ForLook Interior Design

August is not a good month for us designers. Most of the clients and sub-contractors are on holiday - some manufacturers are closed for the whole month (particularly in southern Europe!) - so we just sit in our offices, surfing the net, cleaning up our files and dreaming about being somewhere hotter and sunnier. Well, you could spend this period being bored or you could recharge your design batteries by getting inspiration from other designers and trade shows.
So take a long lunch break or leave the office a bit earlier and go to one of these shows and exhibitions:..

This is a preview, read Summer exhibitions in full.

You may have noticed that the last article published in the ForLook blog was on the May 3rd. I just haven’t had the opportunity to write since then because I had a baby in May and she’s taken up most of my time. However, I’m now back and ready to talk again about design!

Given my personal circumstances, I’ve become quite interested in design for babies and kids, so I’ll probably be writing about this subject rather a lot. I promise I’ll try to discuss non-baby related design issues too!!!

This is a preview, read away in full.

Summer is here and most of us want to go out more and enjoy the long sunny evenings. Here are a few suggestions as to where you can go in London if you’re interested in art & design.

Garden design

If you want some inspiration for your garden or just want to see top garden designs, the Chelsea Flower Show is the event to visit. It will be on between 22-26 May.  You can still get tickets.

TIP: the evening tickets are really good value. If you go on Wednesday, the 23rd - between 5.30-8pm, it only costs £12.50!

This is a preview, read Summer Shows in full.

I was looking forward to visiting the exhibition of the Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto’s work at the Barbican Art Gallery. So this week I decided to take some time off work and spend a morning at the Barbican.

I wish I hadn’t. The exhibition is rather dull and uninspiring. If you’re interested in Aalto’s work you’d be better off buying a good book - you won’t learn anything new or more from this exhibition than from a good book or some research on the internet..

This is a preview, read Alvar Aalto at the Barbican in full.

As I mentioned in my previous posts regarding wallpaper, the new trend is to have unique or customised wall covering. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Instead of wallpaper, use stickers or images like this hanger on your wall:

Check out Marmarco for other ideas. Alternatively stencil large images such as cherry tree twigs, large palms leaves or geometric objects directly onto the wall.

Create panels and cover them with gorgeous wallpaper. Home & Book sell luxurious silk wallpaper - we love their Maehwa design. It’s not cheap, but think of it as a piece of art rather than wallpaper. If these wall coverings would blow your budget, check out Housecouturier’s bespoke wall art and unique wallpapers - these are a bit cheaper but still look amazing.

This is a preview, read Wall covering in full.

Further to my post about what wallpaper to use in the contemporary interior, I’d like to add to the list of interesting or must-have patterns. The following represent the latest trends in wallpaper design. 

Check out Elitis for interesting patterns. Unfortunately their website isn’t very good at showing details of their wallpaper range, but you can browse through their fantastic collection in person at Abbott & Boyd in Chelsea Harbour..

This is a preview, read Trendy wallpaper in full.

More and more of us are living in smaller and smaller homes, which is ironic given that we are living in a commercial world that encourages us to buy more things all the time. So where do we put all our stuff? Most of us try to utilise every available bit of space in our homes for  storage - but the more storage space we create, the more stuff we buy and the more space  we need again… It’s a vicious circle.

This is a preview, read More space in full.

As I wrote in the previous article, wallpapers are de rigueur in a contemporary interior. Big bold patterns and metallic or textured finishes are the current trend. However, you do have to be careful with large, dark patterns as they tend to draw a space inwards, making it seem smaller. So in a smallish room opt for smaller patterns in subdued colours or silhouettes. Also use shiny finishes to bounce light back into the room. Remember, although wallpaper is back - it is not to be put on all your walls. They are used only on one wall of a room to create a feature wall or a canvas of focus. So don’t go over the top!..

This is a preview, read Wallpaper in full.

The trends of 2007 will be based on the new movement of “trad-modern” i.e. the fusion of modern materials and traditional designs. So expect the continuation of retro, Art-Deco, Modernism & Baroque but with a modern twist.

Here are the top elements that will define modern and trendy interiors:.

The revival of wallpaper will come to fruition this year. There are many fantastic wallpapers available on the High St, in fact the choice is almost endless. The new trend is to go for large, bold patterns - preferably in a textured or glossy finish. Check out the WOW wallpaper range from Graham & Brown or the chic collections at Cole & Son. Remember that wallpaper is used on only one wall in the contemporary interior!

This is a preview, read Interior Design Trends 2007 in full.

Firstly we wish all our readers a Happy New Year!

Secondly, further to our article about the timing of Christmas Decoration - this is to remind you that today is the day to take off and put away all your decor. This is not only tradition, but according to some customs, it’s bad luck if you leave it up.

Your home might look rather dull and boring after all that sparkling - substitute  the twinkle with some coloured rope lights under the furniture or, change some light bulbs into a red or blue ones. These will instantly uplift your mood. Buy a few metallic or shiny ornaments, throws and cushions in the Sales (check out Next, Habitat and Matalan for some bargains). These will refresh your interior and reflect the light into the room.

This is a preview, read Happy New Year in full.