Monday, 26 January 2015

New for 2015

What's New for 2015?

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to be looking at what those in the know predict to be new interior trends for 2015 and what we at Oxala think will be popular over the coming months.


But who are those in the know? Who decides what will be in vogue from year to year? I hear you ask. Well this is determined by a multitude of factors. There are the designers and the manufacturers but also world current events, economics, political and scientific issues as well as social factors, even down to popular TV shows and internet trends. For example the last few years has seen as huge surge in all things Edwardian, thanks to the popularity of programs like Downton Abbey.


New lines and designs are exhibited at trade fairs such as London Design Festival and Maison & Objet in Paris which provide an insight and creative inspiration for Interior Designers and those in the design trades. This year's Maison & Objet exhibition is happening right now so hopefully I will be able to bring all the news in the next couple of weeks.


But for now, here are a few of the Oxala team's early predictions...


1. Natural Textures


We believe that wood and metal furniture and accessories will be huge in 2015. Particularly, the Industrial Chic style. Originating from the loft apartments of New York, this urban, rustic look has been gradually making it's way over the pond seeping it's way into our British homes. I love this trend and am looking forward to writing much more about it in future weeks.  



2. Colour


Move over all-white interiors and hello splashes of colour.


The Pantone colour for 2015 is Marsala, based on the fortified wine this reddy-brown is a warm, sophisticated hue that not only looks great on it's own but also compliments lots of other colours, in fact more than you would originally think. Classic neutrals are timeless but we think 2015 will also see an explosion of colour from Marsala to Mediterranean blues. These lovely ladies certainly seem to like Marsala anyway.











3. Shabby Chic

Already extremely popular, this easy to put together look is a trend that has no visible end. It is a timeless classic that can be created on any budget. Oxala has seen a continuous growth in it's Shabby Chic sales and because these pieces are quality made they will stand the test of time for years to come. If you want to read more about the world of Shabby Chic see my previous blog. 


4. Potenza Chairs - The Rise of The Chair


Recently Oxala has seen the growth in popularity of the Potenza chair and I predict that this will continue to grow in 2015. 

The Italian design - believed to been inspired by a throne - is fabulous and funky and wonderfully contemporary. This high-backed luxury chair is quirky yet still practical.

Ok, so they may not be the ideal chair for lounging in front of the TV but that is not their purpose. Of course they are usable, comfortable chairs, but they are also a statement piece, and the chair your guests would not only want to sit on but talk about. Perfect for your living room, bedroom and dressing room, their slim design would even be perfect for a hallway, adding a fabulous first impression to any home.

Either left or right handed, the Potenza chair can fit into any space or even work well as a pair. Handmade in a choice of fabrics, your Potenza chair can be as individual as you are. Maybe you want to show your wild side with funky animal print, add decadence with luxurious crushed velvet or favour fanciful florals.




For those who don't have the space for the tall backed Potenza chair, Oxala also holds a selection of small backed Potenzas. These petite Potenzas still have the left or right arm options and come in classic black or daring red.

To see more of our selection of our products including Potenza chairs follow the link below...


https://www.oxala.co.uk/

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

What is your style?


Welcome to the Oxala Interiors brand new blog!

The team at Oxala.co.uk are passionate about all things to do with interiors. Interior Design, furniture, accessories, you name it, we love it and this blog has been established so we can indulge our passion to talk about just that with like-minded people, just like you.

Over the following weeks we will be talking about what’s new in interior design, must have furniture and accessories, as well as use of colour, significant period styles and contemporary looks, plus storage solutions, budget buying, lighting, textiles and a whole lot more.

We can't all afford to update our homes every year according to the latest interior design trends but by just buying one piece of furniture or a few new accessories such as a new lamp, coffee table or even a couple of cushions you can unleash new life into any room.

If you think Interior Design is just for the rich and famous in their Marbella mansions, think again. Interior design has been around for centuries, since man decided to paint on the inside wall of his cave and thought ‘ooh that looks nice’. Whatever your budget, there will be a design to suit, it’s all about finding your style.

Alhambra 3 seat sofa

So what is your style?

Already know you're style? Maybe you’re a retro freak, a Deco diva or just nuts about Shabby Chic. Oxala has plenty of fabulous things to offer with something to suit everyone. If you have a style that you would like to see more of or particular product you've been searching for, let us know and we'll see if we can help.

Think you don't have a style? I beg to differ. The very fact that you’re reading this page suggests you do, style and clearly very good taste. Your style doesn’t have to have a label, it could be your favourite colour, a passion for storage or even a lust for lamps. Mix your styles, style each room differently or even mix and match within the same space. Even if you don’t know what you do like, I bet you know what you don't.

The Oxala blog is here to get your style juices flowing by offering the low down on all things interiors and hopefully providing inspiration for you and your home. We believe that in Interior Design there should be no hard and fast rules. If you like it, do it! If you love it buy it! 
Industrial Chic shoe cabinet

At Oxala.co.uk we endeavour to offer a fabulous range of furniture and accessories to suit any taste.  We are constantly adding new products and searching out new designs and designers to add to our range. To see what we have to offer or for more information follow the link below....


Monday, 19 January 2015

La Jardin Rustic Shabby Chic Charm

Adding some charm and character to your interior design has never been easier of late with some fabulous character and shabby chic rustic antiqued furniture and accessory pieces readily available to buy online.

Distressed furniture


Modern distressing techniques and materials have lead to a massive growth in popularity of character furniture including the ever popular Shabby Chic which is a style whereby the piece is aged carefully with a process of purpose made paints and "weathering" to achieve an older, more character rich item.
When done professionally the antiqued piece to the untrained eye is identical to vintage originals yet a lot less expensive. This has helped grow the style since the 1980's to where it is today and set it apart from the stricter, linear, designer pieces thereby creating two distinct markets for the industry.

Original antique or purpose built?


Of course you cannot beat an original piece but they are few and far between plus they can be very expensive as such items are often antique so buying antique replica furniture in weathered, shabby chic, vintaged or rustic styles and finishes is often the best way forward for bringing some instant style and charm to your home interior.
As we discussed earlier in our Blog the terms Shabby Chic originated in Great Britain during the 1980's and has spawned a myriad of sub styles from colonial to regency through to the ornate oriental and the extremely popular Louis 16th French styles. Most of us term any deliberately made vintaged furniture as Shabby Chic but strictly it only really applies to the worn look that we associate with these character pieces.
Today - Shabby Chic - has never been more popular and the range of household accessories and furniture "Shabbied" to very high standards is quite amazing so there's something out there for anyone wanting to add character and charm to their home without breaking the bank for antiques. Of course up-cycling is always a fantastic idea and we love it but many of us do not posses skills or finance to set up our own workshop let alone buying an original piece to start with so here at Oxala we provide the whole Shabby Chic package in one purchase at competitive prices.
Our new range of La Jardin is a beautifully crossed rustic/shabby range of furniture. Each piece sports a painted motif of flowers to add some rustic farmhouse charm. Beautifully built and finished these pieces represent excellent value for money too - Have a look (Opens a new window)- https://www.oxala.co.uk/doc/results/la-jardin

What is Shabby Chic?

Just like you, here at Oxala we are mad on all things Shabby Chic but where did the style originate from and why is it so popular?

Here is the Oxala guide to all things Shabby Chic

The term originated in Great Britain in the 1980s and reflects the classic furniture found in large country houses that has been weathered or tarnished over time. Shabby chic has a faded elegance, a lived-in look and the feeling of being well-used and well-loved. This vintage style also gives more than a nod to the rustic French country cottage, light, sunny and occasionally with a hint of whimsical chintz.

Shabby chic colours

Colours are generally varying shades of white, creams, pinks and pale pastels of duck-egg blues and faded greens. Painted wooden furniture is often decorated in faded flowers, pretty swags or darling cherubs and are paired with pretty fabrics made of linen or ticking providing the finishing touches to the country cottage look. The result is a stunning home that is clean and bright with a feminine look and a hint of romance that is charmingly welcoming and homely.
The current upcycling trend has jumped onboard the Shabby Chic train and people all over the country can be found sanding, painting and distressing junkyard finds and granny's old furniture.
If do-it-yourself is not for you, here at Oxala we have a fabulous range of ready made Shabby Chic furniture and accessories just waiting to brighten up your home. Although brand new and made to a high quality, our pieces look every bit the real thing and there's something for every room in the house from glorious Shabby Chic beds and bedroom furniture, to kitchen dressers and storage boxes. Complimentary accessories such as our pretty ornate birdcages and candle holders will add the perfect finishing touch to any scheme. To give your home the Shabby Chic look check out our superb range by following the link below...
https://www.oxala.co.uk/doc/results/shabby - Opens a new browser window...