Reinvent

The mood

Highly conscious that we make the most of the things we already have in our lives, there is a mood for reinvention and revival, where style is no longer sacrificed for substance and there is an energetic humour in the way we think outside the box. Existing materials are used to create a new story, a new future, a new aesthetic.

Reinvent's mood is about expressing individuality, fun, discovering a new approach to the creation of everyday objects and functional furniture. This is about transforming ordinary materials into extraordinary things.

Reinvention is as much a move against over consumption as it is a new take on creativity, infusing our living spaces with quirky, spontaneous, joyful design through found objects and recycled materials teamed against an urban backdrop of polished concrete, raw brick walls and industrial fittings.

It engages us with our surroundings, bringing alive the opportunity for debate, inspiration and understanding, providing us with a sense of resourcefulness and tactile pleasure that is highly rewarding.

Using the palette

Drench a room with these good enough to eat gelati pastels to make it feel chic and feminine. Balance out with white on woodwork to create a light and airy feel.

Gipsy Bloom 1
Spring Breeze 4
Velvet Touch 2
Thai Magic 5
Chalky Downs 3
Wild Water 1
Treacle Tart 3
 

Creating the look

Forget thoughts of rustic, shabby interiors - here there is a great contrast of reclaimed materials against a highly crafted, contemporary environment, where the use of colour is integral to this stylish scene.

Use modern furniture with sleek finishes like polished concrete floors to offset the unique feel of reclaimed, re-invented pieces. Found objects, whether an oversized piece of driftwood, a cake tin turned into a lampshade, or terracotta pots to hold kitchen paraphernalia, team with handmade objects (from hand thrown pottery bowls to eclectic patchwork quilts).

Try mismatched chairs and wood panels painted in different colours to create a layering effect and visual excitement (not least because they can be moved around according to mood or whim). Well-loved, well-worn pieces - like old family dining tables, cabinets or chests - fit straight in. Digital imagery transposed onto unexpected surfaces - from coffee tables to trays - lends a modern edge to the Reinvention mood.

Create a quirky, intriguing space using this vibrant colour palette - it works well to compliment the integrity of the surrounding materials, and will provide your room with a sense of honesty and heart.

Credits

  1. Ladder, red chairs, ikea ps stool from Ikea, 0845-3583363
  2. Sofa, cushions from Habitat, 0870-4115501
  3. Concrete lightbulbs, recycled french glassware, recycled notebooks from Moth, 0161-445- 9847
  4. Recycled planters, bag from Pedlars, 01330-850400 pedlars.co.uk
  5. Jelly mould, folding chair, schoolhouse table - Antiques market
  6. Armchair - Art Collector
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