Colour comes in many forms, by way of Pad Lifestyle at Harvey Nichols

Scottish boutique Pad Lifestyle has set up a concession at Harvey Nichols, bringing a profusion of carefully curated design-led home and interior décor finds to the heart of London luxury shopping of Knightsbridge.

Among the wide selection of designs set up on the 4th floor of the department store are home products from Jonathan Adler
such as this pop-art cum counter-culture quirky cushion.

This LSD cushion above features hand-beading on linen ground crafted in an artisanal workshop in India where a master beader took nearly 100 hours to create. Beads of varying heights and patterns within patterns create a sense of depth and dimension. The result is part pop art, part textile triumph.

Also wonderful are these fine Espresso cups and saucer sets in bright colours from Dutch brand Pols Potten, made in glazed porcelain, as well as coordinating mix-and-match cake plates in similarly eclectic pattern.

Meanwhile from Reflections Copenhagen is a selection of crystal table wares, such as these T-light/candle holders in bold geometric shapes, interplaying different gem colours to bring a sense of luxurious elegance to any homes in the city.

All  Photos © Lucia Carpio 2019 at Pad Lifestyle, Harvey Nichols. 

Orientalism taking hold in fashion and interior designs

Take the cue from the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris which has just launched “Yves Saint Laurent: Dreams of the Orient” as its first temporary exhibition since its opening in October 2017.

The exhibition - running from October 2, 2018 to January 27, 2019 - brings together some 50 haute couture dresses inspired by India, China and Japan from the museum’s collection, presented for the first time alongside ancient Asian artifacts loaned by the National Museum of Asian Arts, as well as private collectors, to offer authentic context to the collection’s historical influences.

All things inspired by cultures of the orient are presently having an influence in fashion as well as interior designs as evidenced in two of the latest wall-coverings launched this Autumn by British brand Fromental.  Known for their high-end couture approach to wallpapers and fabrics, Fromental's new ranges have been inspired by oriental cultures and focused the brand's bespoke approach with the use of hand embroidery and hand painting.

Above, as shown at a launch event set up at Centre Point in London was one of
the colourways of the Kiku wallcovering from Fromental.
Table lamps shown on shelves in the temporary installation are some of the new launches
from Gestalt's latest collection.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

Kiku for example draws much of its inspiration from the Japanese art and Europe's infatuation with form.

The Kiku design combines hand-painting and screen-printed details in a beautiful
panelled wallcovering, hand-painted onto paper-backed silk.

Separately also from the new range is a new colourway in their Cibar design.

Cibar wall covering on display at the launch event held in the Centre Point, an iconic 1960s building, being developed into luxury residences in the heart of London. Wall lamps shown at the same event are 

from Gestalt's latest collection.

Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

According to Fromental, Cibar is the epitome of mastery in design, representing hundreds of hours of refined skill and craftsmanship.

With its detailed painting, silk background and embroidered motifs, Cibar is a modern take on 19th Century Chinoiserie.

Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

In Cibar, the shifts between layered detail and open negative space, lead the eye through the compostition.  Note the hand-painted and hand-embroidered silk detailing.  Master artisans work in Fromental's studio in Suzhou, China, a city traditionally known for the production of silk and imperial embroidery.

Fromental is currently exhibiting in two galleries in London:  Lorfords Antiques and Talisman Gallery.  The brand founded in 2005 by partners Tim Butcher and Lizzie Deshayes who often collaborate with international clients to create customised designs.

A collection of 30 Japanese Kokashi dolls (1930s - 1970s) as spoted at the Autumn Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair which put Japonisme in the spotlight at the latest edition held at Battersea Park, south London.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

At the Autumn 29018 edition of the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair that took place 2 - 7 October at Battersea Park, south London, a themed Foyer Stand at the entrance demonstrated the infuence of Japonisme on European interiors.  On display were examples of Glasgow School and Aesthetic Period British furniture, secessionist designs from Austria, Art Nouveau decorative arts and mid-century pieces, alongside a small selection of 20th century and contemporary Japanese works.

Two Japanese silk cushions with hand embroidery on printed ground showed
by Bleu Anglais at the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair.
Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

Kazuhito Takadoi from Nagoya, Japan works with a wide range of materials: grass, gold leaf, washi paper and sumi ink,  to create unique art work.  He was represented by Jaggedart London at the
Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair.  Photo © Lucia Carpio 2018

London's designjunction to transform South Bank for its September 2018 show

The designjunction show will take place 20–23 September 2018 at a new venue at Oxo in the cultural hub of London's South Bank.

Due to take place at Oxo Tower Wharf, Doon Street and the Riverside Walkway, designjunction, now in its eighth year, will play host to hundreds of product launches, boutique pop-up shops, bespoke installations, exhibitions, and a specially curated talks programme that will celebrate equality and diversity with 50 world-class speakers.  There will also be dedicated spaces to relax, meet, work and enjoy delicious food.

The Doon Street site, the largest super-structure ever built by designjunction, will house 200 international design brands and temporary pop up shops. The Riverside Walkway will showcase a series of outdoor installations, whilst Oxo Tower Wharf  and Bargehouse will host major brand activations, talks and exhibitions.

Mud Shell developed by Stephanie Chaltiel, Riverside Walkway

The Riverside Walkway will provide a platform for Mud Shell, an innovative housing project marrying ancient earth architecture techniques with the latest drone spraying technology.  Led by architect Stephanie Chaltiel, the project aims to build a simple but sturdy and durable housing system that can be customised depending on the location. Stephanie has developed a unique digital tool that can be piloted or programmed to "Drone Spray" natural materials over a light prefabricated framework until it forms an inhabitable structure.

On one of the jetties overlooking the Thames, the city of Saint-Etienne will showcase the ‘Gateway to Inclusion’, an installation conceived by Lisa White, Head of Lifestyle and Interiors at WGSN, in collaboration with designer François Dumas.  A structure made of steel and ribbon, two of Saint Etienne’s traditional industries, the project aims to promote inclusion in design.

On the Doon Street Site, designjunction is supporting the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust (SLCT) in partnership with RIBA in a year-long campaign, which aims to raise funds and promote diversity and inclusion in the design and architecture industry.

Co-working space designed by Squire and Partners, Doon Street site 

‘The Architect’s Toolkit’ project will be launched at designjunction as part of a co-working space designed by award-winning, Brixton based architecture practice Squire and Partners, using acoustic panels by We Design Silence.

Images from designjunction.

Super-Texture - lush textile products from Tom Dixon

Tom Dixon's first foray into weaving, sewing and embellishment results in its new Super-Texture collection of textile products covering a range of lush textures, from velvets to boucles and knits.

In fact there are six textures to boost: Soft, Deco, Boucle, Fleck, Check, Line - together turned into a playground of tactility designed to be stacked and combined, forming a big canvas for colour.

Tom Dixon's design team scoured the globe to source quality materials.

The colours provide a subtle and soft background to this season’s metallic lighting, marble and glass accessories.

The London-made Line cushions and throw for example feature graphic lines, block colours and alternating patterns inspired by Op Art, and achieved by machine knitting and technical programming.

Each cushion - filled with high-quality duck feather from Denmark - comes with a branded copper-plated pull zipper with a blue zipper tape.

From the Soft collection comes plush mohair velvet in steel-grey, brass-ochre, copper-pink, and Yves Klein-blue. This series of cushions and pouches fashioned from Dutch woven fabric is composed of South-African Angora goat hair historically said to be as valuable as gold itself. Combined with European craftsmanship and a generous filling of Danish duck feathers this range offers superior pile height and the ultimate indulgence in comfort and texture. The pouches come complete with the simple glint of a copper hoop and their signature zip.

Tropical theme featuring birds brings vibrant colour into our homes

Chair currently available at Seriously Sofas.

Hitting on the popular dual trends of the moment: birds and tropical for interiors is this swivel chair covered in a tropical-printed fabric - one of the latest from London designer Matthew Wiliamson's Flamingo Club.

Print of hibiscus and hummingbird by Emma Wren.

Now talented artist and illustrator Emma Wren from Suffolk, UK, has just launched a new collection of original prints of vibrant colours that also features the tropical theme with birds.

Originally painted in rich watercolours, inks and gouche her Giclee prints capture every brushmark and texture of the original painting. Available as framed prints or mounted on boards ready to hang.

Pink Flamingo by Emma Wren.

Emma's background is in creative textile and design, with several years industry experience. Upon leaving Winchester school of art, she worked with a number of prestigious companies designing home textiles. Clients have included Prestigious, Graham and Brown and SMD Textiles. Alongside her textile career, Emma is also a Magazine designer and has freelanced for many magazine titles including Living etc, Ideal home, Homes and Gardens, Country Living, Good Housekeeping and House Beautiful.

After taking time off to raise a family, she returned to her love for drawing and painting, concentrating in her love of texture and colour.

Emma now primarily works in soft watercolours and rich oil paints, often manipulating and experimenting with her images in CAD to create new and exciting designs alongside her paintings.

Her portfolio shows some of her latest fineart and prints, which is also available in the online shop.

Barneby Gates new wallpaper design available online

British interior furnishing brand BARNEBY GATES have launched their two new designs for Spring 2017: ARROWS and FLEUR DE LYS TILE, both now available online.

According to the Wiltshire-based company, the ARROWS range is a nod to the Mexicana trend in terms of design, featuring a sleek linear print which looks just as good hung horizontally as it does vertically.

ARROW is available in charcoal / pink (above left), or blush (bottom right).

The FLEUR DE LYS TILE is a trompe l'oeil tile print with a bistro feel, traditionally printed using their signature surface print tecnique, available in canteen blue (top right) or vintage grey (above left).  (Painted skulls shown in the pictures are by artist Pia Pack.).

British designer Bethan Gray to launch first wallpaper

Congratulations to British furniture and interior products designer Bethan Gray who will be launching her first wallpaper collection in collaboration with NLXL, the pioneers of digital wallpaper.

The collection will launch during this year’s Salone del Mobile (April 4th – 9th 2017)  at Rossana Orlandi, Via Matteo Bandello, 14/16, 20123 Milano, Italy.

Bethan has taken inspiration from the traditional forts of Oman for her Nizwa Wallpaper.  The design features the technique of marquetry, which was used as far back as the 16th century.  It reflects the rounded architectural composition of the forts’ castellations, whilst the detailed mother of pearl patterning creates a stunning iridescence.  This variation in shade resembles the effect of the sun on the different elevations of the forts.

While in Milan during the coming week (April 4th – 9th 2017) , Bethan will be also launching her “Victoria” marble tea-set with Editions Milano.  She has taken inspiration from traditional tea sets in the V&A’s ceramics archive in London. “Victoria” celebrates the ritual of drinking tea, merging a classic British tradition, with a classic Italian material - marble.  The collection features a relief pattern, hand-carved from Arabescato marble by Italian master craftsmen.  The collection will launch during this year’s Salone del Mobile (April 4th – 9th 2017)  at Spazio Pontaccio, Via Pontaccio, 18, 20121 Milano, Italy.

Bethan Gray's stud coffee table.

The award winning Welsh designer is well-known for her creative furniture and bespoke designs, She works with a wide range of materials, including marble, leather, wood and semi-precious stones.

With a keen eye for details that define her highly original style, one of her signature styles is the popular Broque Table  that features unique broque detailing along the outside rim of the range of round side tables.  An example is shown at left here.

Bethan was discovered by Tom Dixon in 1998 when he awarded her the prestigious New Designers Prize.   Today she sells in some of the world’s most prestigious stores, including Lane Crawford, Liberty and Harrods, and is featured extensively in the media and has exhibited in London, Milan, Paris and New York.  Her work was recently recognised with the prestigious award of ‘Best British Designer’ in 2013/14.