Contemporary Arabesque in 2014

It's a new year, which can only mean new trends, new textures, and new tastes. Dishing up the veritable feast of design in 2014, Design Trawler puts forward the prediction of what's going to be shaping the popular discerning aesthetic this year.

Last year the chips were stacked on deep textures, reflective fabrics, and warmer metals such as copper and brass. This looks set to continue [ex. copper], but as the world grows achingly bored of recession-induced restraint, materials and design are going to become richer and more confident.

Pattern will be at the forefront and the Middle East is showing increasing signs of maturity in this space. Contemporary geometrics in warm silvers and golds [like the pictured lattice doors at I. M. Pei's breathtaking Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar] sit beautifully against the vanguard of old money materials such as marble and lacquer. Similarly, 3D printing will drive a thirst for this intricate detail, but in a more organic form long championed by Zaha Hadid and Karim Rashid.

Design Hurricane - Toronto's William Ashley

Trawling recently in Toronto, I stumbled across deluxe design store William Ashley. Spotting a quirky hurricane lamp in the unassuming window, the pictured flame holder features a carved acacia-wood base and domed glass shade reminiscent of a mushroom-cup [I'll take two of those please].

And it's perhaps pertinent that the hurricane lamp was on display up front, as William Ashley is an inexplicable and never ending cave of delights that needs to be explored. Baccarat crystal in every shape and size, mind blowing Brazilian chrome barware from Riva, and $20,000 candelabras.

Alongside fine personalised stationary from Crane & Co. sits Lalique, Kate Spade and Alessi. It's the sort of store worthy of being delivered with a big bow; as the complete gift registry for the next Royal wedding.

Lexon Flow - An Audio Carriage

The boys at Lexon continue to impress with their well turned out portable tuners. Brother to the previously featured Mini Dolemen, and still giving Uncle Bose a run for it's money in the design department, Lexon's Flow radio is brilliantly designed by Philip Wong. With it's glassy casing and clean, uncluttered narrative, the Flow would look superb on a mantle a'la carriage for the New Year.