Foliage sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell    Miu Miu autumn/winter 2011/12 campaign

Patricia Urquiola's Foliage sofa for Kartell, which launched this year in Milan, epitomises contemporary quilting, and here we can see how its chevron pattern is reflected in the leather quilting on Miu Miu's clutch bag from the autumn/winter 2011/12 collection

CONTOURED

(L-R) Grillage by François Azambourg for Ligne Roset / Anemone Armchair by Giancarlo Zema for Giovannetti / Subtle Hues by Barbara Larein at Design Academy Eindhoven, Milan 2011

One of the key trends WGSN-homebuildlife noted at the autumn/winter 2011/12 tradeshows was plump upholstery with deep organic curves

Ayala Serfaty's Gladis loveseat for Tel Aviv-based brand Aqua Creations was inspired by a fingerprint and the idea of human topography. A special, hand-stitched upholstery technique was used to create a shape that resembles fluid, natural forms

As well as exaggerated, sweeping curves, WGSN-homebuildlife has seen more intricate contoured stitching on seat pads and soft accessories

NEW CHESTERFIELDS

(L-R)La Michetta by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia / Diamond chair by Benjamin Hubert for Houe / Star System by Enrico Buscemi and Piergiorgio Leone

The modern update of the Chesterfield caught our eye earlier this year, and since then we have been seeing new concepts and interpretations of this classic design

Deep-buttoned details are not only appearing on the seat back, but across the whole structure

Vibrant, sometimes fluorescent colours accentuate the inflated look

Styles range from a ludic design by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia to the futuristic Ploum sofa by the Bouroullec brothers, for Ligne Roset

This trend was also tracked by WGSN-homebuildlife in the form of voluminous upholstery at this year's tradeshows, and was also featured in our in-depth report on leather earlier this year

BUBBLY

Quilted detail                                        Softly Softly Does It by Jillian Hurst                    Victoria Brown Textiles

Bubbly surfaces are playful and tactile on upholstery, clothing and flooring

Colours and prints are mixed to create a patchwork effect

Reflective and metallic textiles, such as the silver Lycra on the Bubbles stool by Aqua Creations, have  a space-age aesthetic

MINIMAL

Soft Rocker by Committee for SCP          Alexis Mabille spring/summer 2011       Personal care collection by Method

Immaculate white and pastel surfaces evoke a feeling of luxury

Decadent, quilted velvets give textiles a sumptuous and tactile appeal

Established & Sons' Soft Grid blankets combine pastel and fluorescent colours with luxurious textures. They are made from double-sided merino wool stitched with a geometric grid pattern to create a striking graphic effect

OVERSIZED

Husk by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia            As reported on WGSN                    Bambino by Arik Ben Simhon

Quilting replaces prints and patterns, adding a three-dimensional effect to plain fabrics

Plump, inflated sofas were a hit during this year's trade shows, with renowned designers such as Patricia Urquiola and the Bouroullec brothers used quilting techniques to create big, comfortable pieces

Comfort is the key factor: large proportions, cocooned shapes

TAILORED

Ruché bed by Inga Sempé for Ligne Roset      Scene xxl by Gijs Papavoine for Montis         Quilted Lamborghini interior

Chairs and sofas with perfectly-fitted upholstery and clean-but-soft edges define this look

Pieces are void of superfluous embellishments - the focus is on the form and attention is given to detail

WGSN loves the precise form of Inga Sempé's Ruché sofa and bed for Ligne Roset, where the quilted upholstery appears to be neatly folded over the frame

BARBOUR-STYLE QUILTING

Cashmere cushions by Nuttall                      Quilted jacket by Lavenham                       Nuttall at Decorex 2010

The traditional, quilted Barbour jacket has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Now we are seeing Barbour's quintessentially English tailoring reflected in soft accessories and upholstery for the home

Square and diamond quilt patterns in navy blue, olive green and taupe take inspiration from the English countryside

Nuttall's quilted cashmere cushions aim to evoke a mixture of English eccentricity and modern luxury

HARD

Capitone light by Oriol Llahona for Alma Light    Sip of Gold, Sieger by Furstenberg    Squares cup by Lenneke Wispelwey

Designers are using diamond quilting on hard materials to achieve deceptive visual effects

Hard surfaces appear to be soft: the Uni chairs by Italian brand Metalmobil are made from metal, with a quilted surface; Gray Concrete has transformed the chesterfield sofa into an outdoor lounge, recreating its shape in concrete; wooden quilting on Veronika Wildgruber's Softwood chair separates the material from its perceived characteristics; and Terra Cotta bowls by Bezalel Academy student Talia Mukmel are made from dough that has been wrapped in string and baked to create its unusual surface

These products suggest new applications for materials, challenging pre-concieved ideas about their characteristics

Veronika Wildgruber explains that her although her Softwood chairs are made from wood, they are just as comfortable as their quilting suggests. Also, the wooden quilting is lighter, more durable, and uses less material than an upholstered seat

Applying quilted textures to smaller tabletop items and accessories, such as Lenneke Wispelwey's ceramic beakers, makes a strong visual statement, but also makes them easier to grip

For the Capitone light designed by Oriol Llahona, which launched at Milan this year, Spanish brand Alma Light developed a new plastic material to achieve the right level of translucency so that the quilted texture of the shade's interior is revealed when it's lit