New Fabric and Wallpaper Books from Wemyss in Concept Interiors Showroom.

Spring Trends Blog 2013

Spring is always a lovely time of the year, it’s when the flowers start to blossom, the days are getting longer and the weather starts to brighten.  The winter months are now a thing of the past and you need to start the beginning of the New Year in style.  This not only means with the clothes that you wear but with the decoration of your home.  Here at Concept Interiors we feel it’s time to start making room for all the fabulous trends we have been previewed to for Spring/Summer 2013.

What could be more appropriate treatment for your home in January than to detox it from noisy clashing graphic prints and the saturated colour pops that surrounded you throughout Christmas?  Well, it may be a little premature to take on summer's biggest colour trend in full force while we are threatened with snow and frost every week, but start as you mean to go on and take hold of the purity and calm that will detox your mind, body & soul.  Take it from this year’s Spring/Summers hottest fashion houses that white definitely works!

Speaking of flowers blossoming, when we look at flowers we instantly see the beautiful colours that they have to offer us, from the soft purples, lemon yellows and mint greens to the bright hot oranges, cobalt blues and hot pinks.  Just because we like bunches of fresh flowers as a feature in our homes, doesn’t mean that we can’t incorporate these fabulous colours and patterns elsewhere!  We have seen January bring in the unstoppable staple white; the next stage is to make it your own.

Pastels and sugary shades are back in style.  These beautiful colours combine in a rainbow of hues for a glamorous, feminine scheme.  We see Floral Pastels appearing throughout the catwalks of designers such as, Prada, Holly Fulton, Moschino and Antonio Marrass both in the sixties hippy sense and the floral decorative sense.  This sweet tooth colour palette is a pretty way to show that even soft colour can change your look and style.

If you're fearful of creating too much of a sweet colour palette, add neutrals like mink and putty to pinks, silvery blues and lavenders for a more sophisticated take on the trend.

If sugar coated sweets aren’t your style then it's time to pop your colour with the Neon trend. Neon has raved its way down the catwalks and in 2013 through designers such as, Matthew Williamson, Erdem and Simone Rocha, and now it's making its way into our homes too.  

We can see this by way of bold paints and stand-out accessories. You won't be surprised by our advice to use with caution. Add accents through the home, such as, cushions, a feature wall or a stylish armchair, 

rather than using these as an all-over colour.  However don't be afraid to mix hues for a modern, fun look. Even the subtlest nod to this explosive trend will earn you style points. 

One of the biggest colours this year that the designers at Concept Interiors are using is Emerald Green.  This vibrant and energising colour is just the colour pop we need for the start of a new year.  Let this colour shine by using it as a bold accent to a backdrop of neutrals or pastels.

Finally, 2013 is the year to fill your home with treasures from your travels, but if you're not going away then no matter, there are plenty of exotic accessories and accent fabrics that will bring in this tropical, tribal feel into any space.  Even if you prefer a splash of colour, you can still take part in the pioneer trend thanks to a flurry of popular animal prints, natural finishes and sculptural accessories.

At Concept Interiors we think that whether it’s the bright shine of the Neon colours or the soft tones of the sweet pastels even the plainest of rooms can be transformed into something spectacular this spring.  Mixing with tribal, exotic prints and pops of Emerald green and your home will be transformed into an interior designers dream.    

New Development & Showhome

New Development & Show home

Beauchamp Place - Walton on Thames, Surrey 

We mentioned in June of last year the show home which we were designing and dressing for our own development of 13 houses; it turned out absolutely beautifully and we are extremely proud to say that the show home was sold with all of its contents, following its launch at the end of August and all 14 additional houses in the development went on to sell before Christmas!

The development started off as 7 houses, then grew to 13 and finally to 15 homes, as we were able to acquire adjoining land, which has resulted in a gated development with a fresh & modern yet inviting feel to it. We have added touches of luxury wherever possible to ensure that the homes stand above the rest on the market in the area. The kitchens all have black granite worktops, with units in contemporary Wenge and wall units in gloss alabaster, blending seamlessly into the living area, creating a mini “Super Room” where you can cook, entertain, dine and relax.

The bedrooms and bathrooms have all received the Concept Interiors touch and both the Master Bedroom and the Second Bedroom have been designed to incorporate a full wall of stunning cabinetry, which each also house a TV, so that after a hard day you can retreat to the sanctuary of your bedroom, kick back on the bed and watch your favourite show.



The Master Bedroom has a bespoke, chocolate velvet headboard with chrome stud detailing and Wenge wardrobes whilst the Second Bedroom has a gorgeous pleated platinum grey velvet headboard and driftwood grey wardrobes.
It is these well thought out added luxuries along with the careful dressing and presentation of the show home that have made the development the success that it is.

The kitchens are equipped with fully integrated Neff appliances and through clever planning we have maximised the storage space without encroaching into the living space. The houses are flooded with light, making them feel spacious, airy and inviting. When you walk through the doors you can immediately envision yourself in the open kitchen, preparing dinner, whilst your guest perch on the stools  at the breakfast bar, with a glass of wine, or when the summer evenings are here, having the bi-folds flung open, to increase the living area and relaxing in the beautifully lit garden.

The sanitary ware in the bathroom and the downstairs cloakroom is Villeroy & Boch and we used feature, large scale, glass mosaics in both to create striking features and mirrors to make the spaces feel as big as possible. Each of the bathrooms were dressed with attention to detail, using silk flower arrangements and sculptural foliage, decorative accessories and delicate sheer roman blinds in beautiful Casamance fabrics to add contemporary elegance to the bathrooms.

By using the same porcelain tile on the cloakroom floor as in in the kitchen, as well as running it up the walls, we ensure that the rooms flow seamless and added to the perception of space in the property.

The team at Concept Interiors applied the same ethos to the design of these two bedroom house as they do would to a large luxury home. Our aim was to inject as much “wow factor” into the space as possible, whilst being sensible with the budget, therefore obtaining maximum impact for minimum spend. We chose fixtures and materials carefully, but refused to scrimp on quality.

Following on from the success of our Beauchamp Place development we are currently working on the design of the next, alongside our other projects, which include a show apartment in Kingswood, an apartment in Belgravia and new, private homes in Oxshott, Essex and Kinsgwood.      

2013 is going to be an exciting year for Concept, with lots of new ventures and projects on the horizon, so watch this space!

Lighting

Lighting in the home can contribute massively to the feel, mood and design of a room, from minimalistic LED down lights in a kitchen to grand traditional hand blown glass chandeliers in dining rooms.  Lighting has the ability to create a feel good setting and is one of the most dynamic elements when looking at the design of a room.  Homes wouldn’t be complete without the energy of lighting; they would feel bare, cold and unwelcoming.

When pulling a scheme together, the lighting is often the finishing touch.  Like adding the final sparkle to an outfit, lighting can make as much or as little of a statement as you want it to.

Different lighting can suit different situations, for example, the above light is a gorgeous statement piece, covered in dangling crystals, for a hallway or a stairwell.  Something like this would allow for maximum impact and would enhance the space with as much style and glamour as you wish.

In 2012, one of the most popular mediums of lighting is without a doubt crystal.  Crystal has always been a source of fascination and popularity because of its beautiful, magical look.  Its ability to be incorporated into not only contemporary spaces but traditional ones too has meant that its variety has expanded to coloured crystal which we tend to find in chandeliers, using an array of colours such as, pink, blood orange red and ice blue.


 If current ranges or standard sizes aren’t fulfilling what our clients want then we look at commissioning a bespoke piece to be made.  This bespoke piece can suit any dimension, style or finish that our clients desire.  We can specify all properties of the light from the shape to the colour. 

This is becoming increasingly popular as customers want a one off piece that they know no one else in the world will have.  They want their friends and family to be wowed, so we have to be sure that we design a piece that will always ensure we achieve the statement our clients are seeking.

If you are thinking of changing the lighting either throughout your home or even in one specific room, with the high standard of advice that the design team at Concept Interiors can deliver you will not only be able to explore what is on offer from the newest ranges to exclusive pieces but also select something that is not only right for you but right for your space.

Our New Development

Concept Developments and Interiors of Weybridge, have, for the first time, teamed up together using a design and build approach to create their own charming new residential development.

Our young and fast growing company has had great input into this exciting project from the very beginning. This has involved everything from sourcing the land, bringing sharp and enthusiastic design ideas to the table by our experienced design team, through to sourcing and managing the bricks and mortar laid on site.

There are 13 houses currently under construction with phase 1 close to completion. We have designed them with open plan modern living, which proves very popular, attracting young professionals that wish to live in the trendy suburbs of Surrey

The show home that we will be launching in August will give any viewers an insight to the potential of how their home could function and look. All houses will be installed with the latest technology for everyday living and they will even be future proof! A well designed kitchen in wenge and gloss alabaster, with integrated appliances, keeping the Italian inspired design clean and fresh. A bespoke sound system has been integrated within both the kitchen area and living space keeping the modern open plan living clutter free. These are just a couple of luxury installations found within our new homes. Our interior designers have specified all of the furniture and accessories to go into our show home giving you a realistic idea of space and proportions when inside the dwelling.

As a designer, I feel that natural light has a major effect on the design of a building. When designing each house this was an objective that we felt we needed to achieve within these new 2 bed homes by introducing bi-fold doors bringing the outside in and a pitched glazed roof over part of the living space.

This new venture has not only been very successful for Concept, but we have been able to learn from this new niche market. We are very excited to carry on and produce more luxury homes for young professionals in Surrey and the surrounding areas of London.

Showroom

At Concept we are constantly researching the most recent and fashionable trends for interiors, to provide our clients with the highest standard in every aspect of their design.  We often have clients approach us to find out what is new and what can they incorporate into their schemes to wow their friends at their next dinner party. 

Our showroom in Weybridge has been open now for just over a year and has allowed us to showcase our most favourite fabrics and furniture to the public.  Our displays of furniture have changed from concentrating on the indulgent velvets and subtly glamorous gold tones to incorporating funkier, more eye catching stylish items while exploring the realms of bolder patterns along with subtly toned crocodile and shagreen prints to keep up with this summer’s ever growing trends.  We have just experienced our first furniture turnaround of the year and have been delighted with the response.  Not only from existing clients, but by customers having to come in to see why they are being distracted when driving or walking past.  

 

The image above showcases a beautiful statement end of bed bench featured in a stunning, thick patterned taupe and black zebra print fabric with black velvet scatter cushions, which we have in the showroom at the moment.  This tribal piece would add style and glamour to any bedroom setting.  For some, the fabric choice may be bold, but as is common knowledge, fashion runs directly alongside interiors and with the catwalks filling up with bold prints, we felt it only necessary to add some sort of tribute to this.  

With the likes of D&G, Peter Pilotto & Mary Katrantzou offering mismatched prints, we have tried to stay more along the lines of DVF, Anna Sui & Erdem, which is a more uniformed look.  The idea was more to have a statement piece to give just a small pop of this fashion trend.

We all know that this year was the Diamond Jubilee, which is an excuse for celebration across the nation.  Everywhere we can see shop widows flooded by union jack bunting and token British accessories, but here at Concept Interiors, we have tried to incorporate this fabulous theme through the medium of lighting, to add that diamond sparkle into our showroom.

When looking at this theme we have tried to incorporate a variety of lighting pieces to reflect this design.  From wall lights, to ceiling lights to down light covers, everything must be sparkly!  With a long list of lighting suppliers, we have carefully chosen the most striking and eye catching pieces we could find to fit our space.

(

This sophisticated table lamp would suit even a more masculine setting like a study or a formal dining room, but still has that hint of sparkle to bring in the Jubilee style.

With future 2013 seasons already being previewed from the likes of Chanel, Christian Dior and Jason Wu, it is evident that the future showroom furniture and fabric choices will reflect that of colour, style and clean cut lines, as we progressively look to create new and inspiring environments whilst moving onwards and upwards to achieve the highest and best results we can.  As the American philosopher Henry David Thoreau once said, ‘Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.’ 

Accessorising

Do not underestimate the power of accessories. It is true to say that accessories are not clutter. They are specifically chosen items placed carefully and considerately within a room. Also known as ‘final details’ or ‘finishing touches’, accessories anchor a scheme, unite everything together and can turn a house into a home. Carefully chosen pieces can give your home a fresh look on any budget. Lamps, rugs, sculptures, artwork, mirrors, cushions, throws, candles, vases, flowers and more can be used to add drama and impact and inject colour, light and texture. Zingy hues, reflective metallics and sparkling crystals can bring any room to life.

 

Just as the various rooms in a home all serve a purpose; so must each of the accessories serve a purpose. As Le Corbusier said, “a house is a machine for living”. Therefore, keep in mind the practicalities of your chosen items and their location. Form and function must be intertwined in order to maintain balance. A lamp is an accessory and its function is obvious, whereas a sculpture naturally has form and its purpose should be to fill a void, to draw the eye and to ensure equal distribution of weight within the space.

Following, is a list of some of the purposes an accessory may have. Whilst the list is certainly not exhaustive it does provide a number of suggestions worth considering.

1.       Support the function of the room:Firstly, give thought to what the rooms function is and select only accessories that will strengthen and support that.

2.       Add colour: This is especially important in neutral coloured rooms. Adding colour through well-chosen accessories can help create interest and inject personality and life.

3.                Draw the eye: You may find this especially useful for diverting attention from less aesthetically pleasing areas of a room. Conversely, you may like to use this technique to ensure a particularly favoured area is highlighted.

4.       Add warmth: Throws and cushions are a lovely addition to living areas and bedrooms. Not only do they function to add comfort they also add colour and texture.

5.       Balance a room:  Accessories can be used to inject an accent colour, add weight, anchor a scheme or fill a void but composition must be considered to maintain the equilibrium.

6.       Create textural interest: If your room is predominantly one texture, use accessories to add depth and interest. This is especially useful if you are not too keen on colour.

7.       Tie together a grouping: Carefully considered placement is vital and composition is everything when you are using multiple items in any one space. Also bear in mind that odd numbers are generally more aesthetically pleasing than evens.

Almost nothing will kill the appealing qualities of a room faster than clutter. Carefully scrutinize each and every accessory before you include it in your scheme. Simply put, designing your home whilst considering both form and function, will see that you are left with a well-considered, balanced and beautiful space.