Agency: n/a
Client: Studio Hooton
Brief: To interview and write an article promoting interior design trends
Journal: Hampshire Life (transcript of original text below)
Embracing simplicity in interior design (original title)
The cleaner air, sharper birdsong and clearer starry skies we’ve experienced during lockdown in recent months isfueling a growing trend for nature-inspired design. Emma Hooton, owner of Winchester-based interior design firm Studio Hooton, explains how this is being reflected within the home.
In home interiors, earthy paint colours, natural materials and fibres and homeware made by skilled craftsmen are gaining increasing popularity (not least for providing a refreshing antidote to our throwaway culture). Likewise, upcycling, repairing and custom homeware is on the rise. Similar to the Japanese art of Kintsugi, in which you repair broken pottery by putting the pieces back together with gold, the idea is that by embracing an object’s flaws and imperfections you can create something even more beautiful. Naturally, it also helps keep it out of landfill.
Welcoming nature into our lives is also becoming important for health and wellbeing. Studies show that even looking at photos of nature can be enough to lower stress levels and calm people down. The house plants of the 70s – spider plants, mother-in-law's tongues and dracaeneamonstera (Swiss cheese plant) are once again hip, thanks to their ability to clean air, boost mood and bring life to any room.
Welcoming nature into our lives is also becoming important for health and wellbeing. Studies show that even looking at photos of nature can be enough to lower stress levels and calm people down. The house plants of the 70s – spider plants, mother-in-law's tongues and dracaeneamonstera (Swiss cheese plant) are once again hip, thanks to their ability to clean air, boost mood and bring life to any room.
Interior styles that reflect our wish to return to a simpler, nature-inspired world, such as Scandinavian and Japanese design, are also gaining momentum. In recent years this has given rise to a new design style: Japandi, that draws on the notion of ‘wabi-sabi’ - finding beauty in the imperfect - and ‘hygge’ the Scandinavian style trend which signifies comfort and warmth. Both styles focus on clean lines, natural textures and neutral tones, helping you bring simplicity and functionality to your home.
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How to freshen up your home ‘Japandi’ style:
How to freshen up your home ‘Japandi’ style:
Clean lines
Strong, clean lines help to create a calm, uncluttered room ideal for unwinding. To help the eye glide effortlessly around the room, go for pared-back furniture and fitted joinery in natural textures and neutral tones. If you live in an active household, ‘faux’ the minimalism by using baskets or folding screens – we love Japanese style ones - to keep the space clean and clutter-free. Be selective with your objets, by only incorporating keepsakes you truly love. Top tip: objets with patina or ageing, such as a bowl or mirror, can add beauty and bring character to a scheme.
Strong, clean lines help to create a calm, uncluttered room ideal for unwinding. To help the eye glide effortlessly around the room, go for pared-back furniture and fitted joinery in natural textures and neutral tones. If you live in an active household, ‘faux’ the minimalism by using baskets or folding screens – we love Japanese style ones - to keep the space clean and clutter-free. Be selective with your objets, by only incorporating keepsakes you truly love. Top tip: objets with patina or ageing, such as a bowl or mirror, can add beauty and bring character to a scheme.
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Neutral tones
Cold greys are out and being replaced by warmer earthy tones. Colours in natural tones have a back to basics honesty perfect for creating a cosy sanctuary in the bedroom or living room. Painting a room with shades of paint in the same colour family also helps to create a subtle, immersive look. A studio favourite is Little Greene’s Slaked Lime in four tones: light, mid, deep and dark, which can be used interchangeably on walls, joinery and woodwork to create interest, depth and space. Top tip: paint out the ceilings in the same colour as the walls, and avoid reverting to white!
Cold greys are out and being replaced by warmer earthy tones. Colours in natural tones have a back to basics honesty perfect for creating a cosy sanctuary in the bedroom or living room. Painting a room with shades of paint in the same colour family also helps to create a subtle, immersive look. A studio favourite is Little Greene’s Slaked Lime in four tones: light, mid, deep and dark, which can be used interchangeably on walls, joinery and woodwork to create interest, depth and space. Top tip: paint out the ceilings in the same colour as the walls, and avoid reverting to white!
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Natural textures
Furniture, objets and surface coverings such as wallpaper made from natural fibres are all the rage. Rattan bed frames, sisal rugs, wicker chairs and neutral tone papers made from straw, bark or grasscloth are also a luxurious way to add texture and warmth that don’t have to be reserved for walls. A heavy grasscloth such as Phillip Jeffries ‘Raffia Retreat’ creates a bold statement full of natural charm at the back of joinery where there are shelves. Natural wood and stone such as marble look great in the bathroom too. Top tip: combine textured wallpaper with curtains in a heavy weight loose weave linen in muted shades for a seriously stylish look.
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Want a more Zen-inspired interior? In addition to full house projects, Studio Hooton offers a 2-hour online consultation service. Contact Peggy at studio@studiohooton.com to find out more.
Furniture, objets and surface coverings such as wallpaper made from natural fibres are all the rage. Rattan bed frames, sisal rugs, wicker chairs and neutral tone papers made from straw, bark or grasscloth are also a luxurious way to add texture and warmth that don’t have to be reserved for walls. A heavy grasscloth such as Phillip Jeffries ‘Raffia Retreat’ creates a bold statement full of natural charm at the back of joinery where there are shelves. Natural wood and stone such as marble look great in the bathroom too. Top tip: combine textured wallpaper with curtains in a heavy weight loose weave linen in muted shades for a seriously stylish look.
[Image]
Want a more Zen-inspired interior? In addition to full house projects, Studio Hooton offers a 2-hour online consultation service. Contact Peggy at studio@studiohooton.com to find out more.
