Interior Design Trends

Show Stoppers

Show-Stoppers

W

e are all tired of hearing about

Other shows followed along similar lines but with a

the doom and gloom. We can’t do

more ‘Switzerland snow’ or Canadian Rockies feel.

anything about the Greek crisis or

For those not quite ready to stretch to birch tree

Americas deficit but we can keep

trunks as room dividers or a colossal stag’s head on

the home fires burning by ensuring that our homes

the wall, you can introduce elements of the winter

As we ease into winter

are warm, inviting and convivial. This year more

woodland for a stylish and cosy effect.

lets embrace the

than ever the emphasis at the interior design shows

changing season and

seems to be on creating a cocoon to create a cosy

Home Knits

cooler elements by

sanctuary that protects against the elements. This

Put away all of the light summer cushions until next

drawing on designer

natural theme is also about bringing the outside

year and invest in some hand knitted cushions for

ideas from this year’s

in to embrace nature and many designers have

the sofa. If you don’t feel up to getting the knitting

interior design shows.

revisited this idea developing on inspiration from

needles clacking yourself, there are many small

The recent Maison

previous decades.

businesses in Ireland selling hand knitted home-wares

D’Object event in Paris

The main theme at Maison D’Objet was one of

using quality Irish wools or check out www.etsy.com for

revealed some warming

incorporating an entire woodland into the design

a worldwide selection. When considering hand knits

trends with a back to

scheme. Think Scottish highlands complete with

don’t forget about knitted blankets for warmth and as

nature theme. Lorna

wood paneling, stag heads, tartan rugs, fur throws,

accent throws. Winter is a time when tactile textures

Sixsmith reports back on

furry animals and crackling log fires – all very

really come into their own so warm things up with

what she saw at the best

conducive to curling up in front of a roaring fire

accessories and use baskets and textured containers

of the interior shows.

with woolen blankets and hand knitted cushions.

for added emphasis and practicality. movingin to inspire 1

Show Stoppers

Woodland Influences The shows recognized the beauty of the fauna and flora of woodlands and this is well represented with the many beautiful wallpapers featuring trees in their various forms, be it leaf designs, depictions of birch tree trunks, the rather retro Little Trees wallpaper deign

by Miss Print or various representation of Norwegian forests on Scandinavian Surface’s wallpaper panels. If covering a wall with trees is too big a leap for you, then you could add a couple of cushions with a tree design to an armchair or sofa or include a log-lookalike vase or candleholder on the mantelpiece. If you live near a park or forest some chunky wood in a log holder will look great and smell wonderful.

For some real wildlife indoors there Bring a multitude of animals into the room with this Pet Sounds wallpaper (it even includes music playing badgers) and an Owl Rug by Mini Moderns

are a plethora of deer images available on cushions, wallpapers and fabrics with definite scope to create a Scottish highland interior. If the full sized stag head doesn’t quite work with your mantel then many of the high street shops have smaller deer heads in a variety of materials including flock, silver, chrome, aluminum, cardboard, papier-mâché and even tapestry.

Deer weren’t the only animals to be featured at Maison although they were the most popular. You can choose between various breeds of dogs (pugs and boxers being the most popular choices), cats, squirrels and rabbits which feature on lampshades, cushions and wallpapers.

Some were stylish, some were quirky and some were just downright strange!

Almost any animal featured on any interiors accessory will be considered fashionable this winter.

Birds are always popular with chaffinches, sparrows and finches featuring in many designs however the most recurrent was definitely the wise old owl.

Very popular in the mid 1970s, the owl has definitely made a comeback and the designs range from being very baby-centered to highly sophisticated.

Back to the 50s

‹ Squirrelled Away Woodland creatures come indoors with cushions and lampshades featuring dogs, cats, rabbits and squirrels at www.laissezluciefaire.com 2 movingin to inspire

With the recent trend towards up-cycling the retro theme is stronger than ever.

Humorous and quirky, you can add as little or as much as you wish to a room from retro lampshades and cushions to kitchen accessories that resemble utensils and imagery from the 1950s.

Show Stoppers ‚ Cry Wolf This Yukari Sweeney Design cushion features a wild wolf howling at the moon

Colour Brights Color palates focus more on warm tones with grays featuring strongly warmed further by mauves and purples. However, zestier colour schemes include brilliant blues, hot pinks and sizzling oranges with the most popular colour of all - indigo – all going to be seen more and more with solid blocks of colour on sofas and other large areas of the home. Designers Guild is still one of the most inspiring designers and producers of colorful wallpapers and fabrics and their new Amrapali collection is no exception.

As well as incorporating solid blocks of colour, large floral patterns with blowsy colorful flowers are making a comeback too.

Seeing the beauty in the ordinary As we hark back to the past with hand knitted home-wares, retro kitchens, woolen blankets and stacks of logs, the emphasis is on keeping the harshness of exterior pressures outside while maintaining a cosy, bright and welcoming interior. There was a definite emphasis on celebrating the practical nature and the attractiveness of the ordinary with the most striking representation at Maison being a high stack of tractor tyres positioned between armchairs in a room set by Andrew Martin. On a less dramatic level the inclusion of cutlery incorporated into accessories such as plate holders and embroidered into table linens and cushions was also well represented.

The trend for the coming season is to appreciate the simplicity yet complexity of nature by seeing beauty in ordinary things and celebrating them. You can achieve this with a couple of cushions featuring animals, warm wooly throws, the simplicity of an owl candle or even a white ceramic deer head hanging on a wall in a streamlined Scandinavian off-white interior.

Lorna Sixsmith is an interior designer and owner/proprietor of Garrendenny Lane Interiors. www.garrendennylane.ie Add the mystique and understated drama of a Norwegian forest with a Snowy Owl wallpaper panel

movingin to inspire 3