Saturday 30 July 2011

Snooze...


At Icon Interiors, we often use contemporary chandeliers as a focal point in our lighting schemes. The chandeliers can define a particular area, such as a dining table or as a centrepiece in a bedroom. This contemporary range of bedroom furniture, called Snooze is also designed by Ochre, and is another example of their pared down style.

Ochre creates objects of style and beauty which are both timeless and contemporary. The collection consists of furniture, lighting and accessories for the interior, the emphasis being on the use of very high quality materials and flawless British craftsmanship. The simplicity and honesty of form and proportion, together with the luxurious materials result in an understated elegance, which
has become the signature for Ochre.

Elle Decoration describes them as: 'Design outfit Ochre is low key, but its work is incredibly sexy and influential. Flawless British craftsmanship is combined with only the best (often overlooked) materials, such as horn, horsehair, chain mail and coconut shell...creating pared down collections of furniture and accessories that are always ahead of the game' - see www.ochre.net for further details.

Tuesday 26 July 2011

F for Ferdinand...


This beautifully designed hook is from the Essey range of products, and continues their quirky design ethos of symbolic functionalism, with products often based on stories and fables.

Ferdinand the bull is a quiet, peace loving young bull who only wants to spend his time under a cork tree smelling the flowers. But, when a bee stings him, the townspeople believe he is ferocious and take him to the bullring! He refuses to fight and is taken back to the cork tree to once again smell the flowers. Ferdinand teaches us to appreciate the simple things in life and to be ourselves.

The Ferdinand design is a simple continuous line from one horn, through the eye, round the nose ring and back again to the other horn creating a functional double coat hook for hanging clothes. One line – one soul. The Ferdinand story is based on a 1938 classic story by Munro Leaf & Robert Lawson.

E for Essential...


At Icon Interiors, we are always looking for edgy design products, and recently discovered the quirky home wares supplier called Essey. Essey (derived from essential) is about Symbolic Functionalism, and was founded around the concept of using symbolism or metaphors to promote a given function or the inner nature of an object. It is about giving objects a soul, an identity and letting them communicate this - ie Let the products speak for themselves.


This concept is embodied in the Illusion range of tables, which are simple and functional. Based on observing an outdoor cafe with draped table cloths, the designers then sought a way of producing the essence of drapery with modern materials. The result is a true representation of Symbolic Functionalism. See www.essey.com for further information.

Monday 11 July 2011

Portfolio - A Somerset Home


We are indulging in a little nostalgia today, as we revisit our very first project for a photo shoot. The interior design scheme for this project is now over 8 years old, and we organised the photo shoot to prove the point that good design lasts, and never goes out of style.

The drawing room walls are rendered with ebony and ivory marmorino (polished plaster). This is a mixture of
marble dust and lime mortar, with an amazing lacquer style finish.


The John Cullen Lighting system is designed to create a soft glow of ambient light, with gentle scallops of light highlighting artwork, soft furnishings and sculpture. The decorative lighting by Baker furniture frames the sofas covered in ivory merino wool.

Monday 4 July 2011

A Quirky Vintage 40 Winks...

I came across this wonderful home/hotel recently, which is beautifully designed by David Carter - it is truly a design classic and would appeal to clients who are inspired by the quirky vintage trend
4 0 W i N K S offers a smart and whimsically glamorous alternative to visitors in the creative and fashion industries who are bored with the bland impersonality of most hotel chains.

It is also perfect for models who want something a bit different from the typical agency flat when they are in London for castings or jobs. 4 0 W i N K S is special. It’s just like staying in a boutique hotel, but without the staff, uniforms and room service (or the hefty price tag...).

The images speak for themselves, with a classic/contemporary twist of iconic images and mix of sleek modern finishes with traditional furniture, linked together with quirky artworks.