Month: May 2020
A Cleaner Future
Post Covid-19, one design development we're likely to see in commercial projects is the increased use of textiles that can be disinfected. Jane Kennedy, director of StudioTex, says that she expects to see a much greater uptake of these fabrics, not just in healthcare environments but in places such as hotel rooms, too.
Colours of the World
This 'Dutch Tulip' paint is one of the shades launched as part of Andrew Martin's first paint collection, available online. A continuation of the brand's signature globe-trotting style, the range has been influenced by the colours of destinations near and far.
Royally Appointed
Oficina Inglesa Furniture has made furniture for 11 newly refurbished rooms at Claridge's, including the Prince Alexander Suite, which has been designed to reflect both the hotel's Victorian heritage and the elegance of 1940s Europe.
Budding Designer?
Pierre Frey has launched a competition for children aged 3-12 years to create their very own wallpaper – and 25 winning designs will go into production. Open to the children of the company’s customers, employees and distributors, it will benefit the Fondation de France, which supports children in danger of dropping out of school.
An Adventure in Art
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler's spaces are effortlessly glamorous yet retain a laid-back Californian cool. Her latest collection of fabrics and wallpapers for Lee Jofa, available from GP & J Baker, has just been released, and includes reinterpretations of existing creations as well as brand-new designs, many of which were inspired by artistic movements.
Manufacturing Reawakens
Cautious easing of lockdown restrictions in the UK and across Europe means that factories and workshops are coming back to life, while adapting to new safety measures.
Scene Stealers
Fabrics and wallcoverings featuring highly detailed landscapes and courtly scenes are having a moment. Here are a few of recent offerings that will induce a sweet sense of escapism.
The Power of Now
Spending more time at home, many people's thoughts have turned to redecorating, whether a complete overhaul or a smaller rejuvenation with a few well-judged accessories. Several brands to be found at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour operate online shopfronts, so there's no need to wait a moment longer: getting products delivered to the door is only a few clicks away.
Crowning Glory
Passementerie is sometimes described as the jewellery of an interior – the essential last detail that sets everything off. Looking at spring's latest launches, however, it seems that trimmings are taking over as the star of the show, with glittering embellishment, bright colour and bold pattern.
Meaningful Moments
Dedar has found a nostalgic way to stay in touch with the sociable moments of everyday life, via the power of illustration. It has commissioned Icinori – aka illustrators Mayumi Otero and Raphael Urwiller – to create a Minutes, a series that captures those moments in time that we might have formerly taken for granted,
Regency Revival
Design practice Albion Nord has brought a John Nash-designed London terraced house up to date, reinstating grand period features but keeping a more eclectic approach with the interiors – with input from Kvadrat at Home, Vaughan and Samuel & Sons, among others.
The Geometry of Nature
Woven wine branches were the stylistic starting point for Turri's Vine collection; the metaphor also works for the overall design concept, which branches off into different territories within a home, yet retains a comprehensive overall look.
Designed to Heal
Showrooms from Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour are contributing to a charity scheme that aims to create room makeover “havens” for accredited NHS key workers who have been on the front line during the coronavirus pandemic. Interior designer Francesca Rowan Plowden initiated Design Havens for Heroes in a bid to thank NHS staff for their selfless fight against Covid-19,
Island Escape
While we are at home, a little design escapism is a welcome distraction, so it's no wonder that lush vegetation continues to be a dominant theme for decorating. New to Colony, Casamance's 'Balata' fabric is an evocative interpretation of Martinique's Jardin de Balata, a tropical garden known for its palm trees and other exotic species.
The Heritage of Home
Home comforts are coming to the fore in a time of disruption. There's a soothing, cocooning sense of satisfaction to be found in the familiar, but schemes that mix innovation and tradition manage to keep up with changing lifestyles while staying rooted in the past.
Desert Beauty
The canyons and plateaus of Spain’s Bardenas Reales desert inspired the latest Larsen collection, available from Colefax and Fowler; the region’s sculptural rock formations and arid beauty have been translated into highly tactile fabrics, irregular weaves and embellished sheers.
Make it Personal
One of the advantages of working from home is the way that it allows for a much more personalised approach to the design of our surroundings. Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is conversing with its creative community to find out how they're making it work, as a way to to stay inspired and stimulated, and celebrate great design.
Seventies Luxe
Channelling the era of Halston, Yves Saint Laurent and Warhol, Baker's new Baker Luxe collection was inspired by the daring art, fashion and design of the seventies. The 90 new designs – Baker's largest-ever collection – are described as "art pieces for the home".