We continued to grow and develop the Interiors by Element brand in 2016, with a distinct highlight being the launch of our new Lost in Space collection in September. This collection in particular really exemplifies our aim of providing colourful, nature-inspired versatile rugs and wallpaper that can be customized to suit any style or space, and the feedback on it has been remarkably positive.
We also launched a mobile site to allow you to search our products much more easily on the go, as well as launching this blog earlier this year. The blog posts have been a great way to provide you with lots more updates and fresh ideas on how to style our colourful, unique products, and they have also been very well received.
Wishing you all the best for the holiday season and I am really excited about what 2017 will bring - lots of new collaborations, exhibitions and products are in the works already. Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to continuing to work with you.
season's greetings from interiors by element
3 ways to bring christmas colours into your home
From vibrant reds to cool blues, there’s a whole spectrum of shades associated with the winter season. Here are our favourites, together with easy ways to incorporate them into your interior.
timeless & traditional
One of the key colour combinations for Christmas - and throughout winter - is red and gold. Warm, indulgent and regal, it works in any space -but perhaps best of all in a living room, set off by a roaring fire. Our Dew Drops rug in rust weaves a darker version of these shades together to give the trend a refreshing twist, but to perfect the look, keep the rest of the colour palette traditional. For golds, capture the luxe side of the scheme with beautifully textured ceramics and richly upholstered seating. For reds, go for playful pops, like this clean, contemporary light and glossy picture frame.
Dew Drops rug styled with frame from Vera Wang for Wedgwood, chaise from Loaf, light from IKEA and vase from Zara Home.
modern metallics
Metallics are instantly synonymous with winter. Give them a new lease of life by keeping to a monochrome-inspired palette of grey and black. Our Flyover wallpaper in Charcoal is the perfect starting point, as it plays with different intensities of grey. Dial up the metallics with crushed velvet seating, which references the glittering nature of metal, and experiment with mirrors and mirrored surfaces, like this slim console table. Finally, a metalwork accessory, like this candle holder, cements the look and helps give it a modern edge.
Flyover wallpaper styled with mirror from John Lewis, chair from Capital Dining Chairs, candle from La Redoute and console table from Oak Furniture House.
frosted fancy
Ice, snow and hail are all features of the frozen landscape, represented in blue, grey and white tones. Even subtle beige gives a nod to this wintry world, where bare earth is glimpsed beneath the ice. Our Kaleidoscope rug in Frost combines these shades with a striking, graphic pattern that’s reminiscent of the delicate beauty of snowflakes. Again, texture is king: set the scene in a cosy bedroom with a plush upholstered bed, a tactile cushion and a wool throw to add softness. Finally, combine fun and function with an eye-catching clock in the colours of the season.
Kaleidoscope rug styled with throw from Marchbrae, clock from TEO, cushion from Diversecushions on Etsy and bed from Loaf.br/>
For more Christmas inspiration, take a look at our Winter Wonderland Pinterest board, or view all of our colourful rugs and feature wallpaper.
style your fireplace for winter with our statement wallpaper
Whether you're watching boxsets, unwrapping presents, or sleeping off the festive feasting on the couch, the living room is arguably the place you'll spend most of winter (especially when it comes to Christmas). And, the chances are that you'll be doing all of this in front of a roaring fire, so it makes sense to do up your fireplace in time for the weather turning. Here are some great ways for doing just that with our statement wallpaper.
feature this
A great way to bring your fireplace to life is by making the wall space above it a feature - and bright colours and bold graphics are the way forward. To tap into the AW16 trends, an earthy, rustic theme is the instant go-to, but why not also experiment with the season's other key colours of frosted blue and grey? Of course, you can also try keeping the fireplace plain and papering the other walls for a more modern look.
Try this with: Our Tree Stump wallpaper in Forest or our Flutes wallpaper in Frost
Images courtesy of housetohome.co.uk - see here and here
frame it
Put your wallpaper in the picture – literally – by turning it into a canvas. It’s an easy and effective way to create a focal point in your living space, and can be changed seasonally or when your décor needs a bit of a refresh. Experiment with the background wall colour and paper for different effects – a contrasting shade or print makes a statement, while sticking to similar colours keeps things clean and simple.
Try this with: Our Flyover wallpaper in Frost or our Coral Atoll wallpaper in Ocean
Images courtesy of Apartment Therapy and Houzz
blend in
Why stick to just a feature wall? Papering your whole room in one print creates a dramatic look and really opens up the space. Alternatively, go for the art of subtlety and choose colours similar to your fireplace to watch it simply melt away when it's not in use.
Try this with: Our Spray wallpaper in Spring Green or our Parcel wallpaper in Ocean
Images courtesy of housetohome.co.uk and Michelle Owen
shelve it
Adding shelves is the perfect solution to an unused fireplace space, or the cavity that having one removed will leave. Whether you alternate patterns between shelves for layers of interest, or go all-out with one unified, striking print, it ensures no space is wasted when it comes to decorating your home.
Try this with: Our Portobello wallpaper in Ocean or our Pond Life wallpaper in Spring Green
Images courtesy of ofdesign.net and At Home in Love
With 13 different wallpaper designs all available in a multitude of colourways, the possibilities are endless. View all of our wallpapers here and get started today!
trend watch - retro revival
As an era of invention (credit cards, rocket ships and the mobile phone are just three examples), it's no surprise that the 50s, 60s and 70s were a time of trendsetting, experimentation and innovation for interiors, too. Decades on, interiors are still being inspired and influenced by retro trends reworked in interesting and unusual ways. It’s no secret that midecentury influences inspire our work too, so here is our pick of three of the best – and easiest – retro trends to try.
colour pop
A pop of colour uplifts your interior, providing a focal point and visual interest, whatever the room. Here we’ve picked a few interior designers that show you how to play various shades off against each other, often across several rooms. Turner Pocock use brightly-coloured geometric wallpaper, while Amy Lau Design focuses on eye-catching seating contrasted against dark wooden furniture. Thomas & Catherine Widawski’s interiors prove that even ceilings and bathrooms deserve the vintage treatment. Throughout the looks, three shades are prominent - aqua, orange and yellow - as they look fresh, fun and inviting. You can recreate the retro era's love affair with these bright and beautiful hues with our Dahlia Rug or our Coral Atoll Wallpaper.
Images (clockwise from top left): Turner Pocock, Thomas & Catherine Widawski, Amy Lau Design, Thomas & Catherine Widawski
pattern play
A graphic take on florals and a Scandinavian lens on space themes are two of the strongest ways the period worked print. This emerging sensibility of stripped-back, simplistic, yet effective design is something that echoes throughout our design ethos. This is captured perfectly in the iconic work of 50s designer Lucienne Day, and can also be seen today in the works of designers like Missprint, Angie Lewin and Sanderson. Striking patterns based on grids, angles and geometry – a reference to the precise nature of science – have also been taken into the twenty-first century, not only in our own Lost in Space collection, but by the likes of Minimoderns and Graham & Brown. Our Orbit and Cultivate rugs tie together both the Scandi and space themes, while our Pond Life wallpaper references the graphic, ordered appearance of floral and plant designs of the period.
Images (clockwise from top left): Missprint, Lucienne Day, Minimoderns
nature as inspiration
The retro era is closely tied to nature, whether in the use of natural materials or in its often-seen earthy tones. Both Pamono’s rugs and Lucienne Day’s fabrics feature rich colours of orange, ochre and moss, while pine paneling, cork and wood offcuts feature in the interiors of Thomas & Catherine Widawski. Our Shard wallpaper mimics the paneled look of many retro homes or the effect of woven fabrics. In addition, many of our designs mimic patterns found in nature – our Flutes and Dew Drops rugs are reminiscent of tree bark and our Tree Stump wallpaper shows tree rings. All these designs evoke a sense of being in the midst of natural surroundings with their calming colourways and subject matter, and, their warming, natural colour palette is great to build on for any space.
Images (clockwise from top left): Pamono Rugs x2, Lucienne Day, Thomas & Catherine Widawski
why your next interior investment should be bespoke
If you’re looking to freshen up your home or are an interior designer with a client or project in mind, our dedicated, made-to-order service lets you create a one-of-a-kind rug or wallpaper design in the shape, size and style you want – not to mention colour. And, you’ll get more control over the finished design than you would off the high street - whether it’s something straight from your imagination, or a twist on one of our existing works.
Here are our top reasons to believe in the power of custom-made.
originality
It isn’t always easy to find something that reflects you, your style and your personality – especially if you’re looking for something quirky, or even rare. So opting for a tailor-made design means that, as well as getting something that suits your taste and interior, you’ll receive a unique piece that nobody else will have.
all shapes and sizes
Looking for something a little bit bigger, smaller, narrower, more square or even circular? When faced with the challenge of decorating small, oddly-shaped or awkward spaces, take the stress out of shopping around by having something made to your exact specifications - and bask in the confidence that it will perfectly fit your interior.
invest in the best
When it comes to decor, the price difference between standard and custom-made pieces can seem off-putting. In reality, your quote covers more than your unique, completed design – it takes into account the time, effort and craftsmanship involved, several revisions, and the professional, personalised service you’ll receive along the way. And, because we are a small company with low overheads we are able to offer more competitive prices on bespoke products, so you might just be surprised at how affordable a bespoke design from us can be!
going local
Choosing a bespoke piece means you could be supporting small or local businesses and communities. Our design hub is currently based in London and our wallpapers are all printed in the UK - which means by commissioning a bespoke design with us, you’re helping support local businesses.
quality is key
In a time of chain stores and high street mass production, quality typically comes after quantity, and cheap and cheerful often prevails. Whether you choose from our current collections or go for something custom-made, all our designs are made-to-order, crafted from superior materials and designed to last, so you’re investing in quality first and longevity second.
If you want to make that dream design a reality, it couldn’t be easier. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Drop us an email at hello@interiorsbyelement.com with your ideas and measurements
Step 2: We’ll contact you to arrange a consultation in person (London & surrounding area) or over the phone
Step 3: We’ll put together a tailor-made quote and get to work creating your design options
Step 4: Your quote includes 3 design revisions, in case you’d like to make any changes
Step 5: We’ll notify you of our delivery timeframes and craft your perfect rug or wallpaper design
If you’re interested in going bespoke, why not start your journey today? You can also visit our bespoke rugs and bespoke wallpaper pages to find out more.