INTERIORS

Swinging

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There will be those among you that sigh at the thought of the emergence of regurgitated schemes from decades past, but with the current mindset being to reuse and recycle it’s likely that many of us will have a cherished, nostalgic piece or two linking us back to those times. Such pieces could no doubt benefit from being integrated into a modern interpretation of bygone designs.

From flat pack furniture to space age materials, ‘60s interiors were filled with reflective surfaces, organic shapes and modular elements. Pop artists such as Andy Warhol and fashion designers like Mary Quant heavily influenced design trends throughout the era. Metal, glass, wood and PVC all became popular with furniture designers, and fabrics featured eye-popping colours in paisley swirls and psychedelic prints.

The cultural revolution of the ‘60s inspired individuals to move away from the softer aesthetic of the 1950s and become braver by embracing individuality. Where the 1950s had a ‘one size fits all approach’, the 1960s was all about self-expression through art, music, fashion and interior design.

Typical paint colours of the 1960s were green, yellow, pink and orange, in hues ranging from muted pastels to bright pop art statement tones. Mostly, it’s the eye-popping lime greens, magenta and tangerine that are remembered from the period.

Rosie Kinsella Interior Designer 01604 751262 www.millsandkinsella.com

60’s

The best place to access current day versions is Little Greene’s ‘1960s Paint’ range. Little Greene describes their selection of colours as a reaction against the austerity of the period following World War II, when modern methods of pigmentation led to a revolution in what colours were available. From Dorchester Pink to the iconic Hicks Blue, Little Greene’s collection accurately reflects the pop revolution of the time.

As a self-confessed wallpaper fanatic, the ‘60s as a design period has been highly motivating and inspirational to me. Wallpaper was used on almost every surface, from walls to ceilings to furniture. It was everywhere, and though the decades in between have seen a reaction against its use, wallpaper is now well and truly back. With almost unlimited choice in terms of pattern and colour, vinyl-based papers are bathroom and kitchen friendly, ‘paste the wall’ papers enable much easier hanging and self-adhesive papers are cleaner and quicker to install and remove; no wood chip challenges here!

Carpets were another key element of the ‘60s decade. Homeowners were keen to have a luxury feel under foot with many choosing shag pile rugs and sumptuous and heavily patterned carpets. Until the early 1960s, wall to wall carpets were considered a high-priced, luxury item, solely in reach of the more well-to-do. However,

the introduction of manmade fibres and improvements in production technology, made carpet more affordable and within reach of the many. Carpets became popular in every home and were even introduced into kitchens and bathrooms - one trend I don’t imagine re-emerging any time soon. But patterned carpets are being seen again in living rooms, family rooms, offices and on stairs. Interesting rugs make a striking focal point beneath furniture arrangements

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and can highlight otherwise overlooked areas within a room. For hand tufted and hand knotted rugs, William Yeoward has a stunning collection. Alternatively, Romo and Villa Nova have a range created in collaboration with renowned rug makers Louis de Poortere. Harlequin, Sanderson, Scion, and Designers Guild also supply rugs. There’s hardly a fabric you can buy that doesn’t have a rug to co-ordinate with it!

If you like the idea of making a change and introducing some ‘60s styling but are on a limited budget, then choose accessories as a way to dress up your space without breaking the bank. Whether you source a record player, drinks trolley, kitchen appliance, clock or vase, adding some ‘60s accessories or a quirky art print can create a perfect centrepiece.

The swinging 1960s was a high point for British interior design. Linked to popular culture and fashion it appealed to the younger generation and inspired homeowners to become more daring and adventurous. This spirit continues today with personality and individuality becoming ever more accepted, embraced and encouraged. Our homes should reflect who we are, no matter how loud, how impactful, or how bright we shine.

Portraits of the Queen

with a difference!

Happy Platinum Jubilee to Her Majesty! In her 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II has been captured across media like no other royal - on film, in print and on canvas. Did you know the Queen sits for four official portraits every year? (That is a lot of sitting still).

Since the 1970s, artists have broken away from the traditional portrait painting, placing her image from pre-existing photographs in a pop or urban art context as a popular icon rather than esteemed monarch.

Perhaps the most famous subversive images are artist Jamie Reid’s design for the Sex

Pistols’ single God Save the Queen and Pop Art legend Andy Warhol’s screenprints, released during the Silver Jubilee in 1977. In a surprising twist, the Queen actually owns copies of

Warhol’s portrait of her and they are currently in the Royal Art Collection – maybe her tastes are not as traditional as you might think?

To mark this very special anniversary, here is a highlight of contemporary artists following in

Warhol’s footsteps, portraying Her Majesty in a very different light.

Dan Pearce is one of the UK’s most talked about contemporary artists. His work uses familiar images of famous faces or brands which he presents in a playful, thoughtprovoking way. Dan uses innovative mixed media techniques which are described as a

“controlled explosion of energy, colour and texture” incorporating smashed glass and other unexpected objects. His latest portrait of the Queen, titled “World Class”, depicts her on a 1st Class stamp as part monarch, part soldier, perhaps in reference to her legendary calm demeanour through multiple crises.

Paul Normansell’s art is created by individually painting dots – all applied freehand using a fine brush - in high gloss enamel paint onto sheet aluminium; this meticulous process creates a flawless reflective quality as if looking at a glossy magazine. In what is surely bad news for his back, Paul has to paint on a canvas that is permanently horizontal until it dries because due to the materials used, if he places the canvas upright on a traditional easel, gravity causes the paint to run. Paul’s amazing results have been rewarded with global acclaim and high profile assignments including an album cover for The Killers. This image is titled “Happy and Glorious”.

Dylan Izaak is a true original, with an instantly recognisable whimsical style which is full of personality and unlike anything else on the contemporary scene. Dylan recently released a series of editions that are a playful tribute to the royals, London and the British sense of humour – including a cool dancing Queen.

Tom Butler uses mixed media to create stunning cityscapes in the form of newspaper cuttings – always hiding some surprising and humorous headlines in the artwork. To mark the Jubilee he has created this fun tribute to the royals, including the Queen waving to the crowd in an open top black cab in a Union Jack top hat, flanked by her corgis of course.

Celine Lee Gallery Correspondent www.therosegallery.co.uk