January/ February issue # 38
Designer’s Notebook
Interior design and colour trends 2012
Fabric on walls is definitely the way to go for texture and pattern with a difference.
Years ago when renovating a house in Newtown, we applied cheap patterned dress fabric to the walls, hiding 100 years of application disasters.
Velvets and cords for curtains and upholstery are creeping back in.
Distressed finishes are adding life to old pieces and highly polished timber surfaces are a thing of the past. Natural stone, hemp, silk, cotton, hide and leather are mixing it with bright cushions and every day objects.
Interior Design product is being sourced throughout the world as our planet grows ever smaller.
Something handmade can touch us deeply and we are lucky to have one joyous supplier who is an explosion of energy, designing very elegant 100% silk, hand quilted bedspreads. These individual pieces are patiently created by his aunts and uncles who provide income for his family in North Vietnam. Thank you to all who have already purchased a bedspread and helped this family.
We have one left and are currently awaiting our next shipment.
Antique and vintage products have enjoyed a revival in the past year signifying our return to things that have character, meaning and history. Natural beauty is a style we are all starting to embrace. From Bengal - 100% soft cotton, Kantha hand stitched quilts (pronounced Kanta). These quilts are made from new fabrics designed and created by women as they have been for centuries, coloured in Black, Grape, Pearl, Jade and Crimson. Ideal for use as a throw in any room of the house and a beautiful accessory for the verandah on a cool summers evening. From Sri Lanka - fabrics created from scratch - harvested, dyed and woven providing income and education for families. Suitable for upholstery and curtains. These vibrant hand stitched quilts and fabrics compliment stone, taupe, soft greys, untreated timber and earthy tones.
The Colour Blue is making a revival and is not just for boys and medical facilities.
Blues are now popular in fashion, furnishing fabrics and accessories. There are so many tones of blue that you can create perspective through layering and placement of furniture and accessories.
Cooler colours push walls out making the room look bigger. Check out our one blue wall in the lounge room at Trading in Design. The wall recedes making you want to touch the surface to establish where the physical wall actually starts. We have painted the old architraves and skirting’s gloss white adding contrast, and the floor is the original old boards laid in circa 1880 and aged over time to a honey colour, warming the entire room. Blue can be calming and serene but don’t overdo it as to much blue can make you feel cold and sad.
Blue looks great with contrasting white, cream and light raw natural colours which invigorate the space. Use translucent and textured accessories.
All the very best for a wonderful 2012 may it be filled with happiness, great health and success.
Yours in design,
Gaye Kable
Trading in Design
e: gaye@tradingindesign.com.au
