A Little Bit of Vintage??

We are often asked "What is your signature style?", and I spend much of my time explaining to clients that they are asking the wrong question...as interior designers, we don't simply waltz into your personal space and tell you what scheme would work best for you. We spend the first stage of the design process assessing the needs of you and your family, understanding the space and architecture of your home, and working out how you live and function in a space. All of those elements must be considered before the creative part of the process can begin.

As you can see on our website - http://www.icon-interiors.co.uk/ - much of our portfolio and styling is classic/contemporary in style, but that just happens to have been appropriate for the kind of clients we have had over the last few years. I have a secret confession to make...yes, I like colour and I like traditional styling! I particularly enjoy researching products for historic buildings, and using traditional fabrics and finishes in contemporary ways.

These beautiful wallpapers and fabrics from Brian Yates tie into the whole vintage trend, and go against every 'neutral' tendency we have to play it safe. They can be used as a feature wall in sitting rooms with simple cream upholstery, accessorised with scatter cushions in vintage embroidered style.

Use an eclectic mix of colonial style furniture, such as indian mirrors and bleached oak tables to add authenticity to this look.

This look can also work in a much more pared down colour palette, such as natural taupes and dove greys and would work well with crisp white linens in a bedroom or holiday home. Teamed with inlaid pearl furniture from Graham and Greene, this would create a stunning colonial scheme.

For those parents who can't bear the whole princess theme for their little girls, this vintage styling can also work well for children's rooms, giving parents the scope to refine the style as children grow.