Unique, eco, chic - the ethos behind the new Borders Design House online shop

Interiors trends featuring in all the major exhibitions this autumn revolve around unique eco chic design.  Environmental, financial and social concerns have clearly driven the direction of domestic interiors with smaller craft producers and suppliers taking a significant lead and recycled and reused materials becoming the new must-haves.

While trend forecasters continue to predict a yearning for domestic comfort and security, they also suggest we will look for glamorous accents as an antidote to economic gloom.  Nostalgic touches using florals, plaids and stripes will work beautifully with reclaimed, handcrafted and painted furniture and decorative vintage details. 

Colour schemes will range from pastel pale and soothing through deep and vibrant to dark and moody.  Leading colour authority Pantone predicts an ‘interesting marriage of warm and cool tones’ with turquoise - their colour of the year – combining with honeysuckle, coral and russet.  Saturated purples and berry reds against gentle grey (the new neutral) are likely to make a big comeback for autumn and winter.   Painted, distressed and natural wood, gentle verdigris and soft sheen metallics will complement cotton and wool fabrics in what Frankfurt’s Heimtextile trend table describes as ‘mix-match’.

While, according to fibre manufacturer Lenzing, there is still a place for the high tec look  this will be softened by natural elements referencing sustainability and authenticity.  In other words, tradition will be packaged with trendy for a whole – and wholesome – new look.    

The new collection of unique, eco, chic home accessories from the Borders Design House is now available to buy from: http://www.thebordersdesignhouse.co.uk/.

Romantic vintage is here to stay

How romantic vintage is constructed, however, is open to a wide variety of interpretations.  From the blush pink femininity of Victoriana to the stylised retro of the forties and fifties, romantic vintage is a widely embracing term with its roots in a simple, innocent look.

The move to romantic vintage is said to spring from a desire to create secure and comfortable homely surroundings as an antidote not only to current economic uncertainties but also to the raging consumerism of the past decade.  And, looking at the revival of sewing and knitting projects, this is not difficult to believe – but what features create romantic vintage style?

Rachel Ashwell, founder of the iconic ‘shabby chic’ brand defines the look as incorporating character pieces which have been endlessly used and have picked up a rich patina of human history while paint expert Annie Sloan sees romantic vintage as softly relaxed with texture and character and Christina Strutt of Cabbages and Roses fame suggests it comprises old, antique or revamped pieces.  All are agreed, however, that romantic vintage suits most styles and periods of home.

The essence of romantic vintage is its sense of enduring values, of homemaking and of tradition.  There is a faded charm about even brand new pieces and older chipped, scratched or dented furnishings are treasured for their honesty. 

Although colours come from across the palette, their texture is gentle; traditional paints from companies like Farrow and Ball and Fired Earth are perfectly suited to this look.  Wallpapers and fabrics similarly have a muted quality whether they sport country flowers and spots or fifties patterns and furniture is softly rounded in understated proportions.  Lace, one of the trendsetters this year, and stencilled detailing provide pretty accents.

Accessories really define the style.  Think ornate mirrors, pretty photo frames, elaborate candlesticks and piles of soft cushions and throws.  Add vintage glassware, old china, traditional lamps and informal flower arrangements for the perfect finishing touches.

The new Borders Design House online shop launching later this month features some great vintage-inspired home accessories. Be sure to have a look in late October!

Autumn trends

At the beginning of this year I explored decorating trends for 2010, predicting that painted effects and faux finishes would outdistance wallpaper in the popularity stakes and that turquoise would be the shade of the year.

With the advent of the autumn interiors shows and exhibitions it seems that these predictions were right on cue. With a ‘back to basics’ revival and an ever-growing awareness of environmental issues, it seems we are more than ready to experiment with different mediums to achieve individualistic results. Stencilled decorations, paint effects and faux finishes are all in tune with the current zeitgeist and, while wallpaper offers pattern and character, it is more permanent and expensive than paint.

Turquoise has made a big comeback as we adopt deep glowing hues and vibrant colour to offset gloomy economic forecasts. Varying the shade and intensity of turquoise produces petrol and jade colours which tend to be softer for winter schemes. Teamed with dark wood and flashes of ruby or glowing copper, these combinations are ideal for living spaces.

But winter 2010 is just as likely to witness a reintroduction of vintage and retro colours as we follow the reduce, reuse, recycle approach in our interiors. Whether you favour an unpretentious, natural style incorporating lots of polished wood, wool and linen or a reworked classic look with direct references to French and Gustavian decoration, you will be able to express your own aesthetic this year. Most of all, however, we are going to see an explosion in the popularity of the ‘shabby chic’ look as we adopt craftmade concepts, traditional folk art features and vintage design.

Winter 2010 promises to be an exciting time in the interiors world.

As published in At Home magazine, August 29 2010.