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Divine Lighting

The beauty and craft of glassblowing has recently been highlighted thanks to the success of popular glassblowing television shows and an ongoing trend in artisan skills. We’ve seen this magnification within interiors too, with lighting designs harnessing the trend and allowing new forms and shapes to take the lead. Here we’ve selected some of our favourite forms, all made from beautiful blown borosilicate glass. 

   
Pictured above: Spark and Blow by Bontempi Casa

The Spark Suspension Light by Bontempi Casa is a radiating design featuring 'flat' glass diffusers that extend from a central brass frame. This design highlights the delicacy of glass and just how well its spherical forms can replicate bubbles. Similarly, the Blow Suspension Light by Bontempi Casa features a glass pendant complete with an inner glass diffuser that sits slightly lower than the outer glass creating a truly unique form.

   
Pictured above:  Coimbra and Baban by Cattelan Italia 

Also playing with layered elements, the Coimbra Suspension Light by Cattelan Italia highlights a lacquered bell in a choice of metallic colour inside a smooth transparent glass outer.

In a highly decorative design, the Baban Suspension Light by Cattelan Italia features six stacked glass diffusers of mixed rounded shapes, showcasing clear, smoked, and orange glass. 

   
Pictured above: Circuit and Biarritz by Cattelan Italia

Or take the Circuit Suspension Light by Cattelan Italia which features eight lampshades varying in size and glass, suspended on a titanium embossed lacquered steel frame, creating a unique and carefully balanced design. 

Bordering on an art installation, the stunning Biarritz Suspension Light by Cattelan Italia features a blend of glass spheres, cylinders, and rings, that all perfectly balance and hang to form a composition that creates a truly high end and bold aesthetic. 

Wherever lighting is considered within your space, don’t overlook the true beauty and design prowess that glass designs lend it — celebrate this material and its craftsmanship with some truly divine inspirations. 

Upholstery Details

From contrast piping, to flange edges, upholstery details are becoming all the more important in creating unexpected visual focus. In a world where attention to detail has become a key component in any space, it can be challenging finding designs that impact from both afar and up close. Here we’ve highlighted some subtle upholstery details on everyday sofa designs.

   
Pictured above: Britt Sofa by Sits 

The minimal Britt Sofa by Sits can be elevated with optional flange-edged scatter cushions that break up the conformity of the straight-lined frame and low slim cushion pads. 

   
Pictured above:  Kirk Sofa by Porada

Making a feature of straight lines, the Kirk Sofa by Porada features contrast piping along the sofa frame and armrests, working in harmony with a slender solid wood base to really accent and magnify the outlines of the design.

   
Pictured above: Teddy Sofa by Sits

For more tailored emphasis on lines and edges, why not opt for an inverted seam? Structured and stylish, the Teddy Sofa by Sits creates statement lines by using traditional twin seams on the seat and back cushion pads, and then echoing these on the armrests.

   
Pictured above: Stella by Sits

If opting for more relaxed lines and shapes, both the Stella Sofa and the Vidar Valance Sofa by Sits will give you comfortable tailoring highlighted by smart and chic inverted seams, in two very different styles. Stella's seams are kept to the cushioned arm and backrests for reserved detail, while Vidar's are repeated on multiple cushion-style layers for a stylised plump look. 

   
Pictured above: Vidar Valance by Sits

Both of these designs bring a more bohemian nod into your interior which contrasts brilliantly with the smart seam detailing. You can also explore definition and elevate upholstered seams with decorative blanket topstitches, and this is showcased to great effect on the Fellow Sofa by Porada. 

   
Pictured above: Fellow by Porada

The lines created here work together with a solid wood frame and legs to really draw one's eye around the whole design — and up close are just a joy to discover.

However you decide to introduce attention to detail, consider upholstery as a way to add that clever extra 'something'.

Design for Wellbeing at Home

Our homes should be our sanctuaries, places where we feel the most comfortable and can unwind from the stresses of the outside world. For many of us, creating those harmonious spaces is key, but some may struggle with where to start.  Introducing the wrong colours, lighting, or even accessories, can result in the energy of a space actually doing the opposite of what we want. Here we have highlighted some top tips on how to create a harmonious, relaxing space to help improve your wellbeing at home. 

   
Pictured above:  'Mizzle' Paint by Farrow & Ball and Rosso Nobile Reed Diffuser by Dr Vranjes Firenze

• Colour is Key - Selecting the right colours for your space is critical to how you feel within a room as colour gives off its own energy and adds a vibration to the room. For a truly harmonious and relaxing environment, selecting calming colours such as sage greens or dusty blues can work well — and keep accessories muted in pearly whites and soft beiges to ensure no colour clashing distracts from the zen you are sculpting. 
• Extend your Space's Senses - Introducing senses into your space can help create a calm and inviting atmosphere. Luxury room diffusers such as Rosso Nobile by Dr Vranjes Firenze allow you to harness the power of scent to whisk your senses away from the outside world. Playing soothing music through a non-intrusive and natural speaker design such as the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay 49 will focus your mind on the here and now. 

   
Pictured above:  Beoplay A9 Speaker by Bang & Olufsen and Spokes Suspension Light by Foscarini

• No Bright Lights - We all know why office spaces tend to have lots of natural light or keep bright overhead lighting on all day — it helps keep us awake and engaged. At home when we want to rest, we need to turn down the lights and sink into the shadows a little. Having lighting that you’re able to dim allows you to control what mood you want to create, and ensuring it is placed strategically around the room so as not to flood your space with light will also allow you to create smooth curves and shapes with shadows — thus cocooning you even further into your safe haven. 

However you choose to dress your sanctuary space, make sure you can truly feel yourself letting go and unwinding; you’ll find you not only sleep better as a result, but you’ll be able to focus on more throughout the day too. 

Spotlight on Porada

Making since 1948, Porada are a brand known for their unique production methods, taking contemporary processes and fusing them with traditional craftsmanship — allowing each design to receive the love and attention it deserves. Here we’ve hand-picked some of our favourites that highlight this sought-after signature. 

   
Pictured above: Deck Side Table

The Deck Side Table features smooth round lines contrasted with neat edges, curved, softly angled legs that support a simple table top — completed with a smooth curved lip. All in a canaletto walnut wood that can be stained or lacquered in colours as desired.

   
Pictured above:  Louis Armchair

The Louis Armchair and the Ella Chair both also feature the signature smooth curved frame in an elegant canaletto walnut wood finish. The gently curved, flowing frame supports a plush upholstered seat pad in a wide range of fabrics and finishes. 

   
Pictured above: Serena Chair

For a sophisticated exploration of line and form with a contrast of angles and curves, the Serena Chair sees firmly angled corners supporting a rounded upholstered seat pad and really accentuates the strength and stability of a handcrafted design, using beautifully grained ash wood in stains or coloured lacquers.

   
Pictured above: Infinity Table

Turning our attention to table designs, Porada spares no ingenuity here either. The Infinity Table features a continuous looping wood structure that softly holds up a 12mm thick round glass top. This wood can be smooth canaletto or grained ash, from the full range of Porada stains and lacquered colours. The entire design is then complemented by a chromed or lacquered base plate to echo the round lines of the top.

   
Pictured above: Circe Table

Similarly intricate is the Circe Table which gives your dining room a true craftsmanship touch. The rectangular glass top sits on two neatly angular stained canaletto walnut bases that marry geometric form with a gentle, nature-like finish. 

There are many more examples of the passion and artisanal handiwork Porada pour into their furniture, with no denying that they have cleverly carved out a signature style — one that will allow these timeless designs to stand on their own for many years to come.