We started 2023 with a return to our #DesignInspo series of posts, which you may have spotted if you follow us on Instagram or Facebook. We launched this series last autumn to showcase new interior product ranges that caught our eye along with inspiring design ideas, and our posts in January and February have featured some fantastic new collections that we hope you might take inspiration from – or perhaps save for future projects.
Dowsing & Reynolds
We kicked off the #DesignInspo series in January with this spectacular Iridescent Bubble Chandelier from Dowsing & Reynolds. Known for their statement lighting – along with a fantastic range of interior essentials from light switches and sockets in distinctive finishes to kitchen hardware and handles, not to mention their bathroom fittings – this new design would create a dynamic centrepiece to any space, and is available in three sizes.
Inspired by memories of blowing bubbles, founder and designer James Dowsing-Reynolds has reimagined the brand’s best-selling bubble chandelier into something that’s both colourful and playful. Featuring iridescent glass baubles that reflect rainbow hues, the chandelier can be customised with either lilac or white sparkle fabric cable and comes with silver fixings.
“This new collection is designed around having a little more fun with your interiors,” James says of the new range. “The iridescent shine is wonderfully vivid, yet the organic nature of the chandelier shape means the light doesn’t completely take over a room.
“Inspiration came from a number of places, the obvious one being blowing bubbles as a child, but I also noted the neon influence of tech escapism and I love how the iridescent shine is a nod to that. More than anything I love the playfulness of this design; it’s my reminder to never grow up!”
Available in small (1 bulb, 8 baubles), medium (3 bulbs, 24 baubles) or large (5 bulbs, 40 baubles).
See the collection here; photography by Dowsing & Reynolds.
Follow on Instagram at @dowsingandreynolds.
YesColours
Mid-January brought us Blue Monday, so this felt like a good time to consider some mood-boosting colours.
According to a survey by paint specialist YesColours, 78% of those questioned count themselves as suffering with ‘winter blues’ and 89% confirmed that the short days impact on their mood. Emma Bestley, Creative Director and Co-Founder of YesColours, has shared some advice on the best shades to elevate your mood.
“We all have such different emotional reactions to hues and tones of colour,” Emma says. “The first question is, what colours are you drawn to? This is the colour you need to surround yourself with; a colour you feel comfortable with that makes you smile and gives you energy.
“For a real boost, it’s often a saturated shade of colour which will give you that burst of energy. For example, deeper yellow, lush green, oceanic teal or a warm orange – but you have to be mindful whether your walls can handle that depth of saturation; maybe tone it down with a lighter or more muted version of that colour instead.”
While crisp white might feel like the answer to brighten a space, think again. “Any type of grey or crisp, bright white colour will add even more cold tones to your space, while the ultimate goal for the darker months is, in fact, to bring warmth into your home. The same applies to cooler blue shades, so if blue is your go-to colour, make sure the paint you pick has warm undertones to it – they will absorb the natural light coming through the windows and spread it across the room like a warm hug.
“Another rule to stick by is to avoid dark, overly saturated shades, such as browns, dark blues and dark greens. While blue and green are generally uplifting colours, their dark equivalents will bring in the gloominess of the dark seasons, affecting your mood and contributing to lower energy levels.”
See more here; photography by YesColours.
Follow on Instagram at @yes.colours
Armac Martin
You can’t underestimate the importance of finishing touches when designing an interior, and Armac Martin is renowned for creating those design-led details in the brand’s extensive collections of brass hardware and accessories.
Following on from the success of their first collaboration collection last spring, Armac Martin has teamed up again with the eminent British interior designer Sophie Paterson to create a collection of bamboo-style hardware called Grove, which was launched in January.
Inspired by one of nature’s most iconic forms, the new collection honours the organic beauty of bamboo. Speaking ahead of the launch, Sophie said: “I love the soft and organic silhouette of bamboo; it works so well at softening joinery such as wardrobes or kitchen cabinets. It’s a timeless shape too – since Princess Diana wore a Gucci bamboo handle bag in the 90s, I’ve loved its use in fashion and always wanted to bring that to my interiors.”
Featuring a set of exquisitely crafted cabinet pulls, T-bars and knobs made sustainably from the finest solid brass, Grove is defined by elegant silhouettes and a tactile feel, creating an organic finishing touch for a timeless aesthetic.
See the Grove collection here; photography by Armac Martin.
Follow on Instagram at @armacmartin
Porcelain Superstore
Echoing the trend for fluted glass and homewares, the new Fluted tile collection from Porcelain Superstore puts a fresh spin on the ever-classic subway tile.
Inspired by the glamour of the Art Deco period, these tiles will add a touch of understated luxe to any space, whether used as a modern kitchen splashback or within a more classically styled bathroom. Their moulded texture adds interest and depth to walls, while the subtle matt glaze creates a contemporary finish. This collection also has a matching plain tile, so you can combine texture with plain for a striking look.
We also love the colour selection, from the deep Emerald hue and the moody Denim to the soft and chalky Pink colourway (beautiful alongside matt brass or black fittings) and the timeless neutrals of Sand and Snow.
See the collection here; photography from Porcelain Superstore.
Follow on Instagram at @porcelainsuperstore.
Plank Hardware
New for February, online home décor brand Plank Hardware launched a range of kitchen taps following customer demand for contemporary designs to complement the brand’s kitchen hardware. The range features two key silhouettes, the PORTMAN Swan Neck and the ARMSTRONG Crane Neck, and each is available in a choice of Plank’s four core finishes: Brass, Antique Brass, Matte Black, and Stainless Steel.
There’s also a choice of textured details – CLASSIC, GROOVED, or SWIRLED – that feature on the tap handle and spout, so you can match the tap with Plank’s most popular hardware textures.
As Tom Revill, Plank Hardware co-founder, says: “We’ve worked hard to create high quality, stylish designs that still offer affordability. The kitchen taps market is cluttered and overwhelming to shop, so we’re confident that our refined product proposition will cut through and satisfy our target audience.”
Taps are priced at £139.95.
Which would you choose? Must admit, we’re sold on the Antique Brass finished with grooved detailing.
See the collection here; photography from Plank Hardware.
Follow on Instagram at @plankhardware.
Original Style
You may recall that we shared the beautiful Paradis Mere design from Original Style’s Winchester tile collection in a post from last year, and we couldn’t resist revisiting Original Style with this luxe design scheme.
The company’s in-house designers, Jane Addis and Becca Keenan, have curated three key design themes for interiors this year – Surface, Craft, and Colour – and we wanted to highlight one of those: Surface.
This theme is all about tiles that Original Style have sourced from around the world, highlighting their carefully curated range of contemporary tiles. Think clean lines, mixed formats and unusual surfaces, this trend focuses on an eclectic mix of tiles and incorporates texture as a way to add detail and interest.
As Jane Addis says: “Distressed and rustic edges teamed with bold, jewel like tones make up the Surface trend. With a modern, chic feel, this trend is perfect for those looking to incorporate a contemporary feel with a touch of opulence to their home.”
“This glamourous trend seeks to bring deep jewel-like tones contrasting surface finishes and subtle textural detail, creating an elegant feel with rustic touches,” Becca Keenan explains. “We’ve styled black marble hexagons with distressed pink brick tiles, green and gold accents, and natural textures to create a look embodying the Surface trend.”
Photographed: Original Style Tileworks Oken Brick in Garnet with Marmi Nero Honed Hexagon Mosaic.
See more here; photography from Original Style.
Follow on Instagram at @originalstyleuk
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