INTERIORS & THE MAGENTAVERSE

INTERIORS NEWS

Viva Magenta!

Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2023, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigour. Pantone explains that it is “a shade rooted in nature, descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength.” (Excellent plan.) “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.” (We are liking the vibes here.) “This year’s Color of the Year ... revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and selfexpression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. It is a colour that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of all.

“Viva Magenta is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known. Rooted in the primordial, it reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, it galvanises our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”

Now let’s see which of us is brave enough to use it in the coming months! pantone.com

D onne F i ori t e A m e l i e pla te an dJess icap late

Iconic portrait plates

John Law at Woodhouse & Law loves these ‘Flowering Ladies’ portrait plates, which are handmade in Italy by Vetrofuso and are part of the Donne Fiorite Collection by artist Anna de Carlo.

Originally hand-painted on wooden boards, the portraits are then transferred to white Murano Glass with a decalco technique, with each design having its own name and personality. This set of two bold and cheering plates come in 14cm and 28cm, and there are also trays and ovals of varying sizes, with prices from £45 – £202. Woodhouse & Law, 4 Georges Place, Bathwick, Bath. woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Furniture with patchwork perfection

TR Hayes has created a ‘vintage’ room’ on the store’s first floor, which is filled with a selection of leather and tweed armchairs and sofas. One of the standout themes is the patchwork look, where pieces have been designed to make the most of off-cuts from one of the store’s furniture suppliers. Sofas and chairs are created using high-quality leather and a mixture of wool and genuine Harris Tweed. Rather than throw the off-cuts away they have been used creatively in this way, embracing the sustainable ethic of reuse and recycle, but also embracing a fresh and fashionable look. trhayes.co.uk

RIGHT: Grantley Patchwork two-seater sofa –this Chester-style sofa is made from fabric and leather remnants, including genuine Harris Tweed, wool and real leather. The outside back and arm sides are upholstered in Harris Tweed, with the patchwork effect on the seat and inside back. The traditional look is completed with turned wooden legs and studding details. £1569 in January and February.

Celebrating 40 years

To celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, Fired Earth has launched six beautiful additions to its paint collection. The paints range from the warm burnt orange of Taos House (see left) to the soft umber of Silver Needle, and the jewel-like deep teal of Hesper – all timeless and versatile shades that are perfect for today’s interiors. All six colours have been specially designed to complement the extensive collections of tiles for which the brand is renowned. The paints are priced at £49.50 for 2.5 litres of matt emulsion, and are also available in eggshell and exterior masonry paint.

The Fired Earth winter sale runs throughout January so it’s the perfect time to get shopping if you're thinking about giving your home a bit of an update. Tel: 01225 471212; firedearth.com Yes, that’s what we’ve just done at Avonvale Carpet’s new Make Me a Rug “ section on its website. The easy selection process allows you to create your own personalised rug or carpet runner to enhance any room. You can start from scratch or pick from popular ranges for some great inspiration, and add the exact dimensions that will suit your space.

We chose a Quirky Honeycomb Duck Egg carpet with a single border style in Cotton Bamboo. There are a selection of patterns to choose from, or opt for Natural, Wool or Faux carpets and a range of borders. All rugs can be ordered to specific or standard dimensions. Find out more at avonvalecarpets.co.uk/makeme-a-rug. Avonvale Carpets, 37 Kingsmead Street, Bath

Pile up the furry comforts

Homefront Interiors have a new range of Owen Barry products, including sheepskin cushions, sheepskin rugs, bean bags and (essential) hot water bottle covers, in pewter and neutral colours. The ultimate luxury this winter would be curling up on the sofa with these gorgeous long hair grey sheepskin cushions handmade in

Somerset by Owen Barry. The quality sheepskin cushions are backed with a toning soft pic suede, 100% cut and made from full skins rather than from multi pieces or scraps. The cushions, which measure 40 x 40cm, come with a

Somerset-made feather pad – and even the cushion pads are British.

The cushions are £95. Owen Barry has been manufacturing leather and suede products since 1948 and has created a timeless brand known for its quality products.

homefrontinteriors.co.uk

INTERIORS NEWS

Design and order your own rug

Creative paint collaboration

Anthropologie have been working on a new home decor collection of paints with Morris & Co. The new paint palette is inspired by 160 years of William Morris Design and introduces paints in both Chalky Matt and Eggshell finishes, with 40 exquisite colours available in tester pots and 2.5 litre and 5 litre pots.

Drawing inspiration from original 19th-century century logbooks and William Morris archive designs the palette is designed to be tailor-made made for every budding craftsperson. Designer Jessica Claysworth from Morris & Co. says, “We’ve taken our lead from the original Morris & Co. designs themselves, delving into our archive to source authentic colours for this paint range. Webb’s Blue, for instance, is derived from the blue in one of the earliest Morris & Co. designs, Trellis, which Phillip Webb had a hand in creating. This range is full of charming stories and insights into life at Morris & Co. as well as the rich colours which remain loyal to the brand’s prestigious heritage and original vision.” Prices from £5 for a tester pot.

anthropologie.com

PATTERN TIDBITS

Here we investigate three local textile artists and designers...

New textile range from Kate Loudoun Shand

Textile and wallpaper designer Kate Loudoun Shand has recently unveiled a new range of textiles that celebrates the art of block printing and presents a new take on a classic stripe.

Inspired by the iconic Cabana Stripe with its minimalist, bold pattern, the new collection offers a series of compelling stripes with character and depth. The range features three new designs with a total of 10 colourways that together make a grounding colour palette.

On the new collection, Kate Loudoun Shand comments: “I’ve always wanted more stripes in the line. There’s a lack of stripes with zest and personality in the market and I want this collection to be the answer to that.

“We work with a family-run business who have been block printing for generations. l love the alchemy that happens when the block is carved by hand and the design is then printed by hand; each element of the pattern is unique and there’s not a machine in sight,” Shand adds.

The new collection is produced from 100% linen made from EU certified flax. kateloudounshand.com

LEFT: Chaand Stripe in brown and pink BELOW, FROM LEFT: Dhaaree Stripe, Chaand Stripe and Evelyn Stripe

Addicted to pattern

Each design in the artisan collection of printed wallhangings by local company Addicted to Patterns is hand-drawn and then transferred to the silk screen. Specialising in designing and printing collections of wallpapers and upholstery fabrics, Justyna Medon’s linear and organic motifs establish a dialogue with the past. She often collaborates with fashion designers and fine artists, loves to play with materials and develop techniques to print on challenging surfaces and to apply colourful patterns that have a visual language filled with mystery and symbolism.

Addicted to Patterns also creates project based custom pattern and placement design for costumes and sets for film, TV, theatre, fashion and interiors. addictedtopatterns.uk

ABOVE: Birds from the Meadows wallhanging, 59cm repeat pattern by Addicted to Patterns

Bespoke designs in fabric

Interior decorator Isabell Browell’s design career has seen her work for clients in France, Switzerland, the UK, Italy and the USA. Having recently relocated from Switzerland, Isabell has now brought her interior know-how to Bath. As well as her interior decoration expertise, Isabell offers a bespoke lampshade service, using a client’s choice of fabric, or sourcing suitable fabrics to work with existing colours, furniture and decoration. The lampshades are all handstitched and range from 10–18in. Isabell also offers a selection of decorative cushions, including Ikats and Suzanis, which are sold with or without inner cushion pads.

When choosing fabrics for lampshades and cushions, Isabell searches for quality pieces, which are unique, one-offs, or have very limited availability, with the aim of adding something beautiful to a room that can’t be found elsewhere. The Ikat fabrics are hand-woven and dyed and come from Uzbekistan or Turkey where the suppliers are often local artisans or small outlets. The Indian silk sari fabrics are all vintage, and Isobell enjoys the process of giving these beautiful silks a new lease of life.

browellinteriors.com; browell@bluewin.ch