Trend Focus: Artist Inspired Interior Design

By Ana Zuravliova

Trend Specialist at Blinds Direct

Tue 1 Mar 2022

Last updated Tue 24 May 2022

A background to art in interior design

Beyond mere decoration, interior design is a form of expression. Whether it’s to contrast against how we dress. or to be flamboyant and alternative, it’s a wonderful way to experiment and find out what we love. In the creative world artists may use paint, fashion designers use fabric; but interior designers get to enjoy both!

Many interior designers turn to artists and fashion designers for creative inspiration and translate that inspiration into real-life design. Through this blog we will explore how popular schools of art including cubism and surrealism can be introduced into our homes, and how fashion has had an impact on interior décor over the decades!

Inspired by Colours and Shapes

Colours and shapes play a vital role in our day-to-day life; they visually stimulate us as well as having an impact on our wellbeing. When it comes to interior design the use of bold colours and differing shapes and styles are what can make or break the space.

Artists such as Henri Matisse and David Hockney are known for their use of bright, contrasting colours in their work and the different styles they use. They create visually beautiful pieces of art which are inspiring to many interior designers. The likes of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent also used striking patterns and bold colours for his garments, again providing inspiration for interior designers.

When considering the options available for your home décor, find inspiration from these designers and add some artistic flare into your space!

Art, Fashion and the Home

Interior designers often turn to fashion icons for inspiration when it comes to the use of textures and patterns. How fabric sits can determine how the overall design will look.

If a fabric is too dense it can make the room look unwelcoming and stale, yet if the fabric flows too easily the décor can come across as worn. From the likes of Yves Saint Laurent to Coco Chanel and even Alexander McQueen, interior design has been inspired by designs and choices of fabric from over the years.

Saint Laurent even took direct artistic inspiration when he created the Mondrian dress. The use of simple cuts, geometric lines and bold colours offered a modern feel and can be easily translated through into interior design.

Cubism in interior design

Cubism is a style and movement in art where a space or item is viewed from different perspectives and angles and then compiled into one view. However, implementing that into our existing interior schemes can be difficult to – but not impossible…

Ways to easily inject the appearance of cubism into interiors can be through the use of geometric patterns. The multiple straight line patterns give off a cubism-like feeling, adding depth to the space. A good example of this is our Symmetry Monochrome range.

Panel blinds are another great way to add the impression of cubism into our interior spaces. They can be used to create divisions within a space, forming screen-like features. Therefore, creating an illusion of different perspectives around the room. Finally, if you really want to play with colourful geometric shapes, you can order a vertical blind and order separate slats of varying colours! This is a sure-fire way to add something unique and vibrant into your home.

Surrealism in Interior Design

Surrealism is a trend within interior design where creativity is unleashed in its purest form. Surrealism is all about creating scenes that allow the unconscious mind to express itself. Creating a surrealist look in our homes can be a challenge, however through the use of figures and artefacts we will be able to create a ‘full on’ surreal style in our homes.

Another, easier and just as affective way to introduce a surrealism style into our homes is through the use of graphics. Roman blinds with pictures and curtains are a great place to start when injecting our homes with a surrealist style. For example, our ‘Wink Mono White’ curtain is a fabulous starting point. The monochrome palette is easy to interpret into any interior space, while the winking eyes can be seen as a surrealism figurine.

If you’re more attracted to the Salvador Dali school of thought, flowing lines may be the option for you! Colourful wavy lines capture the feeling of fluidity and movement which is synonymous with Dali’s melting clocks – and if you can find a lobster telephone all the better!

Interior Design is unique to every individual, and we can incorporate many different aspects we love to create a beautiful home. Turning to artists and fashion designers is a wonderful way to seek inspiration, whether it be for colour palettes, textures or patterns, they are a great starting point. The key for a successful interior is to be confident in our choices, it’s better to play around with colours and patterns to find out what does and doesn’t go well together. And who knows, we might come across a fabulous combination no one has yet tried.

Shop some of our favourite products inspired by art: