Eclectic Vintage...

At Icon Interiors we spend much of our time sourcing one off items for our clients, to create bespoke and eclectic interiors. We were introduced to Vivid & Punch by a previous client, and this company creates these beautifully crafted bespoke pieces, using vintage fabrics. The fabrics are often personal items belonging to the client who commissioned the piece, and although they can be traditional, they are being used in contemporary ways. The layering of pattern and colour ensures this look is on trend yet timeless.

As working artists the designers are inspired by their own experiences, and the stories that lie behind the textiles. Their philosophy is to restore, using vintage panels, once treasured needlepoint's, personal items and heirlooms. Vivd & Punch aim to utilise and recycle furniture of different eras, and in doing so create a passionate fusion of innovative and romantic pieces of art. For further information, see www.vividandpunch.co.uk

Entrance Halls

Spending time and effort on presenting your entrance hall is worth the investment, as this is the first 'room' to welcome people into your home space or business. It should also set the scene for the coherent style you have chosen for the rest of the space. Having the luxury of a large entrance hall allows you to place furniture and rugs as centre pieces for display. These bespoke pieces are by Top Floor Rugs, and can be woven in a combination of wool and silk, and your colour palette of choice.

Think of each wall elevation as a composition in itself, and use console tables, mirrors and lamps to create this composition. These lamps and console tables are by Porta Romana, and can be ordered in a variety of finishes. Artwork should be in groups, rather than dotted randomly around the walls, and these statement chandeliers by Brand Egmond can be used to add further detail.

Hand painted wallpapers

For a truly bespoke finish, at the highest end of the interiors market, hand painted wallpapers provide a unique way of decorating a space.

de Gournay has traditionally specialised in 18th century Chinoiserie and 19th century French designs, and specilaises in reinterpreting these designs and colours to suit contemporary interior design schemes. These wallpapers work particularly well with simple soft furnishings, artworks and furniture.

These large motifs can also be used as artwork in their own right, and teamed with stark white furniture, and can be the major focal point in a space. See http://www.degournay.com/ for further details. Not to be confused with many of the high street copies, de Gournay's designs are unique, and are formed with close discussion with the client and their interior design professional.

Contemporary Chandeliers

Our clients often ask us to source contemporary lighting which is large scale and dramatic, without being the usual traditional tiered chandelier. These products are from Tigermoth Lighting, who produce modern pieces made from silver chains and suspended crystals in shades of amber and amethyst.

Both of these pieces work well in hallways and stairwells, and create drama and a focal point above a dining table. We often surround these signature pieces with a circle of inset directional down lighters to add another layer of light.

The Jeremy Cole Blossom light is a current design classic, which is available in a range of colours from gold to black. This iconic range also includes beautiful submerged orchid lights, which would suit any eclectic interior design scheme.

Bespoke Furniture

Despite the predominance of mass market furniture, the bespoke furniture market continues to flourish, especially when clients demand pieces that cannot be found on the high street. Designed by the Edward Barnsley Workshops and made by Simon Owen, this games table has beautiful inlaid veneers, and is hand finished - see http://www.barnsley-furniture.co.uk/ - for further details . Simon is also taking individual commissions from clients.

For handcrafted contemporary furniture, see http://www.benchmarkfurniture.com/ - based in Berkshire, this specialist company supplies both the domestic and commercial market. Benchmark has particularly strong values, being committed to excellence in design, materials and craftsmanship, and all furniture is produced in a sustainable way. The collection is exclusive to Benchmark and includes designs from well known names such as Terence Conran, Thomas Heatherwick and Russell Pinch as well as pieces from up-and-coming young designers.

Contemporary Japanese...

Continuing our theme of following boutique hotel styling around the world, the Screen Hotel in Kyoto, Japan is reinventing the traditional japanese ryokan (inn) style. The hotel calls itself a Personalized Boutique Hotel, with 13 rooms created by 13 different designers, allowing guests to choose the decor which suits their current mood.

The hotel combines history, tradition and modern art to create fusion of modern styling with traditional values - see http://www.the-screen.jp/ for further details.

It will be interesting to see how these design trends filter towards the west, and how we re-interpret this style. The current design trend in UK boutique hotels remains firmly metro-country house style with wonderfully contemporary country designs being created by Kit Kemp for the hotel industry. We predict this style will be pared down, without becoming sterile, with the use of shoji style screens, painted screens, and contemporary oriental motifs.

A talented local artist...

We are often asked by our clients to specify original artworks for particular spaces, and rather than sourcing works from expensive galleries, we love to promote local artists' work when they offer something particularly special. Lizzie MacKellar is a Winchester based artist, and takes her inspiration from the beautiful hampshire countryside. We call her work abstract naturalism, and any of these works would be wonderful in any classic or contemporary interior.

Lizzie's work is full of movement and emotion, and many of her works are experimental using light and luminosity to illustrate her vision. Working alongside a collection of other artists, Lizzie is inspired to create original artworks, which are much sought after in the local area.

Our clients are invited to 'try' Lizzie's artwork in their homes to ensure that it suits their taste and works in the space.