The 2nd of 5 guest posts from the hugely talented interior designer Beatrice Holland. Beatrice looks at some of the biggest trends in interior design right now. Whether your looking for guidance on making a statement in your living room or pulling in inspiration from past eras in your kitchen, Beatrice highlights the top 3 trends in Art and interior design right now to ensure you are keeping ahead of the Jones’s…or Smiths…   The art we choose and the design of our homes are extremely personal, while its vital to choose what you love, these are two things that are certainly influenced by trends. Going to art galleries and looking online can be a way to get a hint as to what the appetites of the market are. Source: Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock.com Politics/Social With a worldwide appreciation that 2017 was been a big year of political and social change, art depicting causes and matters of the time seems to be something that stands out. In a sense, a lot of art can be considered somewhat political, as it stands as a piece either to influence or influenced. Art has a special way of connecting to us, giving us space to interpret and appreciate it in whatever way our past experiences or views tell us, hence why Art is so often a topic of debate. Being such a broad spectrum, naturally these topics pop up in many different styles. Whether an artist makes a subtle nod to something you care about or throws it out there in a bold striking piece, incorporating ‘art that matters’ is certainly a trend of the moment. Art and Posters depicting or in the style of Past Eras can be a great addition to office areas or kitchens Past Era’s While minimalism, abstract and surrealism have all had their time in the spotlight, it appears that references to past eras are creeping their way back into our homes. From antique furniture to authentic persian rugs, pre-loved items are becoming cherished staples in our homes. The good news for up and coming artists is that, according to trend, people aren’t turned off by ‘re-constructions’ and ‘inspired-by’ pieces that are strongly influenced by previous, even ancient design periods. Some of the most popular movements being used today, and ones to look our for include 15th and 16th century oil painting, art deco and 50’s and 60’s pop art. Japan Influences from Japan, seem to be absolutely everywhere. From restaurants to fashion, interior design to Art, we just can’t seem to get enough. Japan is a country with a charming and multifaceted culture, holding onto traditions dating back thousands of years. With a huge appreciation of the nature around them, many highly valued Japanese symbols are derived from what’s around them; cherry blossom, carp fish, waves, tigers and mystical dragons. Many of the most praised interior design editors incorporate Japanese imagery into their designs such as the silk wallpapers by De Gourney. Artistic characteristics include bursts of delicate colour, textured canvases, elements of gold, as well as one of their most recognisable styles, ink wash painting. The art world is evolving around us and with endless styles and eras to choose from, research and exploration can open doors to art we might never have considered before. Trends certainly come and go and keeping one eye on them can be helpful in knowing whats available and exciting at the moment. For galleryfy.com By Beatrice Holland

  We’ve all been there; having just moved into your new penthouse apartment in the heart of Chelsea, you try to fathom which drapes would compliment the shark suspended in a 12ft formaldehyde tank you purchased last week from Sotheby’s. Ok, perhaps not everyone…. but the problem of ensuring your favourite piece of Art does not look out of place in your home is actually much more common. When starting from scratch, many designers will start with the Art to get the pallet for the room. In the 3rd of 5 guest posts from Beatrice Holland, Beatrice gives some excellent guidance around this very issue. rather than seeing this as an issue, starting with the art first can be a fantastic opportunity. Art plays a major role in the process of designing any space. It has the power to set the colour scheme, change the mood or even act as the focal point of the room. Interior designers are often met with the challenge of incorporating their clients art collection into their interior design scheme, in a way that compliments the painting yet sits harmoniously within the design of the room. Many interior designers, often when starting out, select some key art pieces before even beginning on the interior design scheme and this allows them to ensure a balanced and coordinated final outcome. So, when introducing a new piece of art into your home, you want to find a coordinated middle ground, where the art compliments the room and the room compliments the art, here are some things to consider when finding that balance; Colour   Colour theory is a key topic in the study of interior design and it’s only until you’re faced with the challenge of introducing art to a space that you realise why. Going back to basics, we know that colour can often play a major role in an optical illusion and that’s because our perception of colour is affected by the colours and tones surrounding it. It’s important to carefully consider the colours you’re choosing to surround your art with, because it can transform the way you and others see it.   Something I often recommend is keeping a neutral wall behind a multi toned, multi coloured piece, off white, creamy greys are all good options, you can dare to go a little bolder with your wall paints if your art has a neutral or single toned theme. A way to highlight a certain colour in a piece is to take it and use it for accent cushions on a sofa or accessories in a kitchen or study, it’s also possible to pick a more neutral colour from your piece and use to it to paint on things such as kitchen cabinets or mirrors. Trial and error is key so taking home colour cards from your local paint shop is one of the best ways to start and gradually start picking out the colours you want to use and compliment it with the styling you surround it with. Theme   After colour, theme is another key factor to consider when arranging your interior space according to your new art piece. For example, something such as a landscape water-colour might have a clear theme of serenity and calmness so it’s important to carry that through in your decor and styling. Using fabrics and accessories is a great way to continue a theme. Another example could be something much more minimalist, this allows you to play with textured fabrics, patterns and rugs to act as contrast against these pieces while using simple styling and accessories to continue the minimalist theme. There are so many great ways to pull themes and textures from a piece of art and present them in various styling accents. Lighting, rugs, upholstery, styling accessories, candles, fresh flowers, woods and fabrics, they’re all there to act as non permanent ways of incorporating your piece into your home seamlessly while giving you the freedom to evolve with your art collection. By Beatrice Holland For galleryfy.com