Summer Solstice Style

Mon 20 Jun 2016 James Nuttall

summer

The longest day is here, once again. Today (20th June) marks this year’s Summer Solstice, the day that signals the official start of summer.

Here at Roman Blinds Direct, we are bestowing yet more fabulous room inspiration upon you, with the help of some interior design experts, to give you some great room design ideas that will give your home those summer vibes – showcasing, of course, some of our sunniest roman blinds!

line

[ezcol_1half] TROPICAL

Summer is a time of fun and frivolity, and this should be reflected in your interior, which is why we are urging you to give your home a tropical twist this season. Tropical is hugely topical this summer; the bold and vibrant colours used in this type of interior design effortlessly generate a sunny theme in even the dankest of decors. Sonia Mundley of Yellow Book Interiors confirms Tropical as a trend for 2016: “Popular this summer are the taste for exotic interior schemes with the use of Jungle inspired prints featuring bright greens, hot pinks and lush foliage. Botanicals are strong seasonal look and can be easily found on fabrics and wallcoverings. Mixed with bold, clashing colours, vibrant patterns and natural materials

“Mix with bold clashing colours, vibrant patterns and natural materials such as animal prints, retro rattans and natural bamboo. If this theme feels a bit too daring for your home, how about dressing your outdoor space with some of these colours and materials and lend a tropical twist to your summer entertaining. If this theme seems familiar, well that is no surprise as this is the year of collaboration between the worlds of fashion and interiors. Ideas from the catwalk have been translated into collections with which to dress your home.”

For your roman blinds, our various fabric designers each supply beautifully diverse and vibrant prints that are ideal for giving a tropical tang to your home, all of which can be found in our current Spring – Summer Collection. Fryetts Funchal Indigo adds a real jungle ambience to an interior; this artistic and bold pattern refuses to be ignored, helping to take your decor back to nature in the most colourful yet tasteful way possible. In contrast, iLiv Paradiso Fuchsia lends a more feminine lilt to the Tropical theme, replacing the deep sea blues of Fryetts Funchal Indigo with pretty pinks and lighter greens.

If you prefer something a little more subtle, our interior stylists at Roman Blinds Direct would point you in the direction of Clarke & Clarke’s ultra-chic Fougeres Citrus roman blind, which will zest up your home with a classic elegance that cannot be rivalled. Wayfair’s interior design blogger Penny Alexander also agrees, and has added her own insight into the Tropical trend: “Leaves and foliage are a blooming trend this summer. Research shows being in nature makes us happier, reduces stress and tension and increases our ability to concentrate and to connect with others. Bringing the outside in is more than a trend, it’s a way of life.”[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]
Tropicaltropicalpallette[/ezcol_1half_end]

 

line

 

[ezcol_1half]brazilianbraziliana-pallette[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]BRAZILIAN

Another style, not dissimilar to Tropical that is currently making fashion headlines, is Brazilian. This trend incorporates a wide and shameless use of lively colours, such as orange and lime green, which are perfect for adding an optimistic and celebratory feel to a room – ideal for summer!

Sonia Mundley has also recognised the correlation between Tropical and Brazilian styles: “The Brazilian theme also uses a saturated colour palette of oranges, purples and greens celebrating the vibrant flora and fauna of the Jungle. With accessories, brass and gold accents are still dominate pared with natural materials such as marble and wood. If you wish to really bring the outdoors in, then plants such as cacti, succulents and palms offer a low maintenance way of bringing greenery into your home.”

Geometric prints are featured heavily within Brazilian room inspiration, from your blinds to your artwork, helping to create the illusion of space thanks to the dazzling intricacies of the patterns. Rugs that include geometric patterns, along with artwork for the walls, will make for a jazzy and engaging motif that brings real personality. Clarke & Clarke Izapa Indigo is just one of the intriguing Brazilian-themed patterns in our vast collection of roman blinds. Despite its cooling properties, indigo is a hot colour for 2016. Incorporating diamond patterns of various sizes, this is a truly unique pattern that will add a postmodern work of art to any decor. One pattern that is simpler, but nonetheless effective, is Prestigious Como Aquamarine. This sumptuous green fabric features a geometric pattern which is not quite as complex as Izapa Indigo’s design, but is just as intriguing to behold. The tessellated squares in varying shades of green work to create a calm and euphoric aesthetic that looks stylish and peaceful in any room in the home.

Although, who needs euphoria when you can fashion a fiesta in an interior? For the braver and bolder among you, Prestigious Zodiac Tangerine may be more up your street; this dazzling print is overtly summery and promises to pack a sunny punch in any home, giving you an instant focal point to build a vibrant ambience around. [/ezcol_1half_end]

line

[ezcol_1half]PANTONE

Cooler, gentler shades also have their place in a summery decor, particularly if those shades happen to be part of the 2016 colour palette. Roz Fairburn of Superior Surfaces has noticed this trend appearing in what their customers are currently purchasing: “There seems to be a couple of colour trends at the moment which have proven to be popular. One is for very plain, light colours like pale greys, or even shades similar to the Pantone colour of the year; Rose Quarts and Serenity. The other is for colours which have lots of veins running throughout in marble effect.” You’ve probably already read our in-depth articles on how to incorporate both Rose Quartz and Serenity into your decor as part of our 2016 Colour Report series! Needless to say, we recommend the highly sought after Studio G Moorland Denim roman blind to complement a Serenity decor and perhaps a Prestigious Bromley Dusky Rose blind for Rose Quarts interiors – both fabrics include chic patterns in soft colours to create an airy and weightless summery room.[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]pantonepantonepallette[/ezcol_1half_end]

line

[ezcol_1half]floralfloralpallette[/ezcol_1half][ezcol_1half_end]
FLORAL

Last but certainly not least, floral patterns make for one of the most timeless additions to the home, acting as evergreens throughout the year but taking on a special significance in the summer months. Floral fabrics are second nature to us at Roman Blinds Direct thanks to the wide selection of floral patterns our designers bestow upon us. With this in mind, we have picked three eclectic patterns for this article to give you some flowery room design ideas, beginning with Fryetts Carmen Blackberry. Watercolour prints provide endless class and beauty to a room, and this roman blind promises nothing but chic sophistication that will elevate your decor to a higher plane of style. Fryetts Constance Chintz is a more classic design which incorporates softer colours to fashion an uplifting yet tasteful pattern. A real favourite with customers, thanks to the energetic yet understated grace of the pattern, is Fryetts Renaissance Duck Egg. This vintage pattern adds a classic French feel, incorporating a stylish mix of flowers and birds into the print. Duck Egg is a gentle shade of blue that soothes your decor into a tranquil state of sophistication. A set of matching cushions would act as the perfect complement to a Classic French decor.[/ezcol_1half_end]

line

Be sure to keep an eye on our Inspiration page for more room design ideas, soon!

Have you taken our advice and tried out any of these styles for yourself? Be sure to let us know! You can even send us a snap via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.