2006, most often in the form of fusion between ethnic or folclore motifs  implemented with new materials or  through new technology.
Fusion between Vietnamese crafts and Scandinavian design:

Cappellini - Superheroes, design by Glimpt

Observing Vietnamese craftmen method to create small bowls by fixing paper thread around rolls of seagrass Swedish design duo Mattias Rask and Tor Palm of Glimpt decided to translate and scale-up the dimensions of this craft technique into furniture pieces. The stools have an internal metal frame in which rolls of dried seagrass are wrapped to create the structural form and the patterns are typical for  Vietnamese hammocks.

Robert D (Gourdlight) - Handmade Gourd Lamps made of gourd - amazing exotic fruit native in Africa

This trend has numerous examples, many of which you can find here, on my blog, like the impressive  Fergana collection that Patricia Urquiola created for Moroso in 2009, Tattoo Breakfast Table, Moroso's M'Afrique installation featuring their new furniture with ethnic elements.



Patricia Urquiola's Kika stool  that is going to be presented at Salone del Mobile 2013.