LESSONS IN BOHO STYLE
by Claire Bingham
Crafty, eclectic, and earthy: we’re familiar with the heavy hitters of bohemian fashion—fringes, floral prints, patchwork, crochet—all of these classic handicrafts and homespun fabrics and patterns of paisley. The antithesis of minimal design, there is much to like about the bohemian approach to decorating the home, but first and foremost, it’s birthed from the desire for a creative, non-conventional life.
From globally chic interiors to free-spirited artists’ homes, these comfortable spaces clad in sumptuous fabrics are characterized by a well-traveled, carefree, and cultivated eye. Sensual and visually appealing, boho has an innate decadence. If you fantasized about how to decorate your dream hacienda, you would be right on target.
CREATIVE SPIRIT
Known for his modern Balearic vibe, fashion and homewares designer Matthew Williamson sums up his bohemian style as a rustic decadence. “This may sound like a contradiction, yet it perfectly represents my love of mixing jewel colors, contrasting textures, patinated surface finishes and antique pieces to enliven interiors with an unexpected mix,” he says. “Despite the infusion of electric hues and bold flourishes, the result is calming and lived-in, yet elevated and considered.”
“My bohemian style comes from having no rules and going for items, colors, and patterns that I’m naturally drawn to,” Matthew continues. For him, gut feelings play a big part when designing a space. “One of the most important elements of achieving a unique, special place to call home is filling its rooms with beautiful things. I believe that the world of antiques and vintage can unlock new potential for the home; an undiscovered personality that will reflect its owners’ unique lives, passions, humor, and style. As much as a home needs to be a relaxing sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the world, it also needs to be a physical manifestation of the person you are. It needs to be as unique as you are.”
Out with clean white spaces, in with colors, fabrics, mementoes and artworks that have a personal significance and express our taste in the home. Plus, it’s nice to be surrounded by things we love. The look of a cluttered interior is a situation, especially through social media, where we can display our life online and look interesting. And we all want that, don’t we?
BORN ROMANTIC
Sera Hersham-Loftus, another designer channeling her expertise in bohemian glamour, is a queen of over-thetop boho style; her west London home is a glorious assault on the senses. Her sartorial style demonstrates an
In rooms full of color, create harmony alongside excitement by keeping tones to one note. This way, objects and plants can be displayed in abundance. It’s a good idea to start with a statement piece, such as a specimen plant, or a large vase of flowers or branches, to set the scene and build your collection around it.
In von Farbe dominierten Räumen erzeugen Sie Harmonie, indem Sie innerhalb eines Farbtons bleiben. So kommen Objekte und Pflanzen am besten zur Geltung. Gehen Sie am besten von einem Statement Piece wie zum Beispiel einer besonderen Pflanze oder Blumenvase aus und setzen Sie die anderen Teile in Beziehung dazu.
There are no rules when it comes to bohemian decorating choices. If you mix styles and eras together, it becomes something different and new. Here, the choice of a traditional Delft-inspired tile used as a splashback doesn’t mean a Shaker-style kitchen needs to follow. Instead, the tile motif has inspired the color scheme for the cabinets—amped up in cobalt blue.
Das Boho-Design kennt keine festen Regeln. Aus einem Mix von Stilen und Epochen entsteht etwas aufregendes Neues. Die Wahl einer Spritzwand aus traditionellen Delfter Kacheln bedeutet nicht notwendigerweise, dass die ganze Küche einen Country-Look haben muss. Hier diente das Kachelmotiv lediglich als Inspiration für die Farbe der Küchenfront – Kobaltblau.
TESS NEWALL
Tess Newall is a decorative artist who creates bespoke murals and furniture reminiscent of traditional folk decoration. She merges hand-painting with other techniques such as stenciling in her work to create Bloomsbury-inspired wonderlands. Her daughter’s bedroom is a dreamy mix of gingham and florals, showcasing Tess’s Secret Garden wallpaper with a woven rattan bedside table and bobbin-turned beds made by her husband Alfred Newall.
“I aim to capture an artisanal feel in the pieces I create. I have been told that they evoke a sense of old-fashioned charm,” Tess explains. “I think a bohemian interior implies one that has evolved organically, involving an eclectic collection of objects and things which hold meaning to the people who live with them. It should feel relaxed and
unpretentious, genuinely lived in and wholly unphased by passing trends. There is also perfection in imperfection; quirks of a house such as uneven floors and wonky beams add to its character in my eyes and should be celebrated.”
Tess Newall ist eine Deko-Künstlerin, die Wandbilder auf Bestellung malt und Möbel entwirft, die an traditionelle Volkskunst erinnern. Sie verbindet konventionelle Malerei mit anderen Techniken wie Schablonenmalen, um vom Bloomsbury Style inspirierte Wunderwelten zu kreieren. Das Zimmer ihrer Tochter ist ein verträumter Mix aus Gingham-Karo und floralen Mustern. Besonders ins Auge fällt Tess‘ Tapete „Secret Garden“, davor stehen ein Rattan-Nachttisch und Betten mit Spindelpfosten, die ihr Ehemann Alfred kreiert hat.
Bohemian chic is considered the epitome of an unconventional and free-spirited lifestyle: a colorful, playful mix-and-match look meets reduced earthy tones, unique flea market finds or exotic travel souvenirs. Far removed from clean interiors, Bohemian Style exudes real character—and thus casts a spell over interior enthusiasts all over the world. BohoStyle is for all those who want to bring their inner hippie to life.
Der Bohemian Chic gilt als Inbegriff der unkonventionellen und freigeistlichen Lebensart: Ein bunter, verspielter Mix-and-Match-Look trifft auf reduzierte Erdtöne, einzigartige Flohmarktfunde oder exotische Reisesouvenirs. Fernab minimalistisch-cleaner Interieurs versprüht der Boho-Stil echten Charakter – und zieht damit Interior-Enthusiasten auf der ganzen Welt in seinen Bann. Boho Style richtet sich dabei an alle, die ihren inneren Hippie zum Leben erwecken wollen.
