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The Timeless Appeal of Mid-century Patterns


Chances are you would have come across mid-century patterns if you’re into interior design. Very popular in the 50s and 60s, minimalism and simple repetition ruled with this trend.

Even today, they’re still very much in vogue. You can understand the appeal for these designs. They’re striking, geometric, reminiscent of things we can all relate with and at times nostalgic. Nowadays, it is more common to find people seeking interesting modern interpretations.

What’s not to like about the sheer simplicity in the patterns used? The bold contrasting colours are a staple which means they’re nothing but bold and beautiful. A perfect match for anyone who likes full on colour.

One very popular design is the Dandelion clocks pattern which was designed by Fiona Howard for Sanderson in 2008.

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Dandelion clocks, Fiona Howard

Going down memory lane, a textile designer well known in her days for brilliant designs was Lucienne Day. The ‘Calyx’ which she designed for Heal’s in 1951 was the fabric that brought her fame.

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Calyx, Lucienne Day

Orla Kiely is another lady whose name rings a bell when it comes to mid century patterns. Her designs are literally on everything.

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Multi Stem wallpaper, Orla Kiely

Even some designs like this Aquila wallpaper design in our Stellar collection have been said to have mid-century feel to them too albeit a modern take. We sure didn’t see that coming but we’re more than happy to take the compliment.

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Aquila wallpaper, Moody Monday

With applications on wallpaper, fabric, wall art and even custom headboards, you’ll agree that these designs are very versatile. Inspired? Why not look to infuse this into your home?

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What we saw at ICFF 2016: Inspiring Lighting

Did you know we just launched a new collection? Sure you’ve either met us at ICFF, heard about it on social media or one of our newsletters. Well, yes we launched our new ‘Stellar collection at ICFF a few weeks ago.

Anyone who has exhibited at a trade show knows how tiring and full on they can be. But it’s all a labour of love. We enjoy making connections with potential and existing clients. To top it all off, the feedback to the new designs was fantastic.

ICFF 2016 Moody Monday stand

The Moody Monday stand

Amidst the great time we spent at our booth, we were sure not to miss out on all the contemporary design on offer in the Javits centre. A stroll round the hall packed with eager exhibitors, and we found some interesting products.

As far as product design goes, outside of our product lines, one of the areas that continues to fascinate us is lighting design. Grab a seat and enjoy the highlights from the Moody Monday perspective.

blog1_ICFF lighting4Sketch light, Work and Design by Rafael Avramovich

blog1_ICFF lighting1Cloud softlight by Molo Design 

blog1_ICFF lighting3Light Forest by &Tradition ; Lamps by Luke Lamp Co

blog1_ICFF lighting5LED Book lamps by Ali Siavoshi

Quite special, aren’t they. Which of them was your favourite? Look out for more interesting designs from our ICFF trip over the next few days.

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Design of the Week: The Restaurant by Tom Dixon and Caesarstone

It’s been over 2 weeks since the Milan Design Week 2016. We weren’t there but we kept our ears pealed to the ground. One of the notable highlights was the impressive pop up restaurant designed by Tom Dixon in collaboration with leading quartz manufacturer, Caesarstone.

The interactive installation called “The Restaurant” was based at the Milan Children’s Museum (MUBA) in the historical Rotonda della Besana in Milan. It was made of four conceptual kitchens. With inspiration from the four elements – Earth, Air, Water and Fire, each kitchen creates a multi-sensory experience for guests.

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The British designer, Tom Dixon designed each dining area to feature colours and materials based on each element whilst showcasing Caesarstone’s designs. Tom’s product design also features albeit with secondary prominence. We definitely have a soft spot for his lighting ranges. They are so exquisite.

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“In Milan this year, we wanted to collaborate with Caesarstone to inspire architects and designers through a radical interpretation of how food and surfaces can interact in different ways, delivering a food experience that challenges all the senses in an exercise of materiality, luminosity and texture. Reflecting on the four medieval elements, we have created totally distinctive smells, tastes and visual experiences within each room.” Tom Dixon.​

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Image credit: www.tomdixon.net

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Our Stellar Collection is debuting at ICFF New York 2016

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“Stellar is a luxurious, contemporary design collection inspired by the boundless beauty of the sky and space.”

Debuting at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF)  in May 2016, our new collection ‘STELLAR’ is inspired by the boundless hidden beauty of the sky and space. This luxurious, contemporary collection of designs captures the dualistic nature of the skies with a colour palette evoking both dawn and dusk.

The ‘STELLAR’ collection consists of four wallpaper designs in varying colour ways, three fabric patterns, two cushion designs, four coasters and a set of matching fabric, coaster and placemat designs.

Moody Monday will be launching STELLAR  at ICFF.

Level 1, Booth 2503
Jacob K. Javits Center, New York
14 – 17 May 2016
For more details, visit our exhibitor profile at ICFF. Come and say hello. We look forward to seeing you.
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Destination Inspiration: Creative Office Designs

Long gone are the days when office spaces were clinical and lacked personality. Thankfully we’ve moved on from multitudes of white cubicles and stark boring set ups. These days, companies are paying more attention to the design and quality of their workspaces. The usual suspects like Google, Pixar, Skype get top marks in this department. But they’re not the only ones making a change. We share two other examples that show creativity and character in office design.

1) Nuon Amsterdam office

Architects: Heyligers Design + Projects

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Image source: Contemporist

2) Axiom New York office

Architects: BHDM Design, Photography by Adam Macchia.

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Image source: InteriorDesign

Share your own remarkable office designs with us.

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Spectacular warehouse conversions

Warehouse conversions offer more than just another building, they have unique character and the abundance of space many of us crave. Think of a spacious open plan kitchen and living area oozing bouts of character and industrial appeal. Sometimes a regular detached house just won’t do. However they do come with their challenges too.

Commercial properties have long been in demand for their potential to be transformed into new housing opportunities. In the UK, the areas popularly targeted are in established centres like London, Bristol and Southampton.These beautiful warehouse conversions caught our eye today.

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The exposed brick offers the perfect canvas for a great industrial look. The use of warm colours and natural materials eases in a relaxed scheme. This is the perfect style for the urban city dweller who appreciates the outdoors.

Image source: Andrew Franz

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This luxury penthouse in London combines industrial elements with Art Deco touches. The soft neutral palette keeps the space fresh complementing the industrial chic look. The large  windows are great for allowing this bright and airy open plan layout to really come to life.

Image source: Decoist

 

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Destination Inspiration: AthensWas hotel inspired by Greek design

Located in the Plaka district of Athens, this hotel pays an ode to ancient Greek design and classic modernism. To continue our Destination inspiration series, we bring you AthensWas, a design-focused hotel bursting with style.

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Designed by Stavros Papayiannis of Stage Design Office, the mission was to create a fresh approach to Greek design. Fully decked out in Greek marble and Greek walnut, the hotel’s overall aesthetic is defined by clean lines and an abundance of natural materials. What’s not to like about its understated luxury with playful elements making it easy for stylish guests to enjoy? The space exudes a contemporary approach to classic modernism in a way that celebrates Greek history and architecture.

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Good things come in small packages. AthensWas hotel has just 21 guest rooms. Each room with its own outdoor space is filled to the brim with iconic furniture, light fittings and products from well-known designers. Even the artwork in the bedrooms immerse you into a world of culture and history. Some designs featured include the Canta and Viki armchairs by Toshiyuki Kita and lamps by French designers, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.

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The in-house restaurant and rooftop bar located on the 6th floor of the hotel promise stunning views of the Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the old Olympic stadium. Who wouldn’t want to dine in style with such picturesque views?

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Story and images via Design Milk

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How to use Emerald Green in Interior Design

Colour has a way of creating a certain mood. With many shades and tones to choose from, green is versatile and ideal for creating an energetic interior. Seen vastly in nature, it has a way of rejuvenating a space and evoking a sense of peace and harmony.

If you’re looking for a colour which communicates elegance and luxury, a rich emerald green is perfect. To celebrate St Patrick’s Day, we’ll take a look at a few rooms for inspiration.

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The beauty of using emerald green is the way it works so well with other colours. Here the jewel toned wall colour and armchair are paired with Dixon’s gold pendants. Introducing natural materials in brown is the perfect addition to warm up this earthy scheme.

Source: Dwell

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When combined with other neutral colours like grey, emerald green creates a sophisticated environment. I like how the plants and furniture add subtle yet classy pops of colour to the overall look.

Source: Casa Vogue

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This wild card showcases a luxurious green feature piece juxtaposed with interesting patterns to complement. The natural theme continues with the accessories well positioned on the shelf. If you like to mix patterns, why not go all out?

Source: Arts and Classy

Like the look of emerald green? How can you inject this beautiful colour into your decorating this spring? Let us know.

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10 Inspirational Design Quotes you should know

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Quotes make us think. You nod in agreement when we read one that strikes a chord, don’t you?

Hearing someone else say something is all you need to reinforce the beliefs you already have. Many creatives have said a lot about design and creativity. So for a bit of wisdom sharing today, we collated some of our favourite inspirational design quotes.  Be inspired.

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.” Robert L. Peters

“Color does not add a pleasant quality to design – it reinforces it.” Pierre Bonnard

“Simplicity, carried to an extreme, becomes elegance.” Jon Franklin

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” Walt Disney

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Mark Twain

“Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible.” M.C. Escher

“The details are not the details. They make the design.” Charles Eames

“Design is everything. Everything!” Paul Rand

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Pablo Picasso

“Design is where science and art break even.” Robin Matthew

Do you have some favourite design quotes you’d like us to include? Why not let us know and we’ll be happy to add them in.

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Design of the week: Colourful studio by Masquespacio

It’s always a great feeling when we find inspiring colourful interiors. This office studio by Masquespacio has quickly become the highlight of our day. We won’t list all our favourite things about this design but we’ll share those that resonate with us most with you.

Colour is good and lots of it

For those of you who love colour, this design will appeal to you. Vivid colours in cheerful hues give the space a playful feel. Using these types of colours in working environments must be a good thing for creativity. Even pineapples manage to play a part. How clever is that?

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Trendy furniture makes a powerful statement

This was the first time we’ve come across the Toadstool collection. They are very impressive, don’t you think? Designed by Masquespacio, their debut furniture collection which launched in January 2016 is characterised by colourful fabrics and rounded shapes. Luxurious with extra glam factor, swooning over them is surely an understatement.

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You can never have too many plants

Perfectly perched at prime positions, the lush plants add that extra layer of texture and freshness. They’re literally in every corner around the studio. It makes us want to rush to the garden centre to fill our Moody Monday studio up.

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There is design inspiration everywhere. What has inspired you this week? Let us know.

Full story via Dezeen. Photography by Bruno Almela.

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