Here’s the article I wrote for Munster Interiors, following my visit to Decorex the end of September.

Here’s some pics from the Channel 4 / 4 homes websites with some of their predictions for Interior Trends for 2010. I’m including a few of my favourites.

Folk style at John Lewis and all the better if it includes woodland animal motifsÂ

I don’t think I could live with this and I know my lovely hubby would probably leave but I really like this - Blooms and Florals are getting bigger and better (from House of Fraser)

And looking at this pic just puts me in a good spring-like mood – all available at Bhs

And still with the focus on ‘back to nature’, an emphasis on natural woods – from chopping boards to bowls to furniture (above pic is John Lewis)

(Cath Kidston) – Retro/Vintage is still there and lovely as always

And Country House Glamour includes a stag’s head (available at M & S)!! My friend Naoimh will be delighted to see this as she is the proud owner of an authentic stag’s head which needs the services of a taxidermist to bring him up to scratch, so Naoimh, this one is for you!!

 

Yukari Sweeney’s Tulip Tulip wallpaper which is stocked exclusively at Garrendenny Lane Interiors got a lovely mention in the current edition of Image Interiors which was very kindly scanned and emailed to me by the lovely Mabel & Violet.

Image Interiors

We were also mentioned in Irish Interiors this month (Yukari’s Hide and Seek - night – wallpaper was featured) and keep an eye out for us in the next edition of House and Home as well.

Munster Interiors will be on the shelves next week – in it you will find my blog watch article as well as an article I wrote on Interior Design Trends following my trip to Decorex.

Just to mention too – Yukari’s Sammy and Lola were mentioned in the Sunday Times and are just flying off the shelves, almost quicker than they can make them.

I will write about the latest trends in more detail  in forthcoming blog posts but for now, here’s a summary of many of the latest design trends evident at 100% Design, Focus and Decorex this autumn: 

Ÿ  Geometric designs are still very fashionable – stripes, octagons, trellis, checks and retro design feature widely.  Herringbone and houndstooth designs are also making an appearance for the coming year. I have a houndstooth carpet in my sitting room and a herringbone winter coat – I really want a houndstooth black and white dress me thinks.

Designers Guild's new Leopold rug

ŸÂ

Carlucci's new 'Members Only' collection

 

Floral designs – flowers are everywhere – large, small, climbing, retro.  Many of the colours are still muted but a new look includes more metallic highlights within the floral design.  A metallic ground to the floral design has been launched within a few collections of wallpaper and fabrics and is gorgeous.

As you can imagine, Sanderson’s new collections features lots of lovely floral designs, click here to see them. Jab’s Four Season’s Seventh Collection continues its journey through the world, drawing inspiration from various countries.  This time, it is the British country cottage style that has been focused on with a plethora of fresh summery flowers – think a cottage garden bursting with flowers and this theme will continue well into the next year and even 2011 apparently.

Four Seasons, Volume 7 by Jab

Four Seasons

 

 Ÿ  An oriental and exotic flavour is very apparent.  Perhaps because so many people don’t have the funds to travel this year, the emphasis seems to be on bringing the exotic into our homes.

 

Ÿ 

Animal prints have become very popular, yet they are very tasteful and reasonably subtle – imagine faux crocodile leather and animal prints such as ocelot,  in subtle tones.

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 Birds are still very popular within wallpaper and fabric designs and have become even more exotic – flamingoes and swans are featured in new collections.  It’s all about bringing nature into the home – be it natural fibres, birds, animals, ocean colours …

Nina Campbell's Sylvana collection

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Thibaut's baron wallpaper

 

Layering and Texture:  It is all about subtlety and having ‘tone on tone’. By that I mean having layers of a similarly coloured fabric, for example, or discreet buttoning whereby buttons are covered in the same fabric, yet add intricate detail.  While flock wallpaper is still very popular and offers wonderful drama and texture, there is a move to adding texture to wallpaper in other ways, for example, Thibaut have launched a basket weave wallpaper.

GP & J Baker's Dulcie fabric - beautiful crewel work on a linen ground

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 Rounded shapes in furniture are really ‘in’ for the future seasons – rounded curvaceous chairs, for example, are womanly, tactile and flirtatious and add a warmth to any room.  Rounded sofas in particular offer a fabulous cocoon, where you can curl up in such comfort.  The Dolly Mix company has launched a fabulous rounded sofa at Decorex that is almost snail shaped, if that makes any sense.  They are updating their website with photos this week so check them out here.  It really is amazing – perfect for curling up on your own with a book, totally insulated from the rest of the house and the world, or curl up with your partner or the kids – there’s enough room for 4 adults apparently.

Designers Guild's new Orbit sofa

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Colours – it is difficult to pinpoint it to any one colour as being the one fashionable colour for the season – there’s lots of black and white which is not only very masculine but is also particularly effective in the houndstooth design be it a dress or curtain fabric.  Purples and Greens are probably the most popular hues for this season.

Carlucci Members Only collection

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 Patchwork designs are included in many of the new collections – adding a nostalgia and a nod to our past.

Chivasso

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The composition of fabrics have become much more natural and homely – lots of wools and linens.

Carlucci's Member Only

 

Ÿ  ‘Whisper’ is a new theme – by this I mean a suggestion that the fabric is barely there, it is all about creating a dreamlike atmosphere.  Therefore, many beautiful voiles have been introduced this season, many with intricate detailing.  Glass that has been engraved with beautifully intricate designs were also on display and we’ll be seeing much more of this over the coming year.

Well, I think that’s enough eye candy for tonight – I hope you enjoy it and there will be lots more coming up over the coming weeks.

Hi all,

 

I had a great time in London.  On Sunday morning I checked out the new Designers Guild, Osborne and Little and Nina Campbell new collections at their stores on the Kings Road.  On the tube there, I fell into conversation with another interior designer who designs for 6* hotels in the very wealthy Middle and Far East – interesting conversation.  I then went to 100% Design to see many new products as well as listen to a couple of seminars and I will be blogging about them as I get the chance – lots of interesting new products being launched out there. Met with Naomi from Inspire Inspire blog there and it felt as though we knew each other for quite some time, albeit just through blogs and Twitter.  She has a good friend in Kilkenny that she plans to visit so we should be meeting up soon again.

I was staying near Covent Garden and had half planned to go to see a play that evening but forgot that none of the theatres open on a Sunday so simply ate at a pavement cafe, people-watched, strolled around and then headed back to hotel where I saw the end of ‘Dirty Dancing’ – blast from the past!

On Monday I spent the day at Focus and Decorex and I have loads of photos to share with you over the next couple of weeks, lots of inspiration for the winter months as well as the insider’s view on upcoming trends.  I had 2 bags coming back that weighed a ton and under the duress of trying to lighten the load and spread the weight, I inadvertedly lost my diary and only realised today.  I feel like I lost a limb.  I can remember what I am doing for the next week or so but after that ….- lesson to me, use a secondary diary be it my phone, laptop or wall planner.

Tomorrow is the last day of Sept and here’s the special offer for it. (I know I missed an occasional day in Sept so may do one or two more before the weekend).

Rachel Allen’s Aqua Apron