Autumn brings with it the winds of change as our long hot summer drifts away into memory. With those winds comes the largest Interior product launches I have seen for years. London Design Festival, as it is has named itself, has 3 of the biggest design shows running back to back, 100% Design, Decorex and Focus all of which impressed with their amazing products. One whiff of a recovering economy and it is all systems go.
I was going to write this blog about my “Forecasts” of hot trends, but with so much to look at, it became less of a “Forecast” report than a “Crush” report as I couldn’t help but tell you what products, like a giddy teenage girl, I have fallen in love with and how I see it taking Interiors forward.
Nature seems to be playing a big role in design, not only with motifs used on fabrics and wallpaper but also in the use of real materials. Solid wood can be seen everywhere, making quite a statement in upholstery showing more frame-work on the outside, like the “FRANK” chair from Lyndon design. My big crush, which resulted in a purchase, was the beautiful TIPTOE Bench from TedWood. Simple in it design Ted has let the wood speak for itself with is elegant and simple craftsmanship. I’ve ordered it with its legs painted in Farrow and Balls new colour STIFFKEY BLUE, a beautiful rich smoky blue which I think will be the new dark shade to lust after.
An inspiring use of nature was Lorna Syson’s exquisite Song Bird papers, shades, cushions and fabrics. By this time I was like a kid in a sweet shop and couldn’t help but indulge myself again with 2 custom made MANIPULATED LEAF shades using the adorable JUNEBERRY AND BIRD fabric on the inside. Another beautiful light with nature soaring through it was BOATSWAIN LIGHTING’S “MAY BALL” It is made of natural porcelain featuring layers of birds. The light glows through it and creates more depth with the shadows, like peering through a flock of birds on a warm bright day.
Lorna Syson’s Songbirds collection
Fabric and rugs are using big bold flowers, birds and butterflies The Alexander McQueen rug at Decorex took my breath away, subtle and elegant in the grey and all out “Wow” in red. Timouse Beasties showcased their collection at Decorex as well: Animals and nature weaves it way through their work and they are currently the hottest fabric house on the market.
Monarch Fire and Monarch Smoke rugs by Alexander McQueen at The Rug Company
Nature hasn’t completely dominated my “Crush Report” My head has also been turned by the rush of fashion designers into interior design. This isn’t a new idea with Christian Lacroix, Kenzo & Ralph Lauren are known as much for their home ranges as their clothes. This year we have seen Sonia Rykiel and Jean Paul Gaultier launch their own ranges. However the press have gone crazy for the launch of Matthew Williamson’s fabrics, cushion and wallpaper range for Osborne & Little. Matthew Williamson has always used Romantic fabrics for his fashion and he seems like a natural fit with interiors. My firm favourite is his “PEACOCK” wallpaper in midnight and colbolt blue which has encrusted beads on it, no picture can do it justice.
Matthew Williamson’s Peacock Wallpaper for Osborne & Little
May Ball chandelier at Boatswain Light
The final thing that grabbed my attention was furniture with well-crafted elegance and a real attention to detail. OCHRE stand was dazzling, just summing up their phrase “discreet glamour” MAB’s elegant console table caught my eye at Decorex and Evoni Design’s show stopper of a SPECTOR Desk, based on a 1970’s film roll, at 100% Design made me wish I worked in a dazzling Manhattan executive office. Evoni’s other piece that captured me was their simple but clever PERCH side board.
Perch Sideboard by Evoni Design
MAB Console Table
The last two weeks have resulted in many miles walked, 3 seminars attended, thousands of products viewed, a tweet fest, 2 purchases and wheelbarrow of product literature acquired.
Products are a designer’s tools, the life blood to create great homes for our clients. Without the right furniture or fabric we have nothing to work with and it has been inspiring to feel a fresh wind blow through bringing us a wealth of possibilities.
