I like to think my design philosophy for interiors focuses as much on how a space feels to be in as how it looks, if not more. And that means how it feels for you, not someone looking at your home on Instagram, a neighbour popping by with an opinion or a friend suggesting you this or that. ferm LIVING‘s Spring/Summer 2019 collection explores the meaning of home, suggesting it’s so much more than a place you pin on a map. Home for them is not something ideal, polished or perfect, but a thing that’s ever-evolving, with little quirks, contrasts and details that surprise and delight.
‘A good home to me may as well be the opposite to you. A home is personal, it is a collection of memories and the base for making new ones. A home is a dynamic and an ever-changing concept. And exploring the journey of making a home is the focal point of our Spring/Summer ’19 collection,’ says Trine Andersen, founder and Creative Director of ferm LIVING
The new collection takes us on a tour around the ferm LIVING home. Their vision is of a space that’s warm, inviting, comfortable and cocooning. I think it’s one of their most ‘on trend’ collections yet – there’s retro influences and Seventies inspiration, eclectic objects and a bit of kitsch, curved furniture and rounded shapes (curvy bulbous sofas are very in), even a bit of Maximalism, though always presented in a considered, thoughtful way. It’s challenging the viewpoint that Scandinavian interiors are clean, minimalist white boxes. The images here have been shot in a beautiful, wood-panelled home that juxtaposes a vintage style with the contemporary ferm LIVING designs. Let’s have a look around!
The hallway
First impressions are everything and the hallway sets the tone for the rest of the home. It helps create that feeling of coming home.
For Spring/Summer 2019, ferm LIVING has introduced the Pujo Coat Stand, a sculptural piece in black with a minimalist silhouette. There’s a trend at the moment for furniture that blurs the lines between sculpture, art and design. The new Place Bench, made of blackened steel, was designed as a piece of art in its own right, using an unbalanced composition and geometrical components. The Trace wall clock is simple and reduced to the bare essentials, with a browned steel face and two slender brass hands.
The bedroom
A bedroom needs to feel like a calm sanctuary, a place of tranquility and rest. It’s a place to recharge the batteries.
Some colours help you feel rested, others make you feel more alert and awake. You perhaps wouldn’t want to paint a whole bedroom red for instance, as connotations with danger, fire and anger might not lead to a good night’s sleep. My choice is always for pale neutral walls that give a peaceful feel to a space. You can then add elements of colour with bedding, cushions and art.
ferm LIVING’s Daze bedspread is beautifully soft and quilted, while their Shay Patchwork Blanket adds an element of bold colour blocking. Made of 100% organic cotton, it can be artfully thrown on the bed or hung on the wall to create a focal point in the bedroom.
The living room
The living room is perhaps where we can express our personalities the most, with treasured objects and favourite finds.
The new Rico series comprises a three- and four-seater sofa as well as an armchair, defined by a curved expression and smooth lines. The designs look ready to embrace you with their elegant, comfortable shape. They’ve been upholstered in an uneven boucle fabric that adds texture and a retro quality to the series.
In terms of lighting, the new Arum series should be noted. A quiet and elegant, timeless design, it’s made of a black marble base with a leaf-shaped lampshade. There’s a wall lamp, table lamp and floor lamp to choose from.
Personalise your home with unusual, quirky objects, such as the Shell Pot that gives the illusion of a one-off antique without going into the trouble of rummaging in a market and finding it. Heads up – swans and shells are in!
The kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place to play, experiment, cook and entertain.
The Mingle table is strong, solid and sturdy, with bold, angled legs. Pair with the the black pendants of the Collect lighting range. In terms of details, I love the curved Pond trivets in brass – inspired by moving water, they’re beautifully organic in shape. They’re useful (for placing hot pots and pans) and lovely to look at; almost like jewellery for your kitchen. The mouth-blown Ripple glass series – comprising carafes, long drink glasses, drinking glasses and champagne saucers – now come in a smoked version to add a wonderfully Seventies touch for entertaining guests.
The green space
Greenery breathes life and light into a space, whether it’s a kitchen shelf, and urban balcony or a verdant garden.
The Orb watering can in black has the look of a sculpture as well as a functional object to keep those plants alive. The new Hourglass Pot has caught my eye – a series of voluminous metal pots made of two upturned semi circles. Beautiful on its own or clustered together in a corner.
What do you think, does anything catch your eye? And tell me, what does home mean to you?
All images courtesy ferm LIVING
