Venice behind Lampas

Malipiero is the name of this stunning fabric from Rubelli; so eye catching that it can make even Venice fade into the background.

Elegant silhouetted flowers are arranged on two large colour grounds, alternately shiny and matte, as a reproduction of an original pictorial work in which the creative spirit is expressed with extreme directness in the irregular patches of colour.

As far as the palette is concerned, a series of innovative coloured grounds, such as a yellow-green combined with a lilac and black with gold and silver, create high impact.

We can link you with great designers who are familiar working with all Rubelli Collections, we can also search for the best Rubelli deals in the UK.

IDC History Class - Wassily Chair

The Wassily Chair, also known as the Model B3 chair, was designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925-26 while he was the head of the cabinet-making workshop at the Bauhaus, in Dessau, Germany.

Despite popular belief, the chair was not designed for the non-objective painter Wassily Kandinsky, who was concurrently on the Bauhaus faculty.

However, Kandinsky had admired the completed design, and Breuer fabricated a duplicate for Kandinsky's personal quarters.

The chair became known as "Wassily" decades later, when it was re-released by an Italian manufacturer named Gavina who had learned of the anecdotal Kandinsky connection in the course of its research on the chair's origins.

A design classic, it is still available today.

Though patent designs are expired, the trademark name rights to the design are owned by Knoll of New York City.

Reproductions are produced around the world by other manufacturers, who market the product under different names.

Paul Smith on the floor

The precious rug above is entirely handmade, from the spinning of the wool to the weaving on the loom. It is unique, and has been crafted by weavers in the Kathmandu area, whose skills have been passed down through many generations. Only the highest quality wool is used for these rugs, that of the Tibetan sheep, for its durability, rich texture and subtle colour variation.

To this The Rug Company has added the vision of a world class designer, and the result is a hand knotted contemporary rug of extraordinary beauty, which will itself become an heirloom to be treasured for years to come.

We will be glad to help you to choose and purchase the perfect rug for your room and research the best deals on The Rug Company products.

Our Guy

The glamorous sofa above was designed by Christopher Guy, a British luxury furniture designer who is well-known for fusing classicism with modernism in his designs.

He is the founder and head designer of the international furnishings brand Christopher Guy.

Originally known for a wide-range of decorative mirrors, the Christopher Guy brand grew into a collection of upholstery, chairs, dining tables, sofas, headboards and office furniture.

Christopher's signature design includes the patented chris-X (pronounced kris-krôs) leg design and we will be pleased to research the best deals on his pieces.

Source: Christopher Guy

Top Rugs

Few decorating effects are as simple as artfully layered rugs—the subtle depth they bring to a room may not be the first thing you notice, but the look always leaves a lasting impression. Versatile sisal matting often provides the perfect neutral background, but don’t be afraid to pile on patterns, textures, and colours.

Source: Elle Decor

Contemporarily Traditional - Jane Churchill wallpapers

Jane Churchill has built an international reputation for creating fresh designs specifically intended to work together to produce a wide range looks, both contemporary and traditional.

Eye-catching wallpapers work across all the ranges yet are strong enough to be used on their own; trimmings are innovative and pretty.

With a color-palette that is constantly evolving, each new collection is always right up-to-the-minute so that, with Jane Churchill, it couldn't be easier to co-ordinate and pull together any look you want for your home.

We can link you to the best designers to mix the traditional and contemporary and can also offer great deals if you want to purchase Jane Churchill wallpaper through us.

Source: Jane Churchill

IDC Designer Of The Week: Tokujin Yoshioka

Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka has been a busy man this year, producing new pieces for the Swarovski Crystal Palace and Moroso Salone shows - as well as this striking 'Invisibles' collection of furniture for Kartell.

Unveiled in the brand's flagship store, beneath a luminescent installation of transparent, snowflake-like prism sticks - also by Yoshioka - the Invisibles collection consists of polycarbonate tables, sofas, armchairs and benches that are ethereal yet surprisingly solid.

Sit on a chair and its form seems to disappear. 'The presence of the object is eradicated and it will create a vision of the sitter floating in the air,' says Yoshioka.

The collection is pioneering in its use of polycarbonate in a thickness never seen before. But its diaphanous appearance is emphasised by the prisms overhead. Says the designer: 'The installation gives visitors that extraordinary sensation of entering an unreal world.' Yoshioka's new collection for Kartell is also augmented by new works by Philippe Starck, Eugeni Quitllet and Piero Lissoni.

Source: Wallpaper Magazine

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

If you are in Paris, checking on the new Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec show at the Galerie Kreo can be a great option according to the Wallpaper Magazine.

With megabrands like Vitra, Cappellini, Established & Sons and Issey Miyake clamouring after their work, it's not surprising that the Breton brothers should sometimes find themselves gasping for air.

Thankfully, they find a vital 'space to breathe' in the framework provided by Galerie Kreo - where their latest body of work is now on show.  Their experimental installations at the gallery, featuring amorphous shelving units and floating wall lights, show them revelling in this freedom.

Covered in a mineral-like, ultra matt paint, the 'Roches' (shelving units) look like mysterious elements that have grown on gallery's surfaces, while the glossy fibreglass 'Conque' lights appear to float beside the walls. Also on display are the 'Lianes' - a dramatic network of interconnected, leather-clad fibreglass lamps.

The exhibition runs until 22nd July, for more information, please visit http://www.galeriekreo.com

Source: Wallpaper Magazine

The Great Designs from Bella Figura

Over the last 25 years Bella Figura has established a reputation for designing and manufacturing lighting of unsurpassed style and quality. In 2005, this reputation and the company’s exclusive product range attracted Lee Jofa, one of the world’s leading American fabric, wallpaper & furniture companies to distribute Bella Figura through its large network of showrooms across the US. More recently, the company has become the very first LINLEY licensee, which has resulted in the joint development of a unique and highly successful lighting collection designed by David Linley.

We will be pleased to research the best deals on Bella Figura stunning products for you.

Source: Bella Figura, see also Bella Figura's UK site

Boussac for Summer

The brand is part of Marcel Boussac's heritage, internationally famous as the King of Cotton from 1930s and who was a success until the 1970s.

Marcel Boussac distinguished himself by his taste for quality, innovation and originality. Press owner, racing horse breeder, a well-known industrialist, Marcel Boussac was acquainted with many famous people (Queen Elizabeth in the picture) and he participated in the foundation of Christian Dior. *

We can help you to use all the colours from the new Bausac stunning collection, find you the best deals, designers, curtain makers and upholsters.

*Source: Pierre Frey

An 18th Century Enigma: Paul de Lamerie and the Maynard Master at the V&A

Paul de Lamerie (1688-1751) was the greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century. A Huguenot (French Protestant), he came to London with his parents, fleeing persecution in France.

The silvers shown in this exhibition are associated with de Lamerie's most brilliant craftsman, whose identity is still a mystery, who worked from 1737 to 1745. He is known as the Maynard Master, named after the dish made for Grey, 5th Baron Maynard now in the Cahn family collection.

Exhibition ending soon on 9 May 2010 at the Victoria & Albert Museum

For more information, please visit: http://www.vam.ac.uk/index.html

Farrow & Ball and Jo Malone – Collector’s Edition Coloured Candles

In a creative collaboration between two British lifestyle brands, Farrow & Ball has joined with Jo Malone, known for its unique fragrance portfolio and luxury products for the home, to launch a collection of coloured candles, designed to create a scented ambiance and enhance any décor.

Five Jo Malone iconic candle fragrances have been matched with a classic Farrow & Ball colour that is intrinsically linked to the unique inspiration behind each scent. The five limited edition Home Candles that compose this charming collection may be used singly or together to create an alluring aroma and colourful palette.

Source: Farrow & Ball

We can get you the best deals on Farrow & Ball paints and introduce you to amazing designers who will help you choosing the perfect colours.

Byzantine Launch, the new Lori Weitzner collection for Sahco

With great pleasure and excitement, we went down to the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre yesterday to meet the great designer and artist Lori Weitzner.

An extremely accommodating hostess and a delightful presenter, she guided us through a “voyage” along her stunning new creation named Byzantine; the entire collection was inspired on the lights and colours inside the Hagia Sofia basilica, later a mosque and now a museum in Istanbul.

Lori is the principal and creative director of her own New York-based firm, she has achieved international renown with designs that cross a multitude of disciplines, her collections for Sahco have been described as fresh, quiet yet dramatic, emotive and profound, and complex in their apparent simplicity. Rich colour palettes and patterns that transcend cultures and time are prevalent throughout all Lori’s collections for Sahco.

We will be glad to search the best deals on Sahco products.

To appreciate this unique collection and glorious results that Lori has achieved on her Byzantine collection please visit www.sahco.de

Maya Romanoff: Extraordinary New Surfaces

We couldn’t have left the Pierre Frey Showroom at London’s Fulham Road last night feeling more inspired following the cocktail party held to celebrate the launch of the new Maya Romanoff collection.

The fusion of ancient techniques and contemporary opulence is sublime indeed. According to the artist Maya Romanoff the surfaces are distilled from archaeology, anthropology and metallurgy. Some of the stunning new products, like the Mother of Pearl Aphrodite (above), are so flexible they can be used to wrap columns and even go round corners.

We can introduce you to wonderful designers who will be pleased to assist you with any of the products from the latest Romanoff collection and of course help you find the best deals.

For more information visit: www.mayaromanoff.com

Dreaming of a white kitchen

We all love a white kitchen but looking for a better, technical explanation, or an excuse, we found this short Elle Decor article that sums up the love of white kitchens quite nicely:

"Clean, crisp, bright: A white kitchen is an ideal setting for the home cook, whether your taste is classic or contemporary, urbane or rustic. The use of white not only makes a kitchen look bigger and airier, it also provides a clean canvas for showcasing other elements to create an inviting, enchanting, and functional kitchen. Wood finishes look richer against white; printed fabrics pop even more; and lighting fixtures such as chandeliers and pendants stand out as sculptural elements against the neutral backdrop"

If you are considering an exciting new kitchen, we can introduce you to great designer who will be glad to work with you to make your dream kitchen a reality.

Source: Elle Decor

Grey and Wiser... I mean whiter

Interior designer Alice Cottrell was interviewed by Elle Decor and explained how she turned her cramped apartment into a chic, free-flowing space. The conclusion and advice that we can get from the article are:

• To create a spacious feeling, Cottrell cleaned house. She removed all interior doors and thresholds, raised doorways to the ceiling, and paved the entire unit in waxed concrete to maintain visual flow.

• Allowing a single fabric to dominate the decoration is another visual trick. Cottrell chose a velvety material to cover two primary pieces of furniture—a custom-designed sofa and Eero Saarinen’s classic Womb chair. The home’s grey-and-white palette enhances the open atmosphere too.

• Completing renovations over time can be easier on your wallet. “I figured out what I needed to change as I became more familiar with the apartment,” Cottrell says. “And doing the work in phases allowed me to save for what I really wanted. I used $30 rolling racks for my clothes until I could afford my Poliform closet.”

Professional advice is extremely important, a mistake or lack of a simple technique can affect your project and your pocket, we can introduce you to professionals who will deliver your dream room without the hassle.

Source: Elle Decor

Luxurious Summer with Canovas

With fishes, corals, shells and all the colours of the sea, Manuel Canovas Millennium Collections will still indeed be one of our favourite collections for the rest of the millennium.

With summer approaching we can even smell the fresh breeze coming out of his delightful designs.

We can get you the better deals for Manuel Canovas fabrics, candles and home fragrances.

Photos: Colefax

The Silk Man

“Jim Thompson silks have long been synonymous with shimmering magnificence, combining incomparable quality with iridescent color and opulence. Many of the silks are still hand-woven, imbued with the unmistakable Thai quality that characterizes these beautiful designs”

We find silk's attractive luster and drape just perfect for furnishing applications. We can use it for upholstery, wall coverings, window treatments (if blended with another fibre), rugs, bedding and wall hangings.

We can put you in contact with great designers who will help you to achieve the best results working with this delicate fabric and we can also be happy to research the best deals for Jim Thompson silks.

Source: Fox Linton

La Belle Dominique Kiffer

Designer and the artistic director of her own brand since 1987, Dominique Kiffer achieved a soft enchanting atmosphere in her Parisian showroom.

Her style reflects the sophisticated, yet simple collections of the minimalist designer. From the Swedish Gustavian style to the Art Deco design movement, her sources of inspiration embrace simplicity and elegance. She strongly admires the narrow stripes of the Directoire period, or the simple fabrics and natural wood finishes of the Gustavian style.

Their rich black shades are inspirational too, as she tends to use a lot of black in her work. Nature’s influence and noble materials such as glass, marble, zinc or slate are conveyed through her colours and textured-fabrics.

We are huge fans of her marvellous design and will be pleased to assist you to find the best deals on her collections through the best designers who can also provide you with advice and share their own experiences and results using Dominique Kieffer’s fabric.

Source Rubelli

Mr Star*K

Philippe Starck’s Magic Hole chair, was one of the biggest attraction at the 2010 Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the Milan furniture fair. Created in collaboration with Eugeni Quitllet, comes as chairs of two sizes as well as a sofa. The prototypes on display were a midnight black with a blast of orange filling the hollow armrests – voids intended to be pockets large enough for a magazine or newspaper.

(Craig Nakano/ Franco Forci) Wrote to The Times

“At the 2010 Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the Milan furniture fair where the world's greats in home décor are gathered to premiere their 2010 collections, Philippe Starck strode up to the pedestal where the designer's new outdoor chairs were perched like art. He ran his fingers over the soft curves of the silky polyethylene, and as cameras flashed and onlookers nudged closer to hear his verdict on the display, Starck didn't say much of anything to Claudio Luti, owner of manufacturer Kartell, also pictured here. Instead, Starck peered into an armrest, where gloomy black suddenly gave way to sunny orange, and he smiled. A light at the end of the tunnel. Optimism reins at this year's show. Hop along for a tour of the bright (and not so bright) ideas to premiere this year.”

Source: The Times

Donghia expands

Donghia, Inc. – founded by Angelo Donghia, one of America’s most influential and sought after designers- today produces furniture, textiles, lighting and accessories which were sold exclusively to interior designers and architects through Donghia’s fifty representative showrooms around the world including London’s Chelsea Harbour. Now under the stewardship of the Rubelli Group which purchased the Donghia brand in 2005, the company is continuing to grow and flourish both in the United States and internationally. The latest manifestation of this growth is the union this month with New York based White Webb and their 12 showrooms across the US.
As a company, Donghia, Inc. has consistently reflected the dynamic and innovative approach to design that its founder, Angelo Donghia, was renowned for. A fine aesthetic sensibility, discerning eye for quality and concern for comfort in the complete lifestyles that he created made Angelo Donghia one of America’s most influential and sought after interior designers. During the 1970’s and 80’s his client roster included many prominent celebrities and personalities, including Liza Minelli, Donald and Ivana Trump, Diana Ross, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren, while his commercial projects included the worldwide headquarters of PepsiCo, as well as the Opera Club at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.

Today, the product lines still reflect Angelo Donghia’s design philosophy of pared down elegance. Donghia’s unique style smoothly combines comfort and style, traditional and modern design. As new business partners White Webb say: “In the design world, the words ‘classic, elegant and timeless’ tend to be overused and frequently misapplied, but there’s no better description for Donghia”

Book of the Week: Nicky Haslam's Sheer Opulence

This weeks IDC’s book of the week has to be the softback version of Nicky Haslam’s Sheer Opulence launched this week.

We all know Nicky Haslam is courted by rock stars, royalty and the aristocracy alike. His interiors are known to have opulence and a touch of chutzpah. Haslam rooms look glamorous and sexy, yet liveable, practical, and above all flattering to their owner and their surroundings. Effects such as silver-papered ceilings, slashed leather curtains and Picasso-inspired fabric footstools are often cited as representing his approach. The mix of deeply serious, grand and impressive with glamour, charm and above all wit, is the Haslam trademark. Sheer Opulence reveals Nicholas Haslam’s decorating secrets and instinctive approach to interiors in a visual diary.

The best recommendation for his book however comes from Victoria Coren writing in The Observer about the hardback version back in 2002: Haslam ‘ is different enough to be perfectly safe. The danger of design tyranny is an identikit world where we all speak of finials and have the same wall-mounted cherubs that you see on Changing Rooms. There is something immoral about a mass influence of people's taste. But read Haslam's book and enjoy - for none of our homes will ever, ever, ever look like his.’

A Vintage Influence

An evocation of a vintage chair that has grown into small collection of pieces with slim, curved float-buttoned backs. The two chairs and individual bench sofa are all designed to be perfect for use in those areas of the home where space may be a little restricted.

The IDC can provide advice, source or even help in supplying any part of the entire range of luxurious Designers Guild upholstery.

Source Designer’s Guild

Kids Company

Nina Campbell, the world-renowned interior designer has teamed up with Kids Company to create a vibrant china collection using characters generated from art workshops in schools. Luxury, practicality and a sense of wit remain paramount in all of Nina’s sought-after collections and this is no exception. 100% of the money raised from these sales will support the Kids Company Food Programme. Punky Pineapple, Berry Butterfly, Billy Banana & Peter Pumpkin are guaranteed to brighten up any meal!

For further information please go to www.kidsco.org.uk

Secret Weapons

According to Elle Decor, if you ask an interior designer for a list of secret weapons that give a home a sense of atmosphere, and a folding screen will likely rank high. “Screens really do decorate a room,” says Milly de Cabrol, a designer who loves the way these hinged panels add glamour to a space, especially when they are upholstered in luxurious fabrics or lacquered with exotic landscapes. In addition to the ornamental attractions, she praises their practical possibilities for artful camouflage. “Everybody hides things behind screens,” de Cabrol explains. You can deploy one as a headboard and use the area behind for storing suitcases, set one up to mask guests’ coats during a party, or use one to cover exposed pipes.

Decorator Alex Papachristidis is similarly enthusiastic about their many roles. “Screens are great if you want to break up a large area or big flat wall, and they are wonderful when you are faced with structural issues,” he says, such as strangely angled corners. Plus, Papachristidis adds, they are ideal for experimentation: “You can play around with placement to alter the planes of a room and create visual interest.”

We can put you in contact with the most suitable designer for your project and style who will make sure that you are use all the ‘secret weapons’ available to make your room look stunning.

Baccarat, The IDC perfect Gift

Since it was established in 1764, Baccarat has continued expanding its influence, inspired in roots stemming from an ingenious handcrafted work of the highest quality, throughout the world.

The creations of great artists inspired by the magic of crystal are all magnificent stones brought together into building the Art de Vivre collection.

This is how Baccarat perpetuates the great French tradition of a cosmopolitan art of living.

Envisioned by Philippe Starck, the Baccarat House in Paris, home to the brand’s headquarters, is a meeting place for its most beautiful creations – and one of its most beautiful manifestations.

Source Baccarat

The IDC will be glad to help you to choose and purchase your gifts

New Porta Romana Collection

The two stunning lamps above are part of the new Porta Romana collection. The company is a UK based atelier devoted to creating objects of beauty. Over the last 20 years their ethic has never changed and has led to the creation of a body of work drawing on the finest skill of glassblowing, metalworking, sculpting and furniture making.

The IDC can help you find the best Porta Romana deals in London.

Here comes the sun

According to Ralph Lauren Home, Outdoor spaces require more rugged, durable items that can withstand a range of temperatures and weather conditions; however, creating a rich, atmospheric setting can be achieved with a few beautiful yet practical pieces. Lighting is an important element to consider. A combination of practical overhead lighting and decorative, atmospheric lighting will create a romantic mood for evening. Terra-cotta hurricanes allow for candles to be used without blowing out and can be arranged on the floor in groups for a dramatic effect. As for furniture, choose pieces that are designed for outdoor use but keep luxuriously cozy items on hand like cashmere throws and linen throw pillows, to be used outdoors and stored indoors.

The IDC can help you to research and purchase all the new Ralph Lauren fabric collection.

Garden Day with KLC, Friday 21 May

KLC and Homes & Gardens are inviting readers to take part in a fantastic one-day Create a Summer Container course, held in and inspired by the magnificent surroundings of Hampton Court Palace on 21 May.

The day starts in the KLC Design Studio in Hampton Court Palace followed by a tour of the gardens with horticultural manager Anthony Boulding, who will explain the summer planting schemes and offer a behind-the-scenes tour of the palace nursery.

Visitors will then be shown a demonstration by one of KLC's professional horticultural lecturers on how to plant up a summer container covering everything from the right compost to maintaining the container through the seasons. You will then have the opportunity to plant your own summer container to take away with you at the end of the day.

KLC School of Design specialises in interior design and garden design training and offers full-time, part-time, short, blended learning and open learning courses.

For more information please contact the KLC School of Design at www.klc.co.uk

IDC Designer Of The Week: Ulf Moritz

Ulf Moritz graduated as a textile designer in 1960 from Krefelds Textilingenieurschule in Germany. After working at the de Ploeg weavery for many years, Ulf Moritz established his own design studio in Amsterdam in 1970. He mainly works in the fields of textile and interior design, he is planning showrooms and architectural projects including exhibition design. From 1971 to 2004, he was head of the department Man and Identity at the Design Academy Eindhoven.

Ulf Moritz, has created fabrics and carpets for Intair, Interlübke and MID and developed furniture for Montis, Felice Rossi and Team by Wellis.

Since 1986, a yearly textile collection Ulf Moritz by Sahco has been released. His fabrics, as well as his wallpaper collections Ulf Moritz by Marburg had won awards and have been distributed the world over

The designer who was given the honorary title of Royal Designer for Industry by the Royal society of Arts in London, has been developing carpets for Danskina and is art director and designer for Vorwerk. In 2008, he launched a tile collection with the Italian company Viva.

The IDC will have a great pleasure assisting you with all Ulf Moritz products in particular his unique wallpaper collection represented in the UK by Brian Yates.

Swarovski Elements Armchair

Swarovski Elements Work Project. Showing now at the Milano fair, Doshi Levien for Moroso. Doshi Levien have designed a new small armchair for reading or relaxing, upholstered in a bespoke fabric using crystal. 'The brief for this project was to create a usable product, so we had to make sure the crystal had some function and didn't overwhelm the whole piece. We designed a highly geometric checked Jacquard fabric where the crystal forms one of the lines. The answer was to use it as a fine, repeated detail rather than a massive statement,' says Nipa Doshi.

Source and photo Elle Decor

British Quilt Exhibition

The V&A is presenting its first ever exhibition of British quilts, with examples dating from 1700 to the present day - a unique opportunity to view the V&A's unseen quilt collection as well as key national loans.

The exhibition shows 65 beautifully crafted quilts, predominantly
from the V&A's own collection but also including a number of important loans and new works by contemporary artists, many of which have been commissioned especially for the show.

Earliest examples include a sumptuous silk and velvet bedcover, with an oral narrative that links it to King Charles II's visit to an Exeter manor house in the late 17th century. Recent examples will include works by leading artists such as Grayson Perry and Tracey Emin and commissions for the exhibition by a number of contemporary artists including Sue Stockwell and Caren Garfen.

Source: V&A www.vam.ac.uk

High Flying

Despite the huge knock on effects of the volcanic ashes that will dominate many of our lives for some time to come, on a more positive note, we thought we would celebrate the return to the skies with this vision of how we will all be flying in the future –or at least might like to.

This futuristic, state-of-the-art interior of the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental was made possible by a partnership between Boeing and Greenpoint Technologies. A curved, sweeping staircase, chic lounging area, and stylish sleeper berths are included in the advanced 747-8 designs.

Personally I’d go for one of the private 747-8 VIP berths with a proper size double bed as well as a privacy curtain, removable decorative panels and a passenger service unit for calling a flight attendant.

Have a look at the other fabulous photos but a word of warning… don’t scroll too far and spoil your daydreams; the Economy section still has an achingly familiar look to it

Source: trendhunter

Mad Men & MyDeco.com

When one of the best interior design sites pays homage to one of the truly, aesthetically great TV series of all time, we should all pay attention. We’ll be looking in much greater depth at 50s retro down the line but in the meantime, have a look at mydeco.com’s Top Ten picks inspired by the series; we particularly like the Linley silver, rosewood and crystal cocktail shaker.

And just to add that additional touch of class, we hope you enjoy this otherwise gratuitous shot of Don, Betty and other Mad Men protagonists as much as we do:

Source: mydeco.com

Donghia at the Salone

Following its success from 2008 and 2009, Donghia exhibits at the world renowned Salone Internazionale del Mobile for the third consecutive year April 14 – 19, 2010.

With a design departure from previous years, the booth designed by Donghia Creative Director, Chuck Chewning, will showcase a complete Donghia lifestyle. “We sought to capture Angelo Donghia’s fundamental design principle, which was to create a total environment that was both glamorous and sophisticated, and above all comfortable” said Mr. Chewning.

The fully enclosed setting is segmented into three lifestyle areas featuring dining, living and sleeping environments that seamlessly flow together. Mr. Chewning selected furniture from across several Donghia collections, including some classics, showing how effortlessly Donghia’s timeless designs can complement each other to create a lifestyle setting.

Set amidst a warm and contemporary red color palette, each area possesses an intriguing juxtaposition of materials - a hallmark trait of Angelo Donghia’s interiors. Throughout the rooms there is a constant contrasting of elements – from modern furniture upholstered in elegant velvets, set amidst an antique oak floor, to walls covered with natural grasscloth and gold leaf.

The exhibition space inspired by the environments Angelo Donghia created, showcases modern designs with rich and luxurious accents that evoke Angelo Donghia’s signature style of elegance and comfort. As Donghia continues to move forward as a global brand, it maintains the exceptional design philosophy of its founder.

The IDC will be delighted to try and get you the best deals on this fabulous new collection.

Happy Anniversary Armani Casa & Rubelli

One year ago, The Armani Group was pleased to announce the launch of a partnership between Armani Casa and Rubelli for the creation, production and distribution of furnishing fabrics. The inaugural collection was introduced at the 2009 Salone del Mobile (International Furniture Exhibition) in Milan at the Armani/Casa showroom. The line was named “Armani Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli” and the IDC will always be always pleased to supply you with great ideas about how to use this fantastic collection.

According to their website, www.rubelli.com, the first collection, featuring jacquard, damask, velvet and curtains, was designed to provide contemporary and cosmopolitan home furnishing solutions. Silk plays a primary role amongst the fabrics of the new collection. The 20’s and 30’s era provides the leitmotif for the creations and is revisited through evocative interpretations of graphics typical of the first decades of the twentieth century. Imagery reminiscent of those years – such as stylised plant motifs, the sinuosity of lines and animal themes – is featured in the most significant patterns in the collection. Armani textures and cult iconography figure prominently, including checks, damier patterns, plain fabrics and micro patterns, all of which are interpreted in this collection in a variety of new weaves and colours exclusive to the Maison.

The collection is completed by a range of lightweight drapes, indispensable to the total look of the interior. This first line will be followed up annually by subsequent collections of furnishing fabrics, drapes and curtains. Rubelli fabrics will be used to cover all the upholstered items in the Armani/Casa collection. Furthermore, clients will be able to purchase these fabrics at leading Rubelli outlets and Armani/Casa stores.

Source: Rubelli

Texture Time

Since the time of ancient Mesopotamia, mosaics have been used to add colour, texture, and pattern to homes. The historic art form, first used in the fourth millennium B.C., utilizes small pieces (called tesserae) of stone, glass, fired clay, or other hard materials to cover a surface, often to create a pattern or depict an image. Because the process was so labor-intensive, tile work was once found in only the most aristocratic houses. But now it is a versatile, hard-wearing, and practical option—ideal for kitchens and baths, of course, but also for walls and floors in other rooms as well as swimming pools.

We can give you the best advices and ideas, research the best deals for the major brands, and link you to great designers .

Source and photo: Elle Decor

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

Mirror, mirror, on the wall … is there anyone better than the IDC to help you?
With so many shapes, sizes, and styles to chose from.
Mirrors, according to Elle Decor are a versatile decorative element that give instant polish to a room with little effort. They can do wonders—from illuminating dark corners to adding elegance and drama to an area to creating the illusion of space. They can even serve as works of art. There’s a mirror for every taste, whether yours is ultramodern or ultraclassic we will connect you with the best professionals and suppliers.
Source and Photo: Elle Decor magazine.

Brit Insurance Design Awards 2010

If you have not already visited the Brit Insurance Design Awards 2010 –“the Oscars of the design world” at the Design Museum, don’t worry. Because of overwhelming demand the exhibition has been extended and will now run through to 31 October 2010. Tickets are available in advance through www.ticketweb.co.uk

This week The IDC went to London’s Shad Thames to check out the work of Konstantin Grcic, the talented German designer who was nominated for the Brit Insurance Furniture Award.

Born in Munich but later moving to study in the UK, Grcic has become a star on the international creative scene and has developed a design language that combines rigour with subtle humour in the products and furniture he has designed for manufacturers such as Authentics, Flos, Krups and Magis.

The Museum considers his nominated 360° Work Chair ‘delightfully confusing’. Do you sit on it sideways or straight? Do you use the upright as an armrest or backrest? Yet this flexibility is central to the design. The chair invites users to consider how they will interact with it, requiring them to change stance until they find the position that best fits the task in hand. The 360° chair and stool provide dynamic furniture for people who like to constantly change positions while they work.

Now in their third year, the Brit Insurance Design Awards showcase the most innovative and forward thinking designs from around the world; designs that promise to influence contemporary interior concepts. We’ll be back.
http://www.designsoftheyear.com/category/genre/furniture/

Book of the week 'Dream Homes: 101 Inspirational Interiors"

Recommended book of the week "dream homes: 101 inspirational interiors"

Everyone has an idea of their own dream home, whether it be a minimally furnished apartment overlooking a city skyline or an informal and colourful retreat in the sun. Whatever your dream, this bestselling book - now available in paperback for the first time - presents 100 inspirational interiors of all styles from around the globe, from New England to Mallorca and from Provence to South Africa. Alongside the work of many of the world's most talented interior designers are homes that have been imaginatively transformed by the vision and commitment of their owners.

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Interior Design Club launch!

We’re proud to launch The Interior Design Club and hope you’ll use us and tell your friends and family to do the same.

In essence we provide support for the many people who already have a pretty good idea about design, are confident in their own taste in design but might need a little help or guidance especially with sourcing and purchasing goods which will often play a huge part in their lives and have a similar impact on their bank balance.

Why a Club when there are no membership fees or charges? Mainly because our services are neither open to or appropriate for everyone and so this gives us the chance to decide if we want to work with you and vice versa: once you use us you’ll become a member, members will use us again and will hopefully introduce more people who will then become members themselves. We’ve got lots of ideas and potential benefits for members in the pipeline but for now, call us on 0208 123 9693 or send us an email to info@theinteriordesignclub.co.uk