A Rough Idea

At the moment in interior design we’re seeing a lot more of raw or organic shapes and materials being used. This is a great trend for those who love contemporary and diverse looks in their home, and want to experiment with different types of material; from metal, stone, wood, cork and concrete to natural forms. Take a look at some of these design to see if you might want to add some rough edges to your interiors.

This natural, pebble shaped mirror from Oliver Bonas takes the luxurious of the rose gold frame and plays it down with the relaxed shape, which is an interesting alternative to a formal rectangular mirror; making it a great buy if you want to soften a glam setting.

Full Length Rose Gold Pebble Mirror from Oliver Bonas

Break up a seating area with this raw shape petrified wood coffee table from Houseology. It appears like a slice straight from the trunk of a tree, but with a beautiful finish. It’ll add a diversity in texture and break up the space, as well as adding a natural element but in a formal and luxurious way.

Eichholtz Barrymore Coffee Table from Houseology

Offset the wooden coffee table with this agate top side table from Andrew Martin. The roughness of the agate edge contrasted against the angular brass legs give the side table a dynamic look that’ll add some unexpected glamour to a room.

Rosalie Side Table from Andrew Martin

If you want to add some natural motifs to your interiors in a larger way, there are a whole range of interesting wallpapers you could look at. This cement brick wallpaper adds a touch of industrial charm; it could look great in a sitting room with an added a cosy element like some textural sheepskin cushions completing the look.

Atlantis Cement Wallpaper from Andrew Martin

These pendants by Tom Dixon at Amara are perfect if you’re looking for something with an organic shape but still has a really glamorous touch. The finishes feel like precious metals and look like they’re melting, malleable to the touch. They would add a really vibrant edge to a room, over a dining table or hanging in a stairwell.

Melt Copper Pendant Light by Tom Dixon from Amara

Alternatively, finding products that used raw materials but take a contemporary shape can be a great way to give a room more texture when combined with other materials like velvets, paint or linen. This light made from concrete has a modern, simple shape, allowing the material to be the focal point of the design.

Dutch Bone Cradle Concrete Pendant Lamp from Cuckooland

Insert some a natural component and a little fun into your interior with this cork stool from Heal’s; it’s a playful when to add in some composition to a room, as well as having some back up seating when needed.

Cork Stool Model A from Heal’s

This could be contrasted nicely against this dark concrete mirror from Cult Furniture. It’s smart enough to be worked into a formal setting, but the added interested of the concrete means it can be toned down too.

Abra Modern Round Wall Mirror from Cult Furniture

This garden stool from Made is made from beautifully smooth concrete; it would look lovely in a juxtaposition against the green grass or on a minimalist desking. It could also be work inside the home as well; just add a little softness with a throw of cushion nearby.

Edison Garden Stool from Made

For a clean, strong look in the bathroom, using raw materials can create a dynamic look that plays to both masculine and feminine themes. This caddy from Next is made from a grey stone, and would look great added into a contemporary bathroom setting.

Pale Grey Stone Toothbrush Caddy from Next

For a larger touch of marble effect, this electric marble wallpaper is a giant textural feature. The orange tones against the dark bark almost glisten, making this wallpaper perfect if you want to create drama in say a dining room.

NLXL Piet Heim Eek Blakc Metallic Marble from IWOOT

From big drama to little drama, this pendant has a traditional style but made with a contemporary metal, to give it a stunning contrast. Two of these over a long dining table or as bedside lights would be the perfect finishing touch to a contemporary glamorous look.

Light & Living Alarice Pendant Light from Houseology

Whether you’re interested by raw forms or raw materials given an elegant finish, both are great ways to add texture and further depth to your interiors, so get out there and see how you can customise your own space.

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Out of this World

It’s always fun to have a look outside of the interior style you usually go for, and sometimes the more extreme the better as you might discover something that you really love. Typically, I’m not a huge fan of the ultra-contemporary, futuristic style, but every now and then something catches my eye. Whether you’re already a futuristic style fan, or a total new-comer take a look at these chic and forward thinking interior products.

For a sleek and suave introduction to a contemporary, futuristic style, Tom Faulkner’s innovative designs are sure to get you into the swing of things. This shell-like chair design has a grown-up, masculine feel about it. It’s perfect for an office, or a formal dining room, and its clean lines give it a timeless, sophisticated vibe.

Dining

‘Echo Chair’ from Tom Faulkner

Gotham have also pretty much honed the masculine look in their pieces, and this coffee table is no different. Designed by Damien Langlois-Meurinne for Pouenat, the mirror polished steel table is a contemporary intrigue. It’s a futuristic piece that can be easily worked into a contemporary set up, and if you just want to play around with the style concept it’s a great starting point.

‘In the Lake’ from Gotham

Not all contemporary and futuristic styles need to be masculine to fit the bill. This feminine, curvy shaped mirror from Julian Chichester is an easy way to incorporate the futuristic style into a feminine setting. There’s a lovely individuality to the mirror, as the combination of steel studded frame and guitar-like shape is an unusual pairing, but it works perfectly.

‘Guitar Bubble Mirror’ from Julian Chichester

For a table lamp with a little sci-fi elegance, the Metis design from Heathfield comes in some wonderful colours that’ll be sure to make a pop in your interiors. The free blown organic form of the base is an elegant statement, while the textural aspects of the design transition the lamp into a futuristic playing field.

‘Metis Violet’ from Heathfield

There’s a beautiful, fantasy element to this wall light from Ochre, it looks like something you might find decorating a set of a fantasy, sci-fi film, and if you want to create a romantic, theatrical atmosphere to a futuristic setting then this light feature, as with all of Ochre’s designs, is rather enchanting.

‘Damselfy Wall Light’ from Ochre

Your sci-fi world can extend all over your house, even to your bathroom. Dress up your shower with this Rio Revive shower from Crosswater. The LED design creates a beautiful, colourful effect that’ll transform a plain old bathroom into an exciting, playful one.

‘Rio Revive Showerhead’ from Crosswater

If you’re really getting the feel for things now, take a look at the some of the more avant-garde style pieces available, which will be anyone who wants to make a statement’s dream. Artemide is always host to a whirlwind of intriguing and outside the box designs, and it’s no different with this Copernico 500 sospensione pendant light. If you have a large drop and want to create a true futuristic statement, this is a sure fire way to do it. The spherical design is made from one single piece of laser cut aluminium sheet, creating an intricate design from a simple format.

‘Copernico 500 sospensione’ from Artemide

Another fascinating design from Artemide is the Florensis floor lamp. Not only is the design aesthetically innovative, but it’s also rather tech savvy too! The floral shape works with the surrounding air to create heat dissipation, so if you’re looking for something that both looks the part and acts it too, then this will be right up your street!

‘Florensis’ from Artemide

From Unto This Last comes the fascinating, alien-like shape bench that is a gift for those wanting to create a perfect, futuristic statement in their home. The fine precision craftsmanship from the company makes a cool, sleek look, giving the bench an effortless elegance.

‘Nurbs Bench’ from Unto This Last

From things with an overwhelming sci-fi edge, to items with a little hint of a futuristic element to them, there are all kinds of ways to get creative with your home.

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