Welcome to our world of interiors. An informative, varied and fun blog

Liking Lichtenstein

Posted on May 18, 2013

OK so, last Tuesday I swapped our interior design showroom in Farnham for Tate Modern and Lichtenstein. I went in not knowing what to expect. I knew nothing about Roy Lichtenstein, his art or, really, his time and influences. A cartoonist – right? Around in the 1960s – right? Just like Warhol….

Not a bit of it. And this is what I love about going to good exhibitions: you go in with some preconceptions and come out with a whole new perspective on things.

Lichtenstein’s wry reflection on the relevance of painting in an age when so much could be mechanically reproduced provides a fascinating backdrop to his pictures. He carefully uses images from adverts and comics and uses primary colours, black outlines and Benday dots to get that shadowy effect produced by machines. His pain stakingly careful, mechanical depiction of a brushstroke which in essence is a spontaneous and expressive thing is fabulous in this context.

He doesn’t stop at pondering over the age of machines: some of his larger than life reproductions of adverts provide a commentary on the consumer culture of the  time and in hindsight this is very enlightened. In ‘Sponge’ and ‘Spray’ female hands are cleaning and spraying  – highlighting the popular and accepted view of the time of women as an extension of the household appliance.

He also produces his own versions of relatively well-known paintings by artists such as Picasso, Matisse and, most surprisingly of all, Monet. A series of the latter’s Rouen Cathedral painted in two tones and using dots is really quite something. Picasso is his hero though and he produces several ‘pop’ versions of Picasso’s paintings retaining the complexity of the original but giving it a seemingly very simple skin.

My friend’s favourite room in the exhibition was Lichtenstein’s Chinese Landscapes. Here he successfully uses the very stylised Chinese landscape paintings and mixes in typical Lichtenstein ingredients: Benday dots, simple forms, a simple palette. Atmospheric and delicate.

If you can, go and see it. It is on until 27th May.

Kate

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Bringing the inside out

Posted on May 12, 2013
The Bank Holiday weekend was a pleasant surprise weather-wise. The sun was shining in Farnham and so I flung open the doors, planted out some colourful flowers in the otherwise still winter-weary garden and, finally, put our garden furniture out on the patio.

Outdoor living provencal style

There is something about being outdoors and doing all the things that you would normally do inside outside! Socialising, eating, lounging – all much better outdoors than in. Not just dining tables and chairs but sofas, coffee tables…. wonderful – a dream for the interior designer you might think – more space to play with!

I remember staying in France and falling in love with the way they had done the outdoor living area. Sofas with comfortable cushions, chairs, a substantial coffee table all under the shade of a willow tree. I spent as much time in that space as I could given all the other temptations of beach, sunbed, french interior design shops and restaurants around me.

I don’t have anything as luxurious at home but every year I do mention the possibility of designing an outdoor lounge area to my husband and there is a moment of vague interest before the reality of poor UK weather takes over proceedings.

Beach comforts

I think I’ll have to stick to enjoying such environments when we go abroad. I did see this picture of a seated area on a beach and my thoughts went like this – wow - how nice! I wonder where that is? I would love to do that! I wonder how many mosquitos there are?!

 

Kate

 

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The new Miami style

Posted on May 7, 2013

Think Miami and, if you’re a 70s child like me, thoughts of Miami Vice and Don Johnson, Gloria Estefan and J Lo come to mind. South Beach pastels, Art Deco and Cuba all in a mix and culminating in a global reputation for a 24/7 chaotic party culture.

Whenever I travel I always try and capture the style of a place, it’s culture, the colours and shapes that I think describe it. Sometimes this is so I can recreate the essence of a place in a  scheme but otherwise it is to try and understand a place, it’s history and it’s outlook.

Many commentators have said that Miami now feels more grown up and a more confident city. I would agree. The art, the arcitecture and it’s multi-cultural vibe make it so. But it hasn’t completely lost its party outlook, it’s colour or it’s vibrancy and these elements don’t fail to inspire. They provide the ingredient that makes Miami unique. Look at new rooftoop restaurant Juvia – all grown up with it’s clean lines and grey-white-purple colour scheme.  Grown up yes but still with that dash of colour and fun.

Juvia rooftop restaurant, Miami

Other influences have crept to the fore too. French and Italian style are not too difficult to find with hotel interior designs by the likes of Philippe Starck and a new concert hall by Frank Gehry. There is also a strong Brazilian influence and the new Perez Art Gallery has only just opened.

These changes are not just impacting the city of Miami but can also be seen alongside the Gulf Coast - I went to one restaurant and it’s sweeping staircase featured art by Toulouse Lautrec, big Roman architectural columns all of which felt very grand, quite cultured but in a Versace sort of way. It is a mix but one that I warmed to quite strongly.

 

Kate

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The Interior Design inspiration of Charlotte Moss

Posted on April 3, 2013

I’m not sure how many of you are familar with the work of Interior Designer Charlotte Moss? Certainly her style would not be completely out of place in the more traditional homes in the UK – even perhaps in Farnham! The American Interior Designer was speaking at London Design Week earlier this month and talking about what gives her inspiration and how this translates into her design work.

She began by talking about her style which is an enchanting combination of classical, American and European design – think antique shapes, overtones of opulent French Rococo and hints of American colonialism. The bedrooms are all Lit a la Polonaise and the sitting rooms feature colonial slats, cane furniture and patterned wall treatments in amongst the potted palms and  portraits in antique frames.

Investing in a container load of antiques that she purchased in the UK, Charlotte was an immediate hit in the States and her business went from strength to strength. I must admit, while a much of her style is not to my personal taste, I do like her walls of framed pictures that seem to feature in many of her interiors. I like that she arranges them in a way that the collection is never complete – there is always room for another acquisition!

She moves with the times though and can see the huge benefit that today’s technology brings to the designer. Being able to send an image of a piece of furniture to a client and get immediate feedback is an amazing advantage she thinks. On the other hand, she’s not so sure about shopping online. Great for research perhaps but nothing beats pounding the pavement to see and feel what’s out there. I tend to agree.

Clients are at the heart of every design that she does and many in-depth discussions about what the client would like take place before she is confident of delivering something fit for purpose. Designs can look lovely but, if they don’t work – if they are not practical to that client – then they are a failure.

She has turned clients down because her business was busy and she felt she could not deliver the high standard expected in the timescales given. She jokingly also referred to her evaluation of clients based on their footwear maintaining that shoes are a good indicator of someone’s values. Do they go for comfort and luxury or just something that will do? Are they worn out or smart and well kept?

Her latest of several books is now out: Charlotte Moss – A Visual Life. Many of us who have been to design college are familiar with the process of using shapes, textures, colours in the world around us to inspire an Interior Design. This is Charlotte’s version of that process. It is a scrapbook. A collection of collages and inspiration that have influenced her work.

 

 

 

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More London Design Week highlights

Posted on March 26, 2013

I was going through the photos that I took at London Design Week and there are some that I thought I must show you.

Look at this gorgeous array fabrics in coral in combination with green at Osborne and Little. We have some clients who have been waiting for this for some time!

Also there I saw this fun rug that features several different breeds of dog. In fact I think that most of the nation’s favourite pooches are included. We have this design in a wallpaper in our interior design showroom in Farnham and, not only is it striking, I don’t think you would ever really tire of it…

Do you remember the Penguin wallpaper that I blogged about a short while ago? Well here it is in a room setting. Very smart, very colourful, very learned!

And finally, look at these amazing tiles. The design is inlaid into the stone and can be done to any scale or spec. Stunning (if budget allows).

I still haven’t told you about the Charlotte Moss talk. She was asked to speak about what inspires her as an interior designer. Next time!

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A colourful London Design Week 2013

Posted on March 24, 2013

Chelsea Harbour last week was buzzing with the excited anticipation of new fabric collections, patterns, and something to inspire us out of winter.

On our way there, the verges of Guildford and Richmond were not-quite-yet giving off that lovely yellowy haze that comes with the first burst of daffodils and crocus. It did still feel wintery so the new fabric collections had work to do if they were to turn our heads and, so to speak, put a spring in our step.

And so they did. Isabel was successful this year with parking outside Osborne and Little on the King’s Road and it was lovely to remind ourselves of their latest collections. We also were very inspired in Designers Guild. Some lovely collections for those of you who like their fabrics to have an arty feel.

I have picked out some fabrics (above) that I think show off the colour of the season. The lovely chartreuse yellow seems to figures in most of the new collections. Starting from top left and going clockwise we have Cosmos in citron from Villa Nova,  ‘Impasto’ which is a lovely rich floral linen mix from Harlequin, a gorgeous grey/ mineral textured neutral also from Harlequin, Mambo from Nobilis and, finally, Villa Nova’s plain cotton Seville in Pear.

Lots of other lovely colourways going on too: turquoise, mauve and coral – coral with green at last.

We ended our day with a talk by Interior Designer Charlotte Moss. More on that next time…

 

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Farnham is in the ‘Top Ten Places to Live in the UK’!

Posted on March 18, 2013

Farnham’s “fantastic Georgian architecture” has taken it into the top 10 places to live in the UK according to the list published yesterday in the Sunday Times.

It’s schools, it’s boho student vibe and it’s location – within an hour of Heathrow and Gatwick as well as a very commutable distance to Waterloo – also apparently contribute to this accolade.

Castle Street, Farnham

The judgement is a tricky one. As the Sunday Times acknowledge, an individual’s “best place” depends entirely on what you need, want, like and enjoy. Farnham is no good if you enjoy the sea air and perhaps have no need to get to London or fly off anywhere.

The criteria used to determine the outcome are: appealing properties, nearness to beautiful nature, cultural attractions, good schools, great shops and fantastic transport links which makes it easy to understand why Farnham features.

Farnham is also arguably better value for money than in it’s close, perhaps better known, neighbour Guildford…. and you don’t have to constantly battle with the hills!

So who won? Stamford in Lincolnshire…. All Cotswold charm without any tourists or snobs (apparently). It was also nice to see Ascot (6th), Chichester (9th), Hartley Wintney (11th) and Winchester (17th) up there!

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Thrifty design ideas to lift your scheme into Spring 2013!

Posted on March 14, 2013

At this time of year, when everyone is starting to believe that Spring is in the air, we often get asked for advice on how to freshen up an interior. Sometimes, along with the desire to ring the changes, there also comes quite a limited budget. In these cases, we look at employing some of the following thrify design ideas:

- invest in one strong item that has a real ‘wow’ factor. An oversized wall clock or a wall map of the world are both relatively inexpensive items but both are really striking. I saw this image on Martha Stewart’s website and think it looks really smart.

- try and upcycle existing posessions. Items like cushions are especially adaptable and can be transformed by simply adding trimmings (think ribbons, beads) or a motif (birds were big last year, bees seem to be buzzing in 2013). You could also change your cupboard handles – there is an abundance of those on the market right now in all sorts of colours. Zara Home is great for these.

- If your scheme is relatively neutral bring in a stronger accent colour. Black (a cushion, a throw, a clock, a picture frame) could really smarten a scheme. If your scheme has some colour then maybe intensify that colour a little by bringing in an even stronger version of the same colour. 2 largeish raspberry coloured cushions really helped a neutral scheme that already had elements of green and a paler raspberry in it

- think outside the box when it comes to reviewing storage and furniture. Trunks and stronger baskets can double up as a coffee table and storage

- Don’t forget the rich source of furniture and accessories that can be found in charity shops. Farnham has a fantastic Phyllis Tuckwell Furniture Showroom where a client of ours purchased a dresser, sanded it down, painted it up and it now looks great in her family room

So the message is: don’t let a modest budget cramp your style. Have a rummage, roll your sleeves up, make a few select purchases and….. “Ta daaa……!”

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P-P-Penguin P-P-Paper

Posted on March 4, 2013

Have you seen this? New out from Osborne and Little this is a fun, colourful wallpaper design that will create a wonderful feature wall in a study, playroom or a family room.  Penguin book covers have been used to create a wallpaper design that is full of interest and colour. Have a look at  Osborne and Little‘s website to take a closer look.

We have a roll of this in our Farnham showroom so if it’s got your curiosity going then come and have a look! We’ve even got some copies of the Penguin classics in our display!

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‘Be brave and do different!’ You’ll love it if you do!

Posted on February 22, 2013

There’s nothing like a talent contest to get you thinking about what you like, what you don’t like, about what works, what is remembered and what is utterly forgettable.

I hesitantly took my children to watch their school’s talent show on Friday night. I went wanting my children to have a good time and to encourage the brave souls who were putting themselves out there. I certainly had no expectation of witnessing greatness or being genuinely entertained.

Having headed straight for the plastic cup of white wine on arrival I sat towards the back and endured 5 groups of girls dancing in sync to things in the top 40 (I feel old saying that, I sound like my mum did to me when I was 10)… Anyway, after they had finished, the good stuff started to happen and I began to take note of why I (and apparently most of the rest of the audience) thought it was good stuff…..

There was a girl who could hula for a whole song and look kinda cool doing it. No one else was going to do that. It was strangely mesmerising and the crowd cheered for more
Then, one of the only boys in the competition came on and tap danced to jazz – really into it, absorbed, quirky, fun, unmissable and good. More wonder followed – singing, instruments….

So, why include this in a blog about interiors? Well, I guess to me it played out what we see here at our Farnham showroom. Clients searching for the unique, the unusual, the memorable and the special. Trying to avoid what the popular design-vote tells us we can have but being brave and doing something different.

So, what would I put on my interior design list of ‘be brave & do different’?

1. Pattern – you can go for a little or a lot but take time to find out what you like and then play around with where it could go. I love the idea of using a patterned wallpaper in wall panels – a clever way of breaking the pattern up while retaining its impact. Patterns incorporating animals are everywhere right now…

2. Colour – keep away from safe neutral and avoid getting everything to match and maybe go for contrast instead? Go with how you want to feel in a space – excited? calm? restful? energised? thoughtful? Think of the colour that helps you with these emotions and start exploring that avenue. Don’t be afraid of the dark! This dark backdrop of books is calm, restful (orderly?) and yet conducive to conversation, reading or study.

3. Playing with scale is fun. One or two really big but simple things in a room can prove to be a real point of interest. Don’t forget things start out big in your mind and shrink over time (ask my parents about how their chandelier shrunk to the right size in about 2 weeks!). Light fittings and pictures and occasional chairs or objets are good things to consider for oversize. Better to go for 1 or 2 big things than lots of small things – helps with both a sense of a lack of clutter and also will feel more like a statement than an apology.

4. Texture: layer it up like you would when you get yourself dressed: metallics, wools, leather, velvet, wood, glass. Think of something that you perhaps would not combine to go for the ‘wow’.

Ideas warmly welcomed……

Kate

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