First of all Happy New Year to all our readers and followers. We will aim to bring you a 2017 full of new homeware, interior trends, unmissable events and workshops, as well as lots of inspiration for your home.
Today we bring you an exhibition well worth putting in the diary. The Japanese House at the Barbican will be an amazing insight into architecture and design in Japan through the decades.
The Japanese House: Architecture and Life after 1945 is the first major UK exhibition to focus on Japanese domestic architecture from the end of the Second World War to now , a field which h as conistently produced some of the most influential and extraordinary examples of modern and contemporary design.
It’s one of our favourite London museums and it’s now on the move to a new home. The Design Museum is moving from Shad Thames to a brand new development in a grade II listed building in Kensington. Opening on 24th November the new space will continue to showcase new talent, exhibitions and special events and of course a great shop [ make that 2 shops ].
‘The Design Museum Kensington will be the world’s leading museum of contemporary design and architecture, an international showcase for the many design skills at which Britain excels and a creative centre, promoting innovationand nurturing the next generation of design talent’
Head to the website to get the latest news and exhibition guide for Autumn, pre book tickets and get some dates in the diary.
The London Design Festival spans across our capital with launches, exhibitions, shows, talks, events, shopping, workshops and shows. It is a frenzy of activities with chances to hear, see and experience all that is new in design this season.
For lovely soft furnishings catch the launch of gorgeous homewares from Wallace Sewell in the Islington store.
Established in the early 90’s the duo behind this firm favourite British brand are still producing incredible quality contemporary designs in fabrics and soft furnishings.
‘During the London Design Festival, UK based woven textile design duo Wallace Sewell will be launching their new Autumn Winter 2016 scarf and interior collection.
To mark the launch of their new collection Wallace Sewell will be opening their shop and studio for a special event on Tuesday 20 September from 6pm to 9pm and offering 10% off on all scarves, throws and cushions purchased that evening.
This will be a fun event in the coveted Islington Design District with drinks and nibbles and a chance to meet the design team behind this iconic British brand. Other shops in the area such as Timorous Beastie and Twentytwentyone will also be open.’
The London Design Festival is almost upon us [ 17th – 23Rd Sept ] and one of the must see places to visit this year is Pop Brixton and it’s DESIGN UNBOXED series of events. Bringing together design, fashion, food , music and more.
‘Designed and built by Carl Turner in 2015, Pop Brixton is.now home to a unique community of entrepreneurs, makers, designers, chefs and artists. This creative assortment of recycled shipping containers, timber structures and greenhouses is now home to 55 loral, independent businesses. Design Unboxed will.unpack the stories and passions within this community, exploring the many aspects of design that influence our members and the wider community in Brixton. From fashion and furniture to graphics and architectur, Pop Brixton’s week long series of events encourages the public to participate in workshops, discussions and performances touching on many fields of design. Learn craft and design skills with hands-on workshops, attend fashion shows, create your own artwork or debate design with expert panels.’
The London Design Festival
Head to Popbrixton.org to see all the different events on offer.
Update a lounge, study or any room in need of a stylish lounge chair with the Hemming Swivel Armchair from West Elm. It covers the cleanness of the minimal trend, has a great geometric diamond pattern fabric covering and it’s form is a nod towards vintage Danish midcentury chic. It is superb design, stream lined, with high back, low seat and winged arms.
Sit it in a monochrome interior perfectly or make a colour block statement using it against a back drop of a bright wall colour or pop a bright cushion on it, toreally stand out!
There’s so much to love and admire about West Elm. They are a brand, with a conscience, focused on honesty and sustainability. Both on in the virtual and physical stores there is a wealth of incredible design, styling and interiors inspiration and guidance. West Elm can make a home – a real home; a blended, co-ordinated but eclectic, homely but chic, environment.
Their huge array of homewares and furniture is spot on both in design, quality and although high end of the price scale – it’s worth it. Plus, when there’s a sale, which currently there is (with up to 60% off) it’s a good time to invest in a few updates for your home or even a whole overhaul of a room.
The style is midcentury modern, mixed with bohemian and a little industrial. They create ‘looks’ that can be strong trends or ideas that can bring a subtle new trend into a home.
We found our top favourite pieces in the sale (see picture) but explore the sale yourself for great discounts in every department.
Back for it’s seventh year, Clerkenwell Design Week runs over three days and is full of exibitions, workshops and talks. See some of the best furniture, lighting and product design from the UK and globally.
‘Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area.’
Tickets are free – register online for access to all the events.
For a more unconventional idea, a more quirky design idea, we’ve looked into wow-factor ideas for staircases that go further than carpet or plain wood.
A great idea if you have spare tester pots of wood paint or off cuts of wallpaper – there are an abundance of examples across the net, especially Pinterest, for brilliant designs for your staircase using either paint or paper.
Your hallway is important design statement about the rest of the home, being it is the first room visitors see – so why not make a bold look?
We looked around and were inspired by the many ideas for bright colour choices, clashing patterns, blending pantones, using typography, saying something about the rest of the home, all giving a great feel and welcome to introduce ‘your home’. Colours and pattern can be used to liven up a space or brighten a hallway or even each tread could tell a story!
patterned wallpaper on stairs
We found some great inspiring features from Brit&Co, Country Living and a how-to from DIYDoctor.
The important thing to start with is a well prepped set of stairs. It’s essential to sand down to a smooth finish, removing any nails, sharp points and excess old paint, and give a good clean to ensure a good surface to work on. Treads should be primed next, to give a good layer for the chosen paint to go on to. Priming can also help even if using wallpaper as it can help to make a smoother surface under the paper. It is key to apply a few thin layers, fully dried in between to create a solid, long lasting finish with paint and with wallpaper the same with clear varnish.
Look online for inspiration, and as it’s a small area – know that it’ll be easy to change in the future if you fancy a different look!
There’s always room for more beautiful art on a wall. John Lewis has a talent to hunt out some incredible artists and graphic designers and have a huge, varied range of styles of work.
We picked this gorgeous Tiffany Lynch print, that is only £5, as our favourite. The colour, the detail and the stylized effects come together to ensure this is a stunning vibrant piece, inspired by nature and perfect to bring a bold, Spring feel to a room.
‘Tiffany Lynch is inspired by the magic of nature, it’s wildlife and changing seasons, her paintings on canvas always find their origins in her pen and ink sketchbook drawings.‘
Miss Print at John Lewis / bringing the outdoors in
Not that we don’t appreciate a painted wall and the ease of changing colour, but recently wallpaper has just grown in choice with incredible options of style and look for any room.
Technology has helped us by bringing in paste-the-wall paper instead of paste-the-paper, which allows us all to have a go at hanging wallpaper with much more ease.
To pin point a favourite would be hard but we’ve rounded up groups of our favourite designs and found some of the best stores to head to.
Make a statement with a bold design. For a wow factor, especially effective with nature and floral designs, cover all walls and then push the look further with more strong patterns in the soft furnishings. This look can be softened, instead, by using minimal accessories, clean line furniture and lots of white.
Bold patterns can also be effective on a solo wall as a feature wall and then when styling the room pick one or two colours to follow through in the choice of soft furnishings.
Baltic Shop / Graham & Browne
Fun and colourful designs are great for a children’s bedroom and can also be both educative, when the designs involve words, pictures and numbers, and interactive, with designs that involve stories, colouring in and games. Visit Graham & Browne and Baltic Shop for interactive options.
For a grown up, strong look, it is currently a key trend to go dark in interiors and contrary to belief it actually brightens a room. Contrast with white ceilings, light floors and sits well with dark woods and accessories in monochrome and metallics.
A constant favourite is monochrome. Easy to style and regularly update with black and white accessories as well as new on trend colours like copper and also 80s brights, monochrome allows flexibility and never fails to look fresh and stylish. Monochrome sits well with walnut, white or wire furniture.
If you decide to go for a wall covering we’ve discovered the excellent range of Betapet who not only have a great selection of bold, on-trend patterned and exciting designs but also, quite brilliantly, their range is self adhesive ensuring decorating is even easier! Head to their Etsy shop and choose from stripes, geometric and nature-inspired designs.
Betapet / self adhesive wallpaper / find on Etsy
Wallpaper is definitely a modern look and needs to be considered a great way to bring pattern and strong design to interior design. And it isn’t to be discounted, thinking its a hassle to change as realistically it’s just a strip and re-paper if desired. Patterned designs can be great at covering imperfect walls (unlike unforgiving paint) and with new methods of hanging there’s very little mess and fuss!
![home: event [ The Japanese House ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1483208385609.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: event [ The Design Museum ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/1476002223785.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: event [ homeware launch ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/img_5282.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: event [ pop brixton ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/1473458348953.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: favourite thing [ swivel chair ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/img_2972.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: featured [ West Elm ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/img_9754.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: event [ Clerkenwell Design Week ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/1461355171281.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: made [ staircases ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/img_5946.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
![home: nice price [ print ]](https://anotherhomeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/img_5534-1.jpg?w=863&h=0&crop=1)
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