Decorating Dictionary - Define Bouclé | via designmonarchy.co.za

Decorating Dictionary: Bouclé

February 17, 2021 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Bouclé is currently experiencing a trend revival. Here is the Saarinen Executive Chair upholstered in an off-white bouclé fabric. | source: Knoll via Instagram

This contemporary Bouclé fabric by Kirkby Design makes for an interesting, richly textured plain. | source: Kirkby Design via Facebook

What is the definition of Bouclé?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “bouclé” or “bouclé fabric” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Bouclé for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Bouclé: (from the French meaning “looped” or “curled”) is a rough textured fabric woven from looped fibre yarn of the same name. It is the coiled nature of the yarn that gives the textile its irregular knobbly or “slubby” appearance. The fabric is generally made from wool and mohair, although cotton, linen, silk, and in recent years, synthetic mixes, can also be used to create its distinctive look and feel. Bouclé’s versatile qualities and its durable, soft, and tactile nature made it was a popular fabric choice for both furniture and fashion designers in the Mid-century era of design (Eero Saarinen and Coco Chanel but to mention a few).

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Decorating Dictionary - Define Neutral Colour | via designmonarchy.co.za

Decorating Dictionary: Neutral

September 18, 2020September 18, 2020 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

This lovely living space contains a selection of neutral colours. The walls are painted in a lovely off-white which serves as a bright backdrop, while the fireplace features both warm and cool neutrals. | source: Ashley Thurman via Instagram

The “Grounded” colour palette by Dulux features beautiful neutrals with muted contemporary colour undertones. | source: Dulux NZ

What is the definition of Neutral?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “neutral“, “neutral colour“, or “neutral palette” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Neutral for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Neutral: In interiors, neutral colours serve as subtle background hues, which can easily be combined and layered with other bolder colours. While neutral tones are often mild and unoffensive, they are not necessarily devoid of colour. Most neutral colours have undertones of other colours in them. Traditional warm neutral shades include colours like taupe and beige while cooler neutrals have a slightly bluer undertone – these would be your greys and silvers. Neutrals can also vary from very light tones, such as white, to darker shades, such as charcoal.

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Decorating Dictionary: Define Barley Twist | via thedesigntabloid.com

Decorating Dictionary: Barley Twist

November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

An early 20th Century Oak side table with barley twist legs joined by barley twist stretchers for added strength. | source: 1stdibs

Keegan Robinson, of Lemon Drops Reclaimed, chose a sleek black paint finish for this vintage barley twist occasional table which gives it a striking contemporary edge. | source: Lemon Drops Reclaimed via Instagram

What is the definition of Barley Twist?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “Barley Twist“, “Barley Sugar Twist“, or “Barley Twist legs” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Barley Twist for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Barley Twist: is a turned furniture feature resembling a spiral corkscrew-like form named after “barley sugar twists”, a type of traditional sweet / candy. Hugely popular in the 17th century, the barley twist was often a favoured choice for furniture legs, struts and decorative furniture trims. This turned furniture feature was inspired by the ancient Solomonic column, a twist-fluted column frequently used in Eastern and Byzantine architecture of the Late Antiquity period. Another variation of this design feature is called an “open barley twist”, which has two intertwining twists and a hollow centre, similar in shape to that of a double helix.

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Decorating Dictionary: Define Nesting Tables | via thedesigntabloid.com

Decorating Dictionary: Nesting Tables

August 23, 2019August 23, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

An early 20th Century oak side table with barley twist legs joined by barley twist stretchers for added strength. | source: 1stdibs

Designed by Italian furniture designer Lucian Ercolani, the “354” nest, or rather the “Pebble” nest as it is affectionately known, is a Mid-century Modern classic. | source: The Salesroom

What is the definition of Nesting Tables?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “Nesting Tables“, “Nest of Tables“, or “Nested Tables” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Nesting Tables for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Nesting Tables: (also known as a “nest of tables” or “nested tables”) is a set of occasional tables varying in size in order that the smaller tables can neatly slot underneath the larger ones to save space when not in use. A set can consist of anything between two to four tables although a set of three is most common. Made popular during the Mid-century Modern era of furniture design, nesting tables are prized for their practicality and flexibility.

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Decorating Dictionary: Define Memphis Style

Decorating Dictionary: Memphis Style

May 14, 2019August 23, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

Drawing inspiration from mid-century design, the Ayva Nesting Table set pairs natural marble with gold-toned legs for a glamorous look. | source: Decor Pad

The lacquered wood and tubular steel “First” Chair designed by Michele de Lucchi and produced by the Memphis Group, Milano. | source: Sotheby’s Home

What is the definition of Memphis Style?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “Memphis Style” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define Memphis Style for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Memphis Style: is a postmodern movement pioneered by the Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture collective, in the 1980s. Inspired by earlier styles such as Pop Art, Art Deco, and 1950s Kitsch, Memphis Style has been described as “a shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price”. The somewhat bizarre and humorous style is known for its bold use of colour, abstract graphic patterns, and asymmetrical geometric shapes. The Memphis Group designed and exhibited many furniture pieces, decorative objects, and household items in this peculiar style. While Memphis Style was often seen as “bad taste” and misunderstood, the designs received much acclaim and had many admirers – David Bowie had a massive Memphis Style collection. In recent years, renewed interest in Memphis Style designs has resulted in a minor style revival both in the fashion and interiors sectors.

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Decorating Dictionary: Shagreen

May 7, 2019August 23, 2019 Design MonarchyLeave a comment

This classic jewellery box has an embossed emerald green shagreen exterior trimmed with brass and lined in suede. A glamorous and functional addition to a well-appointed dressing table. | source: Sotherby’s Home

This chest of drawers is crafted from poplar wrapped in richly pebbled, faux off-white shagreen – a true ode to Art Deco styling. | source: Dear Keaton

What is the definition of Shagreen?

Have you ever heard someone mention the term “shagreen” and wondered what on earth it meant? Well, now you have to wonder no longer – we will define shagreen for you! Here is the latest addition to our Decorating Dictionary…

Shagreen: is a highly textured rawhide or leather originally obtained from the rumps of horses and onagers, and later, from the skins of sharks, stingrays and dogfish. Historically, this exotic skin was used to cover the sword hilts and bows of Japanese and Chinese civilisations past. Shagreen was popularized as a luxury decorative material in the 18^th century by Jean-Claude Galluchat, a master leatherworker in the court of Louis XV of France. It quickly became the epitome of sophistication and style amongst the French aristocracy. The decorative use of shagreen saw a revival during the 1920s and 30s as it was often used in Art Deco furniture pieces – a popular interior style during this period. Today, the majority of shagreen products are made from faux/artificial materials.

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