Vive la différence

Current design trends reflect a simple,streamlined approach to decorating, but this doesn't mean you can't stamp your personality on your home interior. With the great variety of furnishing styles and fabrics available today, it's easier than ever to create an interior that is both eye-catching and comfortable.

On the following 10 pages Bos Design illustrates some of the ways you can mix furniture, fabrics and accessories to customise your living spaces. And remember: minimalism needn't be impersonal.

Bos design director Loes Bos says while it is still important to place objects and furniture to avoid a cluttered look, there is a greater awareness of comfort.

"Introducing warmth and character to a minimalist interior can be done through colour, texture and materials. Wood furniture, for example, can bring character and visual warmth to a room."

The room setting featured above is a good example. Flat, shiny leather surfaces are contrasted by a textured wool rug, while bright colour accents add a lively look. The room features a Bos Highway sofa and matching ottoman, upholstered in Tasman pull-up leather, and a Bos Tosca chair, covered in Warwick Lustrelle.

"This setting highlights the new minimalism, which puts an emphasis on warmth and character," says Loes Bos.

In contrast, the room shown on these pages has a cooler feel.

"This room reflects the cool, calm and collected look," says Loes Bos. "But again it is not at the expense of character. While it may be visually cool, it is not cold, thanks to the mix of fabrics and colours."

Here, a Bos Waikiki settee and chair are covered in white Warwick Lustrelle a durable, leather-look fabric that adds a strong textural contrast to the woven fabric of the ottoman. The setting also features a new Bos swivel chair in black faux leather, and the Bos Hamburg entertainment centre, made from solid Victorian ash. This centre is designed to accommodate new plasma or LCD televisions on top, with drawers for CD and DVD storage.

A sense of drama is provided by the black-and-white fabric drop from Warwick's new Art Deco collection.

Dark and light elements are also a feature of the room shown on these pages. It reflects a modern classic approach to interior design.

"The elements in this room are contemporary in their styling, but they also have a more serious note," says Loes Bos. "Harmony and balance are critical to the overall look."

The room features the Bos Highway settee, upholstered in Ashlin. This new fabric from Warwick features a subtle, self-patterned stripe that provides the appearance of raw silk.

The Bos Manhattan dining chairs are upholstered in a heavy woven fabric from Instyle. Other furniture includes a Phoenix dining table in solid Victorian ash.

Canvas blinds with wooden slats, which can be painted in any colour, provide a sleek backdrop.

Loes Bos says fabric releases from leading textile companies are designed to complement the latest interior trends.

"We are seeing a lot of textured fabrics neutral colours in plains and stripes, such as the new Trackstar fabric from Textilia. This fabric complements hard flooring, such as concrete and polished wood. Similarly, rugs are frequently heavily textured to provide both a visual and tactile balance."

The setting on the following pages features a Bos Walburg settee upholstered in Textilia' Trackstar fabric.

"This fabric is designed for practicalityand looks, and is an ideal complement to the Bos Walburg settee, which features stainless steel legs," says Loes Bos.

To help you achieve the look you want for your own home, Bos Design offers a full interior design service. Furniture can also be custom made to ensure the proportions are right for your home.

For more details or to visit the showrooms, contact Bos Design 65 Walls Rd, Penrose, or 422 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden. For nationwide stockists, freephone 0800 8255 2267. Websites: www.bos.co.nz or www.Trendsideas.com.

Story by: Trendsideas