Tag Archives: interior design

Interior Design Trends for 2014

Bring the Outdoors Indoors
More and more designers and manufacturers are creating outdoor designs for indoor spaces, partly due to the recent trend in sustainable and eco design, and when done well really has that ‘wow’ factor.

Brass
The trend in brass has been growing over the last year and, when done properly can look elegant, timeless and very cool.

Brass

Corduroy
Especially when paired with the ‘Outside Inside’ look, this years trend for corduroy upholstery manages to feel casual and elegant at the same time.

Corduroy

Fiber-art & Macramé
A lot of designers at the moment are talking about fiber-art and macramé being a big trend this year. Relatively inexpensive it can be used instead of fine art, wall paper and expensive design pieces, and definitely add edge to a space.

Macrame

Glamour
Use soft colours, striking design pieces and metal accessories to update your glamour look.

Glamour

Accents of Colour
A big hit at Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan – monochrome or soft undertones with accents of vibrant colour.

Accents of Colour_fromdoc

The Blues
Blue is a massive trend this year, from the catwalks to design exhibitions. Don’t be afraid of mixing different shades either – it’ll add interest and depth.

Blue

Colour
Last but not least is a general movement towards using more colour in interiors. Definitely a theme at Maison et Objet in Paris in February, have a look a Missoni’s display there for some inspiration.

Colour - Missoni

Roundup: Salone Internazionale del Mobile Milan 2014

With another amazing showcase of what’s trending in the design world, it wasn’t easy to choose our favourites from last weeks Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan. We noticed a distinct trend and emphasis toward natural woods, marble and stainless-steel pieces with clean, modern lines and geometric forms. There was a touch of luxury to most of the displays and, as we saw at Maison et Object in Paris in February, lots of colour – specifically monochrome with pops of bright yellow. 

Here are our edited highlights;

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Bring the Passion Back into your Ikea Bedroom

At the tender age of 21, I left my mother’s home and went off into the world, moving 250 miles away. As a graduate moving from temporary job to temporary job, the budget for kitting out my new pad was limited. I heard Ikea was affordable and stylish so off I went to have a look. I wasn’t planning on buying, but it’s simple, contemporary Swedish good looks and affordable price tag was too much for me to resist. I spent hours roaming around the showrooms. Knowing I could only look and not touch increased the excitement. I still remember the first time I worked up a sweat in the warehouse section, grunting and panting as I lifted the flat packs off the shelves, placing them gently on the trolley. I remember handing over my credit card without a care in the world. I remember the hours of assembling, and the proud feeling of knowing ‘I did that’. Me and Ikea, no one could touch us.

As the years went by my love for Ikea started to diminish. Walking around the showrooms became frustrating and dull, the furniture was boring and repetitive with no individuality and the price tags were cheap like the quality. I had a pair of bedside cabinets and chest of drawers that followed me around for years. They had stayed with me through my break up with my long term boyfriend and were the only pieces of furniture I left my first apartment with.  They stayed with my through the bad times so I couldn’t possibly part with them once I had found my own apartment two years later.

On moving day, I unpacked them from the back of a van and placed them in my new bedroom with my new white, fresh looking furniture. My apartment was clean and free from arguments about the dishes and whose turn it was to buy toilet rolls. They looked tired, worn out and had no passion or zest for life. I couldn’t bear to buy a new set (mostly because my bank balance wouldn’t allow me) so I decided to get the spark between us back.

I painted them white to give them a brighter, fresher look but they still looked like generic pieces of Ikea furniture. They sat there for months being used only as storage. I was fed up but couldn’t give up on them. Then, I had an idea. I could wallpaper them! Surely, this would make them fun again and bring some passion back into the bedroom.

Just follow these simple steps and you to can revamp your relationship with your old Ikea furniture without breaking the bank:

If you want to change the colour of your furniture you need to sand and sand and then sand again. Getting your hands on an electric sander really helps, but you can do it using regular sand paper too.

  • Prime the furniture using a spray primer. It’s much easier and quicker than painting. Let it dry for about 45 minutes before adding the paint.
  • Pick a good quality paint especially for furniture. I used Dulux satin finish brilliant white. With the primer, I only had to apply two coats of paint.
  • Let the paint dry over night before you wallpaper.
  • As you would with wallpapering a wall, you need to make sure the patterns match up so get out your tape measure and scissors. Cut out all your bits first and make sure they line up before you stick anything down.
  • Stick the wallpaper with a strong adhesive spray. You have a few seconds to move and line up the wallpaper before it dries so don’t panic.
  • Leave it to dry for as long as possible. I put the drawers back together after a few hours but it’s probably best to leave it overnight.
  • Buy handles or knobs to really add your own style. I bought a set of faux crystal and gold knobs from ebay at a really affordable price.
  • Enjoy your new and improved furniture.

 

The process wasn’t easy, and at times I felt like giving up, but now I am happier than ever.  I have been asked whether the paint chips or the wallpaper starts to come away at the sides. The answer is ‘I don’t know, but at the moment I am happy with them’. I am still in the honeymoon phase and love walking into my bedroom and seeing my beautiful, unique pieces of furniture. I hope they stand the test of time, I really do. One thing is for sure, I won’t give up on Ikea that easily.

Get some inspiration from these beautiful pieces by British artisan Bryonie Porter.

Byronie Porter

 

Downtown Design 2013: Focus on Local Design

Organised by the team behind Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai, the inaugural Downtown Design, the former’s more commercially oriented counterpart, offered seminars, special events and a place for design professionals to enhance their business.

Throughout the 4 day exhibition there was a definite focus on local manufacturing and the growth of regionally based designers. The consensus however, seemed to be that the region still has a long way to go if it is to become a world class design hub due mainly to the lack of manufacturing options available.

In a keynote seminar on The Role of Craftsmanship in Contemporary Design, Dorian Pauwels, Executive Director of ikonhouse, explained that to compete in the world of design, products need to be finished properly and to a high standard – it is as much about the facets of the product that you cannot see as it is their outward appearance. A shinny finish does not necessarily imply high quality. Unfortunately, there appears to be a general unwillingness by manufacturers in the region to employ sufficient levels of quality control in order to reach this standard.

Despite this, there are designers manufacturing locally. Khalid Shafar’s new collection, Deco Haus, has been manufactured entirely within the UAE using traditional products such as camel leather. When questioned about where to show work as a local designer Shafar’s advice was that although “it is important to show internationally, we must not forget the local market”.

There are also international brands who are committed to growing the design industry here. In one of their talks, Fritz Hansen discussed the fact that although the brand’s ethos is to maintain the design classics, they still need to work with up and coming designers and, although they don’t currently work with any local designers, that doesn’t mean they won’t in the future.

In addition to local manufacturing issues, the question was often asked, how can we incorporate classic design into the local aesthetic?

PF Emirates, whose vision is to bring the best of Italian design to the region, are heavily invested in the UAE. Cassina, known for its fusion of tradition and contemporary and using modern technology combined with traditional craftsmanship, is “listening more to what the very cosmopolitan market in the UAE wants” and, as Cassina looks more towards collaborating with non-Italian designers, it also understands that the local consumer market is impatient and won’t wait for long delivery times. This leads back to a need to educate the local market to understand that quality has a certain price, and that is time.

GAJ, an award winning architectural and interior design practice and also the largest and most established UK architectural and design company based within the UAE, are also dedicated to incorporating traditional Islamic themes into modern architecture. In a seminar, Designing in the Middle East – A Contextual Approach, they discussed current design trends and concluded that the “best designers in the world understand history”. “Now that the Dubai bubble has burst there is much more room for good design” said Simon Chambers, Partner at GAJ. “Architecture needs to be aware of the environment, if you’re not careful, especially at the pace Dubai is growing, a city will lose it’s identity. We need to understand places like Bastikiya, why they exist, not to be copied but to be incorporated into modern design”.

Another trend that is slowly but surely being understood in the Middle East is sustainable design. This is something that designers will have to push in order for it to be incorporated into the mainstream.

With the exciting plans for the Dubai Design District well underway, there is a definite focus, not just Dubai but the region as a whole, towards looking at what the industry will need in order to flourish, enabling Dubai to become an international hub for the design, fashion and art industries.

 Downtown Design Dubai 2013
 
Downtown Design Dubai 2013
 
Downtown Design Dubai 2013
 
Downtown Design Dubai 2013
 
Downtown Design Dubai 2013
 
Downtown Design Dubai 2013
 
Images via: Downtown Design

Interior Inspiration: Día de Muertos

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is the Mexican festival that falls on the 31st October and is celebrated over two days. Family and friends gather together to remember and honour those who have deceased – the first day is spent remembering babies and children and the second day is dedicated to adults. Rather than dressing up as a well groomed cat or promiscuous devil, Mexicans spend the holiday celebrating the life of the dead by decorating their homes with shrines, sugar skulls and clay skeletons.

Skulls and skeletons, for most people, have negative connotations and, although common on the catwalk and now the high street, the majority of us would not dare to place them in our homes. However, the spirit of Día de Muertos is not one of sadness as this is considered as insulting to the dead. Instead it is a joyous, happy time dedicated to contemplating the beauty of life rather than tragedy of death.

By using this approach you can re-create the uplifting spirit of Día de Muertos in your home with a colourful gothic edge.

These quirky porcelain floral skulls by Iggy and Lou Lou are the perfect oxymoron.

Iggy & Lou Lou Skull

Iggy & Lou Lou Skull

Iggy & Lou Lou Skull

Graham Brown’s skull wallpaper by Barbara Hulanicki is ideal for a Día de Muertos inspired feature wall.

This range skull wall art by Magnus Gjoen, a designer for Vivienne Westwood, is available at artrepublic and adds edge to any room.

Magnus Gjoel Skull Print

Celebrate Día de Muertos in the most British way possible with this elegant tea set by Melody Rose.

Melody Rose tea set

Melody Rose tea set

Original 1920s occasional table is the ultimate upcycle piece by Figa & Co.

 Table by Figa & Co

 Table by Figa & Co

*All brands/products mentioned either ship internationally or are available through global distributors.

Paramount Hotels & Resorts launches DAMAC Towers in Dubai

Five-star hotel launches can quite often be looked over in Dubai, but when Paramount Pictures puts its name to something we pay attention, interested in understanding how a major Hollywood film studio is going to approach the design of such a project.

Joining forces with DAMAC properties, who have produced residences by Versace Home and FENDI CASA, Paramount Hotels & Resorts announced the major joint development to be called DAMAC Towers by Paramount. The project, which houses four towers located in Downtown Dubai, will be home to the first ever Paramount Hotel and Paramount Residences. The project is due for completion and opening in 2016.

And yet, what is going to be different about this development? When a luxury fashion brand puts its name to a property – be it residences by Versace Home, FENDI CASA or Baccarat, a hotel by Armani, or a nightclub by Armani or Cavalli – you pretty much know what you’re going to get. It’ll be luxurious and impeccably designed, but it’ll reflect the fashion brand so closely that from a design perspective there aren’t going to be any surprises. This isn’t to say the above mentioned interiors aren’t amazing, they are! The Armani Hotel’s sleek black and grey minimalist interior exudes class and luxurious simplicity, and only a genius (we’re talking Roberto Cavalli here) could combine zebra print, purple lighting, black crushed velvet with enormous chandeliers all in one space, and still keep it sophisticated. It’s just that, as the properties are an extension of what is already a design brand, you know they are going to be, well, an interior version of a couture dress.

But how does one of the oldest, most recognized Hollywood film studios decide to design its hotels? We spoke to Thomas Van Vliet, CEO of Paramount Hotels & Resorts, back in December 2012, and he explained that he didn’t want the design to be obvious or tacky by including features such as a ‘Marlon Brando’ Cigar Lounge, and we agree. It was refreshing to hear a brand developing a hotel in Dubai and still wanting to maintain an element of innovation and creativity.

And at the launch we weren’t disappointed. The brand values – creativity, simplicity, collaboration, mystery and escape – show that Paramount Hotels & Resorts will be developed using the same creative process perfected by Paramount Pictures itself. The promise was to focus on innovative design and energizing concepts using the development to showcase media, music, design, fashion and the arts, “For the creative. By the creative.”

The designs were elegant and playful, hinting at the California lifestyle, with a definite yet subtle Hollywood film influence – floor lamps resembling studio lights, a dramatic installation made from light umbrellas. The lobby boasts theatrical high ceilings and celluloid themed structures and curves. The design concept is neither so obscure that film buffs will be disappointed or so apparent that design enthusiasts will cringe – and considering where our passions lie, all we can say is roll on 2016.

Diamonds Are Forever: Bert Stern | Marilyn @ JAMM Gallery

A beautiful exhibition of Bert Stern’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe is being hosted at JAMM art gallery located in Al Quoz, Dubai. The exhibition will last until 18th April so if you haven’t had a chance to visit yet you most definitely should.

In late June 1962, just six weeks before Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, Bert Stern took almost 2,600 photographs of the American star over three daily sessions at the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles for the popular Vogue magazine; this photo shoot later became known as The Last Sitting.

Stern’s photographs carry a rare sensual and human vibrancy. Never before had the star allowed a photographer such intimate access, and Stern’s camera captures a revealing, naked portrait of Marilyn the person – a fragile, lonely, flawed woman who would die tragically a few weeks later.

“Marilyn Monroe was great, sexy, beautiful and funny- the perfect all American girl. I loved her. I am very excited to be having a show for the first time in the fabulous city of Dubai”, said Bert Stern

Here are some of our favourites.

Marilyn with Veil

 

Marilyn with Chinchilla

 

Marilyn with Nikon

 

Marilyn Pink Roses

Images courtesy of Z7 Communications.

Design Days Dubai 2013: Review

After the debut last year, we were very excited to see what Design Days Dubai 2013 had to offer, and we were not disappointed. With galleries from all over the world showcasing some show stopping designs, here are some of our favourites.

 

Based Upon

The artworks tell the story of their subject, often beginning with an important location or family history. Based on natural forms and ‘the passage of time’ the pieces are made from metals and resins. The gallery is based in London.

Fragmented Crack Coffee Table

 

Wandering Knightsbridge

 

Stilwerk Limited Edition Design Gallery

Based in Hamburg, Stilwerk is establishing a platform for contemporary products intertwining art and design

PLOPP Copper Family Stools by Oskar Zieta

 

Moto_OV Sideboard by Sgroll & Vidal

 

“Object of Transit” by Sgroll & Vidal

 

La Galerie Nationale

Dubai based La Galerie Nationale were exhibiting the design works of artist turned designer Helidon Xhixha – shaped, sculpted metal turned into furniture pieces. Check out his design work at www.styleand steeluae.com.

Vitality

 

Stainless Steel Sliding Door “Gateway of Light”

 

Seating Ensemble

 

J+A Gallery

Although usually specialising in offering the Dubai design scene with rare industrial and mid-century design objects and salvaged goods from Germany and Central Europe, the gallery had a few surprises in the form of artist and designer Ritchie Riediger’s work. The “Fire – Frequency Tubes” consist of borosilicate glass and polished brass, and emit an amazing crytal clear colorful light, the order and shape of which  based on the frequency of a burning fire.

 

Jens Praet with Industry Gallery

Italian based Belgian designer Jens Praet produced a Shredded Side Table during Design Days Dubai opening hours, in addition to running two fully booked workshops. ‘Shredded’ takes non-useful documents and leftover magazines and transforms them into valuable and useful objects. The selection below is from the Elle Decor Edition.

 

Carpenters Workshop Gallery 

Carpenters Workshop Gallery is known for its discovery of bold and iconic design-art. Like many of the artists it fosters, the gallery takes a young, fresh and dynamic approach, primarily following its own aesthetic. They exhibit unique and limited edition works both by emerging and established artists, and designers.

Lathe IX by Sebastian Brajkovic

 

Lathe Side Table 650 & 450 by Sebastian Brajkovic

 

“You Fade To Light” by Random International

 

Eiffel Tower Lamp by Studio Job

 

Fragile Future Chandelier 3.6 by Gordijn & Nauta

DIFF 2012 VIP Lounge The Story: Part I

Cate Blanchett & Yasemin Richie at the IWC Gala Party in Dubai: Cate loved her Storyline inspired by Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Since Yasemin Richie are sponsors of the DIFF VIP lounge we thought we’d give you the low-down through out the week.

VIPs to the lounge on the first day were the stars of the opening night red carpet film “The Life of Pi”.  Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussein and Shravanthi Sainath all left with personalised Storylines – Suraj took a Storyline inspired by The Bicycle Thief, a film given to him by Ang Lee while he was perparing for his role in The Life of Pi.

On Monday Best Actress Academy award winner Cate Blanchett made a whirlwind visit, which was tightly scheduled and carefully planned, and loved her Elizabeth: The Golden Age Storyline. Also we had singer/songwriter Bryan Ferry who popped in before heading off to the IWC Gala where he was Master of Ceremony and Cirque de Soleil star Erica Linz – Bryan left with a Storyline inspired by Legend. Throughout the day the Lounge was filled with Kuwaiti television stars.  Leading ladies Shaima Ali and Fatima Al Saffi came in along with brothers Mahmoud and Abdul Bouchari and actor Hamid Al Omani.

Although he didn’t manage to get to the lounge, we had a lovely time with Kevin Spacey at the IWC Gala and he left Dubai with his very own Storyline inspired by American Beauty.

Kevin Spacey IWC Gala Yasemin Richie

Kevin Spacey at the IWC Gala in Dubai: Kevin has a Storyline inspired by American Beauty

 

Suraj Sharma & Yasemin Richie

Suraj Sharma & Yasemin Richie with a Storyline inspired by The Bicycle Thief

 

Shravanthi Sainath & Yasemin Richie

Shravanthi Sainath & Yasemin Richie: Storyline inspired by the Bollywood film Straight from the Heart

 

Adil Hussein & Yasemin Richie

Adil Hussein & Yasemin Richie with a Storyline inspired by his film Ishqiya

 

Mahmoud Bouchari & Yasemin Richie

Mahmoud Bouchari & Yasemin Richie

 

Ahmed Bouchari & Yasemin Richie

Ahmed Bouchari loved the Storyline inspired by The Matrix

 

Andrew Adamson & Yasemin Richie

Had a great chat with Andrew Adamson, director of Shrek, about how the colour palette of a film is created

 

Andrew Adamson & Yasemin Richie

Andrew Adamson & Yasemin Richie

 

Bryan Ferry & Yasemin Richie

Bryan Ferry &Yasemin Richie

 

Yasemin & Richie Delaroche

Yasemin & Richie Delaroche at the IWC Gala during DIFF 2012

Interior Style Trend: Monochromatic Colour Scheme

A look that is in all the interior design magazines at the moment is the monochromatic colour scheme and, don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds. A monochromatic colour scheme simply uses variations in shade of a single colour to create a clean and elegant look.

Monochromatic colours go well together, producing a soothing effect, which is fantastic to come home to after a stressful day. The monochromatic scheme is very easy on the eyes, especially with blue or green hues and can be used to establish an overall mood. The main colour can be integrated with neutral colours such as black, white, or grey. One thing to be aware of is that it can be difficult when using this scheme to highlight the most important elements of your room. The space can also end up looking a bit boring and bland if you haven’t planned it properly.

So how do you do it? Firstly you have to choose your main colour. Personally I like beige for this colour scheme, but blues and greens also work well. Choose a soothing soft shade of your main colour and use this throughout, for example on the walls. If you are going to paint all the walls of a room with colour be careful to choose a light shade to avoid overkill, and to make sure you don’t close in the space by making it too dark. With this as your base colour, choose furniture in different shades. For example, if you have a beige colour scheme the obvious choice would be wooden furniture.

Monochromatic Colour Scheme

Small colour accents will add interest to the scheme

If you are using a blue, white or grey furniture would work well. Always remember neutrals – black, white, or grey – can be added to the main colour. Once you have your base you have to choose textiles, and additional items to finish the space that are different shades of the main colour. Make sure not to make everything ‘match’ – that is not the aim of this look – you want to use as many shades of the main colour as possible

Again, if you are using beige, the colours in your room can range from a dark brown to an almost off-white beige, in addition to neutral colours. An easy way of doing this is to get a few paint colour charts from a local hardware store and carry these with you when you’re shopping for items. To add interest to the space, you can add one or two pieces of a contrasting colour, but do this cautiously as you don’t want to ruin the overall scheme.

And that’s it! Remember to have fun with it, and make sure you always keep the overall mood in mind when choosing different colours/pieces for your room.