New season's colour is a bolt from the blue

Originally published in Retford Times - 1st May 2014

Homes & Lifestyle

The big colour story this season is Blue!  Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall explores the resurgence of a firm favourite.

This season we are seeing taupe being cast to the sidelines both in design schemes and on the High Street.  Without a doubt the hot colour for Spring Summer 2014 is that old cool customer – blue.

Designers have been looking for a new background colour to join the ranks of the neutrals and blue is coming out a clear winner. Forget the paler shades of blue we have previously encountered, the story for 2014 is the richer pigmented shades now available.  The absolute joy of blue is that despite being a bold, primary colour in its own right, it has an amazing capacity which allows it to blend into the background where it impressively accentuates key tones.

Surveys frequently conclude that blue is most people’s favourite colour, especially the male part of the population, so it is a wonder that it does not constantly dominate the interiors world. 

Importantly, it is seen as an emotionally powerful colour, which registers very clearly with its observers.   Pablo Picasso’s “Blue Period” paintings are perfect examples of this: he used only blue and green tones to enhance the feeling of melancholy within his work.  Picasso recognised the power of the hue when eliminating other colours around it and is reported as having turned to this palate as his mood darkened following the death of his friend, Carlos Casagemas.

Blue also enhances feelings of calm and tranquillity, which makes it perfect as the colour of choice for bathrooms and bedrooms where an element of escape from the everyday world is often essential.

New Carlucci Fraction fabrics from JAB Anstoetz

There is an element of decadence to the use of a confident blue.   This is hardly surprising given that many rich shades of blue were first created using incredibly expensive precious minerals.   For instance, during the Renaissance period ground lapis lazuli was used to create ultramarine, whilst cobalt has been used to colour glass since 2000BC.

It is also interesting to note that, these strong associations and emotions have led to the colour being associated with divinity, particularly in the Renaissance period.

The shades we are encountering now are definitely major statements.   These richer tones have to be chosen carefully, but the overall effects can be breath taking:  ultimately, it is a question of having confidence and sticking with it. 

If you are looking to embrace the new blue, then rich paint shades such as Little Greene’s Deep Space Blue 207 or Sanderson’s Indigo Blue will create the perfect intimate environment in which to relax.  At the same time, they are both wonderful at creating the background for impressive entertaining spaces such as formal dining rooms. 

Despite the intensity of these colours you will need to pay careful attention when painting to attain a perfect finish as every defect is likely to be shown.  We always recommend using three coats of dark paint shades to ensure a more consistent end result.

A selection of the terrific blues from Designers Guild

This season, opulent blue is very accessible in most collections.  One company who you can be sure has the perfect range of blues is Designers Guild – a brand that truly embraces bold colour.  Their Surabaya Wallcoverings and Savio Weaves boast a mass of beautiful blues in confident finishes.  In addition, their Savine Range features a striking indigo carpet, which works perfectly with their cobalt wallpaper.

If you consider a full room scheme might be a little overpowering, then use key accent pieces (such as a chair or even just a few tea light holders) to ensure your home feels relaxing, reassuring and above all “of the moment”.

Set of Four Blue Tealight holders from www.annabeljames.co.uk £14.95

Jamie Hempsall is a multi-award winning interior designer.  For more inspiration, visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com.

Wallpaper Wonders

Interiors Tips - Wallpaper

Now that Spring is firmly in the air Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall looks at the latest wallpaper trends and offers you his top tips for successful decorating.

It seems that the interior world’s appetite for wallpaper continues to grow and grow.  The last decade has seen it transform from something vaguely passé to a key element in many design schemes.

I favour wallpaper over a painted finish in my room designs as I consider that the overall effect is generally much softer and, if treated correctly, wallpaper is incredibly resilient giving a good finish that will last for years.

One of the emerging themes in wallpaper this Spring are recollections of the “Grand Tour” and early explorers.  Several ranges feature soft graphics reminiscent of historical printing techniques or the pencil drawings of the pioneering travellers who first began to map the globe and report on their amazing findings.

Cartography, calligraphy and mathematical symbols also feature in a number of collections which nod in the direction of early scientific discoveries.

The Intaglio Collection from Zoffany (www.zoffany.com - 0844 543 4748) is named after an early method of printing where ink is wiped into recesses or troughs on the printing plate – in contrast to relief printing where raised surfaces are inked up for printing.  The collection features a range of non-woven papers featuring exquisite maps of London taking from an original design on a silk handkerchief dating back to 1832, which build to form a beautiful pattern that only reveals its origins on close inspection (£48 per roll).  

There are also a number of beautiful architectural representations including Facade which was inspired by the pen and ink drawings of the great Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio (£48 per roll).

The Navigator Collection from Andrew Martin (www.andrewmartin.co.uk - 020 7225 5100) also features wonderful early UK maps in their Traveller design (£39.90 per roll) and an intriguing array of handwritten mathematical calculations in Pythagoras (£39.90 per roll) which is available in a selection of muted backgrounds – the perfect solution for a home study.

Osborne and Little (www.osborneandlittle.com - 020 7352 1456) has introduced the Grand Tour collection inspired by the artistic and architectural treasures of Italy, as reported by aristocratic Englishmen on the Grand Tour of Europe.  Laguna features monochrome storks, straight out of an artist’s sketch book (£46 per roll). 

In contrast Loggia is an innovative holographic foil print of an Italianate staircase rendered in black and silver which results in a design, initially puzzling to the eye, but ultimately visually stunning (£78 per roll).

The Linnaeus collection from Designers Guild (www.designersguild.co.uk - 020 7351 5775) returns to the sketch books of the early tourists with finely drawn graphics and restrained elegance.  The topiary sketches in the Linnaeus design are restfully simple single colour renditions on a plain white background (£45 per roll).  Bergius features a strong contemporary classical design (£45 per roll).

In general, I use wallpaper to contribute to a scheme, rather than dominate it: choosing colours or designs that pick up on the key elements of the room, without imposing too much of their own personality.  That being said, if you are opting for plain fabrics for your soft furnishings these can be artfully framed by an oversize print with plenty of contrasting colour.

When choosing a design, it is important to consider the overall proportions of your room.  If you are opting for a large pattern, ensure that your room is big enough to cope with it.  You should be able to stand far enough away from a design to appreciate it in its entirety or if this is not the case, visitors to your room can feel disoriented.  Be aware that large patterns tend to make a very bold statement in a small environment; one that most of us would find difficult to live with.  

If you are worried about wear and tear in high traffic or areas with limited space (such as staircases) then it is a good idea to opt for gloss finish or vinyl wallpapers that tend to be more hardwearing.  However, you can also use a protective water based decorator’s varnish which can be applied on top of the paper to provide a surface more resistant to marks and scuffing. 

Hanging your wallpaper correctly is vital – edges need to butt together and it is important to pay attention when matching the pattern repeat to ensure that the end result is seamless, rather than appearing to be a selection of disjointed panels.   Never skimp on wallpaper paste – it is worth paying for a good quality solvent that will stand the test of time. 

If applying paste strikes the fear of dread into you, look for non-woven wallpapers.  These allow you to put the paste directly on the wall and then apply the dry paper making the task considerably easier (and allowing you the flexibility of manoeuvring the paper a little more on the wall).

Ultimately, wallpapering is one of those tasks where it really is worth getting in a professional if you are unsure of your capability.  After all, when you look at the cost of each roll it really does make sense to get it right first time.

Jamie Hempsall is an award winning interior design and member of the British Institute of Interior Design.  Contact him via his website www.jamiehempsall.com or call him on 0800 032 1180.

The interiors retro love affair continues!

Interiors

Directly on the heels of London Fashion Week comes its Interior Design equivalent, Decorex, where companies showcase new products and design for the coming year. Interior Design Jamie Hempsall presents his picks of the season.

There is renewed optimism in the world of interiors with fabric companies launching a wider number of collections than we have seen in the last couple of years.

The big stories this autumn are geometrical patterns, as design companies continue their retro love affair with all things 1930s and 1950s, and stripes which are returning with renewed confidence and gusto.

There is nothing boring about any of these retro chic interpretations which may take influence from the mid 20th century, but have been updated with injections of strong colour and daring interpretation. Texture and comfort are also very important this season with a range of geometric patterns being introduced in tactile cut velvet. Of note too are some new digital printed fabrics being introduced (in particular by Designers Guild) which are blending photographic quality large prints onto intricate designs. These are bold and brash statements that herald the onslaught of a potential design revolution.

Here are my favourite picks from this season's collections.

The Juniper range from Harlequin (pictured above) is pure 1950s with wonderful visions of leaves (Orletta, £59/mtr) and seed heads (Kerria, £34/mtr or Spirea £52/mtr) in a range of colourways including red, purple and orange on simple backgrounds (www. harlequin.uk.com – 0845 123 6805).

There are brilliant re-interpretations of mid-20th century geometrical patterns in contemporary colours on plain backgrounds in the Casson Range from Romo which also features a series of relaxed woven stripes (from £42.50/m). The Ellise range of decorative weaves from Romo is a beautiful collection of soft contemporary cut velvets featuring almost art deco style patterns in bold, confident colour (from £129.95/m; www.romo.com – 01623 756 699).

The Mosaic velvet cut and loop pile range from Zoffany has a more muted colour palette, but provides a rich, plush feel. The striking designs are easy on the eye and would integrate well into any virtually any style of interior. Patterns have been cut and woven to create both visual and textural interest (£79/m; www.zoffany. com – 0844 543 4600).

More beautiful geometry is found in the Maharani range from Osborne & Little, a range of printed designs featuring interlocking cubes and handsome block stripes inspired by Armenian and Iranian architecture (from £34.08/m; www.osborneand little.com – 020 7352 1456).

Leading the way in the introduction of the modern stripe is Designers Guild with their Bernadini collection (in particular the Phipps and Egmont patterns). These are available in a wide range of imaginative colourways and feature exciting new types of velvet (£70/m; www.designers guild.com – 0207 893 7400).

Equally appealing is the new Oscura stripe from Osborne and Little. This is a range of two-tone stripes blackout fabrics (ideal for blinds and curtains) with a companion strié plain in 16 different colourways (£29.38/m; details as before).

If you are looking for more lightweight fabrics then I would seek out the new collections from Malabar. Their Kilo range features simple, but effective lightweight and sheer linen cotton stripes in an array of muted colours (£29/m).

For those wanting something bolder, their Inka range includes more dramatic stripes and some heavy linen herringbone plains in stronger shades from earthy brown to juicy raspberry (£29/m; www. malabar.co.uk – 020 7501 4200).

A lot of the fabric ranges produced this season come with co-ordinating wallcoverings which echo their geometric designs and contemporary colours. The exciting news for decorators is that new production techniques mean that many ranges are now being developed in non-woven finishes so that you apply paste to the wall making hanging them far easier – seek these out for a hassle free makeover.

•You can contact Jamie Hempsall for advice or more details on any of the new season's ranges at www.jamiehempsall.com or on 0800 0321 180

Curtain call for the tie-back

Curtains frame your window, but how do you make the most of your view?  Interior designer Jamie Hempsall takes a look at using tie-backs.

When it comes to dressing windows the best solution is often a pair of curtains, preferably full length if room will allow. They frame your view beautifully and help to create a feeling of opulence. However, with the exception of eyelet designs which tend to stack back at the sides of a window, most curtains have fairly wide headings even when open which can mean they take up valuable window space and reduce light. So how do you solve this problem and create an extra element of drama?

The simple answer is a tieback and I have included images of some of my favourite designs currently on the market. Whilst this is a very traditional solution, tie-back designs continue to evolve meaning that you can find something appropriate for the majority of interior schemes from traditional to ultra-contemporary.

A myth has arisen over how difficult it is to dress curtains using a tieback and, whilst it does take a bit of effort initially, I have rarely found a client who does not pick up the knack pretty quickly thereby enjoying wonderful results.

The trick is to take time initially to dress your curtains with the appropriate folds – you do need a little patience, but it is worth it. Once you are happy with the effect tie them in position with three or four lengths of soft cloth (such as left over lining fabric) evenly spaced down the length of your curtains and leave hung in position for around 72 hours. This will help give new curtains “memory” as to where a fold should be. After that you should find that as you draw them back to gather up in a tieback your curtains will naturally follow the folds you have decided upon.

Using a tieback to draw curtains back not only increases light, but when draped correctly your curtain will have a soft curve that falls gracefully at the side of your window.
 

To achieve the optimum effect attach your tieback either one third down from the top of the curtain or one third up from the bottom of the panel. Hanging a tieback near the top of the curtain will provide the most light, with a short curve which leaves the majority of the fabric hanging at the side of the window. Whilst using a tieback near the bottom of the window is less about light and more about creating a dramatic, long curve.

One of the simplest options for a tieback is to produce a collar or twist made from the main fabric. As a general guide a standard width curtain of about 137cm wide requires a tieback of 60cm, whilst a double with curtain (about 274cm) needs a 92cm tieback.

However, I like to make more of a statement with tiebacks. They are an important tool in your interior scheme arsenal. The world is your oyster when it comes to design, but it is essential that you opt for colours that are included in the fabric of your curtains. Do not feel you have to go with the obvious choice as carefully matching a colour contained in a small detail of the design is a clever reference point and allows you to use it elsewhere in your room scheme.

Price points vary wildly from around £10 in High Street Stores to upwards of £318 for the statement piece Twiggy tie-back from Wemyss Houles – a true joy to behold. Take time to enjoy these wonderfully tactile additions to your window treatment which you should consider as important a decision as your fabric.

Jamie Hempsall is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design. For more details visit Jamie at www.jamiehempsall.com or why not follow him on twitter (JamieHempsall)

Examples shown:
1) Lead Crystal Tie-Back from Zoffany
2) Briati Tie-Back from Designers Guild
3) Taisho Tie-Back from Osborne & Little
4) Orio Tie-Back from Designers Guild
5) Twiggy Tie-Back from Wemyss Houles

Spring Trends for Fabrics & Wallcoverings

As British Summer Time starts, interior designer Jamie Hempsall looks at this season's trends for your home


The last couple of weeks have proved a breath of fresh air as we once again remember the joy of sunshine and a bit of warmth. I know that as I write this we are actually facing the prospect of a return to showers and even snow, however, let’s forget that for the time-being and concentrate on the fact that officially Spring has arrived.



Obviously, this means Design Houses throughout the Country are ringing the changes and introducing new Spring/Summer Fabric and Wall-covering Collections for 2010.



It is customary in Spring to see to introduction of flora and fauna and this year proves no exception. Perhaps in a reaction to the excesses of the early naughties, colour palettes appear more natural than we have seen in recent years. Many collections feature calm hues of soft light pink or blue, teamed with natural brown, green or ochre. As you would expect light backgrounds (such as simple ivory and cream) play an important part in many collections.

 

A simple, yet delightful interpretation of the Spring theme is found in Bloom from Prestigious Textiles (£25.50/m; www.prestigious.co.uk – 01274 688448) in Polyester Cotton featuring large flowers on never ending stems against muted cream or duck egg blue backgrounds. Those seeking a classic English Country Bouquet should consider Oranienbaum from the Pavilion collection by Designers Guild in 100% Silk (£70/m; http://www.designersguild.com/).

When it comes to wall-covering, simple and natural is epitomised by the clean, elegant 18th century Swedish designs featured in the Gustavus Collection from Zoffany. Their Eleonora paper hits all the right spots with beautiful birds on blossom covered stems (£42/roll; www.zoffany.com - 0844 543 9600).

Flowers are further emphasised in a number of collections featuring large white blooms on coloured backgrounds. These designs introduce an air of calm into any room and are ideal used as fabrics or wall-coverings.



Imperial from the Majestic Collection by Prestigious Textiles (£43/m; details as before) is a viscose polyester blend which feels like linen and helps avoid excess creasing.

Alternatively, the soft sheen of Rosella Silk from Harlequin Fabrics conjures up images of period summer dresses and tea parties (£52/m or available as a wallpaper at £39/roll; www.harlequin.uk.com – 0845 123 6815).

If you want a more vibrant silk option choose Watelet by Designers Guild (details as before) which features pastel drawn white roses with charcoal stems on a number of striking backgrounds; available in 100% silk as a fabric (£70/m) or as a wallpaper (£43/roll).



Spring 2010 is an incredible season for lovers of toile which features in many ranges. The Chantemerle collection from Zoffany is an elegant re-working of 18th Century Copperplate toiles, incorporating a variety of subjects from classical panels to floral trails.

My personal favourite “Au Pied Des Ruines” bucks the monochromatic tradition showing country scenes that incorporate pink, green and brown to slightly lift the overall effect (£65/m as fabric or £44/roll as wallpaper; details as before).

Etienne from Harlequin reverses the traditional toile coloured print on a plain background, picking out the main design in small white panels and showing them against a striking coloured background: a design that works particularly well when you use it in wall panels or to upholster a bedroom seat (£30/m as cotton linen fabric or £44/roll as a wallpaper).

My advice when using toile is not to be half-hearted about it. It is a statement so be brave and consistent. Use a matching design (never mix patterns or colours) on walls, curtains and soft-furnishings. The range of fabrics available this year that include nautical and architectural themes mean that you can finally achieve this look without it being over-feminine.

Jamie Hempsall, BIDA, is one of the region’s leading interior designers. You can contact him on 01777 248463 or studio@jamiehempsall.com.

Yorkshire Post Mid-Week Life & Style Section - Weds 31st March - Interiors

Your Interior Design questions answered!

Yorkshire Post Mid-Week Life & Style Section 17th March 2010

Interiors

Interior Design Expert Jamie Hempsall answers readers questions

HOW SHOULD WE PAINT A CEILING?



We have a Victorian House with a tall narrow hallway which we are looking to repaint. We know what colour we want on the walls, but are unsure about what tone and finish to paint the ceilings and woodwork? AC, Easingwold


When decorating any room, I always recommend continuing the wall colour on to the ceiling; regardless of the pigment you are using. This ensures that your sight lines are not artificially halted by a change of colour. It helps to standardise proportions of the room lowering the effect of overly high ceilings, but counter intuitively adding a feeling of height to low ceilings. It also helps with painting as there is no difficult cutting off to contend with.



In a hallway, the normally narrow proportions are best served by painting the woodwork in a lighter tone than you use for the walls. Avoid brilliant white, as this can be very harsh. If you do need a really light, neutral colour opt for something such as Zoffany Architect’s White, which has subtle hints of grey (www.zoffany.com; 0844 543 4748).
 Use Flat Emulsion for ceilings and walls and Eggshell for woodwork; this has a slight sheen which gives a softer finished than Gloss, but is still durable.

IS SILK SUITABLE FOR BEDROOM UPHOLSTERY?



I am upholstering an occasional chair for use in a bedroom. I would like to use silk, but am worried about it being easily damaged. Can you recommend a fabric that I could use? TF, Bedale



Silk creates a beautiful look in a bedroom, but can be difficult to maintain. If this is not a piece that will be sat on regularly you do not have too much to worry about, but you will need to be careful about fading and weakening of the fabric if it is regularly exposed to sunlight.
 There are a couple of options open to you that are more specifically suitable for domestic upholstery. Kediri Silk by Osborne & Little is a Silk/Cotton blend which comes in a great range of contemporary shades (£61.10/m – www.osborneandlittle.com; 0207 352 1456). Alternatively, the Sateen Range from Casamance is actually a Cotton/Polyester blend, but you would be hard pressed to tell it from silk (from £35/m - www.casamance.com; 0844 369 0104).


IDEAL DUVET SET FOR A YOUNGSTER?

We are re-decorating the bedroom for our five year old son, who wants something a bit more grown up. His is mad about robots - can you suggest a suitable duvet set? LG, Driffield
 Aspace are a terrific company who specialise in good quality, hard wearing products for Child friendly areas. As well as a comprehensive range of furniture, they also have some extremely nice bedding accessories with duvets, throws and pillows that feature classic, contemporary designs and which are finished to a high standard.
 They have a great cotton duvet set featuring an applique robot design (a single duvet and pillow is £50). They also sell a range of matching accessories including curtains, a rug, pin board and cushions. (www.aspace.co.uk; 0845 872 2400).

WHERE CAN WE GET THE FISH WALLPAPER?

We really loved the wallpaper that was pictured behind a mirror and chest of drawers in your article on March 3rd. It featured stylised gold/ silver fish on a grey background. Could you tell me who it is by? TK, Wakefield



So glad that you like wallpaper, it is one of my personal favourites: it works particularly well in bathrooms. The design in question is from Osborne & Little and is called Derwent. It actually comes in 6 different colours, so can suit a variety of interiors schemes. The wallpaper is £49.35 per roll (inc VAT); the rolls are 10m long and 52cm wide, with a 61cm pattern repeat.
 To find your local stockists either visit www.osborneandlittle.com or call their London showroom 0207 352 1456).



Jamie Hempsall is a member of the British Interior Design Association. Send your queries to him at studio@jamiehempsall.com or contact him on 01777 248463.

Marrying Ancient and Modern to Create the Perfect Bedroom

Yorkshire Post - 30th December 2009 - Life & Style Section : Homes



Interiors

ONE of our latest projects was for a client who had purchased a period home. They loved the dimensions of the master bedroom, but wanted a scheme both sympathetic to the architecture and reflecting their enjoyment of contemporary design.

Before we got to work

The trick in ensuring a modern design works well in a period environment is to play to the strengths of the building. In a property with high ceilings and large room dimensions go bold – big patterns and large, dramatic pieces with a slightly distressed appearance, rather than shiny finishes are the key to creating a look that does not feel over-engineered.

In a large room people often play safe keeping walls neutral, however that can lead to a vast bland look, emphasising the space, but not using it to best advantage. Period homes cry out for the use of wallpaper which softens and enriches the feel of the rooms.

We started by replacing beige paint with a feature wall of Villiers Blue wallpaper from the Zoffany Nureyev Collection (about £49 per roll). The tremendous combination of deep blue and gold with an antique faded look enhances the richness of the room and feels like it has always been there.

The rest of the walls were finished in contrasting Ham House Plain (from Zoffany's National Trust Collection, about £46 per roll). This paper has a slight sheen, softening the overall feel of the room. The woodwork was finished in Architect's White Eggshell and the ceiling was painted in Polar Bear emulsion (both from the Zoffany paint range). The fireplace was taken back to its original black to emphasis it as a feature.

The blue tones of the walls were reflected in the glass of the existing over mantle mirror and an antique chandelier was dressed in reclaimed aqua blue crystal droppers to add a dramatic feature light.

Luscious purple and light blue/green was introduced in the warm chenille used for part of the bedspread and the valance (the Prestigious Splendid range, about £23.50 per metre). Additional texture was introduced in the Astrakhan-inspired main fabric of the bed cover and cushions (Blomfield Opal by Andrew Martin, about £107 per metre).

Using an expensive accent fabric in a panel and combining it with a cheaper fabric for volume is a great interior design trick that allows you to get maximum visual impact without breaking the bank – it works well on bedspreads, curtains and cushions.

Thick velvet carpet in Rich Brown (Westend Prestige Velvet from Westex, about £54 per square metre) added warmth and comfort underfoot, as well as hiding some very average-looking stripped floorboards and quelling drafts and dust.


The addition of a bespoke oversized headboard covered in shimmering Teal Arkona Velvet Teal from Harlequin (about £39 per meter) brought the look right on trend.

The Temple Eglomise mirrored beside tables from Julian Chichester (£905) helped to take advantage of the large windows to bounce light into the room, without creating too many reflections. These were complemented by a pair of Burnt Gold Lerat Leaf Lamps with Prune Silk Shades (both from Porta Romana, about £770 each). A large Anna Cabinet in Dark Wood and Mirror from Julian Chichester (£2,675) added storage and impact.

Attention to detail is the key to period design and we completed the look by replacing white wall switches with retro-style toggle switches in brushed brass (about £19).

The end result was a room that the client said gave them joy to wake up in and made them want to stay in bed all day. The perfect response and an antidote to a chilly British winter.

Jamie Hempsall is a BIDA member and one of the region's leading interior designers. See more of his work at www.jamiehempsall. com or contact him on 01777 248463