Louis XV Commode

Designed and manufactured by Axis FormLAB this Louis XV commode offers modern twist on period furniture. Made in MDF with white gloss enamel or rainbow coloured veneer, furniture grade plywood with an oak veneer surface or acrylic it provides an unusual and stylish way to display wine and serve drinks.

Louis XV commodes are traditionally flamboyant and ornate wooden cabinets with doors or drawers which are adorned with inlays, gilding or elaborate carving. Axis Form LAB have taken the overall basic shape and included the curved lines to produce an stylish and practical piece of furniture. The classical style and chic appearance make this commode perfect for ‘des res’ (desirable residence) homes of both traditional and contemporary design depending on which material is selected. The MDF and plywood versions are more in keeping with traditional or modern homes, while the transparent acrylic model is the ideal choice for contemporary homes.

Wine cellars are definitely a thing of the past, with the ‘in vogue’ custom of showing off your wine stock this Louis XV commode serves the purpose wonderfully, while also incorporating a much needed serving surface for informal snacks and nibbles. The one open side is ideal for storing glasses or displaying unusual shaped and coloured bottles of liqueurs or adding personal touches by displaying ceramic or glass dishes.

I am somewhat amused by the term ‘commode’, although it does refer to a chest of drawers, in the UK a commode is also the term given for a lidded seat which houses a chamber pot underneath!

Image source: www.axisformlab.com

Ink Art Work

I firmly believe that the most successful interior designs are those which not only work extremely closely with the client in terms of finished appearances but also include personal preferences and interests to ensure that individualism is incorporated skilfully within the agreed designs and styles.

For me this piece of intricate ink work displays a passion for using tattoo artistry which clearly demonstrates the ability of the artist to the full. Hand tattooed by Mama Tried studios directed by Scott Campbell, the team at Mama Tried has adopted a ‘why didn’t we think of that’ philosophy in producing exciting and unorthodox approaches to visual media.

The new series of the successful TV programmes London Ink and Miami Ink shows that many, many people are using tattoos to decorate and bring art to life on their bodies. This striking chair with its retro black ornate frame, cream leather seat and back rest tattooed in black ink will bring much pleasure to those who adore this type of artistry and a bold way of life. The trendy skull design used as the main focus has a haunting appeal, daring someone to take a seat!

Undoubtedly this chair will not appeal to everyone’s taste, however, I do feel that it would make a striking focal point when incorporated within a room which has taken client personality and individualism seriously. I’m sure many a discerning tattooist would jump at the chance to include this unorthodox chair in their workplaces to provide an unusual and unique method of promoting their profession effectively.

Image source: www.decojournal.com

Roller Blind Revival

I have to admit that I have always liked the concept of using a roller blind as part of a window treatment in both traditional and modern home interior designs.

Roller blinds are an extremely practical way to provide the maximum amount of natural light entering a room as when rolled up they expose virtually the entire window, offering unobstructed views of the outside world. At night roller blinds provide essential privacy in the easiest of operations.

New designs of digital images on roller blinds, which can be made into any size, have given the humble roller blind a whole new lease of life for me. Striking images seem too good not to be see during the day, part pulled blinds compensate this very well and yet still enable light to flood into a room.

Roller blinds need not be confined to a bathroom or kitchen, the functionality and versatility of a blind makes them perfect for using with both contemporary and traditional curtains.

My love of the roller blind has definitely been re-kindled with the range of blinds available from Noodle.

Noodle launched their new range of blinds at this years 100% Design Exhibition with digitally printed Pink Nerine. The natural vibrancy of the colours and clarity of the images present these blinds as works of modern window art in a very exciting way for me.

With over one hundred different designs in the Noodle range, there is a colour and image to suit all homes. Noodle can also produce truly unique blinds using client’s own images to add a real personal touch to a room.

Image source: www.100percentdesign.co.uk

Update on Office Move

They say that good things come to those who wait. If this rings true, the new office location will be a good move . . . . just a little later than anticipated. We hope the move will take place by November 10th. Keep checking back for updates.

Inject a Riot of Beautiful Colours into a Home

Digital images skilfully designed into a range of cushions by Noodle will inject a riot of beautiful colours into a home. The variety of different images which capture nature at its best are digitally printed onto silk fabric and come complete with a feather insert.

The traditional style square shapes are available in either 16 or 20 inch with the rectangular panel cushions in a generous 11 x 18”, all are machine washable making them extremely functional as well as striking to look at.

Noodle have their own on-line shop with many of their products available ready to buy rather than ordering and waiting for them to be made. The wide choice of traditional favourite flowers in vivid natural colours provide something to suit all colour decors. The stunning effects of the close up images and vibrant colours are perfect for instantaneously injecting colour into a room.

The autumnal leaves and branches in burnt oranges or sunset reds offer a warm appearance just waiting to be snuggled into during the winter months. One of the great advantages of using cushions in a home is the versatility to replace the covers in line with the seasons, alternatively brighten the winter blues by choosing spring or summer flowers reminding us that winter doesn’t last forever!

With Christmas just around the corner, I believe I have found the ideal gift for all horticultural lovers, green-fingered gardeners or those who love nature at its best! With such a vast range available it’s just a matter of selecting which ones to opt for!


Image source: www.noodleonline.com

Black and White or White and Black?

I adore these coffee tables made in fabric, PU or leather. The monochrome effect is striking in an understated way, the pattern is inspired by natural objects which have been placed ingeniously around the base, providing a style which would look stunning in a variety of different hone or office interior design styles.

The Buono-coffee table was launched and exhibited by PimPen.Co.Ltd at the 100% Design Exhibition in September this year and is designed to be both a coffee table and a stool. This piece look incredibly comfortable as a stool, just perfect for perching on informally! I can also see this table being used as a foot stool, a contemporary twist on the traditional pouffe in many homes.

The circular insert lends itself beautifully for placing a mug of coffee during the day or a glass of wine at informal gatherings or a quiet night in by the fire! The practicality of incorporating this piece of modern furniture into homes I believe are endless, although they have been made as part of the Buono collection of seating they would look equally striking coordinated with people’s existing furniture suites, more particularly if they are also in plain black or white fabric or leather.

Chic and sophisticated the Buono-coffee table has an unfussiness which I really enjoy, stylish yet functional and exceptionally pleasing to the eye with no harsh rigid lines one’s attention remain focused on the coffee table. For me, either colour way, black and white or white and black is reminiscent of Ying and Yang, balance and harmony.

Image source: www.100percentdesign.co.uk

The Ultimate in Recycling?

This has bench has got to be one of the most innovative designs in ultimate re-cycling! The “334” bench is made strangely enough from 334 old newspapers which have been folded and stacked next to one another on three parallel bars of metal. The design shape and number of newspapers provides the bench with enough strength to hold five people.

Not only is the “334” bench extremely economical and an excellent way to re-cycle it has a design shape which is simplistic yet proportional, suiting all manner of interior design styles.

Created by Oscar Lhermitte, product design student at the central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, the “334” bench is part of his 'X Days Project', the concept behind the “334” bench has been used to inspire people into recycling and creating their own unique and fascinating pieces of furniture and useful objects without using glues or screws!

I think this type of effective and practical re-cycling should be encouraged in schools as part of 'going green' campaigns. I suppose for those who wish to be annoyingly pedantic one could only use the newspapers one reads! Saving a daily newspaper, a bench could be successfully completed within a year and the colour supplements could be created into coordinating coffee tables!

I'll be interested to know how well this fantastic idea catches on and whether it will only people who read certain newspapers actually give it a go! Of course there is bound to be the dilemma of where to store a years worth of newspapers somewhere dry while or maybe it should be an ongoing project which gradually evolves over the days and weeks!

Image source: www.woohome.com

New Office Location

In speaking of changes, I am looking forward to being in my new office by November 3rd. We will still use the current mailing address and other contact information - just the physical location will change.

The new office will be located at:
1122 Sam Newell Road
Suite 112
Matthews, NC 28105

As always, we see clients by appointment. As a courtesy, please call before dropping by as we are in a private office building.

Seizing The Moment

As I am preparing to head to the High Point Furniture Market, in hopes of sourcing great finds for clients, I can't help but become distracted by my absolutely favorite season. In fact, it has been easy to be distracted, as of late. There always seems to be so much going on, so much information to process and so many things on the "to-do" list. It just seems to reason the mind would be apt to wander off any given path.

I usually can be convinced it's better to have a plan and stick to it. (And knowing my personality, I will eventually get back to lists, commitments and all of the "shoulds" of life.) In the interim, I am spending a little "me" time, playing around with my new blogsite. I am not sure if it will be totally about interior design - even though that is still my big passion. There are other areas of life to be explored and I am ready to look into those options.

For now, I'll just enjoy the changing of the seasons, while I observe how those beautiful leaves float along, powered by the breeze, taking them in all directions.

Oh, to be a leaf!

Tom Raffield- Ash Pendant No.1

Tom Raffield, co-founder of Sixisis, has created his own company from which he has used the most beautiful local English Ash to create this unique sculptural light shade.

A piece of true craftsmanship which looks as stunning during the daylight hours when natural light permeates through the coils and woven twists as it does when the energy saving soft glow giant light bulb, which Tom supplies with every commission, is switched on. The visual effects highlight the natural colouring of the wood magnificently while offering a soft, subtle lighting effects.


Tom is renowned for his designs using sustainable woods. To create the light shade he steams green, unseasoned wood to provide him with the flexibility to bend, coil and weave the strips into this fabulous design. His low energy manufacturing methods are truly remarkable, he uses only water and local wood, any wood waste goes to a local smoke house to cure fresh salmon and mackerel.

I really like this piece of practical sculptural art. This particular piece has a 60cm diameter, however, different sizes will be made on request, contact@tomraffield.com

I believe Tom has costed his work at low prices, Ash Pendant No.1 is only £250, making he work very affordable as well as genuinely unique.

As Tom has called this Ash Pendant No.1 I sincerely hope he is going to produce numbers two and three very soon!

Ash pendant No.1 was recently unveiled at Liberty of London and is currently available to see at the Re Design Lighten Up travelling Exhibition which began in September this year.

Image source: www.tomraffield.com