If we have learnt anything this year it's the importance of
home. In his introduction to our 2021 brochure, our founder Martin
Waller states how it was Pliny the Elder who coined the phrase
"home is where the heart is" way back in 23-79 AD. So, with the
phrase still in common parlance today, it's been pretty undisputed
for 2,000 years, yet seems ever more important in todays
complicated world. As we move into the new year it's safe to say
the way we use our homes has changed, possibly for good. Trends
such as a particular colour, or a specific fabric are fleeting and
will continue to come and go with time. But as the spaces in which
we now live and work take on an increased significance, there are a
few things that we will always consider essential ingredients for a
heart filled home: 'colour, texture, scale, pattern' and above all:
comfort.
The colours we choose is one of the the most subjective and
personal part of our interiors, and having spent an increased
amount of time within the same four walls this year there will be
many of us who are re-thinking the shades they wish to surround
themselves with. In times of uncertainty our homes have become
individual sanctuaries, a feeling which can be harnessed by warm,
comforting tones. Within our paint collection are a host of earthy
neutrals designed to ground your space and inject a warmth which
will perhaps go some way in making up for that missed summer
holiday: Morrocan Souk, Georgian Clay, African Baobab, Serengeti
and Espadrille are a few of our favourites. Alternatively,
following in the footsteps of Pantone's 2020 colour of the year
'Classic Blue', this aquatic shade is a consistent favourite
throughout interiors. Whether you stick to traditional blues like
Skipper, Porto Tile, Blue Nile and Orinoco River, or lean towards
the more vibrant pigments of Kingfisher, Egyptian Indigo, Carnival
Headdress or Lake Tekapo this timeless colour feels comforting and
familiar whilst the breadth of shades offers versatility in a time
where our homes become ever more multi-functional.
*You can get FREE DELIVERY on all paint orders up until
January 31st
It is no secret that at Andrew Martin we like to champion
maximalist style. Building up layers of materials and objects can
feel comforting and soothing as we cocoon ourselves from the
outside world. As Martin describes; 'we have always had an
unhealthy obsession with texture - the scrunch of linen and the
gloss of deep pile velvet, the sleek sheen of chrome and the
coarseness of hammered iron, the precision of smooth veneer and the
grain of rough hewn timber'. Cushions will always
be a brilliant quick and easy way to build up texture and inject
personality into your home, allowing you to combine materials,
colours and patterns in a way that feels unique to you. But texture
is not solely found in soft furnishings. We encourage you to
embrace a wide combination of materials across your furniture, from
the faux shagreen texture of our Amanda
range to the organic grained feel of the Raffles
collection, these tactile finishes elevate these everyday pieces
and create depth within an interiors scheme.
The world is emphasizing on interiors, which are now prettier, softer and with a handmade ‘folk look’. This reflects the need for comfort in the stressful times we live in today
Stephen Falcke, Interior Designer
Yet, when it comes to interiors, if we had to pick a single
philosophy to go by it would probably be that bigger is (almost)
always better. As Martin declares: 'scale is the secret weapon
of design'. Whether it's a supersized, sculptural piece of art
or layered geometric printed fabrics, playing with scale is a way
of adding excitement and surprise to your interiors. It's a
philosophy that was at the forefront of our minds when creating the
Scholar
collection. These super wide wallpapers play with scale by
enlarging ancient maps or pages of your favourite books,
emphasising the transformative power of wallpaper
and offering a new form of escapism. Our diverse and extensive
range of patterns offer another way of playing with scale. The
designs in our Casablanca
wallpapers are versatile and soft, use them to create a perfect
backdrop for layering or choose one of the larger prints to take
centre stage within a room across a vast section of wall.
Similarly, our newest collection Grand
Bazaar combines warm tones with a mix of dainty prints and
bigger playful patterns, creating pieces that can be layered
together to build a look that is as eclectic or minimalistic as you
like.
It’s not about space fillers or trends, but having items that you truly love and will keep for decades and pass on
Sophie Paterson, Interior Designer and Andrew Martin Collaborator
Finally, in a year when our homes have had to become all things
to all inhabitants, comfort may have taken a backseat against
functionality. Going into 2021 brings a need to reassess how we use
our spaces, and whether this has changed compared to a year ago.
However, it's important not to forget that the primary function of
our living spaces should be comfort, and at Andrew Martin we
believe that being surrounded everyday by the things you love is
the ultimate source. Our homes should be a reflection of our
personalities, and it's the eclectic culmination of colours,
patterns, materials and objects which is totally unique to its
residents that turns a house into a home. So, as we move into the
new year our biggest trend for 2021 is a focus on individuality
when curating our living spaces. From our ever expanding and
diverse range of wallpapers, fabrics, artwork, cushions and
furniture, we urge you to choose pieces that you truly love and
combine them, unabashedly, in a way that is unique to you. As
Martin says: 'the key to getting this look right, is
removing the fear of doing it wrong'.
comfort is the greatest gift in any interior design scheme and that comes from a home that truly represents the owner and their individual style
