Thursday 7 March 2013

Deeply Dippy

Last week I assisted the ever lovely Alison of KBB magazine on a shoot for the shopping pages of the May issue, showcasing products designed around the increasingly popular trend for ombre and dip dye.
If this conjures up images of Spanish men with dodgy, two-tone hair then let me enlighten you.
Ombre is not a crude English corruption of the Spanish 'hombre' but a French word meaning 'shadow' or 'shade'. In an artistic sense it can be used to describe a kind of gradient effect, where one colour is used tonally, from light to dark. 
It was a dominant theme among fashion's Spring/Summer 2013 catwalks and has quickly transcended in to the interiors market, where Designers Guild are leading the charge with their 'Saraille' range of wallpapers and fabric.

'Saraille' wallpaper in Cobalt, Designers Guild
But it's not just reserved for walls and soft furnishing: Ercol have even ombre-d up their originals Love Seat (available from Nest).

Dip dye is exactly what is says on the tin.  You may have seen Kirstie Allsopp dip dying wicker baskets in her series Kirstie's Vintage Home, an easy and cheap way to bring the trend in to your home. Or, if you're wondering what to do with those left over tester pots, try dipping empty milk bottles or jam jars in to the paint to create a pretty bud vase.
Although I was never really a fan of this technique my eyes were opened to some beautiful products on the shoot, and one in particular that stood out was the stool pictured below.

So, back to the shoot. 
Stool 102B, Alp
As we're still not quite in to Spring proper and the light continues to fade around 5pm it was another early start on a reasonably chilly morning.  Upon the arrival of the van loaded with products, the unpacking frenzy began and the immaculate white living room of the house in Tulse Hill soon resembled a moving day nightmare.  
The rest of the place, however, provided a perfectly muted backdrop for some cracking products.  Decorated to perfection along a theme of what I would call modern rustic (a slight oxymoron, I know, but design is kooky like that),  I'm not exaggerating when I say the kitchen-diner is possibly the most beautiful I've ever had the pleasure of walking in to. With white marble worktops, lime washed herringbone wood flooring and white aga, I felt like I'd died and gone to interiors heaven!  

The heavenly dining area
With such a specific theme, the colour palette of the products selected to shoot was limited to the hue of the moment - inky blues - and the results are somewhat striking in their contrast.

For the finished article, shot by Sarah Hogan, see the May issue of Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine which will be hitting the shelves of all good newsagents next month.

Take a look, it'll be to dye for!


Behind the scenes...




The beautiful living room before....


....and after!


Some of the gorgeous china and glass vessels


Product of the day... 

I always like to choose a favourite item from each shoot and these win hands down. Looking like Cousin It's much prettier sisters, the luxurious Chiaro Scuro ottomans with dip dye fringing are from Spina and come as a set of three in cappuccino, marshmallow and soft aqua tones.





See you next time! 
Kx