Magical Realism: a dreamy mega trend in design, art, and architecture

Our 2022/2023 Trends Book covers 50 pages and 5 trends, exploring the overarching preoccupations within the worlds of design and culture. This is a time characterised by introspection and intentional dreaming, examining what we want to take with us into the future to enrich our relationships with each other and with our planet.

Today we wander through the rich, dreamy world of Magical Realism, our first trend.

Dreaming for the future: this is Magical Realism

As a mega trend for the coming year, Magical Realism invites us to dream about the future: what will we take with us back into the world after the lockdowns are over?

“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” – Dave Hollis

The pandemic has transformed the lives of most of us around the world. For some, this change has meant significant sacrifices in terms of health, income, and quality of life. But for others, the pandemic has presented an opportunity for them to press 'reset' on their lives and re-evaluate the way in which they work, consume, and connect.

Related read: Back to basics: An introduction to our Re-birth/Re-thinking trend

We see this diversity of response to the ongoing pandemic reflected in Magical Realism through a profusion of iridescent finishes and affects that change our reality depending on how the light hits us.

Intentional dreaming: wonder and possibility: hope is a renewable resource 

With this newfound discovery of a simpler pace of life has come a change in consumers' buying habits. Not only are we buying less, but – with the rise of online shopping – purchases are now more carefully thought out and considered.

In this cocoon defined by a dreaming state, the world beyond seems hazy and indistinct. We have time to reflect on our lives and our interconnectedness with every other living thing. In a way this is an evolution of one of our mega themes from last year: In It Together.

Our homes reflect how we see ourselves, what makes us unique. They are full of our memories, our souvenirs, and our past and present selves. Our homes are full of our dreams. – What is home? Getting intentional with interior decorating

The effect of our very existence on the planet is something that rises over and over in Magical Realism. Humans very much want a more honest, more sustainable world. This is something we recognise at FibreGuard, too.

We believe in investment pieces that are made to last and fabrics that will hold their own in high traffic areas, even in the face of kids, pets, and the tough demands of everyday life. Read about  our more natural approach.

A tangible colour palette for dreaming states

The pared-back palette we've chosen for Magical Realism is inspired by otherworldly shades such as coral and blush pink, muted purple, and ivory bone, paired with unexpectedly arresting colours such as ultramarine blue and a bright sap green.

Glistening sheers, crystalline structures  

Magical Realism is a theme defined by subtle beauty, seen through glistening sheers, crystalline structures. This is a hopeful theme, full of renewed wonder at the world around us, and opportunity.

I dwell in Possibility – Emily Dickinson

The ‘Magic’ in Magical Realism is not overt or extravagant. It’s often quite a subtle element to an otherwise quite ordinary space.

Magical realism can be employed in architecture, for example, by playing with technology, light and shadows, volumes and forms, ground plane, scale, openness, furniture, etc.

Trend watching

Our in-house team of designers, artists and product developers conducted this analysis across a wide range of fields from product design, fashion, interior décor, architecture, art, and visual culture. They draw on their own unique experiences and perspectives, cultural shifts and nuances, and world events.

If you want to know more about our trends forecast for 2022/2023, check out our dedicated website.