Tag Archives: Wallpaper

What’s new at London Design Week?

Posted by Alison on March 16, 2012 1 comments

London Design Week has been a luscious affair. The warmth of colour within the new collections is breathtaking with some similar themes coming through.

The latest trend of mid century design is a strong one which we also saw at the Furniture fair at the NEC in January. Collections from new brand Scion are leading the way in this area.  There was also a huge showing of flags – as you’d expect in the Jubilee year and with the Olympics almost upon us.

GPJ Baker floral flag

The move towards art and the arts and modern crafts movement continues with brands pulling inspiration from crafters. New furniture from JVB, the South African brand is temptingly good. What they have done so well is to bridge the price quality divide and maintain beautiful styling and quality at a good price.

New looks from Mulberry include some amazing embroideries and complement the traditional English look which they have mastered so well.

I love this Mulberry sofa

Looking into the past for inspiration is the Zoffany brand. They have been working with mural artist and specialist in Elizabethan painted decoration Melissa White who has pulled together a beautiful collection under the Arden name. Taking inspiration from the Tudor period the collection of wallpapers, prints, weaves and embroideries uses subtle colours reminiscent of the period. “Putting the designs into new colourways for Zoffany has been a revelation as suddenly they have new personalities and a new lease of life, Melissa explained.

 

Verdure wallpaper from the Arden collection by Zoffany

Artist Melissa said “working with the zoffany design team has been a real inspiration as they have such knowledge of the making process which has enabled the wallpapers and fabrics to be manufactured on a large scale. Being able to bring my designs to a broader audience is amazing.”

Much of Melissa’s work is on old properties uncovering period work and recreating those designs in a more modern setting. It is seen by her clients but never gets seen by a wider audience, the new Zoffany collection will now bring her work to a much broader audience.

 

Zoffany’s Saffron Walden wallpaper form the new Arden collection

For a stunning look to a wall then the new Cole and Son wallpapers are hard to beat. The new Albemarle Coleridge collections would really make a statement in an entrance hall. While the metallic effect on the Albemarle Albery wallpaper is quite beautiful.

 If you have a building project, interior or garden and landscaping project which you need help with or ideas for then please give me a ring: Alison 01572 747318 or 07973843020.

I work on interior design and garden design projects in Stamford, Lincolnshire, Oakham, Uppingham and Rutland as well as further afield. I will design a garden to complement the architecture of your home and choose the right landscaping materials to complement it. If you are frustrated with endless searching for the right fabric or wallpaper and paint colours and overwhelmed with the enormous choice, then allow me to make a handpicked selection for you. I will complement the style of your existing rooms and provide a few choice pieces which will bring the whole look together.

Home Interior Styles

Posted by Alison on May 19, 2011 None comments

I heard a lovely thing on radio 2 recently: a caller said he knew it was Spring because his wife had said “this lounge needs painting.” I’m sure I say it every year but this is my favourite time of year. There is so much promise in the air, new buds are awakening every day and long forgotten bulbs are appearing like buried treasure from the damp earth.

For the interior one of the easiest ways to create a new look is with paint or wallpaper and I think the Radio 2 caller’s wife had a point. At this time of year light levels change and our homes do look different and a freshen up with some paint can work wonders. If you’re feeling brave you could also think about decorating a feature wall with a strong colour (if the room is big enough to take it) or a feature wallpaper. The fabric houses are full of strong primary colours at the moment with dominant patterns in striking color combinations so work these into your new scheme too. The colour at the Cannes Film Festival this week is reportedly WHITE but my Global Colour Research partners inform me that the colour for May is GREEN. There’s so much green about at the moment from the very restful to the striking and vibrant limes. I love some of the new looks the fabric houses are launching. If your budget is tight simply opt for a change of cushions and accessories but if you have more to spare then a new set of curtains or blinds will transform a room.

Little Greene Paint creates a striking feature wall

Paint has come a long way in recent years and we are all so much more aware of its environmental impact not just in terms of voc’s but in its storage and handling too.

One of my favourite paint company’s, Little Greene’s, offers a fantastic range of environmentally-friendly water-based paints. They are passionately committed to acting positively and responsibly in order to minimise the ecological impact of their manufacturing and distribution process. All the company’s paints are manufactured in their own UK factory using only the finest organic, natural and safe-synthetic pigments.

They have such a high reputation that Little Greene Paints were selected to decorate The Prince’s Foundation Natural House at this year’s Ideal Home Show.

The company has been working on this project with The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, an educational charity founded by HRH The Prince of Wales, for some time and is a source of considerable pride as well as much inspiration for Little Greene.

The Foundation aims at establishing sustainable, responsible construction methods for the planning, designing and building of community housing, thereby improving the quality of people’s lives.

Little Greene’s water-based paints are quick drying, virtually odourless and brushes can be safely washed in tap water after use. Colours selected are evocatively (and appropriately) named shades such as Salix, Celestial Blue, Acre, Linen Wash and Clay Mid. If you’d like more information on Little Greene visit their web site or give me a call and I’ll order samples for you.

I believe that every space can be comfortable, relaxed and beautiful without you feeling pressured to be perfect.  I would love to help you achieve your beautiful home. If I can help with a home or garden project please give me a call. Alison: 01572 747318 or 07973843020.

Going back to our roots

Posted by Alison on May 27, 2010 None comments

The use of archive material for fabrics and wallpapers has been a trend which has continued this season with many of the most influential fabric houses turning to their archives for inspiration. I was amazed at how many of these old, botanical, prints can take on a quite contemporary look when re-coloured to appeal to our tastes today.

G P & J Baker have taken the beautiful ‘Ferns’ design which was produced in the 1900s by Joseph M Doran. Produced in 1935 for 12 guineas the design is based on botanical drawings in Curtis’ Flora Londinensis (plants growing within 10 miles of London) between 1777 and 1798. It was such a popular design both in the UK and the USA that versions were reproduced in 1936, 1937 and then again in 1975.

For Zoffany the Gustavus wallpaper collection also takes a lead from nature and pays homage to the Gustavian style of Scandinavia. Core colours of creams, whites, blues and greys are warmed with the addition of earthy reds. The challenge, for the Zoffany design studio, was replicating the quality of the natural materials, inherent in eighteenth century Swedish interiors, for a contemporary market. By using modern printing techniques and rich opaque pigments the studio has captured the authentic textures of natural wood and rough plaster.

Albertine, based on a Drottningholm paper from 1782, has all the characteristics of a French 18th century silk with bouquets of roses set between striped panels intertwined with leaves. In interpreting this beautiful weave into wallpaper, two techniques were used; the stylized background pattern was first block-printed, whereas the bouquets and trailing leaves, evidently hand brushed, would have been painted on afterwards. Two different types of printing rollers were employed to achieve the same effects for the Zoffany Albertine wallpaper.

Since it was founded in 1860 Sanderson has worked with many prominent designers. The 2010 Spring collection has been selected to showcase the creativity and diversity to be found in its archive. One of my favourites, Early Tulips, dates from the 1920s and has been redrawn by the design studio and is now both a fabric and wallpaper. The bold coloured tulip heads are a clear indication that Spring is here.

If you would like samples of any of the fabrics or wallpapers detailed here or if you would like help or advice on an interior or garden project please contact me: Alison Hutchinson Tel: 01529 455048 or 07973 843020.