Birmingham NEC - or not

I didn't go this year, sprained ankle from November meant I was unlikely to enjoy the day walking acres of halls, losing my way- not getting somewhere in time to enjoy the champagne bar or fresh sandwiches.( you need to get to those stands first)

If you are on twitter you can see what people have been really excited about at #interiorsuk

Thankfully over the last 25 years I have got to know a lot of people and their products/ ethos, so I see them and get samples/ books :)) I am also a sourcer, so I do hunt things out.

There is a revival with good solid UK furniture- not cheap Chinese imports so expect to pay a bit more.

Some  Meccano style colour lighting, colour flexes- punkish looking cushions.

Not everyone, dare I say anyone, does these shows now.

Ercol were there.

Ercol Furniture is a great UK solid wood furniture manufacturer.
Went on one of their inhouse courses on their business site in High Wycombe  over 20 years ago, was impressed then- impressed still.

Standing joke was where did all the dust from the sanding of furniture go. G-Plan was across the road. 

There is  quite a lot of this pattern around, in wallpaper and textiles.

I think I may have seen enough of it already, but appears to be a highlight.

And where some magazines have been going on for ages about zingy orange being "in" this year- I don't think so.

Grey/ clay/ yellow anyone?

 http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-latest-from-paris-maison-objet-highlights-

Wallpapers

I do blog a lot of wallpapers, these are some more from not widely available suppliers.
Expect to pay around £100 a roll, and as always with anything you see on my site, do ask me for a price.

Monochrome

Black, white and shades of grey are as popular now as they ever have been.

This geometric wallpaper is by Cole and Son. Released late in 2011, it is sure to be popular.

3- dimensional effects have been around for a while, and you would have to be brave to use on all walls, but as a feature wallpaper this is sure to create a high level of interest.

Romo Fabrics Marenka range is not new.

I used the cushion fabric here for curtains and pelmet in an Art Deco style diningroom back late 2008.

 It is still a great range, and the style shot shows it is possible to successfully team patterns to great effect

"Amaya" is a fabulous new collection by Linwood Fabrics.

 The range comprises a mix of curtain and upholstery weight fabrics.


Stunning and luxurious are the words that spring to mind.

Carlucci di Chivasso have introduced a wild range for 2012.

"Exposure" teams animal prints with skull motifs and some really innovative designs.

As usual with Carlucci, the byword is "sumptuous".

Bold, dramatic- elegant and utterly workable.

Byron & Byron "polmets" are elegant and decorative.

Perfect for a minimalist window treatment without being plain.

Go Bespoke

I love Jan Cavelle furniture! Gorgeous designs, beautiful finishes, a great company to speak with.

They have a really large selection of consoles,dining tables, chairs, bedsides- you name it they will make it. With over 30 fantastic wood finishes, loads of paint colours- glass, mirror, resized, gilt leaf, customer own fabric. A designer's dream.
What used to be almost exclusively available to showhome designers is available to discerning private clients, with help from people like me. I haven't even mentioned the handles you can have!

The Langley console table shown in faux burr walnut is just beautiful. I love this finish, almost Art Deco. I had similar piece in my shop and it was just beautiful.

This fabulous chair is one of many that can be made in customer's own fabric and available in different wood colours.

Buying a dining table is easy, what sets it apart are the chairs.

Imagine this in a white finish with delicate paisley pattern around an old farmhouse table, or in dark wood with orange back and green seat?  Or black frame red geometric fabric?

Get the picture!

The Darcy chest shown here in faux wenge with contrasting drawers in mother of pearl,  920mm wide and 800mm high.  All of the Jan Cavelle pieces are robust, heavy, and really generous size- as well as being fabulously made.

The Darcy chest starts from around £1200.00 depending on finish, the chairs from around £400 each. So, if that dining table looks like it can carry on but your chairs are looking non nondescript- you know where to invest your cash. Do call me with your enquiries.