LONDON, November 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
2012 was a record year for home design exhibitions, with tens of thousands of Brits visiting shows such as Grand Designs Live in Birmingham's NEC and other trendy home shows. And with the exhibitions showcasing the crème de la crème of international home design, it's easy to see why they are ever growing in popularity among the increasingly style-conscious British public.
Below are our top home design tips picked up during this year's shows.
1. Danish designers are leading the pack
2012's hottest interior design show was HOME. Given HOME's Danish roots, it seems clear that this small Nordic country is blazing the trail in interior design. The clean geometric patterns and fresh colours, repeated over cushions and throws, are the perfect way to update tired décor - and at a relatively low cost too. The retro-meets-modern look is very current, and is stylish whilst at the same time offering the functionality people expect from Nordic design.
2. Best of British
Following the excitement of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June, and the London Olympics and Paralympics this summer, 'cool Britannia' is having a real design moment. At this year's shows, union jack and 'wartime-chic' styles were everywhere, and are a great way to give homes a really contemporary feel.
3. The 1970s
With so much iconic design having taken place in the '70s, this is an era that's bound to come around again and again (think how popular shag pile rugs still are). The huge numbers of wallpaper manufacturers exhibiting bold, psychedelic prints and designs at this year's design shows tells us that once again this decade is having a moment. Home-owners need to be careful though, as getting this look right is a fine tightrope walk between cool contemporary and tasteless tack, and so It is necessary to construct rooms carefully. A great way to keep the look modern is with a classic home-interior staple, such as a corner sofa from CSL. That way, homeowners give a nod to fashion in the form of wallpaper or cushions, whilst knowing that they have invested in a design classic which will stand the test of many seasons to come.
With so much to be learned from these shows, it would be a shame for interior design enthusiasts to miss out next year. The Grand Designs Live Show will be held between 11 and 13 May 2013 at the Excel Centre in London's Docklands. Home will be held between 13 and 15 January 2013 in the Earls Court Arena.
CSL are specialists in your perfect sofa. For more information on the full range of sofas on offer please visit: http://www.csl-sofas.co.uk/ or walk into one of our sofa stores:
Blackpool Sofa Store
Oxford Square
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 4DP
Sophie Spencer
Sophie.Spencer@csl-furniture.co.uk
+44(0)1942-296472
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