Quadro, New Quadro...

At Icon Interiors, we are often asked by clients to balance classical designs with contemporary interiors. A perfect solution to this dilemma is to adapt traditional cabinet making techniques to a modular format, and accessorise with luxury finishes.

This Quadro system by Annibale Colombo is hand made in their Milan workshop, and yet each 'square' forms a modular arrangement which can be adapted to suit any space. The designs can be in cherry wood, with additional touches such as leather, macassar ebony or lalique motifs to ensure that each piece is truly bespoke.

Established over 200 years ago, Annibale Colombo was founded in Brianza during the period when the nobility from the nearby Milan, in love with the refined tastes of XVIII century France, commissioned reproductions of the furniture made by the great cabinet-makers in the recent bygone years. Thus giving great impetus to the already existing, though not yet refined, local traditions. We can now access these skills for modern commissions on behalf of our clients.

Marchetti in Milan

When employing an interior designer, clients should always have access to a much broader range of design resources, both in the UK and worldwide. At Icon Interiors, we are always looking to expand our offerings to clients, and go on frequent sourcing trips to Europe.

During our recent trip to Milan, we discovered these beautiful crystal lighting designs by Marchetti. The traditional crystals are now being used in contemporary ways with iconic shapes and futuristic designs.

On the left, the Brillo floor lamps are statement pieces and can also be suspended in groups of three to form a wonderful centrepiece in an entrance hall. On the right, the Diamante pendant light is a dramatic focal point when suspended over a dining table or in a linear display in a large hallway.

The futuristic Planet pendant light is constructed with flat slivers of glass to form a spherical shape, and lifts this classic interior with its contemporary design.

Mussi in Milan...

At Icon Interiors, we are always searching for interesting products which are not easily available in the UK. As interior designers, we know our clients employ us to find distinctive products for their homes as well as ensuring these items have an authentic design ethic.

During a recent sourcing trip to Milan, we visited the factory of Mussi furniture, and met the designers as well as the production team.

Based on the principles of Bauhaus, the Mussi design ethic is an exquisite balance of form and function. The combination of technology and fine craftsmanship, tradition and innovation, new materials and luxurious finishes are all elements of the process involved in creating signature Mussi pieces. For further details of sofas and upholstered furniture, see www.mussi.it.

Satin and Stilettos...

At Icon Interiors, we are always trying to find quirky elements for our design schemes, and this elegant four poster bed in ink satin is certainly one of a kind. Aiveen Daly - see the website http://www.aiveendaly.com/ - is a bespoke furniture maker and upholsterer, specialising in glamorous pieces echoing 1920's and 30's style.

Using a combination of silver studs and pearls, simple geometric patterns are used on headboards and chairs. The Stiletto is a signature chair, adorned with satin gathered in a 'love knot' to mimic a fabulous evening gown.

A Jewel at Decorex 2010

Decorex is the premier interior design exhibition of the year, and one of the jewels of this year's show was Rocio Moreno's beautiful fabrics. These woven indian silks use traditional techniques as the weavers continue to work the complex technique of brocade by hand, in the same way as they were produced in the XV and XVI centuries in Venice and other eastern countries.


This type of silk cloth is loomed with a double-warp and a specially treated silk, creating its extraordinary beauty and lustrous satin finish. Today they continue weaving silks and tapestries for temples and palaces, like those of the Dalai Lama and the Nepalese royal family.

The brocade fabrics have strong indian influences and symbolism, and yet the collection also contains vibrant abstract prints, reminiscent of Rothko paintings. The fabrics can be used as traditional soft furnishings, wall hangings, artwork and for haute couture. The traditional figurative fabrics and the contemporary blocks of colour will work in both modern and traditional interiors.

The vibrancy of the colour range is a welcome change from the safe neutral designs which have become ubiquitous in UK design.

Italian Design for Children...

At Icon Interiors, we are often asked to design children's rooms, and clients are becoming tired of the products available on the high street or mail order. The usual themes of princesses and cars tend to be a passing phase, and can't evolve with the child as he or she grows. Our challenge is to provide beautifully made furniture which has a strong design aesthetic, and which will last for many years as multi-use pieces.

The furniture designer Il Loft - http://www.illoft.com/ - produce an elegantly designed children's collection, using an artist's colour palette, ranging from muted shades to primary colours. This round bed, called Felix Baby Letto can be adapted over time as the children grow and their needs change. The Flower Baby Letto has delightful petal shapes with footstools in a range of sweetie colours.

The range also includes wardrobes and bookcases, and accessories such as rugs, occasional chairs and desks. Each piece is adorned with vibrant geometric shapes to add detail, and the website is arranged to help you choose a whole scheme.

Amethyst Crystal

At Icon Interiors, we are often asked by clients to specify lighting which is glamorous, yet contemporary, and with the option to add bespoke elements such as coloured crystal to work with the rest of the interior design scheme. These beautiful murano glass chandeliers from Italy tick all the boxes, and we are currently specifying two of this chandeliers for a dining room, and aim to team it with silver silk wallpaper, and amethyst silk curtains.

In modern interiors, the ubiquitous use of down lighters often means that decorative lights are forgotten, and yet the judicious use of statement pieces can give a design key focal points, and define areas for different uses.

Using large, decorative pieces in stairwells works particularly well, and these dramatic suspended crystal installations are key talking points, and evoke a sense of expectation for more beautiful things to come.