Opulent extras add a touch of luxury

Yorkshire Post - 2nd April 2008 - Life & Style Section: Homes

Interiors

Modern interior design is about minimalism. Or so youd think. This season things are different. Jamie Hempsall finds out why more is more.....

Minimalist chic may be the modern twist on design. However, in larger houses, or those with a more traditional interior, it can be wonderful to create an opulent environment for your home where space and budget allow.

The key to a truly luxurious interior is in choosing a quality finish and ensuring the right attention to detail in occasional furniture, lighting, soft furnishings and drapes. I will be considering the latter of these two this week and dealing with furniture and lighting in a fortnight.

Nothing says luxury more than fine silk, which has a wonderful sheen and a great weight to it. A myriad of companies provide silks in both plains and patterns. Silk can be used to great effect in curtaining to provide dramatic falls and soft light reflection. In addition, using it in cushions and even upholstery introduces a delicious hint of “devil may care” extravagance.

James Hare’s exotic Pergola Rambling Rose (or stripe) at £37 per metre offers superb quality, whilst their Orissa plain dupion is good value at £18 per metre.

Osborne & Little have a range of indulgent patterned silks in their Serang range from £75/m and have just introduced the Kediri range of plain silks at £55/m in a mouth-watering array of colours (including the shocking pink pictured) which is hardwearing enough to be used for upholstery.

The Chinaz range of plain moiré silks from Designers Guild (£23/m) provide a slightly textured watermark finish, which can also hide a multitude of sins.

Combine silks with some of the beautiful pasmenterie (tassels and trims!) which are available to add intrigue and an eye-catching finish.

People often consider braid and fringing is solely for use on upholstery or pelmets. However, it can be incorporated to exceptional effect along the edge of curtaining where it emphasises the drape. It can be used to consolidate a theme where used for the edge of cushions or even lampshades. Companies provide fully co-ordinated pasmenterie ranges so that you can obtain interesting curtain tie backs to finish your look.

Jones & Company have the wonderfully fringe oriented Dougal range for a soft finish (from £26 for a tie back) or, for those of you with an eye for crystal, their Illusion range (from £4/m for fringing).

Nina Campbell has developed several ranges of braid, fringing and tie backs with a contemporary feel. These are distributed by Osborne & Little. Of particular note are her Butterfly fringe (£39/m), Taisho beaded fringes (£34/m) and Taisho Rouche (£26/m).

The French company Houlès have always been renowned for wonderful detailing and satisfy both contemporary and traditional desires. Their ranges include Lounge Ambience for a chic, modern look (from £79 for a tie back) and Les Marquises for the more traditional interior (from £65 for a single tassel tie back).

With careful consideration and co-ordination, these finishing touches will help you to create a home to inspire.

Jamie Hempsall, one of the region’s leading interior designers, is an Associate of BIDA. To contact him call 01777 248463 or visit his website www.jamiehempsall.com