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Top Interior Design Trends we’ll see in 2016

One of our highlights here at Moody Monday is anticipating new interior design trends. We see them as an opportunity to truly understand customer needs, innovate and dictate where the industry is going.

In today’s blog post, we share the key trends we believe will set the tone for interior design in 2016.

1.  Cosmic Attraction

Ethereal, deep and richly stimulating, this colour trend transports us into a state of serenity, beauty and adventure at the same time. Imagine exploring the colours of the night sky: midnight blues, turquoise, rich greens – the perfect colours to complete a warm and captivating interior.

This trend with its futuresque look and feel will make an impression on walls and soft furnishings in 2016. It is clear that we increasingly want personal spaces which are honest, pure and can arouse all our senses.

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Images via Inside Out  | Brabbu

You can look to Moody Monday’s Dance and Modulate with Feelings Wallpaper designs to inject this beautiful trend into your living room. Also expect some exciting new designs in our new collection due to launch later this year (more updates to follow). Discover more on the colours in Behr’s 2016 color trends.

2. Metallic tones

With Cherished Gold named Dulux’s colour of 2016 , we will see luxe metallic finishes everywhere. Our love for metals from 2015 lingers  as gold, stainless steel, platinum and brass continue to make appearances.

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Image via Mecc Interiors

Look out for rich metallic tones especially in furniture, bathroom fittings, decorative accessories, wall coverings and even artwork. Irrespective of your home style, mixing metals can add the perfect sparkle and sophistication to any space. We will likely see a move away from garish overly polished looks to softer hues as homeowners look to create interest without being ostentatious.

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Images via HGTV | Elle Decor | Lighting Styles

3. Black stainless steel kitchens

Move over shiny silver, the kitchen appliance industry is going back to black. We saw this trend starting to creep in towards the end of last year and it’s here to stay. With a more subtle, less reflective finish, we’ve seen Samsung and LG launch new suites of appliances in the last few months.

British interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard adds that “No longer side lined as the metal for overwrought outdoor furniture or bed frames, the decidedly unflashy material is appearing as simple hardware, bathroom fixtures and even flatware”.

If you’re thinking of a kitchen makeover this year, this is the trend you should definitely take seriously.

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Images via Consumer Reports | Digital Trends

4. Bathroom Comforts

Fewer quick showers, it’s time for more pampering. Look forward to seeing more décor and stylish cabinetry making its way into the bathroom, turning it almost into a second bedroom.

The focus in 2016 will be more on the ambience of the bathroom. To stay on trend, adding a stool, statement mirrors and greenery can create a well lived-in space you want to wake up to in the morning or escape to at night.

Discover our tips and tricks to make your bathroom more relaxing from a previous blog post.

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Images via House of home | LoveChicLiving

What do you think about these 2016 interior trends? Let us know which ones you like the most.

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Luxury Watch Store Designed by Patricia Urquoila

Patricia Urquoila’s recent luxury retail store design is a perfect combination of creativity and sophistication. Panerai, the luxury Italian watch brand commissioned her to design its first US flagship store in Miami. Designers really do make the world tick, no pun intended.

The leading Spanish designer and architect has challenged the status quo. By creating an ultra-modern environment with class, she translates the brand’s ethos beautifully. We like the way fashion and design come together.

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The luxury store complete with luxurious finishes like gold, marble and bronze has design elements. They cleverly pay an ode to the inner workings of watches. A large wall clock resembles one of the brand’s watch faces. An open stair also mimics the teeth of a gear.

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According to Donna Karan, “Design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxe, the practical with the desirable”.

We’re inspired by Patricia’s ability to exhibit this approach effortlessly time and time again. Last year, she designed her SHIMMER glass furniture collection which we shared in a previous blog post.

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Story and images via Dezeen

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Top Interior Books to read in 2016

As we welcome 2016, it gives us the opportunity to look forward to fresh aspirations with a new lease of life. If you haven’t done so already, you can make some new goals today.  Think big and give yourself the chance to see your vision come to reality.

One goal of ours at Moody Monday is to challenge ourselves to innovate more. This will sometimes take us out of our comfort zone but we welcome this. We are eager to learn and find useful resources to help stretch our imagination.

What better way to start off 2016 than with a new book list? If it’s in the world of interior design, we have just the list for you. Read on for some of our favourite interior design books to open your mind up to a world of new possibilities. No doubt your home will thank you for it too.

1. The Tailored Interior by Greg Natale

Offering readers a step-by-step guide of the interior design process, Greg shares how he creates vibrant homes with his bold signature style. Find out more

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2. Bright Bazaar: Embracing Colour for Make-You-Smile Style by Will Taylor

This colour-popping book is bursting with beautiful images and great ideas on how to use colour in every space in your home. Find out more

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3. Sustainable Design Book by Rebecca Proctor

This book opens the door to a world of inspiration from over 200 designers who are taking ecological product design very seriously. It is sure to surprise and educate you. Find out more

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4. Decorating with Style by Abigail Ahern

We love how she makes dark interiors look so luxurious and captivating. Find out more

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5. Style Council by Sarah Thompson

Get introduced to unique interior spaces which celebrate savvy home style in Britain’s ex-council homes. Find out more

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Happy reading and a happy new year! Let us know which ones become your favourite.

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Inspiring Designers Part III : Alvin Tjitrowirjo

This week in our inspiring designer series, we pitch our tent in the world of product design. It is unmistakably fundamental to interior design after all.

We recently discovered this gifted product designer, Alvin Tjitrowirjo. He is well known for his mastery of design. Our appreciation for innovative design instantly drew us to his work.

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Photo: Round Table Bench, © AlvinT 2015

Passionate about preserving and protecting Indonesian culture at its core, his furniture brand AlvinT and design studio, AlvinT Studio  skilfully blend cultural elements with contemporary design. We like design which is honest and unexpected and are particularly intrigued by the considered use of natural and industrial materials to create beautiful, high quality furniture pieces which can stand the test of time.

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Photo: Kawong (Coffee Table), © AlvinT 2015

With beautiful ranges of lighting, sofas, chairs and more, spanning three delightful collections, the designs bring a taste of innovation and a real sense of craftsmanship to many a design enthusiast.

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Photo: Kawong (Shelves), © AlvinT 2015

Why not visit their website www.alvin-t.com? There’s more brilliant design to see.

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Photo: Colette & Lola Grand Indonesia Shopping Town © AlvinT 2015

For previous blog posts you might have missed on the series, here are part I and part II.

All images sourced from and reproduced with permission from AlvinT.

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Last minute Interior presents for Christmas

We’ve all had our fair share of last minute moments especially with Christmas gifts. It usually starts with us thinking carefully about what our loved ones would like and then spending some time hunting down that perfect present. But with many plans, they don’t always go as smoothly, we might second-guess our decisions or get the feeling that we haven’t quite found ‘the one’.

Many interior gifts offer great design, do not usually follow specific trends and are therefore timeless. So today on the blog, we bring you our favourite Christmas present choices which you can pick up at the last minute and will be sure to be a winner with your loved ones.

Ideal for someone who likes an elegant touch in their home

Pinched vase, Kelly Hoppen, £120

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For the design enthusiast in the family, add some fresh urban style to their sofa

Chinese paper silk cushion, Moody Monday, £132

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Know someone with a glam home? they’ll love you for brightening up their space

Zoffany Cicero table lamp, Amara, £431

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Perfect for the friend who doesn’t need an excuse to have a stand out piece

Wall sculpture, LuxDeco, £240

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In stylish vessels, these candles will appeal to anyone who values cosy nights in

Scent candles, gift set of 3, Heals, £80

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This is the perfect present for framing this year’s Christmas memories

Photograph bookend, Linley, £250

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A keen hostess will appreciate some earthy designs  in her living room

Enamel bowl, BoConcept, £109

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Hope you’ve been inspired. Let us know about some of your purchases.

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Dazzling Luxury Christmas decorations

Now we’re in December, everyone is starting to get in on the Christmas decoration action. From luxury hotels to department stores, the desire to put up the most imaginative festive displays continues to grow year after year.

Read on for three Christmas displays to inspire you.

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

Jeff Leatham, artistic director at the hotel has gone all polar with this year’s arctic-themed display in the hotel lobby. Known for his floral installations, his Christmas displays at the hotel definitely do not go unnoticed. We really like his ingenuity.

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Image source

Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel

You can’t go wrong with lots of sparkle at Christmas. This Waldorf Astoria hotel gives guests an unmistakably festive winter wonderland welcome with this festival of lights in the hallway.

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Image source

Galeries La Fayette, Paris

As they imply, enjoy Christmas from another planet with this extravagant cosmic display. The stunning creation combines the paradoxical nature of the cosmos with familiar Christmas colours and elements.

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Image source

 

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Inspiring Designers, Part II : Prasetio Budhi

This week, we introduce you to another talented interior designer based in Indonesia. Prasetio Budhi heads up Plus Design, the interior design consulting firm which he set up over a decade ago.

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Photo: Le Salon, © Plus Design 2015

His style is particularly youthful, having the ability to combine luxurious elements bringing individuality and personality to beautiful high-end spaces.

His mantra is “to bring world class design to every project”. Embracing more of a classic style in his interiors whether residential or commercial, his ability to showcase interesting design with a contemporary aesthetic is remarkable.

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Photo: Senopati Residence, © Plus Design 2015
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Photo: Jade Boutique © Plus Design 2015

The refined look created in this commercial store displays a creative juxtaposition of dark ambiance with statement lighting. We think his work is undeniably stylish with a refreshing edge.

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Photo: Elite Senayan City, © Plus Design 2015
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Photo: Elite Senayan City, © Plus Design 2015

For more of his interior projects, visit www.plus-dsgn.com. If you haven’t already, also read the first blog in our series, Inspiring Designer part 1.

Image mention

https://www.behance.net/prasetiobudhi

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Inspiring Designers, Part I : Fifi Fimandjaja

A few weeks ago, our designer and founder, Eliza Kesuma returned from a nice holiday in Indonesia, her home country. It made us think – why not introduce all our lovely readers to the world of interior design in beautiful Indonesia.

This week’s spotlight is on Fifi Fimandjaja, one of Indonesia’s leading interior designers catering to high-end residential and hospitality clients.

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Photo: ©Adeline Krisanti 2015  via  Idea Online

We particularly like how her stylish mix of modern style with cultural elements provides non-ostentatious luxury and glamour. Her spaces have a knack for matching the right use of colours with interior styles.

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Photo: © Vivianne Faye 2015

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Photo: © Vivianne Faye 2015

For more on her work, visit http://www.viviannefaye.com

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Stunning Blue Interiors

According to research, Blue is the world’s favourite colour. With so many beautiful shades, this colour depicts calmness and serenity and is loved by many interior designers and designer wannabes around the world.

Dark blue hues are usually great for autumn and winter. Get inspired by these beautiful blue rooms.

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The blue walls in this gorgeous living room are complemented by the gold and white accents

Image credit: Plum Design

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The statement wallpaper acts as a great backdrop in this blue and grey room

Image credit: House to Home

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Stunning blue wall panels add vibrant colour and accent to this luxurious room

Image credit: Art Ekstrax

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We love the way this beautiful sofa stands out perfectly placed in symmetry with the fireplace and wall art.

Image credit: From Greenwich

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Paired with white, the blue furnishings create a relaxing colour scheme in this bed room

Image credit: LuxDeco

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Simplicity at its best, the colour scheme takes advantage of indigo blue

Image credit: Port and Quarter

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4 Tips for organising your home office

The home office is more popular these days than it has ever been, thanks to flexible working practices and more people starting their own businesses from home.

At Moody Monday, we’re all for owning and having control of your space. Say goodbye to the days of chaos and messy desks, it’s time to make this the week of the organised home office.  Here are a few tips to get you started.

Declutter, declutter, declutter

If you’re not throwing things out on a regular basis, it’s very likely that you’re keeping more stuff than you really need. Like we do with our wardrobes and other rooms in the home, it is important to declutter your home office regularly to keep on top of things. Scan important items, remove old magazines, paperwork you’ve dealt with, excess folders and the like. The saying “Less is more” is definitely true for the home office, you can concentrate on only what is truly relevant.

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Images via Anthony Pepe and Home Designing

Invest in a good organisational system

I have a soft spot for making sure everything has a home. Books, stationery, folders, office supplies, post it notes, you name them. It’s undeniable that we all have different preferences about how particular we are about these things, however some level of organisation is helpful for remembering where things are and bringing a sense of calm and order into your office space.

Make sure you have adequate storage to prevent your desk from becoming messy and untameable. If your home office has evolved over the years, it’s most likely needing a full evaluation to be sure the space is still working well for you. You can either plan this out yourself or hire the services of an interior designer to help you out.

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Image via Intelligent Genie

Choose your desk and chair wisely

In most corporate offices, there is much emphasis placed on ergonomics. It’s usually in the company policies to ensure that employees have the right environment and equipment to do their work efficiently and are also well informed about this. Why not have the same level of care and attention in your home office? Be sure to get a chair which provides all the support your body needs and the desk is at the right height and is well suited to your needs. If unsure about what to do, contact a specialist home office furniture company.

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Image via Neat and Tidy

Personalise with something you love

Whether it’s a family photo, an inspirational quote, your favourite flowers, it’s good to have some positive visual reminders. They can help you to be thankful for the things you’re grateful for and are also pretty handy for those days when you need that extra bit of motivation. . We all know it is important to have the right mind-set to be productive at work.

Your home office should be an expression of who you are and the design style of your home. Be free to show your personality and style with the use of colour, texture and unique accessories in the design of your home office.

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Image via Ultralinx and Style Me Pretty

Your home office doesn’t have to be the usual desk and chair setting in a separate corner of your home, explore the possibility of using what you already have at home to your best advantage. A few weeks ago, we looked at how you can use the space under your suitcase from a previous blog post or it could even be by your bedside, there are loads of options to explore.

Whatever you do, keep your home office organised.