I love Established’s latest offering. Stained oak parquet flooring in graded colours, produced as an edition of 8. It ideally needs a room with minimal furniture, a ballroom, gallery space or entrance hall.
The designer visits the site and calibrates the design to the space, creating a completely unique design. Wall to Wall by Shay Alkalay and Yael Mer for Established & Sons, 0207 968 2040. Image by Ed Reeve.
Archive for October, 2009
Wall to Wall
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
Curtain making
Monday, October 26th, 2009
Curtains for the home can be a significant investment. Therefore, careful consideration is required in balancing longevity, function, cost and fashion. We asked our curtain maker Pat Giddens for her top tips.
Style
Start by looking in magazines, books and on the internet to get an idea of the multitude of styles of curtains and blinds. Consider how the architecture of the room and windows will influence the style. Not all styles are suitable for all windows.
Function of the room
Consider the end use of the room e.g. do you need total black out for a baby’s room or a media room? Do you need to reduce sunlight to protect furniture?
Colour
Colour can make a room look larger or smaller and can have an effect on the mood. You may also want to go for a darker colour in a home with pets and children.
Fabric
Most major fabric houses have brilliant websites that can make it very simple to look at fabrics and order swatches from home.Consideration needs to be given to the fact they may often be hanging in strong sunlight. Strong colours may fade and many fabrics can disintegrate very quickly. Careful use of linings and interlinings will help. Certain fabrics e.g. linens may crease very easily.
Quality
As well as quality of the fabrics used, it is essential to use good quality hard ware e.g. tracks and poles. Strength, ease of use and good fitting are primary concerns.
Headings
Your choice of heading style will affect the fullness of the curtains and the quantity of fabric required. Different headings will make the curtains look formal or informal, modern or traditional, allow for a good stack back or alternatively give a voluptuous look.
Measuring
Measure twice! How much light you want to let in or keep out? You may want to stack well back from the window to protect fabric or allow maximum day light into the room. In estimating fabric required you will need to know your fabric width and if the fabric is patterned your pattern repeat.
Making
The essential requirement is a large flat clear surface at table height. Making anything of size on the floor would be a back breaking nightmare. Always check your entire fabric roll for flaws before cutting. Measure and mark cut lengths with a pin. Always mark each drop with the top and correct side of the fabric as even simple fabrics may look different when hung upside down.
Peter Osborne – Chief Executive – Osborne & Little
Monday, October 26th, 2009
When you were little what did you dream of being?
Well, I grew up in Sussex surrounded by woods and farmland. I was really into natural history – bird-watching (and collecting birds eggs, now illegal!), fishing and so on. I had a pet red squirrel that had a nasty biting habit. So I guess I dreamed of spending my life in that sort of pastoral idyll. In my late teens I became interested in old books – Arthur Rackham-type illustrated Victorian ones, and thought I might become a book-dealer.
What motivates you?
Currently, getting through this economic tsunami and coming out the other side.
If you had a spare five minutes what would you do?
Have a cup of coffee – actually I have lots of spare five minutes, hence drink too much coffee.
How has the recession affected your approach to design?
It has made the selection process far more rigorous. There’s still a healthy market out there for outstanding designs, but not for anything mediocre. The challenge is making the right choices.
Is there anyone you’re watching?
There’s a brilliant young painter called Jane Ward from whom we’ve bought a couple of pictures; and a glassware designer called Charlotte Sale. Both are graduates of the Royal College and are names to watch, and collect.
What are you working on?
A new showroom in Boston
A new showroom in Paris
Improving my golf handicap and my second serve!
What are your current favourite materials/looks/moods?
We’re bringing out a lot of silks at the moment, both plain and embroidered. I personally like rooms with quietish backgrounds but with strong flashes of jewel colours on curtains and cushions. That complements my taste in pictures – colourful and graphic – particularly 60’s Pop such as Allen Jones and Peter Blake.
What are you tired of in the world of design?
I’m pretty eclectic in my taste so most things interest me in one way or another.
How has the internet affected your business?
Hugely and increasingly so. We’ve made a big investment in our website and its now paying off.
Who is your hero?
Richard Dawkins (I hope my wife won’t see this – he’s a pet hate of hers!)
Favourite dish?
Fegato alla Salvia from La Familgia. I don’t get it at home.
How to choose a paint colour
Friday, October 16th, 2009
Choosing paint colour is a minefield and so easy to get wrong. Follow my guide to help you get it right.
Do your research
It’s essential to get lots of paint charts, there are lots of good paint companies and you need to identify which one is right for you in terms of both colour and budget. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to research, if builders are decorating for you make sure they tell you when they need the colour decisions in good time so you have time to research properly.
Choosing a colour
Think about which colours you truly love and are drawn to. Look at my tip on where to get inspiration, you need to gather ideas in your research. Think about how colours make you feel. I think all colours can be warm and all can be cool, you need to choose the right shade.
Paint charts
Pick up free charts or specific paint chips, remember that these charts are printed and not an exact representation. Some companies sell charts with actual painted chips, these are certainly more accurate.
Be patient
It’s not a natural instinct to most people but again it’s essential. Think about your options and weigh them up. I often make big decisions in my sleep.
Samples
Once you have chosen a few options, you must buy sample pots, it’s money well spent. Paint big squares (approx. 1m square) on every wall and look at the samples in different lights.
Making the decision
Spend a few days thinking about your possible decision before finally confirming it.
Jelly Toywatch
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
Toywatch have just launched Jelly Toywatch, a fluro collection of watches with a silicone strap. Colour continues to be big through fashion and interiors. I have a pink one from the first collection and I love it. Buy online through Toywatch USA
Riedel glassware
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
I buy tons of Riedel glassware, in particular this stemless collection. I also love the water glass from the ouverture collection. As with my own design philosophy, they are timeless, classic and contemporary.
Valentine Warner – TV chef
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
When you were little what did you dream of being?
A zoo keeper
What motivates you?
The need to understand anything that interests me
If you had a spare five minutes what would you do?
Put on my earphones and get a quick track in
How has the recession affected your approach to design?
I try to simplify my cooking
Is there anyone you’re watching?
My one year old nephew
What are you working on?
Right now mialle tonnato or pork with tuna sauce. Very old school and very delicious
What are your current favourite ingredients?
Red Mullet grouse. Simplicity
What are you tired of in the world of design?
That white look
How has the internet affected your business?
It’s made me more aware of things going on
Who is your hero?
David Attenborough
Sharing a glass of wine
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
A recent meeting with my client in Primrose Hill. I wouldn’t normally share a glass with anyone but how could I resist a pink and grey bird.
Where to find inspiration
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
It’s essential to carry a camera on you at all times even if it’s just a camera on your phone. I am permanently reaching through hedges to take photographs and screeching to a halt in my car to leap out on a roundabout to take a picture. You have to have the inspiration folder in your mind constantly open. I try and experience new things all the time. It makes life fairly exhausting, but a constant adventure. My most common sources of inspiration are:
On the street
Shop windows, gardens, parked cars, people, the list is endless.
In your wardrobe
People are pretty good at knowing what they want to wear and what their wardrobe look is. It’s a good place to start. Do you like pattern, are you more into colour? Spend time assessing your wardrobe, it maybe subconscious but it can definitely translate into your interiors.
Magazines
I always have piles of post it’s (pink only) and I pile pages into trays on my desks at home and in the office. Eventually they get used for something.
Online blogs
Like this one of course.
Art
I find art a huge inspiration, I go to lots of galleries and exhibitions.
Travel
I travel a lot. In particular I am drawn to local architecture and colours.
Food
Food is my second passion. I am always on the look out for restaurants I haven’t been to.
Films
www.lovefilm.com is my latest passion.
Fashion
The catwalk is great for fabrics and colour as well as a general mood and feeling.
Nature
This is a big one, it just can’t be bettered. I designed an entire sitting room in Scotland around a photo of moss I’d taken on the highlands.
