Interior Monologue

The last thing you want to do is commit to a rococo themed front room only to find that, three months in, it’s bringing on panic attacks.

This may sound like an extreme case, but striking a balance between creating something new, something innovative, and something that will stand the test of time is a delicate one. However, as with most things, simplicity, or at least the implication of it, might be the answer.

Raw materials - exposed stone, simply crafted wood finishes - along with smart, regimented whites, monochromes and, as always, vintage furniture, are all proving popular at the moment. The benefits of each being that they’re easily adaptable, create a sleek, stylish look and, especially in the case of vintage furniture, will only get better with age. With all of that in mind, let’s be more specific. If you’re looking to redesign a room but are not sure where to start, it’s often an idea to begin with a piece of ‘hero’ furniture that will inform the rest of the space. Contemporary and 20th century design specialists Decoratum, whose store is closer to a beautifully curated museum than a retail space, is a great place to start. One recent example is an Italian leather sofa designed during the 50’s for the Italian hotel Principe. Brilliant, understated design, in colours that are easy to match and compliment, it Embracing the monochromatic White, black and exposed materials is the latest interior swatch set can be used as a reference point on which to base your whole room.

Bringing things a little more up to date, plenty of current interiors are taking their cues from the catwalks, and one of the biggest trends at the moment is white. In the wrong place, an all white interior could be overpowering, but in the kitchen, for instance, it’s ideal for providing a bright setting that will amplify any natural light. It’s important to bear in mind that there are warm and cool whites, with red/ brown and blue/ black base colours respectively. For a kitchen, the latter, cool white, will provide a sleek finish, but beware mixing white shades, as the two will clash.

“For a kitchen, the latter, cool white, will provide a sleek finish”

Designer’s Guild offers an off white, at £32 for 2.5l, and this is a good place to start.

If an all white kitchen seems like a bit of a bold statement, consider toning it down with natural materials like stone, wood, and exposed metals. During Helsinki’s design week, held in September of this year, a number of designers returned to sustainable materials particularly for light fittings and furniture. The result of employing such designs, especially against a white backdrop, is a finish approaching monochrome. Some of these designs, from the likes of Jouko Jarvisalo and Matti Syrjälän might be a little hard to source so for something closer to home, Tom Dixon’s beaten brass light fittings will do the job brilliantly.

Put into practice, alone or together, these simple flourishes can work to update any room in a way that will turn your new house into a sleek, stylish home.

Words:
Matt Hambly
Deputy Editor, Esquire Weekly