Autumn 2010

Article by Nicola Chesham

For autumn 2010 there is nothing more appropriate than the notion of patchwork. Patchwork is an eclectic jumble, it is fun and bright and powerful. It is positioning ideas together; putting next to each other what previously would have been unthinkable. It can be used in small touches, in specific areas, in accents throughout a scheme, or as an overwhelming sensual paradise. Patchwork will kiss those fears of winter well and truly goodbye.

   

Click to view theAcademy Velvet collection - New for Autumn.

Mix together textures and patterns of all varieties and don’t be afraid to use colour whenever you can because this autumn it is all about bringing dreams of summer with you into the New Year. A statement sofa in bright fabric can handle prints on its cushions. Start by picking shades of one colour and add interest with contrasting elements until you build a complete picture. Think warm and playful and have fun with it. There is nothing more charming than the clash of brights working well together, and in truth it is all about that contrast and its ability to create harmony.

 

Mix fabrics from the Tivoli Garden Collection by Prestigious Textiles

Choose wisely though, and know when to stop as there can be a danger of it all becoming too much for a space to handle. Concentrate on layers and create the effect you want gradually and soon you will have a scheme for others to envy. All of that colour will leave you brimming with positivity, and in this economic climate and this impending winter there is surely nothing better. 

Gorgeous Gingham

Article by Stevie Ann Howell
Are you thinking about redecorating that kitchen? The cool colours of this Beatrice print would work well with any country style kitchen, the beauty of adding the gorgeous gingham instead of a spot or stripe is that it will compliment almost any kitchen, whether you have wooden or white cabinets.

Beatrice by Clarke and Clarke

This timeless and elegant printed collection is produced on a soft and durable linen union fabric and is suitable for upholstery and drapery. The five designs are taken from original French antique documents and have been cleverly translated to achieve a wonderful look. 

£28.36/m

Garden Check by Clarke and Clarke 

A gorgeous gingham check print. All printed on soft cotton duck fabrics

£10.06/m

Spots Vs. Stripes

Article by Stevie Ann Hosell

Patterned fabrics are a great way of dressing up a room to give it that fresh look. Whatever you are trying to achieve in a design you can always be certain that if you accompany any fabric or wallpaper with a spot or stripe it will give you a great way of bringing together a range of colours in your room.

If you’re looking to update that traditional home, in keeping with the style but adding a bit of a ‘pop’ to the design then adding a stripe to a traditional material can add that contemporary twist without being overpowering.
Keeping with the lilac but adding a splash of lime green really updates the Kensington velvet. Why not try using the stripe as a few scatter cushions to really give the room that contemporary meets traditional look?

Bali by Prestigious Textiles

A companion to the Breeze collection, this cheery stripe, maintains a long tradition of contemporary cotton panama prints from Prestigious, and comes in a variety of colour ways to accompany any design. £10.98/m

Kensington by Clarke and Clarke

A two coloured feature damask. Rich and glamorous, this transitional yet versatile range of velvets comes in 3 striking designs, all woven onto natural linen grounds. 

£30.19/m

Combing different textures is a great way of adding a luxurious feel to your home. This will add interest without making the design to uniform.

The bedroom is your personal space so treat it in this manner. The material you chose will depend on whatever style you are trying to achieve but still, this should be something that reflects you. The soft pinks of the meadow design will add a subtle romantic feel to the bedroom. Teaming it with these fantastic dots adds a playful feel to the room, like I said before, it’s your space, so why not?

Meadow by Clarke and Clarke

Vintage Classics. As the name suggests, this is a collection of adorable vintage prints ranging from delightful floral to cute, whimsical designs such as Apples, Beach Huts and Scotties. All printed on soft cotton duck fabrics. £10.06/m

Dotty by Clarke and Clarke 

Vintage Classics. As the name suggests, this is a collection of adorable vintage prints ranging from delightful floral to cute, whimsical designs such as Apples, Beach Huts and Scotties. All printed on soft cotton duck fabrics. £10.06/m

A Splash of Colour

Colour is the main stay of this seasons interior design trends, offering the perfect anti-dote to the Great British (winter) weather. Gone are the white walls of the past few years, and in its place a variety of bright shades to add a bit of pizzazz to your home décor.

 
  

View the New Viva Collection here by Clarke and Clarke, available to purchase online 24/7.

Whether it’s a crazy mix of brights to add a 60’s vibe or a feature colour that can be picked out, this winter is sure to be a colourful one. The other on trend theme is global, layering up different textures and patterns will give this look an authenticity, mix this with the on trend colours and you have a pattern filled home full to the brim with personality. Use this with the ongoing trend of vintage and retro to give your home a real uniqueness.

 
  

View all Yellow fabrics available to buy online at Illusion Interiors. Delivered direct to your home.

If you’re not sure that filling your home with all bright colours is the thing for you, pick out a colour and use this sparingly to add dashes of colour around the home maybe spray a feature chair or add some coloured towels to the bathroom. Canary yellow is a great on trend colour that lends itself to this application, mix it with a dark grey background and you have all the impact without the need for the sunglasses. 

Author Robert Bothma

Autumn Trends

We are seeing a social revolution in Interior Design this season as the credit crunch tightens its grip. Yes we all know people are moving less and staying in is the new going out. How is that affecting your home? Well you invite friends to your home not to your local, romantic encounters under your designer light not out in the twilight. All this puts an unprecedented importance on your home and what it says about you and your character. Every investment is now a style statement, social indicator and first impression all in one. You need to get it right. If you want your finger on the fashion pulse you know it’s time to invest in “comfortable chic”.

   

Shop the Vintage Classics collection by Clarke and Clarke here.

Everywhere you shop this season you are bound to come across pieces that hark back to childhood. Patterns and textures that give us a feeling of stability which is reinforced by our memories of them in our parents or grandparents home. The key to using them in our modern lives is to seek out those pieces that have a modern take on an old classic. Something you will cherish even when the recession is a distant memory.

English Rose by Clarke and Clarke
Colour : 1 £10.06 / m *	Colour : 2 £10.06 / m *	Colour : 3 £10.06 / m *	Colour : 4 £10.06 / m *

Meadow by Clarke and Clarke
Colour : 1 £10.06 / m *	Colour : 2 £10.06 / m *	Colour : 3 £10.06 / m *	Colour : 4 £10.06 / m *

So a season of nostalgia, elegance and comfort. Autumn is looking like a real pick-me-up season in the world of interiors. Embrace it heartily and invest in your home, I guarantee your friends will love being entertained in it and equally will love telling others about your beautiful home.  In fact one final tip, remember where you bought your pieces, because people are going to ask!

Author Joy E Reeves

Velvet Glamour

Create a glamorous look to your home with luxurious velvet. Velvet has always been a favourite as it has a rich and thick appearance and is now more popular than ever. As velvet is a heavy fabric it can normally be used in upholstery for sofas and feature chairs. This look is beautiful and striking and the Regency Velvet range from Clarke and Clarke is exactly that. Versatile and inspiring fabrics make up this range which is available in a wide array of 'pick me' colours. See the images for below for a sumptuous pink hue collaboration of these fabrics which compliment each other. 

              

Click here to view the Regency Velvet Collection by Clarke and Clarke buy here with Illusion Interiors

These fabrics are also resistant enough to be used in the commercial upholstery world so you know that with quality like this you can't go wrong when using it in your home. Contemporary floral trails and textured narrow stripes are combined with classical scroll designs making this collection of fabric perfect for any style of home.