eporta, the fastest growing and largest global interiors trade network has collaborated with the world's leading trend service, WGSN to analyse and share the buying trends and insights from search data from its first year of trading. Top 10 findings are listed below with data based on eporta's community of + 3,000 trade buyers, many of whom use the platform daily, and over 1000 suppliers across 45 countries, including top design brands and unknown talent

1. Most searched for materials: Brass, marble, concrete & cork

The most searched for materials on eporta were brass and marble (32% increase between Jul-Sep), while cork and concrete gained popularity (up 42%) over the last months of the year. Popular products in these materials revealed that trade buyers are seeking a look with more texture, depth and patina. WGSN noted that this is in line with an emerging trend for a 'soft industrial' aesthetic which mixes warm looks like brass and cork with cooler marble and concrete. The use of softer colour and iridescent petrol finishes are also key, for residential, public and retail spaces. The increase of high end products in concrete and cork was particularly prevalent, with these materials being used in unexpected ways – as furniture, dining trays and lampshades in thinner, more tactile finishes, and warmer colour schemes.

Above: Mabelous Hex Lamp by Aparetment, Brass coffee table oil and wax Novovastrian & Concrete rocking chair by Lyon Beton.

2. Most searched for products: Bar Stools, extendable tables, nesting tables & stackable chairs, most difficult to source products: Bedside tables & furniture for children's rooms.

Interior trade buyers are extremely concerned with buying furniture that is multifunctional and can adapt to different spaces and uses. WGSN credits this to the continued rise in 'Homtertainment' where our interiors are expected to perform multiple functions – particularly amongst Millennials who host parties, concerts and film projections in their own homes. Trade buyers also professed particular difficulty sourcing bedside tables, and furniture for children's rooms.

3. Most popular light: The Chandelier

In lighting, the most searched for - and wide ranging lighting style - was the chandelier. Whether as traditional crystal or Calderesque mobiles, all were designed to create a statement and used as a centrepiece. According to Lisa White, of WGSN, central ceiling lights function like jewelery for the home, both in function and style.

Below: Niche modern produces statement lights for the home that combine a contemporary and modern aesthetic.

4. Key theme: Furniture that frames a lifestyle & items that will grow with you

A deep dive into the most ordered products on eporta revealed a strong trend in unobtrusive furniture that has a strong sense of style and yet doesn't absorb too much visual space; where the frame is accented and the body is transparent; minimalist display cabinets and wardrobes, or hanging spaces that allow you to see the clothes. According to White and WGSN, 'people are increasingly buying furniture that can display our lifestyles in a curated way. As we buy less, but better quality, we want to showcase and frame favourite objects and pieces in furniture that is both discreet and adaptable'.

5. Key theme: Furniture and interiors replace traditional art

There has been a 43% rise in searches for statement rugs over the year plus a marked increase in upholstery & wallpaper with elaborate artistic repeats. The most popular interiors accessories on the eporta have changed from vases and candles to more abstract design objects. According to trends noted by WGSN, this is about elevating confident contemporary design to the level of a masterpiece.

Above: Droparm sofa, Blackpop and cushion by 17 Patterns.

6. Key theme: Designed to order is the new order

There was a direct correlation between the most popular suppliers and the degree of customization options available. Aside from this being a practicality and requirement of the interior trade, WGSN identified this as a trend throughout interiors and lifestyle with walls and floors receiving the same degree of personalization as furniture and lighting: they predict that “designed to order will be the new order.”

7. Most popular brands

As digital partner, eporta revealed that Mullan Lighting, Duistt and Libra were the most searched or connected brands amongst trade buyers during London Design Festival alongside Bert Frank, The Sofa & Chair Company and Benchmark.

8. Ones to watch

eporta is a unique design meritocracy, in that products from top design brands are displayed in search results against products from brand new designers. This allows the products to speak for themselves and the best designs to rise to the surface. Some less well known design brands that have experienced traction on eporta over the last 6 months include Shufflebotham, Missana, Intueri Light, Abalon candles, Evie, 17 Patterns and Floor Story. WGSN's Lisa White identified Matteo Thun's Atelier, Wrong London, Areti and Pedro Paulo Venzon as some of the key brands to watch during 2017.

Mattheo Thun: one of the key design brands to watch for 2017 (WGSN)

9. Most popular Country: Portugal

Analysis revealed that overall the most popular origin for suppliers at the moment is Portugal. Popular brands include Duisst, Temahome, Larforma, Ginger and Jagger and Mambo Unlimited Ideas.

10. Key theme: Biomimicry

WGSN noted eporta's trade community buying into items with natural patterns – feather repeats, kaleidoscopic patterns with palms and ferns adorning a range of surfaces but in a looser form with sea inspired furnishings and transparent and rough surfaces resembling the natural world, in both natural and supernatural colours and textures.

For a full copy of the eporta/WGSN interior trade trend report, please email:  melissa@byrencomms.com.

-ENDS-

About eporta

Set up by Aneeqa Khan (29) one of the UK's leading '35 under 35' entrepreneurs in 2015, eporta has grown to hold one of the largest interiors inventories globally. It helps trade buyers (interior designers, architects and the contract market) to discover new suppliers, with whom they can liaise directly to negotiate trade discounts. It also saves them time by making it easy to track and manage quotes and orders effectively and access up to date product information, significantly reducing the amount of time and administration traditionally involved in sourcing and works with top brands and the best emerging talent. eporta backers include Robin Klein, Guy Hands, Ed Wray (Betfair), Rohan Blacker (Sofa.com) and Will Cooper

(Achica). Eporta.com

@eporta_

#eporta

About WGSN

WGSN (www.wgsn.com) is the world's leading trend authority for creative thinkers in over 94 countries. Our services cover consumer insights, fashion and lifestyle forecasting, data analytics, crowd-sourced design validation and expert consulting. We help drive our customers to greater success. Together, we Create Tomorrow. WGSN is part of WGSN Limited, comprising of market-leading products including WGSN Instock, WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors, WGSN Styletrial and WGSN Mindset our bespoke consultancy services. WGSN is owned by Ascential plc, a leading international media company that informs and connects business professionals in 150 countries through market-leading Exhibitions and Festivals, and Information

Services. www.ascential.com

Ashleigh Ralfe, Marketing Manager,  ashleigh.ralfe@wgsn.com