Latest Trends

Bring Scandinavian Style To Your Home

There's beauty in simplicity, and Scandinavian interior design proves it. Simple, authentic, functional and timeless: it's clear to see why Nordic style has spread from countries such as Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark to the rest of the world. - In recent years the term ‘Scandi' has gained much attention and approval in the UK, and rightfully so. Spaces are filled with light, natural colour palettes, clean lines and lots of natural elements creating an easy-to-live-with style that doesn't date. If you're looking to bring Scandinavian style to your home, consider the following elements to help create the perfect Scandinavian-inspired home. Light & Colour Whether you're looking to subtly introduce Scandinavian style into your living room or rework your living space entirely, both light and colour are vital elements to consider. In Nordic countries, an emphasis is set on magnifying natural light and making use of pale grey, blues, and off-white colours to decorate homes. When used correctly, it will make your living space lighter, brighter and more sophisticated. Use a combination of neutral colours for your walls, floors, and furniture - experiment with a mix of neutrally toned bedding, natural textiles, and accessories to prevent the space looking washed out. Use bright colours sparingly to make them really stand out. Designer to know: For the perfect blend of minimalist home comfort and light in a darker room, explore iconic Scandinavian designers Fritz Hansen and HAY to create your authentic Scandi space. Space & Simplicity When it comes to Scandinavian design simplicity is key. By adopting a ‘less is more approach' you are one step closer to truly embracing a full Scandi interior. Choose minimalist furniture styles with simple lines and organic materials to draw attention to natural shapes. The Egg Chair designed by Arne Jacobsen is so iconic that it is hard to believe that it was created nearly six decades ago. While it's known primarily for its modernist characteristics, the chair's organic shape and clean lines would be right at home in any Scandi home. Simply style with a chunky throw to give it some Nordic appeal. It’s important to make sure your space is decluttered and easy to move around in. If you're working with a smaller space, using white and other light colour schemes will ensure the light bounces off the walls creating the illusion of a larger space. Be sure to keep décor simple and practical. Designer to know: Designer John Jenkins has been in the design industry since the mid-1970s, first designing products for Heal’s and then as a furniture buyer. He has recently designed our new Scandi range – Morten. Inspired by Nordic design, the Morten range is the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication. Materials & Textures When bringing Scandinavian design into your home, choose textiles with natural materials such as linen, wool, cotton, hessian and sheepskin fur. Mix and match different textures in the same space to draw attention to an area or an interesting piece of furniture. For example, create contrast by placing a matte black floor lamp next to lighter pieces of furniture. When considering accessories, use glass, pottery and great art to anchor a space and give it that authentic Scandi look and feel. Designer to know: For incorporating modern, sleek accessories to captivate the attention of your guests, seek inspiration from Georg Jensen. His artistry and craftsmanship are unparalleled amd his designs represent the elegance of Scandinavian living. Woods & Plants Wood is essential for bringing Scandinavian design into your home - it adds warmth, balances the colour scheme, and brings the beauty of nature into a space. Scandinavian homes use wood extensively, whether it's light wood or dark wood. If your home doesn't already have existing wooden floors, don't fret. Wooden furniture and accessories are easy ways to bring wood into your home. In a minimalist and neutral-coloured apartment, plants are a great way to bring colour and a natural touch to your interior. Plants are more than aesthetic; they also improve your mood, particularly in winter, when your windows are shut and you’re staying indoors more. Orchids, philodendron, and chain cacti are great examples of hearty greenery that do well indoors with little attention and maintenance. Designer to know: Hans-Christian Bauer is a Norwegian-born industrial designer who is known for his lucid modern outlook when creating decorative pieces and home accessories. Look to his ceramics to find both contemporary and sophisticated vases to display your plants. Scandinavian interior design represents a warm and welcoming home with its simple yet modern design and natural elements. It’s practical, functional, economical and attractive, and best of all - it's easy to incorporate into any home.

In People’s Homes

The Five Best Sofas For A Small Home

Finding the perfect sofa for your home is hard enough without the additional constraint of space. If your home is on the small side, there are few sofa features that you can look out for that will help maximise the space. Below we round up five of the best sofas for a small home. Brunel Let’s start with Brunel, our industrial-style bestseller. Designed by John Jenkins with small homes in mind, this sofa is perfect for city dwellers that need a comfy place to relax after a hard day’s work. When furnishing a small space you should avoid designs that are ‘visually heavy’ i.e. those that are flat to the ground or skirted. Brunel has tapered black feet that raise it effortlessly off the ground giving it less visual weight creating the illusion of space. It is also very adaptable which is important for a space that requires its furniture to work twice as hard. The chaise has a removable footstool that can be switched from either side of the sofa or used as additional seating for visiting guests. Morten Next up is Morten, a scandi-inspired design upholstered in a light grey wool. New for AW17, we again commissioned John Jenkins to design a sofa that was suitable for smaller homes. It has a surprisingly spacious seating area despite its small footprint, which is largely thanks to its plump shape that makes it seem much larger than it is. Fixed seat and back cushions also cut down on excess cushions, and give scope to layer with lots of luxurious textures, cushions and throws. Balmoral If your taste is a little more traditional look no further than Balmoral. A contemporary take on traditional Chesterfield design, the Balmoral sofa blends neat proportions with decorative upholstery to create the ideal piece for sophisticated living spaces. It’s high back and arms give the illusion of being large in size when in fact it is fairly petite at only 90cm deep. Featuring generous deep button detail, sleek arms and hardwood feet, this comfortably appointed sofa comes complete with a wide lumbar cushion for added support Pendel Compact yet comfortable, the Pendel sofa was expertly designed by Russell Pinch. Pendel features his signature high backrest and curved arms making for an elegant and understated design. The frame is filled with a pocket sprung base as well as foam and wadding cushioning which means, despite its lack of seat cushion, it remains comfortable. As just 79cm in depth, the Pendel is the smallest sofa on our list and can slot into the tightest of spaces. Togo Instantly recognisable and impossibly comfy, the Togo sofa by Ligne Roset makes a real statement in any modern home. At just 131cm wide, the Togo two seat won’t take up a lot of room but will give plenty of comfort and flexibility. Whether you love or hate it, the Togo sofa has remained a cult classic for over 40 years, meaning its wonderfully versatile shape won't ever go out of style

In People’s Homes

Tips To Create A Cosy Home This Winter

With the nights drawing in and the weather on the turn, we begin to spend more time sheltering in the comfort and warmth of our homes. If your space isn’t as inviting as it could be there are small changes you can do that make all the difference. Our advice in a nutshell? Add plenty of layers, warm colours and soft lighting to update your space and create a cosy home. Layer up Let’s start with the obvious: winter is cold. Many evenings are spent huddled up on the sofa with a warm beverage rather than outside in a sunny beer garden. Adding chunky throws and blankets to your space not only provides a practical source of warmth, but also give a luxuriously layered look that adds texture and visual intrigue. Opt for pieces that incorporate wool, sheepskin, faux fur or velvet that will encourage you to cuddle up and get cosy. Choose colours that complement your existing scheme or, if your space is lacking in colour, choose a hue that will add warmth. This year jewel tones are dominating winter colour palettes so consider teals, cherry reds and deep blues. The Morten 3 seater sofa Get the light right Have you ever bought a bulb home to find that it emits a bluey-white light that makes you feel like you’ve just taken a trip to the dentist? You’re likely to have bought a bulb that has a high Kelvin temperature. The colour of a bulb is measured on the Kelvin scale, which is actually a measure of temperature. To create a warm and calming atmosphere, find a bulb with a temperature close to 2,700 Kelvin which emits a warm yellow light. This temperature is similar to the light at sunset or sunrise, which is around 2,500 Kelvin. Make sure you have multiple sources of light that will give plenty of different options for different moods and settings. We suggest having a mixture of overhead lighting, pendants, floor-standing lights, and table lamps meaning you can layer your lighting. Tala have a beautiful selection of decorative bulbs that have a temperature of around 2,200 Kelvin, giving off the perfect light for a cold winters evening. Style it dark If you’re looking to make a more dramatic change for the winter months, why not follow the trend (and the popular Instagram hashtag) and style it dark? Dark paint on the walls are striking, make a statement, and ultimately create a cosy space to spend the winter evenings. Our tip? If you’re going dark, go dark. Make it look like you meant it. Don’t settle for a mid-shade on just one wall. Dark neutrals like greys and navy's go with pretty much any colour giving you the freedom to spread it around your room. Metallic accessories and rich textures pair beautifully with dark colours and are bang on trend for the season. Alternatively, make your sofa, bed or bedding dark to create a striking focal point in your room.

Latest Trends

Interior Trends For Autumn/Winter 2017

With September in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about getting our homes ready for the winter months. As the nights draw in and the temperature drops we turn to the comfort and warmth of our homes making it ever more important that it’s a place we feel relaxed and comfortable. There are some beautiful and exciting interior trends beginning to emerge for the AW17 season and we’ve rounded up some of our favourites below. Teal Varying shades of green have been popular throughout 2017 and the hue remains as prevalent as ever as we head into autumn. Whichever end of the spectrum you favour for your home, green can always be counted on to lend a room a distinguished feel. Brighter shades are getting an update however, and we’re seeing the emergence of a deeper, moodier tone – teal. Sitting somewhere between blue and green, teal still has that fresh feel but is dark enough to encourage you to get cosy on a cold winter’s night. Perfect for larger items like sofas, you can also introduce teal through scatter cushions and throws. Pink Next on the list is pink which has, in fact, often been paired with green within home accessories throughout 2017. However, pink is also making a name for itself as a colour on its own often being dubbed the “new neutral” amongst design experts. Perfect for brightening up much of the greys and blues we have in our homes, pink scatters and accessories are set to be popular amongst lovers of modern, Scandi spaces where colour can sometimes be lacking. New Metallics Copper has had real staying power ever since it emerged a few years ago. For this season we are seeing an updated take on the metal with a more luxe, complex finish. Think iridescent vases, chrome candlesticks, and metallic lighting that offer a stylish alternative to copper. Exposed Bulbs When it comes to lighting for AW17, we are seeing a move towards exposed bulbs that diffuse a soft light around the room. Creating an industrial chic look, brands such as tala have spurred this movement, creating beautiful bulbs that act as design elements in themselves. Glass pendants and simple floor light designs allow for the bulbs to become the real star of the show creating an industrial yet elegant look.

In People’s Homes

3 Creative Spare Room Ideas For Your Home

If your home has a spare room that you’re not sure what to do with then you’re in luck. We put the question to a few members of the Heal’s team, asking them what they would do if they found themselves with a spare room in their home. Here are a few creative ideas for you to consider... Home cinema If you’re a movie buff, then having your very own home cinema will allow you to make every night movie night. Technology has never been better, which means you can actually exceed the audio-visual quality on offer at your local cinema in your very own home. If your space is on the smaller side, opt for a couple of contemporary armchairs that allow you to get cosy. If you have a bit more room to play with, choose the most comfortable sofa you can afford. Tom, our user experience consultant, recommends the Togo sofa by Ligne Roset: “Its modular design lets you configure a shape to your needs and it’s just so comfortable. You can’t beat it.” Meditation room If you’d rather dedicate your spare room to your wellbeing, consider a meditation room to help you find your zen. It sometimes feels as if we’re permanently plugged into something, whether it’s a TV, laptop, tablet or mobile. Creating a back-to-basics space where you can tune out from the stresses from everyday life could be just the thing you and your home needs. Our online merchandiser, Rachel, is a self-confessed yogi: “Use natural materials underfoot, such as coir, sea grass or sisal carpet. A few leafy yet low maintenance house plants and a scented candle also wouldn’t go amiss.” Image source: Fantastic Frank Home office or studio If you have an awkwardly sized spare room – one that’s not quite big enough to be a full-sized bedroom perhaps - it could be the perfect home office. Start by finding a desk that you love and build from there, only opting for things that will make it a more productive space. Perhaps only a chair and modern side table or two. If you’d rather use the space for something more creative, consider converting it into a studio or art space. Our in-house photographer, Victoria, says “it’s such a luxury to have a spare room that I would have to dedicate it to something I love. I’d turn it into a creative space where I could develop design ideas.” Image source: Ilse Boersma

Latest Trends

The Key Decor Trend For Summer 2017

The summer season is here and brings with it a whole host of new summertime rituals -stepping outside without a jumper, adding ice to every drink, and going for a walk after work, just because you can. It also brings with it a whole host of interior design possibilities for our homes. This season we’re seeing summer shades being brought into the home (think blues, greens and subtle neutrals), the indoor-outdoor divide being done away with, and a lean towards minimalism and simplicity all to create a heightened sense of wellbeing. That’s why our decor trend pick for the season is tranquillity. We know what you’re thinking – that’s not really a ‘decor trend’. But in a time of political uncertainty and national tragedy, there is a clear shift in attitude to the way people are thinking about their homes. Our personal space now not only has to act as a place of shelter but also of sanctuary, where one can hide away from the external stresses of everyday life. Creating a tranquil home where we can relax, unwind and simply be is something that is increasingly top of interior designer briefs. Below are our tips for creating a tranquil home from choosing colours and designs that put you at ease to forming an environment that works for you and your lifestyle. Summer-inspired living It seems to be a fact – most people feel happier when the sun shines. How then, to harness that feeling all year round, and especially in our home? Firstly, by styling your space to reflect your external surroundings. Choose a palette of colours that can be seen in the landscape outside, and use those across your accessories – rugs, cushions, tableware are great places to start. Adding touches of blue and white around your home, through tableware for example, echo the blue and white summer skies. Take inspiration from summery blue skies scattered with those high, wispy clouds. Pops of yellow tie in with the summer sun, whilst varying shades of blues and greens are timeless colour choices. Alternatively, stick with calming neutrals and offset with more muted hints of colour. Take inspiration from the hazy light of dusk on a warm summer’s evening, when colours are slightly subdued. A calming, pared back feel keeps things simple allowing you to switch off. Use plenty of indirect, soft light through table lamps to create an ambient and atmospheric lighting scheme once the sun has set. Be sure to also choose bulbs that give off a yellow-toned light rather than blue to add warmth. The Shear Table Lamp by Bert Frank, £532 Greenery Then, of course, there’s green. Known for its rejuvenation and restorative properties, green gives the feeling of being connected to nature and helps us to feel safe and secure. Our Wallis sofa design by Russell Pinch upholstered in a vibrant green velvet. Colour psychologists point towards its ability to calm and combat modern day stresses and Pantone confirmed its popularity earlier this year when it named it the Colour of the Year for 2017. If green décor isn’t quite your thing, consider using house plants instead. Plants remove harmful household chemicals from the air, including ammonia in cleaning fluids and formaldehyde in carpets. Snake plant, weeping fig and the peace lily are a few of our favourites. A post shared by Abigail Ahern (@abigailahern) on Jun 11, 2017 at 3:12am PDT Alternatively, nature-inspired fabric on cushions, throws or larger pieces of furniture is another easy way to bring a bit of the outdoors inside. The Pendel chair upholstered in fabric from GP and J Baker brings an element of the outdoors in Natural simplicity In the same way that colour choice can affect our mood, so can the textures and the décor we use to furnish the space. Natural materials like raw woods and tactile accessories like leather and wool add depth, texture and interest encouraging us to curl up and get comfy. Washed cotton bed linen is beautifully soft to the touch and has a light, wrinkled texture. Linen bed covers have a distinct, distinguished texture and become softer with every wash. When it comes to styling your home, keep things simple with a less is more approach. Only furnish it with items that are true to your style and personality and if they have some sort of sentimental meaning, even better. The key to tranquillity, after all, is to create a space where you feel truly at home.