January 13, 2012

‘ADDIO’ TO DRAB INTERIORS!

Elisa Interiors, Inglehurst, HarrogateIt’s now two years since I launched Elisa Interiors in Harrogate, I’ve been looking back at what inspired me to set up the company, an interior design consultancy and home styling service with an Italian twist. Elisa Interiors is a unique and extremely creative service that brings together strong Italian influences and great British design to create homes which are beautiful and highly individual. I embrace the existing architectural features of the property and the personalities of the people that live there, with stunning end results.

My passion for interiors began as a young girl whilst growing up in Rome and studying in England during the summers. Those Italian design influences today are fused in the interiors I design which usually include pieces from emerging UK talents, creating truly cutting edge results. I continuously research the marketplace and evolve my supplier portfolio. One thing is certain – no two rooms created by Elisa Interiors will ever be the same.
For me, every project is unique; each house has its own character and each client their own personality. I like to work with all of these things to create an entirely bespoke design.
I believe the great thing about interior design is not necessarily about ‘designer objects’ , it’s about ‘creativity’ and introducing carefully selected key pieces, building colour schemes and practical solutions around them. For example, Elisa Interiors’ designs can incorporate existing furniture, which can be painted, treated, or reupholstered to coordinate with a new scheme. We can also create practical ‘dual designs’ with additional accessories that enable rooms to be easily refreshed as the seasons change.
My goal is to encourage, motivate and light the creative fire for people I work for so they can learn to have fun with the process and really enjoy it. I believe that by including the client in the project every step of the way the result will be something that will continue to inspire them for many years to come.
For more information email or call Elisa at enquires@elisainteriors.com or 07525 003516

October 20, 2010

Hooray, colour is back!

Yes, colour is back in the home at last and it brings with it its flamboyant partner – the pattern.

Proof of that were the two exhibitions that took place last month in Paris ( Maison & Object ) and in London (100% Design).

It’s very interesting to track the swings and shifts of colours and shades and to track where colours have come from and more importantly where they are going to….every designers dream!

After many years of decorating our homes in 50 shades of beige, magnolia, cream, and truffle we can now let our personalities shine through in decoration. Our homes are our castles and we can revel in the potential that every room can hold.

We are experimenting more with colour and pattern although most people’s venture into the world of pattern have been with the feature wall. It’s a brave bold statement, but not too much of an investment if we get it too hideously wrong.

We feel quite at ease putting fashion palettes together with the latest styles and fabrics. So it shouldn’t be such a great leap to put that creativity into choosing home furnishings combinations.

Now we can begin to assert more authority when choosing home furnishings as we can relax and choose more what we actually prefer rather than what someone who is about to buy the house would like.

Co-ordination is vital to next year’s trends. Not so much in covering everything that doesn’t move in the same pattern and slap on a border kind of way, but with a more  casual and cohesive execution.

By carefully considering a good base of neutrals we can link rooms and areas together with colourful patterns and accessories. Stripes and mini prints will marry colour schemes together, fabrics, wall coverings and furnishings will not match exactly but they might have one key colour in common.  We’ll also be making more considered purchases. We will want sustainability, longevity and style from our products – something worth investing in. Pieces with history, a story or re-salvaged element will provide anecdotes for dinner parties conversations. As staying in is the new trend, we find ourselves entertaining more in our homes and our decor is our stage. Boast of local craftsmen, items made in England and all recycled material will be the right compliment to a glass of Pinot! The key look will be to provide a welcoming backdrop, comfortable, warm and inviting.

We’ll also see a bohemian approach to decor with an eclectic mix from far and wide with oriental influences. Rich exotic colours from fern and moss greens to thistle and fig berry tones will mix delightfully with warm caramels and mink neutrals.

We are all aware how colour can influence our moods and such a ‘heady attach’ of colour and pattern in the home it is hopefully an indication of the moods to come….an uplifting era!

March 4, 2010

Alternative Walls

Elisa Interiors, wall coveringsThe secret of style? It’s all in the details. Let’s start from walls for example.
Nowadays we are spoilt with choice, so how about transforming them with super striking items? A great feature wall embellished with New York’s inspired wallpaper with floating clocks (just like the four-sided clock found at Grand Central Station) is my absolute favorite. This would be ideal if you have pale walls, a contemporary setting and you don’t really want to come over to the ‘dark side’ just yet! It’s is a good way to introduce a bit of graphic darkness! 
Jazz it up by complementing the wall with a cushion or two, a lamp or a chair with the same theme. Instant art!

February 15, 2010

Pure Glamour

Individualistic and glamorous Coco Chanel once said that if you want to be irreplaceable you need to be different. This independence of mind is the well-spring of real glamour, and is a sign of courage in a world where increasingly everyone and everything looks and sounds the same.
Well, one aspect of this is making your own choices: for example looking the way you do because it feels right and not because someone else tells you to.
For instance, why do we have so many new fragrances and perfumes available nowadays? Personally I think it’s very simple…..we are all very different and the choice of specific fragrance is the pure expression of it all!
Up until recently a designer, when decorating a room, would have thought first what the ultimate look of the room had to be. Then the whole process would have revolved around this ‘vision’ and the choice of the objects and fabrics would have been dictated by the idea of finding a comfortable balance between the different furnishings in the space. The aim was to create relationships between the various possessions, in order to develop “a whole” which was more impressive than the sum of its parts.
However, what about the clients’ taste, old furnishings, budget and exclusivity?
Whether you are the ‘room with a statement’ lover, the ‘tactile quality’ seeker or a fan of the ‘classic with a twist’, the accomplished result should still be…..PERSONAL.
So regardless of how you fall for a design, make sure it is comfortable and it shouts of you!

February 1, 2010

Hello World

I’m not sure on the ‘how’ (this is a totally new experience to me!) but I have no doubts on the ‘why’ of this blog.
Finally, an open window from Harrogate on the rest of the world.  Well, being Italian and living so far from home, I personally need that!
This is in fact the only way of keeping me close to what I love so much while feeding my restless creative mind with the latest news, tips and trends in design.
Inspiration, Inspiration, Inspiration…….the old conundrum.
Italian-born Antonio Marras, Kenzo’s fashion designer, once said: “I’ve learnt you can’t always look for inspiration, you have to let it come to you”. Well…..totally true!