To a certain extent, trends in interior design have an impact on the contract projects under way at any given time. It is inevitable, normal and even advisable. In some way, the general trends become a reference point from which a project can decide to distance itself to a greater or lesser degree. The more aligned the project is with the trend, the more commonplace it will be. The less aligned it is, the more trailblazing it is likely to be.

It should be remembered that, to a certain extent, the trend is initially ground-breaking with respect to what came before it (although, rather than diverging from the status quo, the development is often more of an evolution). As such, the projects that are early adopters of the trend are innovative but, as time goes on, as is the case of the trend itself, the projects will no longer be so.

Therefore, any contract project in a hotel, restaurant or commercial premises —designed to stand the test of time— that embraces trends completely has an innovative appearance with an expiry date. In other words, it will end up being just another one in the crowd. It may well be beautiful, functional and well-adapted but, at the end of the day, it blends in to the crowd. The first vintage projects were innovative in their day. Nowadays, unless they add something new, they really aren’t.

Which are the projects that will really be remembered, the ones that do not have an expiry date? Well, to be honest, they are the projects that make a complete break (or almost) with everything that has gone before. The projects that are not based on trends, but rather which beat a different path and, perhaps, end up setting a trend. Of course, this is no simple task. Only a few manage it and, incidentally, many of them are labelled as madness. But what divine madness!

A less risky, more ordinary option for most architects and interior designers is to follow the trends, but introduce ground-breaking elements, details that add character and personality to the project and, as such, make the project stand out from the crowd. It is a matter of achieving that distinctive touch that lets you set yourself apart without ending up appearing vulgar. Quite a challenge!

Does that mean that trends aren’t any use at all? Of course not! Trends give us a point of reference, to embrace in some cases and shun in others. Without trends, there is no fashion. Without trends, there is no transgression.