Blog, trends, etc.

Autumn Walks

As our green woodlands begin to turn into beautiful golds and oranges, there’s a sudden desire to don those walking boots, wrap those scarves around our necks, and get out into the crisp autumn air.

The UK is filled with breathtaking walking trails and routes so it can feel a bit daunting deciding where to go — but to make things easier, we’ve selected our top 5 routes that will give you a walk to remember.

Tarr Steps - Somerset
This trail is approximately 7 miles and is a true hidden gem, located down a narrow lane 5 miles from Dulverton, you’ll find large stone flat slabs supported by stone supports spanning across the River Barle which dates back to around 1000 BC. Local legend has it that the slabs were placed here by the Devil on winning a bet with a local giant.
https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/tarr-steps

Birchover - Derbyshire
This 5 mile walk navigates you through pathways that are littered with history and mythology. From Rowtor Rock and its prehistoric rock art, to pillars that the outlaw Robin Hood famously leapt across, to the Hermit of Cratcliffe Tor who led travellers to safety off the ancient way trail, this is a walk to absorb both beauty and history.
https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com/explore/towns-and-villages/birchover-p680161

Rivington Terraced Gardens - Lancashire
The ruins of Lord Leverhulme's terraced gardens add exciting dimensions and levels to this walk. With pagodas and archways that have now been reclaimed by the surrounding woodland, creating shapes and shadows that excite and intrigue.
https://www.rivingtonterracedgardens.org.uk/

Dunwich Heath - Suffolk
The heathland at Dunwich changes colour year round and has an exceptional hue and glow to it in autumn. More than the colourama of the foliage, is the plant and wildlife, with the surroundings teeming with various types of funghi of all shapes and sizes — and keep your eyes peeled for the majestic red deer which can often be heard battling as we near the end of their rutting season. 
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunwich-heath-and-beach

Ham House and Garden - London
Even in built-up London, there is plenty of natural beauty to absorb. Ham House and Garden explores a beautiful array of garden scapes, along with a riot of colour in the kitchen garden which houses a huge variety of vegetables all ready to harvest this time of year — a true treat for any budding produce growing enthusiasts.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house-and-garden

There are so many inspiring places to visit this autumn, so get your waterproofs ready and head out to explore the wonderful natural beauty right on our doorstep.

Cattelan Italia Keramik and CrystalArt Updates

The design team at Cattelan Italia continuously explore innovative ways of delivering their designs with a fusion of natural inspired elements and contemporary aesthetics, and this year the brand have released four breathtaking new marble-inspired looks across their Keramik and CrystalArt designs. 

   
Pictured above: Cotopaxi CrystalArt on the Dynasty Sideboard

Take the Dynasty Sideboard shown here in Cotopaxi CrystalArt finish, in marbled warm browns and white. The elegant curved sideboard design allows for this confidently decorative printed glass top to sit softly within the smooth edges and gives the design a truly unique fusion of contemporary fine art.

   
Pictured above:  Orobico CrystalArt on the Senator Table 

Shown pictured in the deep swirling greys of the Orobico CrystalArt colourway, the beauty of these finishes is demonstrated even more boldly within the Senator Table which features a large organically-shaped asymmetrical top, accompanied by two bold angular metal bases. 

   
Pictured above: Kaindy Keramik on the Tyron Table

In ceramic, the Tyron Table is seen in Kaindy Tabletop finish, featuring harmonious veins of green and brown that resemble a lush natural landscape of ravines and rock, all housed on top of a bold and stylish X shaped support structure that everyone will be talking about.

   
Pictured above: Corcovado Keramik on the Skorpio Keramik Table

The Skorpio Keramik Table is seen here in Corcovado, with warm cream tones contrasting ruggedly with greys, black and orange in a masterful nod to biophillic trends.  A geometric metal base sits quietly underneath, supporting and giving off the industrial fusion finish the brand is so famous for. 

These are just a few of the Cattelan collection to showcase these new finishes, allowing natural textures to resonate throughout a space with impactful and glossy surfaces. Why not explore the whole range —  you may find a whole new set of interior inspirations come from them. 

Harnessing the Power of Feng Shui

When arranging our interiors, aesthetic is obviously an integral part of the process. We'll ensure that a space looks great, reflects our own personal style, and meets all of our functionality needs — but what if we were to also consider its ‘energy’?

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice wherein it is held that the considered placement of items and objects can change the flow and vibration of a space, aligning with nature and giving off either positive or negative energy. Whilst it may not seem an exact science to everyone, there are a few standard principles that you can easily apply to carve out your own Feng Shui within your home. 

   
Pictured above: Nelson Bed by Cattelan Italia

Commanding Positions

This is basically the placement of the most prominent pieces within your space, such as the bed in the bedroom, the desk in the office, and the sofa in the living area. Each of these items represents something different about you and so their placement is important in raising the vibration of this element in your own life. A key here is to consider the door when positioning things so that when using them you are not immediately in front of it, but you can see a clear view to it — so that you allow the flow of positive energy moving from these items out into the rest of your life.

   
Pictured above: Freeway Bookcase and Rocket Bookcase by Cattelan Italia

Thinking Upwards

Vertical items within a space are said to represent growth and expansion — and can lift a room visually, making it feel larger than it actually is. This clever use of optical illusion also represents ambition in Feng Shui. Try adding a bookcase to the corner of a room like the Freeway or Rocket by Cattelan Italia, or even a tall planter, for simple vertical impact.

   
Pictured above: Bayus Console Table by Porada and Lake 5-Door Sideboard by Calligaris

Decluttering

Ensuring entrances are clear and your space doesn’t have too much clutter may seem like an obvious thing to do but it actually makes great sense when it comes to Feng Shui. It’s held that this allows you to clear your mind, giving you the opportunity to focus better, and gives clarity over your life and surroundings. Simple storage pieces like the Bayus Console Table by Porada or the Lake 5-Door Sideboard by Calligaris allow you to tidy belongings away and keep your space clutter free without compromising on style.

These are just some very elementary ways to start thinking about Feng Shui within a space and there is so much more to explore in this ancient art; why not give it a try and see if you can feel the benefits.

Vertical Repeats

A vertical repeating pattern can draw your focus and give a space a simple focal point, giving you the freedom to then play off this and mirror the vertical lines elsewhere, bringing a simple harmony to your room. Vertical lines also create an elongated illusion, so are great for drawing height where perhaps this is limited or needs accentuating. 

We’ve carefully curated a selection of designs that we think not only represent this trend well, but are key pieces that will effortlessly elevate any space. 

   
Pictured above: Gamen by Porada  and Stripes by Cattelan Italia

The Gamen Room Divider by Porada features a gentle wave of vertical beams that separate a space and allows the sections of your space to talk to one another without compromising on embracing the entire visual of your room. Or if you need to create a larger space, the Stripes Mirror by Cattelan Italia is a three-dimensional striped mirror comprising of glass vertical bands at different levels to create depth and angles.

   
Pictured above: Charlotte by Bontempi Casa and Circles by Calligaris

Shelving is traditionally a way of introducing horizontal lines into a space, but the Charlotte Bookcase by Bontempi Casa delivers vertical lines too. Its contemporary design features an open lacquered metal frame available in wall mounted floor to ceiling or wall divider options. For an ad hoc shelving twist, the Circles Shelving Unit by Calligaris features four smooth circular shelves fixed at positions for a cascading effect and drawing the focus on the space above and below. 

   
Pictured above: Drift by Porada and Universal Stripe by Calligaris

For storage, there are some great examples of sideboards that will hide things away neatly while outwardly adding vertical lines to your aesthetic.  The  Drift Extending Sideboard by Porada in textured ash wood is a stylish design that's pleasingly versatile with an extending end section. The Universal Stripe Sideboard by Calligaris features a striking vertical patterned design in brushes of dark and light wood tones to create shade and depth. 

This exciting trend isn’t new, it’s simply been reimagined in ways that allow us to play with height, focus, and dimensions — this simple yet effective optical trick can change and shape your space to great effect.