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New Lighting trends

As the night’s are drawing in, it seems a perfect time to focus on the work of some innovative lighting designers.

I was able to take a personal look at some of their work, and trends to look out for, at the ICFF contemporary design showcase event earlier this year.

This combination of walnut sits well with the unique excavation technique employed by New York based In.Sek. Designer Ashira Isreal adds quartz crystal to specially blended concrete, creating a torn window effect for the shade, which in turn casts a sprialing light and soft glow across any space.

In Sek Design, New York, Excavation Dune Pendant
In.Sek Design, New York, Excavation Dune Pendant

Created from painted stainless steel mesh, the apparent simplicity of these Arturo Alvarez designed lamps belies their delicate crafting. Fine pleats form two overlapped layers creating two different lamps full of dynamism – two lively shapes born from one, creating the same movement yet at a different tempo.

Tempo Vivace pendant lamps designed by Arturo Alvarez

I particularly like how Iranian-born designer Ali Siavoshi works with everyday objects, transforming them into light fixtures, whilst injecting a sense of humour into these stylish and innovative displays.

Ali Siavoshi lamps on display at ICFF 2016 New York
Ali Siavoshi lamps on display at ICFF 2016 New York

Another designer who creates extraordinary pieces of art and lighting from ordinary “up-cycled” everyday glass bottles, is Altanta based Kathleen Plate. Her innovative techniques and sophisticated designs sit well within contemporary and stylish restaurant and hotel groups.

Smart Glass Art (SGA) custom chandelier designed by Kathleen Plate
Smart Glass Art (SGA) custom chandelier designed by Kathleen Plate

Zac Ridgely is a trained artist who uses his talent in the medium of light, son of a famed Canadian architect he quickly learned how to navigate his way through architectural drawings. The CRISS-CROSS series was created from a genuine desire to blend art with lighting, and this sculptural piece of cut steel rod is carefully arranged and welded in a seemingly random pattern.

Zac Ridgely's Criss Cross wallsconce

Zac Ridgely’s Criss Cross wallsconce

I hope these inspirational creations will give you some ideas for transforming your living or working spaces.

Moody Monday offers a bespoke design service to complement any projects you might be considering, and I’d be happy to discuss these further, Eliza.

Sources: www.insekdesign.com

www.arturo-alvarez.com

www.alialiali.com

www.sdgconstructiontechnology.com

www.kathleenplate.com

www.ridgelystudioworks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MOODY MONDAY LENDS AUTUMNAL WARMTH TO INTERIORS

The nights are fair drawing in and as evenings get more autumnal, Moody Monday’s innovative collection of bold provocative prints for accessories include this season’s must-have – sumptuous velvet cushions. Perfect for creating a splash of colour, and adding warmth to any sofa.

 

Nebulae Velvet Cushions

 

Debuted at the ICFF New York earlier this year, this 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. Vibrant jewel colours accompany mesmerising geometrical patterns paired against contrasting backgrounds.

From the dazzling colours of the Northern Lights to the abstract patterns of constellations, the depths of sky and space provide an intriguing array of inspiration.

The ‘STELLAR’ collection also 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. One of our most provocative patterns, Nebulae, consists of strong geometric shapes with intense contrasting colours that creatively interpret the enigmatic nature of space.

Designer, Eliza Kesuma comments, “I love the changing of the seasons, which provide me with fresh inspiration to create new and contemporary prints. The Stellar range of fabric fits perfectly into nights on the sofa. Inspired by patterns of light created at dusk and dawn, the warmth and feel of the velvet cushions are the perfect way to create an instant boost.”

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Available to buy at: https://www.moodymonday.co.uk/shop/nebulae-cotton-velvet-cushion/
Follow us at: Twitter #MoodyMondayUK Pinterest – /MoodyMondayUk Facebook – /MoodyMondayUk
Contact:T: +44 (0) 131 618 2979 T: +44 (0) 131 777 2679
Unit 13 – Abbeymount Techbase, 2 Easter Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5AN

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Decorating with Pantone Colour of the year 2016

If you have a keen interest in interior design, you would have seen the Pantone Colour of the year. It was announced last year. For the first time in Pantone’s history, the team decided on two colours – Rose Quartz and Serenity Blue. What a luxury. Instead of popularising one colour, they chose to present them as a combination.

These colours are reminiscent of baby gender reveal parties popular these days. They are soft and very easy on the eye. When paired together, they bring a sense of soothing freshness to an interior space.

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According to Pantone, “Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.”

Today’s feature looks at one half of this beautiful Pantone colour duo – Rose Quartz.

Finding the right colours to allow this soft pink colour shine through is important. In today’s feature, we share two applications in a living room setting.

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For a bright and airy look, paint your walls in white or off-white. Pared back with minimal metallic accessories, the pink sofa pops is the centre of attention in this living room. The herringbone patterned flooring adds that extra touch of texture and interest to the room.

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For a look that is calm and sultry but isn’t too feminine, start off with darker walls. To add to the warm scheme, team with rich browns in the other furniture pieces and accessories. It is both simple and appealing.

If you’ve never decorated with this shade of pink before, this is your time to give it a try.

For more industry commentary on the Pantone Colour of the Year

Colour of the year 2016 – Pantone

The Painted History of Rose Quartz and Serenity – Huffington Post

How to decorate your home with Pantone’s Rose Quartz and Serenity – StyleCaster

Kitchens in Pantone’s Colours of the Year – The Kitchin

Image source: Style and Minimalism

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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.

Image mention

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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
blog2_prasetio budhi_elite senayan city
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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How to create a relaxing bathroom

Long days in the office, countless trips to kids’ clubs and activities, endless hours scrolling through our phones, we 21st century humans are probably the busiest lot ever in the history of time. Thankfully the majority of us have been blessed with a great asset in our homes which we tend to under-utilise – The bathroom. This precious room can take us from all that chaos, hustle and bustle right into a temporary state of calmness, renewal and rejuvenation if we care to use it well.

Especially as we approach the colder months, we can enjoy more time at home and escape into a little world of serenity every now and again. What is important in making your bathroom more relaxing is to focus on treating all of your senses to some delight. Read on for some of our tips.

See a beautiful view

Soft whites, greys and earthy tones work very well to create a simple and visually appealing scheme in the bathroom. Harsh overhead lighting doesn’t do much when you’re trying to relax, use dimmable lighting to alter the ambience. White candles are also a favorite for adding a crisp, luxurious feel.

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Sources 1 | 2 | 3

Add an extra touch of cosiness

The last thing you want when you enter your bathroom is to be hit with icy coolness. A towel warmer will keep that bathroom nice and toasty, ready for you even before you step into the bath tub. Good quality bath towels and bath mats are a must have. Finish off with a cosy fluffy robe to enjoy some extra hours of warmth and comfort as you lounge around the house.

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Sources 1 | 2

Good tunes for your ears

The set is all ready. Don’t let it be spoiled by noisy neighbours or noise-loving family members. Shut windows, doors and anything else that can keep the noise out as you settle in to relax. Get some soothing music on and escape into a world of your own.

Smell the goodness

Nothing beats a nicely scented bathroom, it adds something soothing to the whole bathing experience. Essential oils, bath bombs, rose petals, you name them. Fresh flowers like roses and lavender are a perfect addition for that extra beautiful aroma. No wonder spas use this trick all the time.

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Sources 1 | 2

Tickle your taste buds

Except you’re not one for eating and drinking in the bathroom, a glass of wine can be just the thing to calm you down even further. You’ll soon be booking these special bath times into your diary before you know it.

Can we tempt you to see your bathroom a little differently today?

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Creating Textured Walls

We’ve already seen that adding tactile or visual texture to wallcoverings can add a striking and luxurious look to your interior. But when it comes to using this technique, a few things are worth mentioning.

One of the most common methods is the use of textured paint, which creates the look and feel of a canvas, which can then be enhanced by using additional materials like sponges, wood, ribbon, lace, sand, leather, birch and many more. Special tools are used to create texture walls, such as putty knives, brushes, towels, sponges, rollers and combs. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to create a simple and impactful texture in your wall paint is to use a dry brush with hard bristle or even a broom:

Creating textured walls

Although textured walls do require for extra time and patience, they are very charming and luxurious, guaranteed to get your guests talking. And on the up side you don’t need to make all the walls in your interior textured, as these walls tend to be the high point of attraction in an interior, so you can keep the rest in a complementary, plain design, to make the textured wall the highlight of the room:

Textured walls in interior design

If you ask us, textured walls are an effort well rewarded: they add authenticity and personality to the room, allowing you to express your own creativity.

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Salone Del Mobile, Milano – Part 2: Glass Furniture

A couple of weeks ago we posted about the vibrant root vases we discovered thanks to Salone del Mobile in Milano. Today we’re looking at Patricia Urquiola’s work, also present in the Milano exhibition: and we were quite taken by her innovative approach!

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Are you as intrigued as we were? Entitled SHIMMER, the collection comprises low tables, consoles and shelves in laminated and glued glass, characterized by a special iridescent multi-chromatic finish:

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The nuance varies according to the angle of the light source and the vantage point, giving the reflected objects a magical and ethereal appearance:

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We learned from Glas Italia that the collection items come in opaque or transparent glass, or transparent glass with a special micro dot decoration. We this this one in particular is hypnotically elegant:

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Big Ideas for Small Space Interiors

Continuing our post from a few days ago on decorating small spaces, we’re now looking at a few more tricks and accessories that can enhance the look of small interiors.

Dark colours. Although some people are intimidated by the use of dark wallcoverings, when used properly, they can add a dash of coziness, intimacy, and dramatism to the space. Moreover, a repeating pattern on all walls makes the lines between them blur, thus giving the impression of a less constrained space. Not to mention, it can transform a featureless room into a super exiting space. Here is our interpretation, using the Geometry of the Sound, Blues / Purple on Black wallcovering from our latest collection:

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Add a mirror. Probably the oldest trick in the book, and for good reasons too. A mirror will not only make the space feel bigger, but it will also reflect back some of the light – deal for slightly darker rooms, and it will add an extra dash of sophistication to the room, whether you make use of a stylish mirror, or a plain one:

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Round, not square. We agree with House and Garden on this one: a round coffee table creates the feeling of circular space, and also makes it easier to place other objects around, making it ideal tor small interiors:

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Make use of vertical space. This one is our favourite! Often times, when we think square footage, we only consider the floor. But with a little bit of ingenuity, walls can easily turn into extra space! While it’s not always the best idea to overcrowd a room, it certainly works nicely with some small interiors. Use shelving units and make the most of the verticality of your room, in a nice and elegant way. Here are some ideas:

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To prevent the room from looking too busy, one rule of thumb would be to have only one wall looking like this and something completely different with the other(s). Mirrors and stylish wallcoverings are definitely good places to start!

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Moody Monday Showcased in Shenzhen, China

It seems as though just yesterday we were (carefully) packing our elegant and contemporary wallcoverings, and shipping them over all the way to Shenzhen, the UNESCO City of Design!

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Three weeks and almost 6000 miles later, there they are, being prepared for display in the Edinburgh Creative Industries taking place in Shenzhen, China. The incubator opens in a very short three days, on Friday 15th May and we’re very excited our work will be displayed in the venue for the upcoming three months.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity of sharing my wallcovering designs with the Chinese market, as Shenzhen is a vibrant and creative city, which falls in line with the designs I create. I’m looking forward to find out how my work will be received in this new market!” Eliza Kesuma, the designer behind Moody Monday.

The designs that will be on display are part of our first luxury wallpaper collection inspired by the inner workings of a musical organ. Here’s what we’ve sent over:

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1. Geometry of the Sound, Reds on Black | 2. Black Keys, Black on White | 3. The Dance, R. Blue on Black | 4. Geometry of the Sound, Blues / Purple on Black