A Pop of Colour

Who doesn't like a bit of colour in their life?  We thought as summer is approaching we would search some simple ways to add some feature colour into the home.



The lamps by Fraumaier were a good find at the Milan show. They do a range of table, ceiling, and floor lamps in some fabulous colours. The bases are painted to match the shades too.

No pun intended, but this wallpaper by Graham and Brown is Marvel-ous! While we could see this in a little boy's bedroom, we also think it would look great anywhere, if you are bold enough.

At £13 a roll, it would appear to be great value if your budget is slim.

 This Mondrian style bathroom uses colour block tiles for contrast and certainly adds interest to a normally plain white scheme.

When trying to replicate this idea, it is probably best to sketch the design out on some graph paper to ensure the colour goes precisely where you want it to.

 If you are feeling a little more creative, then why not paint some old chairs and sketch a design onto it, then colour to suit.

Rub off the existing varnish with sandpaper, then apply an acrylic primer. Paint your design, then finish with an acrylic varnish to seal in your colour.

 Funky rugs are fab.

 This one by Rugzone is based on a Rolling Stones image. They also have a selection of Union Jack styles.

Rule Brittania!

 Brem are an Italian radiator company that we love here.

They have a great range of styles and sizes, available in around 64 colours. The heat output is excellent and very efficient. These are available through Radiating Interiors.

Pop by Zazzeri are a fun range of flexible taps and shower systems.

It is hard to describe how clever they are in words, so here is a great little Youtube video.

Head over to Posh Bathing  for prices.

Concrete Design

Interesting to read that there is a project underway to archive all the tower blocks built from the 1940's on in the UK. Most of them were built to replace the devastating loss of housing after bombing, but also to create new homes for a growing population.

Many people might not have such great  memories of growing up in one of these high rise structures, the elevators were essential but high maintenance. The buildings swayed a bit in high winds, there always seemed to be some drippy wet patch running down the concrete. Your own experience of a high rise tower block might be watching a UK series on two brothers who lived in a high rise building in Peckham, London.

Many of these structures were made from concrete and this did form a particular landscape in old areas decimated by the bombing during the Second World War, as well as being a prominent feature in the design of New Towns. A lot of tall concrete structures still exist and are well used. However the evidence that many were being demolished was enough for the architectural historians at Edinburgh College of Art to begin. ( Interestingly, that is where I began studying Town Planning).

Design meets need of social built environment. Does it?

Charles Edouard Jeannert, also known as LeCorbusier, was an architect who believed in the versatility of concrete. It's a tough material. The aggregates have to be impervious, porosity in any form will hinder it worthless. Water is crucial, sufficient to allow the correct chemical reaction which allows it to set and harden is what makes this material viable. Yet it can be formed in so many ways.

Town planners probably saw concrete as an inexpensive material in which to build their landscapes of the future. Preformed concrete, concrete and instead of steel structure, more concrete.This should have made the advancement of good architecture, houses  people would dream to live in.

Sadly again town planners and builders didn't get it right.
It's a long study to consider social housing in all of this, but mostly this is what it was, council housing. They did their best, improving housing, providing extra housing. Kids running around streets now ran up and down stairs. When the tenements and streets  were demolished this was at the same time Green City was  being evolved.

Communities were expected to live on top of each other, no back doors or fences.
People need space in communities, fences of any time work.

Despite what planners and architects have done with a great and versatile material, I am here to praise it. Concrete is resilient, you will see a lot of it soon.

Go Bespoke

I love Jan Cavelle furniture! Gorgeous designs, beautiful finishes, a great company to speak with.

They have a really large selection of consoles,dining tables, chairs, bedsides- you name it they will make it. With over 30 fantastic wood finishes, loads of paint colours- glass, mirror, resized, gilt leaf, customer own fabric. A designer's dream.
What used to be almost exclusively available to showhome designers is available to discerning private clients, with help from people like me. I haven't even mentioned the handles you can have!

The Langley console table shown in faux burr walnut is just beautiful. I love this finish, almost Art Deco. I had similar piece in my shop and it was just beautiful.

This fabulous chair is one of many that can be made in customer's own fabric and available in different wood colours.

Buying a dining table is easy, what sets it apart are the chairs.

Imagine this in a white finish with delicate paisley pattern around an old farmhouse table, or in dark wood with orange back and green seat?  Or black frame red geometric fabric?

Get the picture!

The Darcy chest shown here in faux wenge with contrasting drawers in mother of pearl,  920mm wide and 800mm high.  All of the Jan Cavelle pieces are robust, heavy, and really generous size- as well as being fabulously made.

The Darcy chest starts from around £1200.00 depending on finish, the chairs from around £400 each. So, if that dining table looks like it can carry on but your chairs are looking non nondescript- you know where to invest your cash. Do call me with your enquiries.

Inspiration

 These fun chairs are by Cult Furniture . Use in an all white family dining kitchen, either with a white table or an old heavy pine one.
 Great statement.

 A white background with a splash of colour. This image via Harlequin Fabrics offers a clean minimalist look with some style. Mismatched chairs, a hint of lemon and grey- with the main accent being the lemon. I don't know about you, but the random dark cushion looks out of place. A simple lemon and grey stripe would have worked better.
 Remember if using a white background curtain fabric  use a white lining material, not cream or off white.

Another pale scheme, this time white and powder blue.

This spectacular light is from Ochre 
Very simple, but very stunning.

Solid cast bronze stems holding 46 LED bulbs. It measures 1-55 cm

 Why can't a radiator be a work of art?

 This Cordivari  radiator can be screenprinted to almost any design and suitable for all areas from livingrooms to bathrooms.

 Sanderson wallpaper have some great designs.
 The "feature" wall has had its day, so be prepared to buy more than 3 rolls when decorating.

Another great light, this time from Baga.

Nickel finish with newspaper print shades and crystals.

Priced around £2500.00,it is certainly a unique piece.

 Roche Bobois have been around for 40 years and still going strong.

This fantastic combination shown is certainly versatile. Bright Moroccan jewel colours that are interchangeable and as unique as you want. You can use your own fabric, but they do have a very good selection.

The dark rug defines the seating area almost as much as the almost closed square of the furniture.

 This decorative indian rug is from a massive selection from RugMerchant  Although this is machine made, rather than hand knotted, these traditional designs never disappear. You just have to think "New York loft apartment" and see lots of these scattered through the rooms.

Finishing here with a traditional couch upholstered in a Linwood fabric. The country cottage look will never leave us.

Well upholstered with the pattern on the cushions following repeat on main frame. When you are having something reupholstered, do be specific about how the pattern will work. ie: stripes look awful on buttonback pieces.


If you would like further information or prices for any of the above items, feel free to contact me.

Verpan

Classic designs that just go on and on. Verner Panton designs do exactly that. And when you have such good design in a room, less is more!

Lighting and furniture Verpan

Contact us for prices.

Wood

Can there be any material more tactile than wood? For centuries we have loved and stood faithful by oak and elm , beech and birch, ash and mahogany. It's the wood furniture that has stood timeless.

I have always loved Tom Schneider furniture- a decade or more ago the DNA tall twists were being used in showhomes as bedside tables of all things. And it's not a dated piece. As someone still awaiting the Arts and Crafts revolution with an Art Deco Twist, excuse the pun, I am happy to see the fabulous pieces they continue to produce. This chaise is just beautiful. Simple frame, modern and traditional materials. Flawlessly made- effortlessly elegant.

The above Dune Chaise Longue Rio- Lily white microfibre suede effect retails at £2965.00 excluding delivery.
My price for limited time is £2700.00 delivered to your home UK mainland

Their full catalogue is here and available through me.http://www.tomschneider.co.uk

Concrete Sofa

Fabulous looking chesterfield made of concrete- seats formed to show classic signs of being used. Can't get much harder or more resilient than concrete for outdoor use. Le Corbusier himself would be impressed!
As a concept product I think it's a great design. Manufacturer's website doesen't give too much away, certainly a one off to show versatility of concrete or concrete formed over a frame...http://www.grayconcrete.co.uk/sofa/
Shown to great reviews at 100% Design 2010

Gorgeous Sofas

One of my favourite suppliers has brought out a new range of upholstered furniture. These items are available in any suitable upholstery weight fabric - and I have thousands to choose from!

Showhome Bedroom Furniture

I deal with a number of companies only available via Interior Designers- not your High Street shops. Artistry in Iron is one such company. You will find their range of furniture in almost every showhome in England.  You don't need much of it, but what you do have is Quality.

This range is available in White, Black, Silver or Nickel finish.
5' bed excluding mattress
2 x Bedside tables
1 x large dressing table
1 x dressing stool
1 x mirror
 Selling this as a retail product would cost £3391.00 including vat

My price delivered to you in England  £1895.00