Wednesday, 12 November 2008 whoartnow

New Interior Design 09 Art Range


"Timeless" 2009 Interior Design Canvas Art Range

Following the success of the bespoke range of art for the 2008 range Invidia, we have decided to do more range designs tailor made for our Interior Trends predictions.

Timeless is essentially a move on from the hugely successful Invidia 08. You always see it - in fashion and interiors, wherever there are seasons with very successfully trends, you can guarantee that next season will sport a 'move on' from last years top dog. Where Invidia was defined by it's Opulence and OTT nature, the Black on Black with hints of gold and metallics has been replaced by a more subtle Black on white with subtle highlight colours. Over the top Gold stately frames & mirrors have moved on to more discerning chromes, silvers & metallics. Timeless focuses on Baroque style motifs, which are similar to the simple Invidia Vintage Wallpaper designs, but can now be much more complex and focus on detail. The black and white makes a simple, bold statement, and is possibly more commercial in nature than its black on black predecessor.

Black and White is fantastic to work with, there are so many options open to you. I wouldn't say that you can't get it wrong, but Monochrome is somewhat easier to work with in the interior context. Colour-wise, it's not just black and whites here, you want to be looking at some very deep shades of blues or purples for subtle infused colour. Darker shades of grey, like dark slate greys also work well. In terms of accessories and highlights, you should be looking at some metallics. Chrome light switches, even candle stick holders ( Invidia 08 Style) and plug sockets act to highlight the subdued tones of black and whites. Remember, unlike Invidia, you are looking at silvers, not Golds.

To quote us as verbatim, "Timeless is the ultimate contrast both visually & metaphorically. A bold, brash & often bizarre clash of Baroque elegance & contemporary whites and blacks, Timeless is the ultimate bold statement. The intense combination of heavily contrasting colour works well in big rooms with high roofs & plenty of light -preferably natural sunlight to set off the natural wood flooring. "

"Timeless" will give you the chance to mix the weird and wonderful Kitsch & clash it with the ultra modern. (Think 20's Vintage wallpapers with Plasma screens) And why the hell not after all? The more modern and technologically advanced we get, the more eclectic I like to go. After all, you can't have everything modern in a room, or your living area will start to look like the control room on the Starship Enterprise. Mix and match is the way forward, be bold and daring, trust your instincts. You could get down the local car boot, get on the Internet on auction sites, or even better - go along to a local auction house where you will be presented the opportunity to walk away with some real, classic vintage accessories for your abode.

Then, you can mix and match some carefully selected and bespoke, canvas art. On the art route, you could opt for bold art to work with the contrasting background, or even art that actually is the background... Think sections of wallpaper, enlarged and printed on canvas..
The sky is the limit here.

That's about it, if you want more, you can check the full articles on Timeless '09 or have a nosey at our new Timeless bespoke art range. As usual, hit us up if you are interested in any bespoke work, and feel free to subscribe here for loads more news from WHoArtNow.

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Thursday, 25 September 2008 whoartnow

Interior Design Trends Launched on WHoArtNow.co.uk





We've been writing Interior Trends now for some time now & judging from the number of emails we get from people all over the world asking about our trends, they seem to be creating a bit of a stir. So following the success of the 2008 trends we wrote last year, we wrote the 2009 interior forecasts earlier this year & we have now decided to publish them on WHoArtNow.co.uk . After all, it would be rude not to share them with the world!

We aim to write around four trends a year, and keep it simple. Interior design trends are no way near as complex, future thinking and fickle as fashion design trends, so simplicity is almost paramount. To our surprise, we actually found that there is very little written on interior design. As fashion design is very seasonal, and current styles advocate this generation of "throw away" fashion, interior design is quite the opposite - it aims to stand the test of time. After all, you don't really want to be re-decorating your walls every year or season do you?

The initial concept of writing trends stemmed from our designers trying to design art for next years trends. Finding little or no information other than Dulux, C4 and a handful few other sites, we decided to write our own. The trends are based on what few sources we do have, and written to tie in any of our designs that might suit. As well as fitting existing designs into future trends, the big advantage for us is that we are able to create new artwork and designs to fit into these trends, as we did for the massive 2008 "Invidia" trend, that has to be found in almost every inner city bar and restaurant in one form or another that had a re-fit in the year or so. Following on from this, we will be launching a new trend in to tie in with one of the big trends of 2009 - "Interior Sweetness" Trend - think Japanese Florals, Art from the Asian & Orient, silk textile inspired prints... If you can't wait for the new range, get stuck into our Floral Art section for a pretty comprehensive selection of Japaneses Floral Prints. We've been producing Japanese florals for years now, it's great when the interior design trends finally catch up with the art that we really believe in that we have been pushing for years.

So watch this space, trends for 2010 will be following, around the start of 2009. Feel free to subscribe to our News pages for up to date News and Info from WHoArtNow. Interior designers: Feel free to contact us for bespoke artwork. We work very closely with interior designers and design firms & Taylor design to fit projects.. Contact us for more.

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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 whoartnow

How To Pick Your Canvas Art

How to pick your canvas art.

Is your living rooms missing that something special? Or your office lacking a certain 'Wow' factor? If your thinking of getting a canvas for any location, this article should give you some ideas about what to buy so you get exactly what you want.

(Great use of textiles and canvas to add colour)

As with any interior accessories, getting the right piece of art to represent your personality is key, but you should also remember the effect and personality of the space you wish to create. Get it right and you'll have a stunning focal point for any room. Get it wrong and you might up ruining all the other hard work gone into the space.

This article will focus on the 3 key areas to look at when choosing your canvas.

  • Style and Subject
  • Size and shape
  • Colour
Style and subject:

Style and subject aren't as easy to pick as you might think. Yes there's a big argument to just pick something you like or are interested in. However, you need to think about the feel of the space. For example, a kitchen would suit more organic and floral images, and maybe not a canvas of a MK1 Escort.
(Fantastic use of height on this custom 2.5m high canvas)

Does the space already have a theme your working too? If so, stick to it, if you've gone with stripes, retro pattens in bright colours would compliment if at right angles.

If your a fan of entertaining guests, your living room would work well with a focal point piece, and the more interesting the better. We have hundreds of interesting and bold canvas designs on our site, however, for a talking point, why not consider a photo to canvas. A focal point canvas where your the artist, gives you a little more to talk about!

Size and Shape:

Next to consider is the size and shape of your canvas. As you'd assume, canvas's come in all shapes and sizes, and even sizes not usually advertised on our site. Sizes available at WHoArtNow:- 10", 16", 24", 32", 36", 48", 60" and 72" (please note, we can only print up to 36" wide)(Rectangular canvas work well in long rooms)

So with a minimum of 10"x10" going all the way up to 72"x36" (6ft x 3ft!) there's a large amount of options to choose from. Its not however a good idea to just get the biggest you can afford, buy the most suitable for the space.

As a rule, I prefer bigger, however, something too big can make a room feel cramped and something to small can look lost and out of place. Its not a good idea to hang a canvas too close to the ceiling, doors or windows, try leaving a gap of 16" - 24" as a boarder around the outside, and try not to hang in alcoves or on narrow walls (unless you plan on a tall, narrow canvas). You may also want to hang the canvas at eye level (the middle of the canvas at approximately 5ft6 of the ground to be at the average eye height) however with large pieces that may not be possible.

Got a very large wall but don't want to spend a fortune? We offer a selection of Due-pic, Tri-pic and quad-pic pieces to cover a larger area for less money. Or how about a canvas in Andy Warhol style pop art for each of your family members all hung at the same level with the same gap,interesting and personal.

The shape of the canvas has a lot to do with personal taste, and if your not sure, a square canvas will be safe for most rooms. However, if you have a long thin room, pick a long thin canvas (ie 60"x16") and hang on the long wall, or a smaller (ie 36"x36") square canvas for the short wall (to help square off the room)

Hanging a canvas above a fireplace is an easy way to transform a room, and as a general rule, picking a canvas in the same proportions works best. For example, if the wall above your fireplace is 3m wide and 1.5m high, going for the same (2:1) ratio will fit, for this a 72"x36" will look simply stunning.

Colour:

When deciding on a colour scheme for a space, don't just pick the first colour you can think of, think about the use of the room, the people who will be using the space, and get some sample paints. All colours have their own energy and personality, so getting the colour right is the key to a successful space. The list of colours below works for the colour you decorate the space, and also works for the colours on any canvas you may be looking at.Try and resist the temptation to paint your favourite colour if it feels wrong for that room, and don't be afraid to ask someone you know for some advice. They may think of something perfect you hadn't considered.


(Perfect use of colour in this office space)

Red: one of the warm seductive colours and works well in a room your passionate in.
Ideal for dinning rooms and kitchens, although works well with red as a main colour with something more subtle as a majority colour. Don't be fooled into thinking red will work in your bedroom however,the colour red is notorious for bringing on nightmares so avoid.

Orange: is great for bright rooms such as kitchens. The warm and bold colour helps stimulate the appetite so works best in areas for food preparation and consumption.Its also great for stimulating the mind and helping to focus, so offices and study's should also be considered.

Yellow: like orange is great for kitchens because of the same reasons, and its also good for small crapped downstairs toilets. The bright and bold colour is best as a full on Big Bird yellow rather than a pale yellow as a mood lifter.

Green: is a good natural colour, and a good nature colour.The vibrant colour helps promote well being and healthy lifestyles. It feels warm and helps sooth.Works well in any relaxing room, bedrooms, living spaces and conservatories.

Blue: is the calm and clean colour. Its refreshing and peaceful, but at the same time comes across as a very cold colour. Works well in areas you'd want to be clean, such as the bathroom, but can also work well in the bedroom because you can awaken feeling refreshed and ready to go. Also consider mixing with striking bright white.

Purple: and violet and the glamour colours. Modern and bold purple has seen a massive rise in popularity in the last decade or so. Helping to get you creative, this rich and slightly feminine colour works wonders in rooms to be cosy in, bedrooms, living room or library/studies are perfect for modern living, but can also work with the more rustic residence.

Pink: being the most feminine colour, but men should note, its a luxurious and very romantic colour. Helping to heighten affection and romance can be mixed with the tranquil calming side. ideal for bedrooms, and expressing your feminine side. If your a little scared of the message it will give off men, try mixing with purples or reds to break it up.

White: is the purest of colours (even though its not technically a colour) and works with any colour, Using off whites to compliment colours can help expand the mood, but stop a colour from over powering a room. Works well anywhere, and especially small rooms (to help make them feel larger) and bathrooms for the clean finish.

Black: is one of the 'in' colours for 2008. 80's black on black style conveyed a sleek and modern feel. Done correct, black can be a timeless classic and feels strong. bold and authoritative. Consider this in your hallways and dining room and match with gold bronze accessories.

Brown: is the earth colour. Warm and homely browns calm you down so work well in relaxing rooms such as the bedroom or living room. Consider a feature wall in a chocolate brown, with he remaining walls in a softer brown, caramel for example.

As well as the full colours, there are 2 types on canvas you can get not mentioned above.

Sepia and Black and White: are the ultimate for subtle art, the lack of colour doesn't grab you as much as something bold, but more often than not, the colour drained aged look sepia can make a picture more about the image than the colour. Works well with urban images in living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. Also works really well in B&W with some small bold colours like red and yellow.

Multicoloured and Pop Art: is the modern look. Bold and bright contrasting colours (ie Andy Warhols' yellow and pink Marilyn Monroe) Retro colours are 'in' at the moment, and so are urban photos with flashes of bright and bold colour. Bright colours show a level of confidence in the owner and are a great conversation starter.


(Sleek black and vibrant pink work well on this cult classic)

The great thing about all this though, is its all down to your personal choice, yes there are some guidelines you can work to, if you like something and feel confident with it, go for it! Experiment with colours, textiles and furniture. If your not happy with a room, how do you expect to relax in it?

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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 whoartnow

2008 Interior Design Trends - 'Reinvent'

The 'Reinvent' theme is all about colour. Lots and lots of combinations of colour, some of which can be quite risky. The use of woods and greys combined with more retro colours like aqua blues, and bright pinks. The use of miss matched colours and items works wonders. You could even use 6 different chairs around a table, and it wouldn't look out of place.

Well used and worn furniture and fixings are king, where brand new and flat pack is far to clean and 'un-inviting'. the use of hand made accessories and furniture is King, and quirky is its Queen.
So where does it work, as with 'Optimism', it works well in most homes and rooms, yet its best to pick a feature wall to hold most of the colour, and soft shades of grey for the majority of the room. The bright colours need to be contrasted to bring the ro
om into perspective. Flooring is a key factor, varnished hard wood flooring brings the natural and worn feeling in, yet solid more industrial floors work well too.

Avoid this in bedrooms and possibly living rooms too. Kitchens are perfect because the colours add to the social side of every kitchen. Furniture is best suited to masculine styles, flowers and hens on your chairs won't sit right, wood is great, but so is re used metal. Accessories need to be kept in control, and found and recycled items work brilliant.

If you like what you see, check out our Abstract canvas art section, where you will find a the designs featured in this article, and plenty more canvas prints.

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Monday, 19 May 2008 whoartnow

2008 Interior Design Trends - Invidia

2008 Interior Design Trends
Invidia

Coming soon to a bachelor pad near you is one of this years must have colour schemes. Invidia is the use of blacks, whites and metallic colours such as gold to speak loudly. Such dark rooms are brought to life with simple additions of yellows and golds on the detail. The only draw back, is you can't do half the job, if your going to do it, your really have to go all out and be as brave as possible or you'll end up with a badly done 80's yuppie flat, and no matter how 'in' 80's is, that look most certainly isn't!

How would you furnish such a room though? would black leather be OK? well yes, leathers and velvets from the darker side of the spectrum work wonders. Small detailing in gold and bronze works well, and accessories need to be vast or understated. Go for huge retro wallpaper sections on canvas or mirrors over-the-top with gold frames. You could use a huge reading lamp in gold, or a small up-lighter in brushed aluminium, or if your feeling really brave, both! Small and large can work wonders together. Take the image above, a relatively small metal lamp, and a large, bronze rubbish bin.

The biggest drawback to this interior scheme is the space you use it in. Small ceilings are a no go area because you need vast rooms to make the black walls work. Original features and moulding are essential. So early 20th century boxes are a definite no-go area.

We have a brand new range of exclusive art on canvas to follow the Invidia range. It features heavily on retro, vintage wallpaper sections, contemporary gold and black abstract fades, white floral silhouettes, Gold Paisley Batiks, Manhattan skylines, Buddha gold statues & Black Oriental Abstract prints, all available on canvas. Check the Invidia range. and get inspired for 2008!

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