Spring scents and sensibilities
What’s on-trend for your home this spring? Kathleen Kinney asks the experts.
Spring is on the horizon, and retailers are premiering new colours, textures and furniture for the season. Colour, texture and layering are all key trends this season, with an additional emphasis on unique patterns, and the inherent variations and subtle imperfections that make handcrafted fabrics and accessories so much more appealing than mass-produced homewares.
King Living fabric development manager Sebastian Nash says that ‘‘as the weather is getting warmer, trends in interior design are heading the same way. Vibrant jewel tones, layering and textures are all important this spring’’.
In terms of deeper colours, Nash says ruby red, sapphire blue and greens – particularly teal and emerald tones – are the go-to palette. The spring season also sees a contrast of dusty pinks and coral-toned pink with masala-reds and cool neutrals. In this colour scheme, navy blue has a place, too.
‘‘We’re continuing to see navy blue interlaced and layered throughout all seasons, ‘‘ says Nash. ‘‘It has such versatility, you can practically treat it like a neutral.’’
Imogene Tunnicliffe of Citta Designs says its Spring 2017 collection was inspired by postimpressionist artists Henri Rousseau and Paul Gauguin, and the colours and mood of the islands of the South Pacific.
‘‘The layers of lush green foliage and moody skies and volcanic landscapes were what really struck me. This collection was inspired by the land, rather than the sea,’’ she said. In terms of colour, Tunnicliffe said the collection draws on ‘‘salmon and violet skies at sunrise and sunset; the purple and grey colours when it rains; and, of course, all shades of green’’.
With so many rich colours making their way into the home, it’s no surprise that pattern and layering are making a comeback. Citta’s new ‘‘Botanica’’ print is watercolourlike composition of lush jungle foliage and flowers. Its look of deep and translucent hues layed over each other makes a strong statement, and combines some of the season’s ontrend hues to dramatic effect.
Layering moves beyond fabrics, and is seen in furniture placement and soft furnishings, too. This can be expressed in a set of nesting tables, or groups of cushions piled on a sofa.
‘‘Layering is an important element of spring style,’’ says Nash. ‘‘Think of the placement of coffee tables in a variety of finishes, such as marble and timber, set out in groupings. We are also seeing cushion arrangements in different shapes and sizes and textures.’’
The mix of textures and materials is something Ryan Twomey, senior interior architect from Frobisher, sees as an ongoing trend. ‘‘From one-of-a-kind objects for a coffee table to handcrafted textiles filling windows or used as cushions for a large comfortable sofa – these sort of artisanal pieces are being noticed and used more frequently in interior design as people are embracing contemporary design with age-old traditions, natural materials and sustainable methods of production.’’
Twomey says international interior designer Kelly Hoppen’s range of hand-crafted vases and ceramics are a good example of this. Made in Portugal, each one is individual in appearance and uniquely designed.
These pieces fall into line with the season’s colour trends, too. ‘‘Colour trends vary with handmade pieces as each piece can be quite different in their appearance. We see however a strong movement towards natural colours and texture but are also seeing statement pieces in rich aquamarine or deep ink blues and greys,’’ says Twomey.
Velvet remains a popular texture, even in the warmer months, though it’s now best used as an occasional accent, mixed with more seasonally appropriate fabrics like heavy linen, unrefined silk, or hand-knitted and chunky embroidered cottons.
Well-worn organic textures set a mood underfoot, too. Textured weaves and jute rugs reinforce the tropical influences, while bringing a much-needed neutral shade into the colourful palette.
There’s more to setting a mood than colour and texture. As we’re reminded every year, springtime is all about scent, too. King Living has launched a launched a new candle line, with three bespoke fragrances.
Cognac, Leather and Honey is described as a ‘‘masculine scent’’ with a bouquet of tobacco flower and bay leaves with hints of cacao pods, brandied plums and Manuka honey. Blonde Wood and Cashmere is a combination that includes notes of maple syrup, toasted marshmallow and quince paste; heart notes include vanilla orchid, ginger lily, and white freesia and base notes of blonde woods, cashmere musk and almond parfait.
Black Orchid is an aromatic woody floral with top notes of French jasmine, muguet and ylang-ylang; middle notes featuring Brazilian black orchids and base notes of amber, dark vanilla and musk.
Natalie Culin, head of sales for King Living explains: ‘‘We recognised that creating an interior environment isn’t just about furniture – it’s about appealing to all the senses, and our sense of smell is the most powerful in terms of affecting our mood. These candles enable you to set different moods in your home quickly and evocatively.’’