Finding The Unusual Or Interesting For Your Interior Design Schemes
It is up to the interior designer to look far and wide for interesting items for their client’s house. I have faced many a cold morning at an antiques fair searching the stalls for something that my client would like and would sit beautifully into their surroundings.
I look for items which express individuality and will make good talking points. They have not been mass produced.
I am also interested in new and original work and promote the work of little known artists.
Here are a few examples of what I found so far.
A white bench seat for which I commissioned a box cushion in fabric to match the curtains and tiny scatter cushions to sit in the corner of each arm transformed the window recess of one of the bedrooms on a recent project. I also found an antique stool which I repainted and recovered to sit neatly at the bottom of the double bed.[Gallery, Upholstery, Photos 1 and 2]
A recent customer had a keen interest in glass. I’ve used clear glass dishes made by Vanne, a French glassware company which was bought up by Daum. The dishes vary in shape and are therefore interesting in their own right or can be used as a container. They look good on coffee tables and are ideal for a minimalist setting. They are much nicer than the equivalent ceramic dishes currently on offer cheaply in the department stores. [Gallery, Glass, Photos 3, 4 and 5]
In the course of scouring the antiques fairs I come across some unusual Italian glass including a small A.VE.M vase with a green interior with a layer containing multicoloured filigrana, millefiori, white zanfirico, and silver foil probably from the 1950s – an unusual item to add to any collection. [Gallery, Glass, Photo 1]
The Czech’s have a long tradition in producing beautiful glassware. I have supplied some interesting hankerchief style vases in pink and green which tie in nicely with some of the fabrics being supplied by well known fabric manufacturers.
Polish companies are also producing beautiful glassware in modern striking forms.
Glassware looks as good as the day it was made assuming of course that it hasn’t been chipped. If you are planning to buy a piece of glassware inspect it thoroughly by running your hands all over it.You will soon detect any chips which you might not see initially. It is infuriating to inadvertently buy something with a chip and it renders the piece virtually valueless.
I’ve also found West German pots useful in design schemes. They are decorative and colourful and can be filled with artificial or real flowers . I’ve used them in fireplaces. They are also collectibles. Mark Hill has written a book called ‘Fat Lava’ about them . Some shapes and colours are more common than others. A bit like ‘Marmite’ you either love them or you hate them.
My own style is bright, colourful and practical. I like each item in a room to have some significance to the owner and be a good talking point.
Bibliography
Fat Lava West German Ceramics of the 1960s and 70s - Mark Hill
Italian Glass Century 20 Leslie Pina