We’ve had a sneak preview of some of the colours and trends for Autumn/Winter 10 and have designed a luxe bedroom scheme, where simplicity and luxury combine to elegant effect.  Think textured featured walls…a design technique that has been in use for several seasons, yet still as popular as ever… a warm palette of rich plums, amethysts and tonal greys.  Layered textured fabrics of velvet… the emphasis on a vintage, blistered or aged finish… is very on trend this Autumn.  The scheme is less about bling and showing off, and more reflective of the need for quality and comfort in our homes that will stand the test of time.

next week… we’re heading off to Maison O’bjet  Paris, one of the largest interior shows in the world, to see what other stylish, hotel chic products we can bring back for you all … we’ll keep you posted!

Depending on how your weather’s been, and let’s face it…many parts of the UK have had an awful summer…it may already feel like Autumn. The occa-home team have given up the ghost of an indian summer and decided instead to embrace the inevitable. We’re thinking lazy weekends in our pj’s reading the Sunday papers, a nice cup of tea in hand.

Autumn is an ideal time to make your home warm and inviting for the cooler months to come. Think tactile textures with cushions and throws; taupes and caramels are a gentle palate upon which to layer more earthy tones. Mix with relaxing flickering candle light for a touch of sophistication and it doesn’t seem so bad after all.

Congratulations to Galvin La Chapelle in London, winner of Restaurant & Bar Design Awards sponsored by The British Institute of Interiors Design.  It’s been a good year for proprietors Chris & Jeff Galvin…they’ve also won Restaurant of the Year from Tatler Magazine!

La Chapelle is one of the few truly fabulous-looking restaurants in London; there aren’t many dining rooms to rival this dazzling conversion of a Victorian school chapel.  The huge Grade II-listed St Botolph’s Hall has been gutted. Its raw brick walls soar up to a distant open plan ceiling with a half-mezzanine floor suspended overhead, adding an urban glass-and-steel edge to the cathedral-like setting.  The side areas, shadowy behind marble pillars have swaggering velvet drapes complementing the brasserie-style dining area, with glass partitions, crisp napkins and button-backed leather chairs.  The Galvin fits occa-home fancy signature style perfectly…discreet glamour… the kind that you usually only see in movies.

We love Jan Constantine cushions and throws…they’re a fabulous mix of vintage and contemporary styling,  beautifully made the way things should – the attention to detail and quirkiness of the products is second to none. Versatile, the collection has pieces that work well across all three of our signature styles Comfy, Fancy & Funky.
The Constantine Collection includes original, hand-embroidered designs that feature on exquisite textiles and are a unique specialty product in the interiors market.  Designed for today, the collection is stylish and patriotic in equal measure with each piece intended as an “heirloom of the future”.
Inspiration for individual designs in the Constantine Collection comes from both real life and the designer’s favorite things.  Jan’s exquisite designs are hand worked on quality natural cottons linens and wools producing cushions and throws that are fast becoming a collectable item.  It’s a great look to get at home – let us show you how…

Hotels we love

We’re now in the holiday season and the design team at occa-home are dreaming of hot, lazy days by the pool.  To get you in the mood we’ve selected hotels for you to lust after, that reflect occa-home’s three signature hotel chic styles and show you how to Get the Look in your home.   So if you do end up on a “stay-cation” this year , you can at least enjoy some luxury!

In fashion, adopting a brand/designer makes a statement about who you are.  This holds true in your hotel choices as a statement of your personal style.

Comfy style – hopes maricel – Mallorca

WHERE:  Basking in the hot Mediterranean sun you’ll find this 5* jewel in the Balerics crown just 15 mins from Palma.

STYLE:  The palatial Maricel brings traditional Baleric design elements to life, nodding to its Moorish past, with archways, arcades and pillars in marble and stone.  The bedrooms have been created with comfort, space and light in mind and fits occa-home’s Comfy style perfectly.  The white base palate is  ideal for the Mediterranean climate and is sympathetically complemented with warming dark wood  pieces.  At the more modern end of our Comfy spectrum, the Maricel’s functional and minimalist design edge, with simple colours, materials and textures creates an atmosphere of relaxation & tranquility with just the right amount of boutique hotel-chic style.

The public area and bedroom design would translate well to a domestic scale. The use of natural materials wood, marble and glass combine to create a neutral backdrop from which monochrome accents and furnishings pop.

MORE INFO:  www.hospes.com

Fancy style – roomer hotel – Frankfurt

WHERE:  This sleek, imposing and impeccably designed 5* hotel can be found in Germany’s business capital Frankfurt.

STYLE:  This uber sleek, progressively designed hotel captures the essence of occa-home’s Fancy style.  The fusion of classic curves and modern design give the hotel an elegantly futuristic feel with dark swirling colours of aubergine, black and white used to dramatic effect. Sensual, modern and sophisticated all rolled into one.

The style is indulgent minimalism with a heavy dose of luxury added for good measure. In the bedrooms the headboards are used to dramatic effect achieved through height and paneled squares.  The pendant wall lights bring the lighting levels down to create atmosphere assisted by the black lacquered furniture. The public areas use similar paneled walls achieving harmony and unity between the different zones of the hotel, and with the addition of a few funky pieces the scheme is brought to life.

The emphasis in this hotel is hotel chic, Fancy Style.  The bedrooms and public areas are both transferable to the home environment, with the use of a deep colour palette for paint & wall coverings.  This provides the perfect backdrop.  Keep accessories luxurious but use sparingly .

MORE INFO:  www.roomers.eu

Funky style – the scarlet – Cornwall

WHERE:  This spectacular cliff top eco friendly hotel is to be found in Cornwall.  As a concept it features a thoughtful philosophy, bold architecture and a breathtaking location.

STYLE: The Scarlet’s individually designed rooms understandably maximize the stunning view they preside over.  The hotel’s spaces, lines and spectacular views have the power to both impress and sooth yet somewhat contradictorily, illustrate occa-home’s Funky style eloquently.

The sensuous use of materials with bold injections of colour and pattern takes this stunning interiors scheme a long way from typical seaside/nautical décor.  It’s a refreshing change.   So as not to compete with the view the bedroom palates are neutral shades of cream, mixing textures of wood and stone as found in nature.  By layering bold colours of the same tones but different textures in the soft furnishings the rooms achieve a warmth and comfort that is not usually associated with Funky style. It is important to remember there are numerous ways to interpret a design style. One look most definitely does not fit all.

This is a “liveable” way of achieving a Funky look in your own home.  It’s bright colours are as cheerful as they are fashionable and with the addition of a few key accent pieces the look is complete.

MORE INFO:  www.scarlethotel.co.uk

“To make way for our new Autum/Winter collections we have some fabulous offers on key designer pieces.  Here’s what’s on my wishlist …”

… desk lamp
Larger than it looks, measuring 66cm high, this stunning Andrew Martin desk lamp makes a great statement piece for your office, living room or bedside table.  With 20% off its a great way to own a piece of a reputable style guru.

… candle lantern
These mar candle lanterns are really unusual and drew lots of attention at our last exhibition.  Different from the lanterns you now see everywhere else,  we only have a few remaining.  With 40% off they represent outstanding value.

… Christmas candles
Why not get ahead of the Christmas game this year and take advantage of the great discount on these stunning lanterns & tealights.  With a Nordic Styling, they’ll look great on your table & sideboard.

Mix and match with silvers and whites to achieve the look.

… cushions
Soft & tactile these beautiful Jan Constantine cushions will instantly add some glamour to your bedroom or living room.

With up to 25% off they’re hard to resist.

Add a Touch of Hotel Chic with Porada

Occa-home prides itself on offering its customers a stunning collection of interior design products that are often only exclusive to hotels.  In particular, Italian brand Porada, produces highly sought after furniture that features in some of the most exclusive international hotels around the world. Established in 1968 by Luigi Allievi, Porada is a family business now run by his four sons.  The company produces timeless modern classics with deep roots in the artisan craftsmanship you’d expect from Italian design.  They have an ethos that combines functionality, design and a total commitment to quality, achieving the perfect balance between form and function.

For additional seating or as an accent, the Porada Alcide Leather Pouf £ 1,120 is a fun and super sleek piece with striking button detailing.  Available in Black, White, Charcoal, Stone or Stone blue, the Pouf can also be purchased in 15 leather colours, numerous fabric options as well as supplied in your own fabric;  just speak to the occa-home team about your requirements.

Designed by Marelli & Molteni, the Porada Carmilla Sideboard £ 2,640 makes a wonderful and contemporary piece for the living.  Featuring carefully detailed doors and internal drawers, the sideboard is available in either an attractive canaletta walnut or wenge tropical timber.

If you are searching for a small and perfectly formed side table, the Porada Single Oak Round Table £535 is not only functional, but also a great piece to complement any scheme.  Featuring a slim metal frame, the round table has a natural stained oak top that has been beautifully crafted from wenge.

In this series, Hotels we Love, we’d like to introduce you to a selection of stunning, luxurious hotels that embody occa-home’s three signature styles, Comfy, Fancy, Funky and show you how to achieve the look in your own home. We’ll tell you why we love them, key design elements and design tips to help you along the way.  Enjoy!

FUNKY:  THE SCARLET CORNWALL

WHERE:   This spectacular cliff top eco friendly hotel is to be found in Cornwall. As a concept it features a thoughtful philosophy, bold architecture and a breathtaking location.

STYLE:   The Scarlet’s individually designed rooms understandably maximize the stunning view they preside over.  The hotel’s spaces, lines and spectacular views have the power to both impress and sooth yet somewhat contradictorily, illustrate occa-home’s Funky style eloquently.

The sensuous use of materials with bold injections of colour and pattern takes this stunning interiors scheme a long way from typical seaside/nautical décor.  It’s a refreshing change.  So as not to compete with the view the bedroom palates are neutral shades of cream, mixing textures of wood and stone as found in nature.  By layering bold colours of the same tones but different textures in the soft furnishings the rooms achieve a warmth and comfort that is not usually associated with Funky style.

DESIGN TIP “It is important to remember there are numerous ways to interpret a design style.  One look most definitely does not fit all”

This is a “livable” way of achieving a Funky look in your own home.  It’s bright colours are as cheerful as they are fashionable and with the addition of a few key accent pieces the look is complete.

MORE INFO:  www.scarlethotel.co.uk

British lifestyle brand Mulberry Home is renowned worldwide for its craftsmanship and quality.  Taking its inspiration from heritage and interpreting it with a modern twist, the company marries function and fashion perfectly.  Mulberry Home only use fabrics and materials that are as tactile as they are beautiful, and are a brand that mirrors occa-home’s Comfy style.  Think classic styling with an edge, country estates, leathers, tweeds in natural earthy tones, add in a chocolate Labrador or two for good measure you’ve got it.

As award winning professional interior designers, occa-home has a unique and original eye for good design.  Regularly working on some of the world’s largest hotel brands and individual boutique style properties, occa-home are delighted to bring Mulberry Home products within reach of our customers, providing the quality of craftsmanship and style they’d find in the world’s most Comfy hotels.

Kate Mooney, Managing Director of occa-home says, “We are committed to making many of the products and materials that are often only accessible to the hotel market available to our customers.  The Mulberry Home Collection gains its inspiration from British heritage and fits perfectly with our Comfy scheme.  Creativity, quality and attention to detail underpin everything we do.  Timeless and chic interiors are what we promise and Mulberry Home helps us to deliver that.”

Independence Day means different things to different people …it could be a cheesy movie featuring Will Smith and some nasty aliens or alternatively a day of celebration for our American cousins and their Declaration of Independence.

This 4^th of July we’ll be celebrating American inspired interiors, a style that has been popular in the UK since the 1960’s with the New England “Kennedy’s” inspired look to the more up to date luxurious living from design icon Ralph Lauren. Who can forget the stunning house in the film “Something’s Got to Give” that embodied the New England look so well!

This type of interior is often referred to as Colonial as has several key characteristics…

Extensive woodwork

Wide skirting or baseboards

Molding on walls and windows

Mute paint colours in earthy shades of green, browns, subtle blues & cool whites

Rustic wood furniture & hand made cabinetry in birch, maple, wenge and cherry

Handmade colourful quits

Cast iron floor lamps

…It is a simple style with clean lines and materials that emphasize quality and utility.

To achieve the look think of casual layering, combining patterns and textures in a range of complimentary colours. Paisley patterns, florals and ticking stripes work well together and embody occa-home’s Comfy signature style perfectly. This technique works well in living and bedroom areas…there is nothing more inviting than a layered bed or sofa with cushions and pillows of varying shapes sizes and colours. Although strangely, men seem to dislike having too many cushions, have you noticed whenever they sit down they just load them on to the floor! Very frustrating!

DESIGN TIP

“Quilts and throws draped over the foot of a bed or a banister adds a shot of colour & interest”

Those of you who like  this look will love Ralph Lauren’s new flagship store in Boulevard St Germain, Paris. Housing his first European restaurant, the style is typically Ralph…comfortable and classic, mixing a palate of blues, taupe’s and aged white with an artful mix of chic and rustic textures of leather, stone and wood. We’ve heard the burgers aren’t too shabby either! Why not get the look