This week I would like to focus on the influence of Eastern culture and design on Western interiors. This is a trend that never goes out of fashion and manages to live happily alongside other design trends which come and go.  Eastern design elements are certainly a hot trend in 2013. Ethnic styles and ornaments have long been embraced by interior designers in the West but the trend is even more prominent in 2013. 

 

Ethnic design has its roots in the 17th and 18th centuries when interior design became an important part of the pursuit of happiness during the Enlightenment. This was the time when trade between Western Europe and Eastern Countries increased and elements of Asian design began to influence English, French, Dutch and Portuguese interiors. Wether Chinoiserie or onion domes, an increasing mix of shapes, colours and materials appeared in wealthy homes. Since then, Asian and Middle Eastern design has maintained a strong position and popularity in the world of interiors.

 

As time has move on and home interiors are very much influenced by contemporary design. an increasing number of designers in the Middle East have moved in the same direction creating an exciting mix of old and new. Textile and furniture companies in the West have put their own interpretation on ancient Middle Eastern designs and patterns too, creating an interesting mix of East and West.

  

 

SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE THIS WEEK / A VERY MOORISH EXPERIENCE

I have come across some inspirational contemporary furniture designers and designs creating a very interesting blend of styles influenced by Islamic tradition which look as stunning with classic as with contemporary furniture.

  

 

This is one of my favorite furniture designers who has a showroom in Geneva and whose products deserve a good deal of attention.  Dina has managed to create a beautiful fusion between the traditional Middle Eastern art and craftsmanship and contemporary Western design. By using different materials and styles she has created a collection of handmade pieces which are quite unique and serve as true statement pieces. I would strongly recommend a visit to her showroom either in Geneva or Amman or take at least a look at her website www.dinagildeh.com

  

 

On my regular quest for stylish storage solutions I could not resist this handmade and painted Indian Dowry Box and it does not disappoint. It sits in my kitchen dining area and as it is a decent size it stores all the children`s artwork and `downstairs” toys. Whenever I have new visitors I always get very complementary comments. It comes in grey, black and pink, £255,00, www.loaf.co.uk

  

A very suitable contender if you like to add an eye catching and stylish piece of furniture to your living room, www.dinagildeh.com

 

This is a lovely collection of Moorish knobs. If you can`t decide which one you prefer why not mix and match them? Prices from EUROS 6,00, www.anthropologie.com

 

 

This Table looks stunning as a side table or in the hall with a lovely flower arrangement, www.dinahgildeh.com

  

 

A gorgeous hand knotted rug made of 100% New Zealand wool which looks really stylish with classic and contemporary furniture,  www.niki-jones.co.uk

 

This ultra chic Stratos Console Table has a natural glossy macassar top and a mix of silver and gold leaf, brushed brass, polished and brushed stainless steel base, Designed by Ardeco Studio-Georges Amatoury and available via www.levantania.com

  

A true statement piece, this Margarite Table is a  lovely mix of old and new! www.dinagildeh.com

 

The Metal Plated Round Mirror with its uneven and rustic finish adds a lovely relaxed yet classy touch to any wall, £325,00,  www.lombok.co.uk

  

 

 

Originally from Lebanon, Nada Debs furniture designs are a beautiful blend of contemporary with traditional Middle Eastern design. Having lived in 3 continents her designs very much reflect the different cultures she has experienced. Her products are being sold worldwide, www.nadadebs.com

This set of Infinity Love Chairs are a favourite of mine with beautiful carvings. They look particularly nice as a pair, www.dinagildeh.com 

  I love the vibrant colours of these Coloured Round Tables. The walnut wood table top is decorated with a gorgeous mother of pearl design, EUROS 948,-, designed by Nevin Designs, www.levantania.com

 

Although I love plain white crisp bed linen this Linen Border Bed Linen is as good as it gets if you want to introduce another colour on your bed. I have seen it in situ and love it.  There is also a very large “bolster cushion” available to give the overall look a nicely rounded finish...highly recommended, £115,00 for a double set (duvet cover, sheet, 2 housewife pillowcases), www.niki-jones.co.uk

 

In case your old jewellery box is in need of replacement this would be a perfect alternative....maybe even one for `her` and one for `him`!, www.levantania.com

I have seen bed heads in all sort of shapes and sizes but this is a model which you certainly don`t see in any high street shops! It has a very moorish feel and would be the perfect backdrop for your 1001 night experience! £675,00, www.lombok.co.uk

 

 Love these accent tables which are perfect for smaller spaces, www.dinagildeh.com

 

These cushions can completely transform the look of your garden furniture if you like to get into the summer holiday mood. Just add a few Moroccan lamps and dishes and you are almost `there`!, William Yeoward via Designers Guild, www.designersguild.com 

 

 

Wouldn`t this look rather fun as side tables next to your outdoor sofas? www.dinagildeh.com

If you like to inject a bit of colour this Spring and Summer this set of tables will certainly catch the eye, www.dinagildeh.com 

 

A perfect way to inject some life into a room if you need of a spot of colour to complement your sofas, www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

 

Levantania is a company that represents a number of Middle Eastern artists and designers which add that extra bit of spice to interior design. A beautiful modern take on the traditional model, this  M.O.P Tray Table is a perfect solution if you need something to put your drinks on but have little space,  EUROS 948,00, www.levantania.com

 

If you have been tempted to purchase one of those very “dernier crie” large metal bowls for your coffee or console table and wonder what to put into it, these decorative Teardrop Woodland Baubles set will do the job very well, £26,00 (set of 4 in a box), www.niki-jones.co.uk

Another example that classic and contemporary styles mix well. I love the combination of the crome base and the mother of pearl and crimson walnut wood table top, M.O.P Table designed by Nevine Designs, www.levantania.com

Original and eye catching. This Cube Vase/Box has a walnut structure inlaid with mother of pearl and is just one of those accessories which stands out and doesn`t go unnoticed, EUROS 173,00, www.levantania.com

 

This oriental acrylic ottoman designed by Zanan is a real eye candy and a beautiful colour spot to any room, www.levantania.com

This modern take on the traditional Middle Eastern lantern would make a rather fun kitchen table lamp. Rather than having to stare at a bare bulb this Little Pear Lamp gives out a very cozy light through its little holes, EUROS 59,95, www.soukshop.com (ship to Switzerland and other countries)

 

 

If you are really struggling with space but still need a solid surface for your wine glass this sofa arm table is a vey stylish solution, www.nadadebs.com

 These lovely and very original M.O.P Boxes with their mother of pearl inlaid tops are a really fun and stylish storage solution for all the small things in life, designed by Nervine Designs, www.levantania.com

Love this handembroided Ibiza Pouf Chambray which is a perfect spare seat or put a Morrocan tray on it and it turns into a coffee table. It comes in 2 sizes, from EUROS 49,95, www.soukshop.com (ships to Switzerland)

 

 

A really pretty and elegant set of Acrylic storage boxes with its mother of pearl top is not only a useful storage solution but will also double up as a very nice decorative feature around your house, designed by Nervine Designs, www. levantania.com

 

 

BELOW MY MOOD BOARD FOR ETHNIC INTERIOR

 

 via fashion bakchic

 

 

 

Song Soa Private Island, Cambodia, via Travel Files

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you again very soon, I hope.

 

Isabell 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are planning to renovate your house or adding furniture to give new aspects to your interior, here are a few trends for 2013. A good way to stay focused amid the different trend forecasts and new/new-old designs appearing on the market is to think about how - or if - each forecast trend resonates with your own life and home.

If it isn`t ‘You’, don`t follow the masses. There are so many ways of creating your own interior to suit your lifestyle and character and it is fun to use your own home decor as an extension of your individuality. As people move towards a more relaxed lifestyle there is a trend towards making every room a space that you can actually live in. 

The following predictions reflect the shift towards a more personal and meaningful space and how it translates into design and home decorating.

 

1.  Antique Brass 

 Antique Brass is making a comeback in structural elements, hardware and other embellishments.

 

2.  Bleached Floors

The trend is towards lighter woods for floors and cabinetry using methods like bleaching, liming and painting woods to achieve a lighter tone.

 

3.  High-end design is now more accessible to all

Companies are increasingly cutting out the middlemen, selling their products directly to consumers often via the internet at significantly more competitive prices.

 

4.  Colour Revival

Punchy shades of Blue are increasingly visible in home decor magazines. From upholstery to soft furnishings and china, Blue is going to be big this year.

Emerald Green is another colour to watch out for and so is Dior Grey and Salmon Pink, which will feature not only on the fashion runways but also in design showrooms.

 

 5.   Faux Shagreen

This is the new trendy (imitation) hide. Its rather glamorous textured and organic look adds sophistication to most interiors. You find at least one or two pieces in most upmarket furniture shops. Faux Shagreen accent or console tables look best in natural colours such as greys, taupes and creams.

  

6.  Geometrics

We are seeing more angled shapes like triangles and trapezoids, as well as diagonals and zigzags. Those prints are predominantly used on cushions, wallpapers and fabrics.

  

7.  Wrapped Furniture

 Furniture wrapped in leather, linen or grass cloth provide quite an eye catching statement piece.

  

8.  Embroidery and Knitting

Handmade is back and anybody who was not taught should give it a go. From colourful carpets to storage baskets, cushions or poufs, embroidered and knitted accessories are a major trend for 2013.

 

9.  Out of Africa 

The African style interior is very hot this year bringing warm colours and imitation animal skin back into eclectic interiors. Luxury villas tend to feature wooden furniture elements decorated with carvings or wrought iron, sculptures and handmade decorations all defined in African style. 

  

10.  Neutrals

For those who don`t subscribe to too much colour around the house, neutrals are still very popular as a timeless element. Fibres like jute, hemp and raffia are all adding a natural organic look to home interiors.

 

11.  Floral Patterns

Flowers are back in style but ideally with a white background, adding a very romantic touch and giving the feeling of a perpetual holiday.

  

12.  Pastels

Designs from the nineteen fifties in pastels are up-to-date again and a very nice addition to a modern interior. Add some powdery colours and prints for the finishing touch and your house is Spring-ready.

 

13.  Stripes

Turn social spaces to design dynamics, in order to inspire vibrant living and energy. One of the simplest ways to achieve this effect is by employing stripes in an elegant manner. Bold red, navy or black and white colours and patterns are the highlight of the design themes again, only this time associated with minimalist decor complements.

 

14.  Nature, Birds and Wildlife

Among this years home decor trends is everything Nature from animal prints and birds to trees or other natural elements on wallpapers and fabrics. 

 

With any trend you don`t need to remodel an entire room to get the look. Adding a throw, some cushions a rug, new curtains or just a few decorative accessories can give you room that trendy and up to date element and look.

 

 

 

SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE THIS WEEK /  TREND SPOTTING

Almost a new take on the traditional Toile design, this is a very stylish way to introduce a bit of nature into your home. A very decorative accent chair that would work well in a bedroom or kitchen, www.anthropologie.com

 

This very pretty hand painted chest of draws is not just a treat for bird enthusiasts - my daughter has put it on top of her birthday wishlist, homedecorators.com

 

 

You can still take a shower in style with this gorgeous Handwoven Atticus Shower Curtain. It would look particularly fitting around a rolltop bath, EUR 148,00, www.anthropologie.com 

 A really stylish combination of faux shagreen and sleek chrome legs. If you are looking for a touch of luxury in your sitting room, the Delano Contemporary Coffee Table, Shagreen, will certainly not disappoint, £550,00, www.okadirect.com (ships to the UK and Europe). 

 

 

 This is an absolute must for those who love something with a difference. You only need one of these clamshell shaped linen chairs to put some zing back into your room. The Ariel Rococo Chair looks good with classic as well as contemporary furniture and should really put a smile on your face every time you enter your room,  £750,00, www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

 

 

If you like to introduce some pastel coloured elements into your home I highly recommend these deliciously fresh looking small paisley linen fabrics, which are perfect for cushions, curtains or blinds and at £38,- per meter are particularly good value, www.volgalinen.co.uk

 

 

This Welsh company which produces a wide range of exclusive fabrics, wool blankets, throws, cushions, home accessories and clothing represents the new spirit in Welsh design. I love their classic, retro and contemporary designs which can nowerdays be spotted at all the major interior design shows accross Europe. This Mondo Rose Shetland wool fabric would be perfect as a cushion or throw if you need to add a bit of spring colour to your furniture, www.melintregwynt.co.uk

 

 

This will no doubt bring a smile to any girl in need of a new bookshelf and makes a change to the usual blues and reds or pale pink`s used for children`s furniture, www.coucoumanou.com

 

 

Combining this seasons vibrant colours this embroided Jaffa Lampshade adds a lively and relaxed retro touch, EUR 98,00, www.anthropologie.com 

 

 

You only need a few of these geometric style cushions to give your sofas that classy and 2013 look. Etsy, who do ship their products to many destinations worldwide, including Switzerland, offer a huge treasure trove of gorgeous cushion designs.....you could change them on a daily basis and still find a new design on their website, www.etsy.com

 

 

 

BELOW A FEW ROOM INSPIRATIONS REFLECTING SOME OF THIS YEARS DESIGN TRENDS