Designed by interior designer Michel Penneman and architect Oliver Hannaert, the Pantone Hotel in the heart of Brussels is a dream destination for anyone searching out the best in luxury and design.
Pantone Inc. is most noted for their colourful Pantone Matching System which incorporates the use of numbers to identify colours. The system quickly became the standard for designers and printers worldwide after its inception 45 years ago. This allows designers to match colours anywhere in the world. It is this love of colour which has been a prime influence in this hotel.
In the future Pantone hope to add colour matching across genres, for example matching the colour on the walls to the colour of the furnishings and accessories. This is something they have achieved with the hotel décor. In fact, Pantone have branded the idea of colour – if that is possible.
The Pantone hotel has been built as part of the Pantone Universe, a collection of interior and consumer products including sneakers, cosmetics, accessories, stationery and the famous Pantone Mugs. All products are available for sale at the hotel and are on display and in use throughout.
The hotel uses a palette of the colours of the rainbow, from light pastel hues through to the brightest and boldest shades. All are set on a white background to bring out the bold use of colour. The 59 bedrooms feature white walls and bedlinen, highlighted by splashes of colour from seven Pantone colour palettes.
For those who fancy a little one on one with a Pantone Colour consultant, the hotel also offers on-site consultations and seminars on colour trends. They can even help the guest to decide what colour suits their mood.
Despite the obvious love of everything to do with colour and its relationship with the hotel guests, the designers have been careful not to overdo the splashes of colour, ensuring that visitors are not overwhelmed with brand images at every turn.
Hailing from New Jersery, Pantone introduced their Colour Matching System 45 years ago and it quickly caught on, making the company ubiquitous with interior design and the making the right colour choices. In recent years, the company has branched out into different products such as bags, cuff links and our favourite the Pantone mugs.
It is likely that the mug will soon become a design classic of its own. The boldly coloured mugs are plain, simple and unique. Pantone have even used the design to their advantage by incorporating the colour matching chart numbers into their design, making sure that no potential consumer could possibly confuse them with any other manufacturer.
Pantone was founded in 1962 and simply manufactured colour cards for cosmetics companies and one year later the first colour matching system was unveiled. The company produces cardboard sheets with each colour printed on it. These are then bound into a flip book offering the viewer a number of options to choose from in each colour series.
image: by 2create via flickr
The system was a hit with designers who found they could match colours easily. As the company grew they added their flair for colour to the production of interior design items. This has expanded into a wedding service and finally a hotel in Brussels.
The Pantone mug is a small, inexpensive and stylish way to buy one small part of this empire. The mugs are available in a variety of colours, pantone sets of ten and gift packs. Simply mix and match the colours to create the look required. They will fit into any colour scheme and can be changed to suit the seasons. We are big tea drinkers and just love the Pantone tea gift set, they’re great!
It doesn’t seem that long ago that the good old-fashioned rubbish bin was an embarrassment. It would often be hidden away from view or found lurking in a dark corner, out of sight and out of mind. Not any more. Household bins have under gone something of a revolution and the designer bin has well and truly arrived. So push aside your dull old bin and introduce something more special. After all every room in the home needs a bin so why hide it. We are talking sleek and stylish, technical and eye-catching. Indeed some bins look so good it seems a shame to fill them with rubbish.
Without a doubt modern designer bins are a huge improvement on their ancestors and can blend into or enhance most interior design themes in the home. Found in a variety of shapes and colours, capacities and styles, designer bins are often made from shiny alloys that project a modern, trendy feel. The Eva Solo stainless steel waste bin looks amazing.
Others are made from plastic, wood, sisal and even paper. Check out the paper bin by Essey. Whether it’s a pedal bin, a bin with a swing lid or one with multi-compartments, designer bins are here to stay. The award winning and design icon design Vipp bin is a great addition to any room.
Designer bins have a practical side to them too. The Brabantia Twin Bin with its ‘soft touch’ lid provides two bins in one for easy waste separation. A useful product in our increasingly environmentally conscious world.
Who would have thought there would be so much to say about the household bin?
Judy Holme is an exclusive designer of unique accessories for fashion and interiors. Her company Judy Holme Originals offers superior hand-finished products including stunning silk cushions, lampshades, wallpapers, place mats, coasters and wall art as well as a stunning range of luxury scarves.
How and when did you first become interested in design?
I was naturally keen on design, even as a child, being singled out in art lessons with my graphic layouts, designing and building brightly painted furniture from scraps of wood with my brothers. A desire to make something look better has always been there.
How would you describe your style?
Definitely eclectic. Usually lively, full of colour and style.
Where would you say your influences or aspirations came from?
A keen appreciation of photography and graphics, coupled with in interest in philosophy, poetry and calligraphy. But the nature of design means to create afresh and not be led by fashions. Most of my work comes from the heart.
Whose work do you most admire and why?
I’ve always loved the work of Magnum – their books are photographers’ bibles. They make the business of great images look so effortless – not only are they technically perfect, but also more importantly always teach us emotion.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
Experimenting with images, text and colour until I’m totally happy with a finished design.
Can you offer any home styling tips?
When you’re looking for new furniture or accessories, only buy what you truly love. That way you’ll still be appreciating it in ten or twenty years’ time. Don’t be led by functionality…. listen to your emotions and don’t worry about matching colours too precisely or buying a whole range of matching furniture. Whether it’s a chair or a salt cellar, you should buy objects that feel special every time you use them.
We couldnt help but crack a smile when we first saw this fab collection by Krasznai ceramics. The “Arms and Crafts” range adds an element of playful suprise to our everyday household objects, you cant help but love them!
Krasznai is a young artistic studio based in Barcelona. All the works they produce are skillfully handmade or slipcasted ceramics meaning each piece is individual and slightly different to the others in the collection.
The guys at Krasznai say “The main aim of the works is to have fun and, if possible, bring a smile to your face” and we want to help! We are bringing the collection to the UK very soon, contact us if you want to be updated when the collection is launched on Dotmaison.
Do you love them or are you slightly scared by them?!! Let us know!
The Missoni Hotel in Edinburgh is the perfect combination of one of the world best fashion houses and the Rezidor Hotel Group, famed for their ambitious design and expertise in the field. Strictly for those who appreciate modern design, overstated colour and bold design. The hotel catches hold of you from the moment you walk in.
The Edinburgh building boasts 129 rooms, 7 suites, a bar, restaurant and more. All painstakingly designed to reflect the Missoni feel. As with all the future Missoni hotels the interior has been conceptualised by Studio Thon, a Milan based architectural and design practice who have then passed the ideas to Rezidor for implementation.
With black and white as the central theme and punctuated with splashes of colour, the Missoni is certainly not for the traditional holiday maker. But then Edinburgh is not a casual city. The furnishings are designed to stand out against the back drop of black and white and the unmistakable Missoni signature is there for all to see.
From the black and white mosaics to the zigzags and stripes, the use of shapes comes together with the splashes of bright and funky colour to create something which is hard to describe. It shouldn’t work, but it most definitely does. Even the door man is wearing a Missoni kilt and guests can slip into a Missoni bathrobe and slippers.
Created by Rosita Missoni, the Edinburgh Hotel joins another in Kuwait and shares the passion for detail. The seemingly simple designs, belie the attention to detail which underpins the Missoni brand, whether it is in the boutiques or now the hotels. The company hope to open around 30 such hotels around the world – the perfect showcase for the family brand.
Have you ever got your mp3 player out of your bag, only to find your earphones are tangled up in knots? We’ll you’re not the only one! According to the mathematicians this phenomenon is involved with Tangle and Knot Theory, its complicated. All we know is its a pain and we have the solution… Cordctrl!
Statement or focus walls are a great way of making one wall in a room a good focal point. They can bring your interior decorating ideas together, give you the opportunity to experiment, be creative and inject colour and personality into a room. If you’ve been thinking of creating a statement wall in your home, then here are some ideas for ways to do so.
When you’re choosing a wall to make into your statement or focus wall, look for a wall that is currently relatively plain, but is somewhere you often look at, whether when sitting or walking into a room. In the lounge or living room, walls with chimneybreasts, above the fire or with alcoves tend to work well, in a dining room, a wall that gets looked at whilst you’re sitting at the table could be the ideal spot, or in a bedroom it could be the wall above the bed or facing the bed.
Various mediums can be used to enhance or spice up the wall. Wallpaper is a great way of creating a statement, through colour or design, and there are some stunning options available. Choose from floral or nature designs, geometric patterns or bold splashes of colour.
Simply painting the wall in a different shade of colour from the rest of the room, such as red, blue or black, can add interest and set off the wall. Or you could choose a wall sticker, to provide a dramatic effect.
Major amounts of decorating aren’t necessarily needed to achieve a good statement wall, though. Groups of favourite photos hung together on the wall can create the desired effect (the frames don’t all have to match – random can be interesting), as can a stunning piece of wall art or a large statement mirror.
You can even use storage choices to create a focus wall, like these funky groove media holders, which serve a practical purpose, but also look interesting when hung on the wall.
The options are endless – use your imagination and style, don’t be afraid of colour and have fun creating your own unique statement wall.
We all love a beautifully scented home. Whether it is to cover the smells of cooking, animals or even the kids, we are bombarded with a multitude of ways to get our homes smelling the way we want them. However not all of us can use the sprays and plug-ins available at the supermarkets. For many they can make the symptoms of asthma worse and sometimes the scents can be over-powering or synthetic. Other options such as candles or oil burners can leave an acrid smell and have all the associated dangers of a naked flame.
We all know that the right smell can evoke memories of our younger days. Walking past the sea can make us think of a holiday or roses can bring back a memory of our first love. Even the smell of someone’s perfume can make you think of the times you spent with them So creating the right smell in your home is essential to your mood. This is where a reed diffuser can come in.
A reed diffuser is simply a container with a scented oil into which a reed is placed. The reed will soak up the oil and release the fragrance into the air. The best reed diffusers use good quality oils and the best reeds. These will last the longest and have the most intense scents.
A reed diffuser can be used in any room and are completely safe and maintenance free. No need to worry abut candle wax or incense ash dropping onto your furniture. Simply keep them out of reach of children and enjoy. Many are very attractive to look at and make a perfect gift.
So the next time you are tempted to pick up that latest lavender spray, try a reed diffuser instead. You won’t be disappointed.
The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair held at The Marquee, Battersea Park from 20th to 25th April 2010 was a resounding success attracting an array of trade buyers from around the world.
Amongst buying trends there was a definite leaning towards light coloured wood furniture of all periods; painted furniture, upholstered chairs and sofas; and small pairs or sets of chairs.
New exhibitors, such as Gray Modern & Contemporary Art, www.graymca.co.uk, and Wilson Stephens Decorative Arts, www.wsdecorativeart.com, enjoyed good sales, during and after the event. Gray also commented on the number of top Modern British art dealers visiting and buying at the Fair.
A number of famous faces spotted at the Fair included actor Rupert Everett, TV and radio personality Alan Carr, and comedienne Helen Lederer. Other UK buyers included Colefax & Fowler and Nicky Haslam.
Twentieth century design accessories were as popular as ever at the Fair. Notable sales included a mid-century Stil Novo acrylic and metal table lamp, sold by James Strang, www.mod-i.com, and a cheerful 1930’s French glass lemonade set from Norfolk Decorative Antiques, www.norfolkdecorativeantiques.co.uk.
Upholstered furniture was probably the most sought-after item at this fair. A huge number of antique and twentieth century sofas and comfortable chairs were sold. A highly unusual, high-backed English Victorian period sofa, generated much interest and was sold by Seventeen-Twentyone, www.17-21.com.
Where would you say your influences or aspirations came from?
Simply painting the wall in a different shade of colour from the rest of the room, such as red, blue or black, can add interest and set off the wall. Or you could choose a wall sticker, to provide a dramatic effect.
We all love a beautifully scented home. Whether it is to cover the smells of cooking, animals or even the kids, we are bombarded with a multitude of ways to get our homes smelling the way we want them. However not all of us can use the sprays and plug-ins available at the supermarkets. For many they can make the symptoms of asthma worse and sometimes the scents can be over-powering or synthetic. Other options such as candles or oil burners can leave an acrid smell and have all the associated dangers of a naked flame.
Amongst buying trends there was a definite leaning towards light coloured wood furniture of all periods; painted furniture, upholstered chairs and sofas; and small pairs or sets of chairs.