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INTERIOR DESIGN: WHAT'S HOT IN LUXURY LIVING |
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By Shine Anthony-Dharan LONDON, 24 JUNE 2008— Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion is not something that exists only in dresses. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, in the way we live." As the runways have become a plethora of global and historical references, the world of interior design has followed suit. Ikat prints, Indian embroideries, Japanese shibori, and Russian furs all made an appearance at the Fall 2008 collections. No surprise then that Bergdorf Goodman’s home department is awash with colorfully printed cushions, embroidered throws, Japanese ceramics and fur blankets. Retailers have cottoned on to the fact that the women who purchase Oscar de la Renta’s Gustav Klimt inspired Fall dresses will likely invest in a correspondingly lavish home. The move away from minimalism in fashion has bred a generation of interior designers who tackle design not as simple problem solving, but rather as creating the coverable. Although usually accessible only through interior designers who jealously guard their address books, here are some of today’s most influential artisans. Let us start with Spina, the interior accessories firm that has created a buzz around tiebacks, fringes, and tassels unheard of since the days of Marie Antoinette. Designers Zoe Zito and Robbie Spina’s background in design, fashion and art has resulted in a range of unique pieces composed of feathers, pearls, crystal, silk, porcelain and coral; each custom made to a client's specifications.
Conceived in 2000, Spina’s singularly self-indulgent aesthetic was an immediate success. Harrods handed the duo eight Christmas windows to decorate; interior designers Nicky Haslam and Kelly Hoppen placed endless orders; and luxury houses such as Christian Dior, Mulberry and Van Cleef & Arpels came knocking for collaborations. Spina's most spectacular achievement has been the ‘Gargantua’, a four-meter high tassel made of 8,000 crystals that was auctioned off by Christie’s for charity. The duo has diversified into other product categories, most notably chandeliers. Do not be put off by the fact that Victoria Beckham commissioned 11 pieces for her LA home – these are really rather stunning pieces. Made of crystal, they can drop as long as 10.5 meters.
Exquisite home wares are like jewelry; they finish off a look to perfection. And like jewelry, they are expensive. Spina tiebacks start at $200 and go up to $6,000. Extravagant? Yes, but what could be more luxurious than spending a day selecting the particular shades of silk that will make up your tassels? Talking of luxury, home carpeting is also experiencing a renaissance of late. Ever since wood flooring became a best seller at Home Depot, high-end customers have been searching for more unique ways to finish their floors.
The leading customized carpet manufacturer in the world today is Tai Ping. With offices on both sides of the Atlantic, clients can walk in with any piece of inspiration and have it translated into a one-off rug. Manufactured from the highest quality raw materials (New Zealand wool, Silk, Swiss dyes), Tai Ping is where the super rich go to carpet their private yachts. The private showroom is an amazement of colors and textures. With an infinite variety of designs and structures; with combinations of pile, piles heights, and carving to give a 3D effect; a rug can become a focal point in itself. The only limit is the limit of the imagination. Prices vary wildly according to individual designs. But, be prepared to make an investment akin to buying fine art.
Like art, a home needs to be beautifully lit in order to maximize its impact. The best arrangement is usually a mixture of lights dispersed at various heights throughout a room. Ceiling lights, sconces, table, and floor lamps should be integrated to cast a flattering glow over furniture, artwork, and visitors. Be wary of overly "matchy-matchy" light fixtures. Homes that mix pieces from different designers and periods are usually far more successful than ones that look like a catalogue. Designer Kevin Reilly has created an elegant collection of lighting fixtures handcrafted at every stage. Known for his use of electrical wax candles, Reilly’s new collection is perfect for those who wish to combine the old with the new. Although starkly modern in design, his pieces look wonderful placed within period homes. Friends of mine who purchased Reilly’s geometric floor lamps for their nineteenth century Paris apartment have been bombarded with compliments.
Anyone interested in exploring the link between fashion and interior design would be well-advised to read Marnie Fogg’s new book Couture Interiors: Living With Fashion . Published by Laurence King, the volume brings together the work of innovative designers from both fields to illustrate their long-held synergy. An innovative design will always entice the open mind. The only drawback to such wonderful objects for the home is their highly addictive nature. Once you have grown accustomed to leisurely selecting the number of crystals on a tieback, the silk count of a rug, and the width of a sconce, buying from a standard showroom begins to seem something of a trial. You may end up wishing you had stuck to the catwalks after all. Shine Anthony-Dharan is a British fashion writer and designer based in New York. He covers fashion, beauty and interior design for Culturekiosque.com. Mr. Anthony-Dharan last wrote on the death of Yves Saint Laurent. Related Travel Calendar Tips New York Gustav
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