Blog, trends, etc.

Curvaceous Lines

When considering ways to break up the linear lines of a room, introducing curves can be the most direct route. A curvaceous line can guide and draw the eye, changing the landscape of a space and allowing new dimensions and shapes to form. Curves can be delivered into a space in many ways, so we’ve curated some of our top designs that offer a surprise direction to any space.

   
Pictured above: Sting and Pancho by Cattelan Italia

The Sting Side Table by Cattelan Italia is one of our most popular side tables. Whilst a side table seems like a conventional choice for a curved edge, there is nothing conventional about this design. With its stylish round ceramic top, sleek double stem, and an offset spherical base, these side tables offer a shape that allows your gaze to cast around them. For a bolder design, the Pancho Side Table by Cattelan Italia features a rounded but organic cylindrical structure in a range of finishes which complement an industrial aesthetic. 

   
Pictured above:  Bombe Chair by Cattelan Italia and Lagom Pouf by Porada

Seating can offer some great curvaceous options too; take the Bombe Chair by Cattelan Italia which features a smooth cocooning seat offering arm and back support. The legs have a classic wood finish, allowing the gentle rises and falls of the curves to really be highlighted. Or even the simple yet contemporary Lagom Pouf by Porada which has gentle rounded edges to complement its crushed cube shape. Available in a wide range of fabrics and finishes, allowing you to ensure you can use this within your space how you want to. 

   
Pictured above: Lake Sideboard by Calligaris and Mary Bar Cabinet by Porada

For some larger designs with curves, the Lake Sideboard by Calligaris offers an elongated oval shape with a sleek ceramic top recessed from the frame edge. The sideboard has a two-door central compartment and a curved door at each end. Or for a truly statement piece, the Mary Bar Cabinet by Porada is a stylish two section cylindrical cabinet design with curved doors made from natural or stained Canaletto walnut. The upper compartments feature an ice glass detail, a brushed brass metal back wall, angular shelving, and a rechargeable LED interior light.

Introducing curvaceous lines into your space softens the linear, and allows your space to breathe new shapes and life giving you the freedom to explore different dimensions and silhouettes.

Installing a Vertical Garden

For compact outside spaces such as balconies, or perhaps a wall or outside fence that needs a something extra, vertical gardens can offer great visual impact for relatively little work. The most easy way to create one at home is to use potted plants in a clip or slot in system, and some of these have ready-made planters built into pockets, allowing you to quickly hang up and start to enjoy the greenery. 

   
Pictured above:  Wonderwall 2.3m2  Living Wall Kit

You'll also need to consider the maintenance. Some custom options come with their own built in irrigation systems, but any design will need checking and re-visiting to make sure your plants are thriving. We love Wonderwall’s 2.3m2 Kit, an almost completely recycled, instant modular living wall design with all the elements you’ll need aside from plants. The self-watering irrigation system ensures plants are well looked after.

   
Pictured above:  Minigarden Vertical Planting Kits

The multi-option Minigarden range can be freestanding or wall mounted, in plain or corner styles with various accessories for seemingly endless combinations. Their Vertical Kitchen Garden is made from food-safe polypropylene and includes a drip irrigation kit for optimum use of water. 

The selection of plants is an important part of a vertical garden, and of course it’s crucial to consider whether your space will be in direct sunlight or be shaded for most of the day. Succulents, creepers, ferns and herbs are great trailing plants to cover a wider surface area and are brilliant low maintenance options, and small-root families such as bromeliads lend themselves well to the restricted growing space.

Our top tip is to explore a wide variety of plant options as this can make for the most eye-catching display. Introducing new plants into the mix every season will ensure you are making the most of the garden, allowing your design to really shine.

Pastel Colours

Pastel colours are a rising trend, and for good reason. They allow you to play with tones and shades with ease, highlighting a bold bright colour and then scaling back with gradients of pastels around the space so you can carry through your colour scheme without overpowering.

Here we’ve selected some simple designs that are available in pastel colourways, giving you the freedom to bring this trend into your own space. 

   
Pictured above: Basil and Liberty chairs by Calligaris 

The Basil Chair by Calligaris is a classic design with a twist, featuring a curved seat with a 'basil leaf' fold detailed back, and is available in a wide array of colourways including pale pink and hemp. The Liberty Chair With Arms by Calligaris is a sleek polypropylene dining chair that can be used indoor and out, is stackable and has a playful design along with pastel colour options.

   
Pictured above:  Tuka Chair Wood Legs and Ens Shelf by Connubia Calligaris 

The last in the chair designs is the Tuka Chair Wood Legs by Connubia Calligaris — a fun statement piece with its C shaped seat and wood legs, with seat available in a choice of pastel and bold colours giving you the option to contrast or compliment as you see fit. 

To explore pastels in more unexpected design selections, why not experiment with the customisable Ens Shelf by Connubia Calligaris — a wood bracket supports a wide range of accessories and functional elements that come in a selection of pastel colours, allowing your shelf to really pop and standout against your wall. 

   
Pictured above: Esa Side Table by Bontempi Casa and Trust Coffee Table by Connubia Calligaris

Lastly, an occasional table is always an easy way to bring a trend to a living room. The Esa Side Table by Bontempi Casa features a geometric lacquered steel top framed by solid wood in a tripod design. Choose light blue or light green colourways for a fresh pastel look. The Trust Coffee Table by Connubia Calligaris features an oval shaped melamine top accented with a curved metal frame which comes in a selection of lacquers including a pastel thyme green.

However you decide to introduce this trend to your space, we recommend you play with tones and colour match to your space to really make the pastels 'sing' in the right way. The right colour combinations can really make a room, and create a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere. 

Outdoor Pizza Ovens

We’ve seen in recent years a rise in outdoor dining, and with it, many of us have taken our culinary skills into the open spaces of our gardens. The biggest trend to come out of this is pizza ovens, with their producing freshly baked pizza, looking stylish, and creating a great talking point. 

We’ve had a look around for some reputable designs that'll look fantastic while cooking delicious tasting pizzas.

   
Pictured above: Core by Gozney and Classico by Igneus

The Gozney Core is a customisable restaurant grade wood-fired oven that comes in parts and allows you to build the oven into any design you wish. Available in 4 different sizes, can be assembled in hours, and best of all, once it’s up and running, you can cook a pizza in just 60 seconds — surely outdoor dining at its finest. 

The Igneus Classico Pizza Oven adds a bold pop of colour to any outside space with its stainless steel shell available in a wide selection of colourways. This oven is completely portable and cooks two pizzas in around 90 seconds so not only does it add some zest to your outside area, but it’s super fast and convenient too. 

   
Pictured above: Karu by Ooni and Forno by Morsø

Also portable, the Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven is a durable oven that cooks 16” pizzas in 60 seconds and comes complete with a digital thermometer. The oven also has foldable legs for convenient storage, tucking away when you’re not using it. Or take the stylish Morsø Forno Outdoor Oven made of double-coated cast iron in a horizontal egg shape that neatly delivers all the pizza wood-firing you need. 

   
Pictured above: Wood fired ovens by Fuego

Last but certainly not least, if you are looking to explore something more custom then we simply love these Fuego Wood Fired Ovens. These Spanish fire clay ovens are all made by hand and bespoke to your specifications meaning they can craft the ultimate design all the way you want it. 

So transfer your culinary prowess to the garden and install a luxury wood fired oven into your outdoor space; it makes entertaining an absolute breeze.