What is an eclectic design? Well, to me, it’s that particularly English look which evolves as houses and furniture are passed down from generation to generation, which is then added to and enriched over many years. A home in which there are contrasting periods... >>
Today’s interiors are about story-telling and no element adds more to the story than a beautifully crafted antique object. There is magic in the mix of ancient and modern that creates a dynamic visual tension. As Alexa Hampton shared with me, ‘If the architectural... >>
Increasingly interior design, along with the world at large, has made a conscious effort to incorporate natural, Earth-friendly design elements into homes and hotels. Ensuring sustainable design begins with evaluating the materials you have on-hand from the get-go.... >>
Flowing space is essentially the corner stone to all good design. A successful layout will guide you seamlessly through the different areas of an interior, allowing you to both visually appreciate the space and to actually use it. Logical flow and function are... >>
As I sit on a beautifully made kilim-covered beech wood English sofa, in a room bathed in cold winter sunshine, the long winter shadows are as scattered across the room as the tapestry and embroidered cushions that have built over the decades. When I pause for... >>
The bedroom speaks to us of life’s simple pleasures and marks the beginning and end of every day in our life. It can sometimes appear to be the room less used in our homes but with sleep filling a third of our lives, perhaps it’s a lot more significant than... >>
Imagine standing in front of two sofas in a furniture shop and you’re torn. One has a curved shape, it’s a bit plumper and the armrests would wrap you in a warm hug. Whereas, the other sofa has clean lines and has strong angles but is no less comfortable.... >>
‘Carpets can work fantastically in a space, and can add texture, warmth, and comfort - the luxurious textures and striking patterns of carpets can completely transform a room. The floor gives a big opportunity to introduce layers of texture into a scheme and... >>
Technology and social media has allowed micro-trends to turn into global trends, but what I’ve noticed in the high-end market is not a shift towards sameness, but a boldness to find one’s own style and stay true to that. With this in mind, here at Phillips... >>
As an interior designer, it’s my job to create beautiful spaces for clients and offer great design ideas for people’s homes. While working in Makeover TV, I was able to travel across the US and work with people with very real needs and make over a room with... >>
Seeking that which amuses and informs is an all-consuming affair. For a designer it is a lifetime’s indulgence. I’ve had the good fortune to travel as a young man whose family lived abroad, as a New York-based Art Director, and as a Vice President at Ralph... >>
Interiors icon Dorothy Draper once quipped, ‘Banish the beige!’ And we couldn’t agree more. Our firm is known for its passion for prints and pattern, and it’s our goal to bring that spirit of fun and verve to the world. Think back some 30 years. Design... >>
Many people have lost their nerve when it comes to using colour, but there are signs that confi dence is returning. One only has to think of the bright blues, greens and yellows of the Aesthetic Movement or the riot of colours favoured by the Prince Regent to... >>
As designers, beautiful things are often presented to us, accompanied with the statement of being ‘the latest trend’ or ‘on trend’. Keeping your home up to date with these trends allows it to stay in the present, the here and now. But as a designer, keeping... >>
Wth so many influencing factors, interior design is subject to social media and fashion trends to an unprecedented degree. We are constantly being bombarded with images and options that we love to explore and absorb. Always looking to adopt new ways of implementing... >>
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawn to pretty things, and opposingly strange, creative and artful things not typically considered pretty. I cherish the visual delights the world reveals when you let your eye wander, through the lens of nature, art,... >>
Modern fusion design trends are morphing to embrace more culturally diverse elements. Various furniture and decor elements inspired by countries around the globe can be combined to create a unique and extraordinary design that takes classic modern and modern... >>
Whether you attribute it to the world’s most famous architects now fashioning iconic restrooms in public spaces, or a growing appreciation of just how beautiful such rooms can be, the once humble bathroom has evolved from its hidden existence pre-1960s. Once... >>
A home which ‘flows’ feels comfortable and relaxing to live in. Its architecture, the spaces within it and how to find your way around are all easy to understand. The classic approach to ‘flow’ was the French ‘enfilade’ - a series of interconnecting... >>
Most things we want today are accessible with the touch of a button. Technology has changed the way we live drastically within the past 20 years, making everyday life easier. Decorating a house can be a daunting and time consuming project for most people. I... >>
The word ‘antique’ often gets thrown around as a descriptor for one’s style preference but for designer Melea Markell, antiques represent a lifestyle. A passion that started during her childhood, the appreciation for antiques was paved for Markell by her... >>
The ultimate way to elevate the outdoor living experience to the next level is the addition of a fully functional, super sleek outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are increasingly being seen in the design of high-end homes both in the city on urban roof terraces... >>
Living in a bicoastal world, I am fortunate that it affords me the opportunity to create soothing and soulful spaces in any landscape. In Los Angeles, indoor-outdoor living is the daily fabric of our very lives. The colours and textures of nature inspire me beyond... >>
The perfect lighting in the bathroom has an effect on the way we feel. It is where we start the morning and where we go to in the evening before going to rest. The emission of light and the light atmosphere decisively contribute to well-being. Lighting expert... >>
Ceramic tiles are one of the oldest and most generally employed forms of architectural decoration. All over Britain in the 19th Century, factories were popping up everywhere to bring colour and shine to exteriors and interiors alike. It was a sign of affordable... >>
Pattern is innate in us - we have been at it since the beginning of mankind. Symbols and patterns were so important to primitive tribes; they formed the basis of their languages and consequently, our visual and verbal language today. ... >>
This stunning London property is nestled between the beautiful St James Park and historic Mayfair. Built in the 1980s, the apartment occupies the sixth and seventh floors of a contemporary building, designed by the renowned architect James Stirling... >>
Renowned leading designer and manufacturer of contemporary British home furnishings, Lutyens Furniture & Lighting, has now expanded into a more modern market with its new sister brand: Lutyens Contemporary. This sister branch is founded by Candia Lutyens, granddaughter... >>
Since 2010, London-based Tania Johnson has been quietly making a name for herself in the interiors world, designing exquisite hand knotted rugs inspired by fleeting moments captured in photography. The way the light creates shadow and reflections, or the beautiful... >>
It might seem difficult to stay on top of all the trends in the design industry. Every day, it seems, a paint company, fashion designer, or interior designer sends out a ‘must have’ for the next season and we all jump online to find out how we can get the... >>
Time is the best design partner. There’s a rhythm and movement to homes where the classics of one generation fold in with the next. Even in my native L.A. where stylish sets are always hunting the latest and greatest, the most prevailing trend I see is a yearning... >>
Spectacular pieces of furniture are always desirable but there is a renewed interest in collecting iconic, sleek, mid-Century and more lavish, late 20th-Century modern design. Over the past decade, the vogue and value of 20th- Century design has risen with vintage... >>
The celebrated American interior designer, Eleanor McMillen Brown, said ‘the most important element in decorating is the relationship between objects - in size, form, texture, colour and meaning.’ Of those five criteria, texture is most often overlooked.... >>
Jonathan Sowter, cabinetmaker, is passionate about preserving the Old World techniques of craftsmanship in his designs.‘Marquetry has become a dying art form, thanks to modern technology that has replaced it with digitally printed surfaces that imitate the... >>
Timothy Richards makes exquisite plaster models of well-loved buildings, from the Pantheon in Rome to the Chrysler Building in Manhattan, which attract high profi le clients from around the world, including Sir Terence Conran, to Harvard University.... >>
When we talk about interior trends it’s often in terms of aesthetics but the influences are much wider. Despite the fact that technology has made massive leaps in the last decade, there is a strong contrasting trend towards all things natural - from materials... >>
Whether gold is providing the dominant note in a room or is playing a supporting role, this season’s gold hits the design sweet spot right between enduringly classic and refreshingly on-trend. One caveat: the designation ‘gold’ covers a lot of ground, from... >>
... >>
For design extraordinaire, William Yeoward, trends are formed organically through inspiration. Sourced from his travels around the globe discovering antiquities, Yeoward’s approach to setting new trends stems from revisiting classics. ‘You have to look to... >>
What makes an item for the home luxurious? Is it the hard-to-come-by materials? Is it a limited production quantity? Is it great design that is not reproducible en masse? All of the above, or something less tangible?... >>
When designing any space, particularly a home, daylight is one of the most important considerations - light affects our mood, concentration levels, well-being and enjoyment of a space. The most successful spaces are often those which have more than one source... >>
Interior designers have a love/hate relationship with trends. We are children of the 70’s and 80’s respectively so this is probably why we tend to shy away from anything ‘trendy’- too many visual scars! Although it is interesting to see gold lame coming... >>
Where do we go from the furore that is the trend for mid-century style? I have been keeping a close eye on the direction of interior trends over the last few years. I continue to be a lover of the mid-century classics and I was therefore quite surprised when... >>
There are some matches that just seem like they’re made in heaven. In my opinion, blue and white is one of them - and to me, it also feels innately and classically southern. That could be because blue is the hue that we see most around us every day in our... >>
Hidden deep in the heart of southwest Flanders lies a beacon of creativity. At the helm – or rather at the mood board – of this creative ship is a spirited woman: design director Oke Nollet. Inspired by her travels, by architecture, fashion, nature and daily... >>
People who lack confidence in their own taste are often influenced far too much by show homes, interior magazines and hotels, which are designed to appeal to as many people as possible. They end up with homes which are soulless, bland and devoid of personal... >>
Joni Vanderslice invites us into her life and home in her new book which is packed full of beautiful photographs and design advice... >>
Could a person you don’t know walk into your home and presume your persona, based solely on the colour of your walls? Paula Taylor, colour and trend specialist says “once colour is understood, it’s easy to use.”... >>
It’s always been important to create spaces for my clients that reflect their personal style. I delight in finding the right colours that resonate with my client and then saturating them to create environments that bring joy. I do not believe that it is enough... >>
Not too long ago, one would think of metals in the home with regards to the industrial chic trend with exposed beams and pipes, shiny chrome taps in the bathroom and perhaps some stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. These days, however, metal has crept... >>
As we toured the Sutton Place, a New York City apartment my client recently purchased from an estate sale, my very young associate sniffed, “this looks so dated.” I agreed with her, but I remembered that mitered mylar wallpapers were all the rage, along... >>
Among the architects and interior designers who have inspired me most are Sir John Vanburgh, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Charles Cameron, Giacomo Quarenghi and Sir John Soane. More recently, I would add Edwin Lutyens, Norman Foster and a small number of interior designers... >>
The continuing trend for shades of grey used for the blank canvas has given an important make-over to the use of colour in design projects today. Art galleries have long used grey for walls and backdrops, as it is proven to propel colour to the fore - especially... >>
A good way to introduce some ‘base’ into your space is by adding angular/geometric and asymmetrical forms that work against more structured lines. With an ever-increasing trend to open up spaces, larger areas can often lack impact and dimension, particularly... >>
There’s no backlash against home technology. Not if the interest in clever solutions for the home continues at its current pace. After all, most homeowners want a property that works efficiently and most people like an easy option. But still you’ll hear... >>
Being a passionate about lighting, I have to mention another trend proudly emerging in the recent years - lights that give a decorative result and remain mostly or totally hidden - those can be absolutely smashing. Discrete up-lights smartly hidden, highlight... >>
What makes one interior distinct from another is the clever curating by an interior designer of colours, textures, materials and styles to create something that suits the client and their architectural space. Handmade finishes have a huge role to play in that... >>
There was once a time when fashion and interiors lived separate lives – the strutting peacock or bird of paradise happy to be admired in the public arena but perhaps lacking the same conscious excess in their domicile. Certainly the trappings of wealth,... >>
When Spring begins, homeowners start looking ahead and planning how to create a fresh, serene bedroom that will provide a relaxing night’s sleep. But what are the big bedroom trends for this season? This year, shoppers are increasingly embracing the idea... >>
The Emmy Award-nominated score by composer Duncan Thum includes a sweeping track he labelled Call of the Wild. It certainly sets the right tone for Chef’s Table, one of last year’s most inspirational documentary series. And, one can imagine the tune playing... >>
Christopher Guy Harrison, the CEO, Designer and Founder behind the luxury, furnishings brand Christopher Guy, heralds Coco Chanel as the main influence for his designs. Celebrated as one of the most influential designers of all time, Coco Chanel’s impact... >>
The modern eye doesn’t have to go far for inspiration. With the touch of a finger, our smart phones can transport us to faraway worlds and back again in mere moments. While platforms like Instagram are effective tools for sharing inspiration, differentiation... >>
Today it’s all about the fusion of mixed materials when it comes to home design. Whether it’s traditional with modern, rough with smooth, high with low, the artful juxtaposition of opposites brings a welcome element of surprise to even the most functional... >>
Twice a year, the intimate and quiet city of High Point, North Carolina, turns into the furniture capital of the world and screams the latest in home furnishings and fashions. During Market time, serious faces, exotic accents, and creative minds gather together... >>
I believe the resurgence of a particular design or cultural movement is most interesting when it’s being reinterpreted in a new and relevant way. It’s easy to rehash trends, but the most thought-provoking pieces, whether in fashion or design, are created... >>
Over the past few years, in my own life and in the client homes and furnishings I’ve designed, I’ve been thinking a lot about the value of balance. There’s the balance of living in the city and longing for time in the countryside, and certainly the imbalance... >>
Whether I’m designing a furniture collection, a line of flatware, a retail boutique or even a private residence, clients invariably come to me for what’s new, what’s next. Honestly, trend spotting – and trend starting – is just a mere sliver of the... >>
Over the past five years, the design landscape and the lighting industry has been rapidly changing, transformed by the possibilities of new digital technologies. The age of the internet has meant the average consumer is exposed to more visual influences... >>
There is a growing sense that people want to connect with something that is comfortable and familiar. This became apparent during the financial crisis when many of us were drawn to spaces that were warm and cosy as opposed to cold and contemporary. Whether it... >>
Leather is such an ancient durable material that has been used in interiors going way back to caveman days. It’s basic, primal and pure. It can be tough yet fragile, soft yet strong and incredibly versatile.We have been working with leather, in all its variations... >>
.jpg "Choosing Feature Beds")
A good bed is the anchor piece of any bedroom – from the master suite to a child’s room or a guest room. Beds play a central role in our lives and designers need to be responsive to this. Whether a project is domestic or commercial, the right choice combines... >>
.jpg "Beauty of Marble")
Anyone pounding the exhibition halls of Salone Del Mobile earlier this year, will have noticed that one of the predominant themes shouting its name loudly from the A/W2015 collections was marble. As many commercial and private clients have witnessed, the marble... >>
Decorative stone floors have been a feature of domestic interiors and public spaces for centuries. Stone has a unique ability to render every mood from the height of luxury to the vernacular and many iconic looks have evolved, from the intricate Graeco-Roman... >>
We have been watching what the best-dressed windows are wearing this season. Like all the best things in life, windows come in all shapes and sizes and how we adorn them is both a practical and decorative dilemma. From blinds and curtains to shutter solutions,... >>
“During the 18th and 19th century – the hey days of decorative bronze hardware – door and furniture handles were given proper consideration and allocated substantial budgets. The huge historical catalogues and archives of the serruriers d’art, as they... >>
I have spent the greatest majority of my teenage and adult life surrounded by and focused on the world of interiors. There is no doubt to anyone who knows me well, or even by reputation that I have immersed myself into every effort to design and build a better... >>
The visually compelling “Madmen” television series may be over, but the characteristics of the mid-century modern interior and furniture designs that it showcased not only endure to this day, but also continue to thrive. A quick look back at the evolution,... >>
The secret’s out – we officially love colour again and we can even handle it in large areas. Big and bold on the walls, as paints or wallpapers, and in large expanses of fabric as curtains or upholstery. For some time now, in both residential and commercial... >>
.jpg "Satisfy Your Emotions")
Over my career my focus as a designer of kitchens has shifted. In the early days, consciously at least, it was all about aesthetics and craftsmanship. Now I am interested in a less tangible quest - understanding the kind of environments that make people feel... >>
The post-crash consumer is re-examining the values, institutions and lifestyles that led him astray and this soul searching has led to a different approach on many levels now that rebuilding has begun. Clients are again beginning to buy into bespoke manufacturing... >>
In the last few years we have seen the trend which links the world of interior design with the world of high fashion has grown stronger. The objects we surround ourselves with have become more sophisticated and glamorous, so evidently haute couture inspired... >>
The lighting industry is currently going through the biggest technology jump since the invention of the Edison light bulb. For more than 125 years, it has been pretty much status quo in respect to what was used to illuminate our lives...the filament bulb. ... >>
Chatsworth House is an expression of contemporary taste - this seems an absurd statement for a house that was built between 1687 and 1707. Yet Chatsworth is the product of generations of contemporary collecting. It is not fixed in time, and furniture as well... >>
Having recently defined myself as a “spaceaholic” – I love designing big gardens - I have found myself suddenly faced with a clamour for all things small – designing small gardens, writing about small gardens and speaking about them.Although we might... >>
Chances are many of you reading this may also have endured the pleasure (and sore feet) of the vast exhibition that is iSaloni. It is a proud annual showcase for undoubtedly the greatest collection of quality furniture suppliers. We tap in to a fraction of the... >>
We’re living in an age of supersize, where everything in our homes, from our sofas to our cookers to our showers, is growing. This enlarging of everyday objects helps to create wow factor and gives a little bit of drama to our daily rituals. The trend extends... >>
.jpg "Live A Simple Life")
Maybe it's the timeless all American East Coast aesthetic of the Hamptons, maybe it's the architecture, the colours, the tradition built on superior craftsmanship, or it could be the optimistic look of the New England lifestyle that gives this lifestyle trend... >>
The throw-away culture that has typified the market place in recent years is declining as buyers look for furniture that will stand the test of time. The increase is in the wake of homeowners looking to invest in timeless quality that will last rather than spending... >>
At last we are starting to shake off this global gloom, and purchasers are again enjoying indulging themselves by embellishing their houses and their lives, and even being seen to spend on extravagances! For a while, luxury went badly out of fashion; as it does... >>
As an interior designer, there is nothing more unfortunate than a beautiful room left unused. Yet, many of us have at least one abandoned space within our homes. Traditional design called for parlors or other formal setting in which tos and a house staff waiting... >>
Until the housing crash of 2009 in the US, hand-knotted rugs comprised more than 99 per cent of the residential designer market. Companies that had specialised in hand-knotted oriental and nomadic hand-weave carpets for half a century or more suddenly noticed... >>
.jpg "Thrilling Me Softly")
For me, merchandising upholstered furnishings is like going to a party with all my friends. I have fun with them as a group, and I appreciate each one for their individuality. And, if I’m lucky after the many toasts and shared conversations, one lays claim... >>
Always fashion-conscious, the "new" traditionalist has respect for history but demands that traditional design continually be re-interpreted...designs that look to the classics but stay in tune with the times.A symbol of graceful living, traditional design is... >>
Cultural activities and flourishing arts scenes are often cited as one of the indications of where a country sits on the international stage. By any measure, China has arrived. However, amidst all the talk of the immense business opportunities and far-reaching... >>
I am always surprised at how the fashion and fabric industries force new trends on designers, buyers and clients. I understand the need for the ‘new’ and ‘the race for clients’ with fresh collections. But colour is such a personal thing. My Mum, who... >>
A dominant trend over recent years - and one that looks set to continue - is the cross-over between contract and hospitality interior designs. No longer separate and distinct, the boundaries of interior design that were once understood and abided by no longer... >>
Boutique hotel design has a powerful influence on domestic interiors, especially bedrooms. The rise of eclectic and vintage styles can be attributed to iconic contract interiors, but equally so can both a super-sleek, minimalist aesthetic and highly decorative... >>
Chris Ward from Hypnos celebrates the return of the bold and beautiful bed. As the recession continues to recede from our minds, we are seeing consumers once again embracing the idea of bringing luxury into their homes. Whereas the last few years have seen... >>
