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Autumn is once again here, bringing crisp air and fresh perspectives. As if on cue, the breezy space of Olympia London has been buzzing with brand-new launches and impressive displays at the annual interior design fair, Decorex. Between 8-11 October, this highly anticipated exhibition welcomed designers and makers to come together to celebrate fresh ideas and inspiration for the year ahead. After scouring the stands, here’s what to expect for our homes in 2024 from the best in design at Decorex. Ban the bland This year’s show has unveiled that bland interiors are certainly falling out of favour for more cheerful hues – even if they just appear as accents. I caught up with the co-founder of YesColours, Emma Bestley, who revealed that Electric Blue is their best-selling shade right now. Think the colour of Dory in Finding Nemo, a purple emperor butterfly, and a lapis lazuli stone. The brand likes to pair this with olive green and fresh peach hues. If you’re not ready to commit to a full ultramarine space, Bestley recommends adding a dash to your window recesses and sills, or to an otherwise unappreciated small space, like a downstairs loo. I imagine Electric Blue would make for a captivating front door colour, sitting prettily against stucco or red brick. Supersized seating The industry’s best and brightest seem to agree that bigger is indeed better – currently gravitating towards deep, U-shaped wall-to-wall sofas and cavernous armchairs that you can really curl up into. Joanna Hauptman, managing director of bespoke furniture maker, Hyde House explains: “Comfort has surged to the forefront of seating design and having larger-scale pieces helps support sociable arrangements. We’re seeing an increasing trend for cinema-style twin seats, corner suite sofas, and curved-edged chairs right now to accommodate at-home entertaining and bigger gatherings, especially ahead of the festive season.” Hyde House exhibited its Miami capsule collection with sink-in boucle seating that embraces graceful curves and soft edges. If you’re enticed by this supersized aesthetic, also look to Belgian designer, Mublo, whose modular Benedicte sofa is reminiscent of ultra-plump, loose cushions lying against each other. Florals, for winter? Groundbreaking It’s no secret that flora and fauna have long been beloved springtime motifs. House of Hackney, the British interiors and lifestyle brand known for reworking traditional design for a new generation, encourages us to embrace florals even as the weather gets chillier and nights get longer. The brand revealed its dark and decadent Gothic Garden range at Decorex, featuring rambling blooms against backdrops of jacquard and velvet. Le Boudoir D’ecorexxx – this year’s unapologetically lusty VIP lounge bar designed by Brian Woulfe – was decked with Gothic Garden textiles. In jewel-like greens and blacks with pops of amber, dusty blush, and periwinkle blue, the collection’s theme is moody mysticism meets medievalism with touches of Art Nouveau and country garden influences. Say goodbye to grey grounds It’s no secret the materials used underfoot can set the tone of a room. Christoph Wellekotter, head of product management at German flooring brand Parador – which officially introduced its expertise to the UK’s design audience this Decorex – shares, “Grey tones are losing popularity as we’re rejecting anything clinical or cold in pursuit of warmer, cosy palettes. Beiges, medium browns, and dark chocolatey woods will reign for our floors in the coming year.” He finishes, “In 2024, parquet, a flooring style which originated in the chateaux of France in the 16th century, will reign again. The elegant chevron pattern adds texture and interest to space whilst remaining neutral.” Read More Daylight saving time 2023: When do the clocks go back in US? From collars to gloomy garments: How to dress like Wednesday Addams for Halloween Don’t be a scaredy-cat: Can pets see ghosts? Daylight saving time 2023: When do the clocks go back in US? From collars to gloomy garments: How to dress like Wednesday Addams for Halloween Don’t be a scaredy-cat: Can pets see ghosts?

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Lewis Hamilton insists Red Bull’s pace advantage has reduced after the Mercedes star claimed a surprise pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The 38-year-old, whose previous F1 pole was back in December 2021 in Saudi Arabia, beat Max Verstappen to top spot in Budapest by 0.003 seconds in a thrilling end to qualifying. It was Hamilton’s 104th pole position – 18 months after his 103rd – and his ninth at the Hungaroring, breaking the record for the most pole positions at one circuit. While sceptical of his chances tomorrow, the seven-time world champion believes Red Bull’s significant pace has dropped off in the last few race weekends. “Honestly I think they’ve [Red Bull] slowed down from the beginning of the year,” he said. “Where’s the DRS advantage gone? But in the race they’re still the quickest, it’ll be very hard to beat them tomorrow. “But it’s definitely interesting to see some of the deficits and see how it’s changed race-to-race.” Hamilton was elated after the pole position though, and he will line-up alongside Verstappen on the front row for the first time since the infamous end to the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi. “It feels like my first pole, believe it or not,’ Hamilton said. “Feels strange to say that with 104. I don’t remember the last time it feels so long ago! “We weren’t expecting that going into the weekend, car felt terrible yesterday. “I just sent it! Nothing to lose. Threw it into the high-speed corners, it was a great, great lap!” Lando Norris qualified third for McLaren, with his team-mate Oscar Piastri in fourth. Read More F1 grid: Starting positions for Hungarian Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton claims long-awaited pole with brilliant lap at Hungarian Grand Prix F1 Hungarian Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and results Sergio Perez crash in Hungary practice a sign of the times F1 grid: Starting positions for Hungarian Grand Prix

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