Another hot trend - in fashion and interior design

Color blocking appears to be a huge trend this year in both fashion and interior design. We saw it at  EuroCucina 2012, and it has been in fashion for quite some time. And I have memories from the 80s when it was popular, too. How is this technique applied? - To say it in a simple way, it is the use of two or more blocks of colour in an ensemble.Still, for a successful design, one has to know some color theory or rely on imborne intuition with color use.

Gruppo Lube

Municchi Cucine

elle.com
 http://www.glamour.com -

Spring 2012 Trend: Cheerful Color-Blocking

A lot of Copper at Millan Design Week

In addition to the impressive Tom Dixon lighting collection there were numerous other designs with this beautiful warm material - in the last years copper becomes more and more popular. It is one of my favorite materials, too - it is soft and cozy, quite unlike metals. And at the same time it can look quite luxurious.

Nino & Svenja

25-29 by Angie Anakis for Ligne Roset

Francesco Rota, according to Domus,

 "admits to having always been quite curious or even passionate about copper as a design material ("It is an expensive but splendid material that is hugely satisfying. I find its warm pinkish colour really innovative", he explains). What fascinates him most, however, is its changing colour, the fact that it this material oxidises and changes its character, colour and appearance. "

Set of copper trays by Francesco Rota for KME

Suspended lamp in copper by Front for KME

Interesting point of view

Jasper Morrison:

Jasper Morrison, Park Life for Kettal

"Outdoor is rooming because of smoking laws in Europe, you can't smoke in a restaurant so suddenly outdoor becomes more interesting."

says he in his interview for Domus when talking about his new outdoor project for Spanish company Kettal.

 Paola Lenti (image from http://bloesem.blogs.com)

Kettal,VIEQUES, design Patricia Urquiola

Frolla,  SKITSCH

Well, I suppose he is joking, because since 2009 Outdoor is absolutely a booming trend which is current at this year's Milan furniture fair, too. The new designs of outdoor furniture not only grow in quantity, diversity and quality, but also I notice a trend of merging between indoors and outdoors (as you can see in the examples above and right) - which is great! Isn't it so comfortable to be able to use your furniture whenevere and wherever it you need it?

Ideas for your children's room from Milan Design Week 2012

Gallery Kaufmann Repetto, Lily van der Stokker

Gallery Kaufmann Repetto, Lily van der Stokker

(photos from design art news)

Kaufmann Repetto presents the solo show of Lily van der Stokker, Living Room:

"Paintings, sofas, chairs, tables and carpets are overwhelmed by a voluntary childish decoration which recalls a kindergarten and opens doors upon a subversive world made of exuberance, harmony and color. ...the artist forces the sense of welfare playing between the familiar and the inappropriate."

 As an interior designer I like the idea of including this sense of welfare in the rooms of our children - it would be good to grow in such an atmosphere, don't you think?

Chocolate on the wall

This new wallpaper is created for all of you chocolate-lovers who, like me, just need chocolate. It is part of
“I GIARDINI delle meraviglie” (“Gardens of
Wonder”) - the all-new collection of wallcoverings
produced by Giardini Wallcoverings and signed by Vincenzo Dascanio, the protagonist of the “Fuorisalone” event organised by the Milanese company in Vincenzo Dascanio’s showroom.

 The intention of the designer is to transform
living spaces into authentic sensorial experiences - wallcoverings go beyond the simple concept of finishings to become something more: they are identity, imagination, and pleasure. Inspired by the world of food, they seem to invite you not only to touch and look, but also to imagine fragrant scents and evocative tastes. Textures and hues that evoke creamy, irresistible chocolate, or the gauzy, vanilla shades of sweet cream…

I wonder - will cravings disapper if one stares everyday at this chocolate wallper ;)

I Saloni 2012 - new collections

This is my style kitchen - freestanding cabinets with integrated various kitchen appliances. This is the concept of Italian company Alpes Inox  two new lines that will be launched during Milan Design Week in April:

source: designboom

They give you the freedom to rearrange the kitchen space according to your needs and visions, unlike the fixed to the wall kabinets kitchen style which seems to be much more popular.

Tulip Collection by Arblu

Stefan Diez collection for Gandia Blasco