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.
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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.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Trends & Lifestyle
Copper’s enduring appeal in the home comes as no surprise to us at Heal’s.
With its honeyed undertone and gentle lustre, the must have metal brings a warm, sophisticated glow to any space. The cosiness of copper makes it a great choice for pendant lighting.
Hammered copper gives a more rustic, worn finish whilst a smooth surface will reflect that warm and rich hue around the room. Cora and Casper pendants, for example, use perforated metal which creates stunning diffusions of light in the surrounding space.
The Cora and Casper pendant lights
We noticed the copper trend really take off when designer Tom Dixon brought his pendants to the public consciousness as the must-have metal in the home. Creating designs that were both artistic yet functional, his round copper pendant light has been used across a number of differently styled homes.
The large round copper pendant light by Tom Dixon
The round pendant takes a shape that is familiar and turns it into something that feels new, allowing it to hang comfortably in scandi-style spaces, mid-century homes, and modern interiors. Available in two sizes – small and large – it can by styled on its own, in matching sizes, or in groups of different sizes to create a striking centrepiece.
The large round copper pendant light by Tom Dixon
Copper is one of those rare materials that is truly versatile. It sits beautifully against deep, moody shades but is equally striking against a white wall. Easily paired with both wood or marble, the way you style it can make all the difference to the overall look and feel.
There’s an unwritten rule of interior design aesthetics that says groups of three nearly always look better than two or four. Objects arranged in even numbers can appear formal or artificial, even vaguely military – whereas odds somehow seem more natural. Here three Grace pendant lights are used above Erica Davies' kitchen island and, instead of a copper pendant, clear glass has been used with copper fittings for a more subtle execution of the metallic trend.
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Odd numbers also create a pleasing symmetry as the pendant in the middle is a framed by equal numbers on each side. Here we styled our Grace pendant lights in a three at different heights, using two smaller sizes to offset the larger. This contemporary shaped pendant is coloured during its creation, meaning the finish will not scratch or wear. In true Heal's fashion, the vintage form of this lamp is given a modern twist with a slanted cut allowing light to escape from the base.
The Grace pendant light
However, that isn't to say that two pendants can't also work well. Here two lights, similar in style to our Cohen copper pendant light, frame the bed and tie in seamlessly with the bedding and cushions. Don't restrict yourself to following the rules - assess what is possible with the space you have and choose what works for your home.
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To see our full collection of pendant lighting head to our website or your nearest Heal's store.
Yellow is the shade of sunshine, the hue of happiness and the tone of optimism that will instantly brighten your home.
From lemon to mustard, amber to gold, the variety of finishes on offer means that even the most minimal of spaces has no excuse not to incorporate some citrus shades into its scheme. So when it comes to livening up your interior or even outdoor space, don't be a yellow belly and instead show your true colours with our guide to this most vibrant palette.
We could not agree more with Verner Panton when he said that ‘you sit more comfortably on colours you like.’ For one thing, the man was a design genius but when you really stop to think about it the shade of your seat will no doubt have an effect on your comfort levels in the same way that a well-cut suit gives you added confidence when strutting into the office.
His eponymously named Panton chair is as beautifully shaped as any Saville Row number with each piece innovatively moulded from polypropylene to create its continuous line that joins the base to the arched seat and backrest.
This also makes the Panton perfect for outdoor use, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the chairs official manufacturer Vitra who have released this new limited edition version in Sunlight yellow - just the thing for those rare days spent lazing in the garden.
One of the common reasons why there is a weariness toward using yellow in the home is the fear that it will drown out a space (true, a lemon yellow dining table could be seen as something of an eyesore). In which case, why not experiment with using accents of yellow to provide a sculptural feature to the room ala the Anglepoise Giant 1227 pendant.
Finished in a 'citrus' tone, this lampshade takes the iconic silhouette of the Original 1227 desk lamp and blows it up to a playfully oversized proportion. The bright, glossy finish becomes a real focal point when hung within a contemporary space consisting of natural and dark wood furniture but without taking away any of the peaceful feel of the surroundings.
Another design icon, the Series 7 chair by Arne Jacobsen has been produced in all manner of colours and finishes since its introduction all the way back in 1955. We, however, have a hot spot for this 'Egyptian yellow' version whose mid-century shaped seat is pressure moulded from ash and rests atop chromed steel legs.
While some prefer to celebrate the iconic form of the Series 7 by keeping it as an occasional chair in the corner of the living room, we feel this piece should be used as the designer intended around a dining table. Try mixing within a rainbow of colours or as the odd colourful note in a row of black or white chairs.
Let's face it when it comes to your living room the sofa is always going to sit at its centre and while we are all for the adaptability of dark or neutral upholstery, sometimes it's worth taking a walk (or should we say seat) on the wild side by opting for something a bit more eye-catching.
Case in point, our Balmoral sofa pictured here in a vibrant varese velvet 'alchemilla' yellow fabric. What we love about this piece is its postmodern pairing of traditional proportions, deep button cushion detail and velvet upholstery with a more modern palette.
Set against a backdrop of navy and natural wood, the elegant yellow Balmoral sofa is sure to provide more than just a talking point to the room - pair with matching ottoman for added effect.
The bedroom may be the place we seek solace at the end of a long day, but that's no reason not to inject a bit sunshine.
A great way to do so without overpowering the space is through soft accessories - we're talking yellow cushions and throws that can be laid out in the day and easily stowed away when you need some rest.
After all, why nap on the sofa when you could snuggle up on top of the duvet and handmade mattress with our Petal throw in 'sun' yellow?
Modern pastels bring that injection of colour a space needs without being too overwhelming.
In fact, quite the opposite, these light but mighty tones are a soothing remedy for stressful commutes and rainy days. Because let's face it, the English summer is hardly renowned for being nothing but blue skies so why not let your living room be the silver lining to those clouds.
So how does one achieve modern pastels perfection? Well, besides giving those walls a fresh lick of paint, allow us to demonstrate with the latest in our 'one room, three looks' series, which this week focuses on the heart of the family home, the living room.
At the centre of each shot is our dynamic Adapt sofa bed, an exclusive Danish design whose modern Scandi style, light grey upholstery and ability to switch from day to night encapsulates the versatility one can achieve by investing in a piece of furniture from Heal's and updating the room simply through the use of lighting and accessories from season to season.
Any visitor to Heal's will know that we are big fans of using soft accessories to stamp some personal style on a space, not to mention add a textural contrast. Try mixing and matching pink and green modern pastels from our Linen and Islington cushion ranges to create a soft aesthetic for spring that is just calling out to you to sit down and put your feet up.
In a primary palette the geometric tiled rug by Linie Design would be too loud, but the use of neutral and navy tones with the odd dash of green and grey (mirroring the colours of the sofa and accessories, naturally) helps take the edge off the contemporary pattern while still maintaining the "floor filler" status of the piece.
We find that the metallic tones of rose gold and copper are also the perfect complement to pink hues - see the Mini Lounge floor lamp and the Swole small table by Blu Dot - with the Brunel range of furniture adding to the subtle industrial feel.
Natural finished solid wood furniture is the only way to go when using modern pastels. Ok, so that may be an overstatement, as we are certain any interiors savvy stylist could work wonders with some walnut and a washed out palette but there is certainly no denying that the rich mix of timbers used in Sebastian Cox's Oak and Hazel sideboard are a natural fit within this pink paradise (Ercol's Svelto lamp table in matt oak would not go amiss either we have to say).
Of course, some will argue that too much of a good thing can become unpleasant but in this context, we know for a fact that more modern pastels can only be a bonus. Case in point, the beautifully lustred Almeria rug by Linie Design gives the appearance of water reflecting the pink walls off its shimmering surface.
As you may have also noticed, in each of these shots green is most definitely an ongoing theme. We say embrace the "outdoors in" approach and give your fresh Spring palette extra vitality by incorporating our new range of Dual Tone vases.
It is no secret that a mirror can help make a room appear larger and lighter but when teamed with modern pastels you have the perfect antidote to a small, stuffy space. We've opted for the Loop floor mirror by Case as it is in keeping with the Scandi style of the sofa bed, looks great when flanked across the room from the Baxter floor lamp base (which is topped with the Lohko shade by Scion) and has contemporary curves in keeping with the Bowl extra large occasional table by Mater - arguably the centrepiece of the space.
Discover our colourful collection of furniture, lighting and accessories by shopping online or in store.
When one thinks of Milan, one is thinking about the latest looks and hottest trends.
For this northern powerhouse is the driving heart of the Italian, if not European, design and fashion scenes with many of the world’s most coveted designers either located in the city or linked to the skilled makers and manufacturers of the surrounding region.
Being the epicentre of style that it is, each year the city plays host to the Salone Del Mobile Milano an international gathering of design like no other that provides established brands and emerging talent alike a platform on which to showcase their latest and forthcoming collections.
For almost a week, daily life gives way to the world’s interior press and retailers, which includes our team at Heal’s, who descend on the city hoping to catch a glimpse of the next big thing in furniture, lighting and home. Any visitor to this year’s event would not be able to help but notice that, once again, lighting is leading the way in terms of design innovation and development with a number of Heal’s best-loved brands at the forefront of this wave.
Of course, we understand that not everyone has the time to jet set over to Italy for the week, which is why we’re bringing Milan hot off the runway and direct to your home with the exclusive launch of Tom Dixon’s new Cut range and the Original 1227 Mini Ceramic collection by Anglepoise.
No stranger to spectacle, a glitzy Tom Dixon launch is a familiar sight at the Salone Del Mobile Milano. This year the London-based designer brings his Multiplex show to the cities Cinema and Galleria on via Manzoni, where, alongside a host of bars and eateries, he unveiled a number of pieces from his new lighting collection.
Exclusively available at Heal’s for two weeks, the Cut range is described as “an exercise in optics” and consists of a diamond cut long and small faceted pendant and wall light. Coated in a space-age mirror finish, each piece transforms once light passes through its walls to reveal kaleidoscopic reflections that have been created using an innovative vacuum metallised process. Alongside this new range, Tom Dixon also introduces the Melt Surface light (pictured at the top of the page) an extension of his best-selling Melt series.
For its latest collection, British lighting specialist Anglepoise celebrates the fascinating materiality of china porcelain with the new three-piece Original 1227 Mini Ceramic range, available exclusively at Heal’s flagship store and online for the next six weeks. Adding a whole new dimension to the iconic silhouette of the shade, first designed for the brand in the 1930s, once switched on each light changes from gloss white to a glass translucency emitting a soft radiant glow to the surrounding space.
Consisting of a table lamp, wall light and pendant, each piece in the Original 1227 Mini Ceramic range is finished with chrome plated fittings and grey fabric cables to provide a subtle textural contrast.
Get the latest looks from Milan before anyone else by shopping our exclusive new ranges of lighting in-store or online.
No job is too big or small when it comes to our collection of task lighting.
Bringing light to your Monday morning and energy to an otherwise dull deadline, we’ve rounded our best desk lamps to get the job done providing styling tips and pairings along the way to ensure your home office looks and feels the part.
When George Cawardine first developed his innovative, Anglepoise lamp using Herbert Terry & Sons springs back in 1933, he would have had little idea just how big an impact his design would go on to make.
Though his lamp may have undergone numerous reincarnations, most notably the Type 75 by a close friend of Heal’s Sir Kenneth Grange, the Original 1227 desk lamp still stands as the most iconic example of Anglepoise task lighting. This miniature version is ideal for a desk as it takes up less of your valuable workspace and effortlessly directs light where needed - small wonder it’s still much loved by architects, designers and creatives around the world.
Team your Anglepoise lamp with the Contemporary Desk by Matthew Hilton, Hal Office Chair and Sunburst Clock both by Vitra.
The Bend table lamps scandi-style wooden frame and conical metal shade evoke the classic designs of Dieter Rams while the clean white palette will match the designer aesthetic of your gadgets.
Glaring illuminations aren’t always the best option, so teaming this geometrically framed lamp with muted shades will allow the light to reflect off the surrounding surfaces and provide a more natural light.
Style your Bend table lamp with the Stash desk and Hot Mesh chair, both by Blu Dot, before finishing with a Marble clock from Menu.
A contemporary twist on the classic desk lamp, the Crawford table lamp swaps green glass for a metal shade and polished brass for brushed copper (without question, the modern metallic of choice).
The refined design looks elegant set alongside walnut furniture and copper accents, giving warm, down lighting to the tabletop that’s great for when you need to burn the midnight oil.
The Crawford table lamp looks dapper combined with the Orson Desk by Matthew Hilton, 675 chair by Robin Day and Solid Copper wall clock.
Another icon of articulation, the Tolomeo table lamp by Artemide relies on a clever cantilevered design to angle its flat shade around the desk. Designed by Italian masters Michele De Lucchi and Giancarlo Fassina, the exposed mechanics are a conscious decision to celebrate the functionality of the design with a poppy red finish adding a playful feel to its otherwise high-tech look.
In keeping with the bold red theme, we’ve paired the Tolomeo table lamp with the Stash Desk by Blu Dot, Eames DSW chair and Pantry clock by Newgate.
Discover the full collection of task lighting and table lamps for your home office by shopping Heal’s in store or online.
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