This week we're talking Contemporary Scottish Interiors, just in time for Robert Burns' Night!
With such a colourful history and rich tradition, it's easy to pigeonhole Scottish themed interiors as old-hat, dated, and a little bit stuffy! Often, we quickly conjure images of bold red and green tartan carpets, boiled wool block sofas, and paintings of cattle.
'Caledonian Chic' puts an end to these stereotypes. Far from a gimmick, this emerging trend is a chic and contemporary expression of Scottish style and history, playing with heritage textiles and fabrics.
This contemporary interior movement is the perfect ode to Highland traditionalism which focusses on subtle details to create an incredibly stylish look with an essential Scottish edge.
With Rabbie Burns' night just around the corner, we thought there no better time than to get to the root of this trend and offer up our top hints and tips for going Scottish, without going stuffy.
Tasteful Tartan
Play with tartans and checks, varying size, scale and texture to add a sense of depth to the look. Pay close attention to your colour scheme, though. Choose a palette that you love, but that won't become overbearing quickly. You want the tartan to work as a subtle accent, not the defining feature of your room. Try opting for a tartan with neutral tones as a base (think beige, grey, or stone) that then introduce subtle accent colours and work these in across your room. It is possible to mix tartans if you're feeling brave! It takes a deft hand at textile mixing, though, so be sure to take a photograph (or a swatch) with you everytime you go shopping so you can be certain your tartans are going to compliment not clash!
A Sophisticated Palette
The key to bringing this trend to life is choosing a palette which is both sophisticated and unexpected. By steering clear of the more traditional tartan colours, like vibrant reds and greens, you create a juxtaposition which will add a high-level of design sophistication. Opt for a base palette of moody neutrals, such as stone or heather, and overlay these with pale blues, greens, and purples. If you're an interior magpie and crave a feature pop, try a bold turquoise feature wall or chair. Just keep a close eye that you're colour palette tones in with the palette in your tartan accents and accessories to pull the look together with grace.
Heritage Textiles
With this style, the devil really is in the details and it's the finishing touches that make or break the look. Play with heritage Scottish fabrics such as tweeds, wools, laces and cashmere to create textures which reference Scotlands natural and rugged history but in a luxurious and modern way. Play with lots of cushions and plush curtains. If you're feeling bold, maybe throw in a feature chair or sofa for good measure.
Authentic Accessories
Play with authentic accessories such as Scottish candles and artisan figurines of Scottish wildlife such as deer and otters. At this stage it can be easy to go too far and bring the stuffiness back in, so be very selective of the accessories you choose and make sure they are chic and make a subtle nod to Scottish heritage, but still ooze sophistication.
Don't forget your lighting! Well-placed accent lighting can make or break a good interior design, and here at Pagazzi we have the perfect additions for this must-have trend. Here are some of our favourite options for finishing your 'Caledonian Chic' interiors:
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| Harris Shetland Table Lamp | Apsley Table Lamp | Broughton Table Lamp |
The overall look should be homely and comfortable, with a classic sophistication. Playing with the right textiles and accessories creates an amazingly eclectic look, which blends old and new to give your Scottish interiors a wonderful contemporary update, easily on par with the most modern trends for 2017!
