Going forth in the blogosphere, I’ve moved all my blogging operations over to WordPress.
You can read all my new posts including my guest blogs in full, Material Focuses, Trend Fixes, Trend Previews and more here at withoutpattern.wordpress.com
:)
My second monthly posting as guest blogger for Scarlet Opus.
The posting went live on September 19th and looks at how the Molecular Geometry forecast for A/W 11/12 has transitioned into reality.
Catch it here:
“Back in January, as part of my University course I submitted a Trend Forecast for the upcoming season. The forecasting module…”
Cork is back! With a bang!
As modest as it sounds, its this basic material that is set to be on trend right through the
A/W 11/12 season and beyond. It’s natural colouring and texture evoke a sense of comfort and simple elegance.
As we turn inwards for the coming months, we’ll see much more cork along with other utilitarian materials like paper, cardboard and wood. Nows the time to add these easy going products to your interiors.
Left to right: ‘Chip’ corkshade from Alex LLoyd. Stags Coaster from Heals. Corkbowl from Skram. Printed & Triangle cork dinner mats, both from Ferm Living. Cork wine rack from Habitat.
Left to right: Cork tray and cork balls coaster, both from Ferm Living. Cork stool by Jasper Morrison from Heals. Chemistry flask with cork lid (available in small & large) from Ferm Living. ‘Strip’ cork and porcelain mugs from Victoria Apter.
Interior design blog, Design*Sponge has a few great DIY projects using this basic material, from cork containers to cork trivets.
“Morion and the Agate” is inspired by the deep greys, blues and purple hues found within the morion gem and various types of agate minerals.
Dark, crystalloid shapes glisten with sophistication. Subtle tones of blue, lilac and purple penetrate the deep intelligence. Distant muted glimmers echo complex formations, the agate holds tight its secrets.
As we break into the autumn months, I’ll be taking a look at some of the trends for the upcoming season.
In this first Trend Fix, we look at the beauty of wood as we embrace nature in many different forms this season. Autumn/Winter 2011/12 is chock full of individuality, personality and more high quality products and furnishings.
After the recent hard times in the recession, we retreat into our homes for the colder months, surrounding ourselves with warmth through more luxurious products. Nature bounds back into our homes and we take comfort in these surroundings and hibernate, reflecting on past times. We take this opportunity to ponder the coming months, an the challenges they will throw at us, albeit with all the colourful positiveness of S/S 2012.
Through this and other upcoming trends like Heritage and Fur, we reconnect with nature, in all its raw, primitive glory!
Previously featured, the work of Jeff Martin suits this trend perfectly as does the exaggerated features of the Troll Table by Lopfurniture. Simple homeliness can be found in the craftsmanship of the Old Couples Bench by designer duo Plant and Moss. Rough and smooth is perfectly showcased with the Spalted Maple Mantle by. John Houshmand.
Young designers are also embracing this trend, like the delicately corroded surfaces of Francesca Baxter-Hunters work and the raw, carved features of Repertoire by Maskull Lasserre. I couldn’t resist slipping in the Industrious Senescence flooring concept by myself too!.
A quick trip down the high street can also prove fruitful, Marks & Spencer stock this wonderful Bark Edged candle and Muji sell a homely Mortar and Pestle in olive wood.
Keep watch for the next Trend Fix coming soon: New Heritage!
3D paper artist and print designer Becky Stephenson loves a fresh blade and a good cut finger or two!
Specialising in creating print designs for the interiors market, Becky hails from Derbyshire and studied at the University of Huddersfield. Many a time have I seen sliced finger ends and bloody print work… so much so on one memorable occasion I actually looked for her finger end thinking it had been lopped off!
Becky has experience as a screen printer and puts this to use creating an eclectic range of wallcoverings and ceramic tiles. her graphic and bold work takes on a very individual look and she chooses to use only a few colours as not to over complicate the designs.
Her most recent collection, “Acoustic Collision” saw becky represent sound visually through her print and 3D paper structure work. Her end product was a superb range of distorted print work further enhanced with the embellishment of a structural element.
Becky scores, folds, cuts, overlays and manipulates paper in as many ways possible to achieve some very unique surface designs.
She has also started her own Etsy shop, selling a creative range of “striking and graphic greetings cards and decorative wall pieces that stand out from the crowd.”
You can see more of her eye-popping work over at beckystephenson.com.
In this first Material Focus posting, we look at the work of Canadian joiner and furniture designer, Jeff Martin.
Crafting beautiful furniture and objects from rich wood varieties like maple, white oak and redwood, Jeff combines stunning finished sections with raw edges. Although the beauty of wood remains a favourite, he has recently expanded into work that includes cast bonze, leather, steel and brass.
Sustainabilty is something this furniture maker takes seriously and his preferred woods are sourced from reclaimed, sick or trees that have fallen naturally. With that in mind, you feel a greater sense of being connected to the pieces, rather than some nasty lacquered £20 side table from IKEA.
Check out more of Jeffs work at jeffmartinjoinery.ca.
I recently became a guest blogger for trend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus, posting monthly updates on my experiences after University, life and its little mistakes all aimed at new graduates (like myself) and other creatives starting out in the business.
My first posting went live on August 22nd and focuses on my experince exhibiting at New Designers, London and a rundown of my flooring brochure.
If you missed the first installment, catch it here:
“Being the most important showcase of graduate work in the UK…”
