Furniture is architectural, simple and sleek, so fabric has to be statement-making. With the notable exception of anything fussy or prissy, anything goes. Black and white never lose their drama, but gray is the coolest neutral around.
Patterns are back in style, but better - from geometrics (whether circles or squares) to funked-up flowers to themes loosely based on nature. Monochromes get an update with texture, from the richness of fabrics that look hand-woven to the plushness of velvets used in unexpected ways. To add an edge to any space, go seek a hide. Leather is showing up everywhere, from chairs and sofas to headboards and bar fronts. Even fur (faux, of course) is on the design radar, especially as a cozy throw across a quilted duvet. Whatever the look, sustainability ranks high among designers' selection criteria.