INSIDER INTERVIEW:Your Home Today spoke to Lorna Sixmith, blogger and owner

of Garrendenny Lane Interiors in Co. Laois about the

influence of nature and gardens on interiors.

YHT: As an interior designer, do you see a lot of influence in

fabrics, wallpapers and other interior furnishings from nature?

Lorna: Nature is having a tremendous influence on interiors this

year. With the current focus on green living and caring for our

environment, the big trend for 2009 is to return to natural living

as much as possible, to bring nature and the garden into our

homes and create more soothing environments in which to relax.

This season’s collections feature a plethora of botanicals, stylised

flowers, leaf prints and floral trails amongst the patterns for 2009.

Woodland patterns were exceedingly popular in 2008 and the

look for 2009 is more feminine and delicate with pretty flower

patterns and intricate leaf trails. There’s an abundance of flora to

choose from, whether you prefer introducing country garden

flowers into your bedroom with fresh watercolour floral prints.

With the upheavals and stresses of modern daily life, using

nature-inspired designs will create a home environment that

offers a tranquil space. The soothing leafy greens, pale pinks and

purples and the soft blue hues of garden flowers and ferns on

classic cream backgrounds will create stylish, timeless and

relaxing interiors. Whether you decide to invest in new curtains or

a fashionable armchair or simple a few scatter cushions in a floral

fabric to dress a plain sofa, the inclusion of nature will change

your room into a peaceful sanctuary.

YHT: Do you have some favourite lines that bring nature to life

through their collections?

Lorna: GP&J Baker’s latest collection ‘Emperor’s Garden’ features

wonderfully lifelike weeping willows and cherry blossoms in

embroidered silks and wallpapers in the Oriental Tree Design.

The quality of the fabric and wallpaper really brings the design to

life.

YHT: Tell us a bit more about some of the general trends you’ve

been seeing lately?

Lorna: Birds and butterflies are also proving very popular within

the 2009 designs. Lorient’s Akemi is particular popular with

exquisitely embroidered butterflies seemingly fluttering amongst

delicate floral trails.

Another look for this season is for very soft, vintage faded colours

with an aged look reminiscent of a bygone age as we cherish the

past again rather than looking for the latest gadget and

immediate gratification.

Geometric designs are also huge this year, particularly in such

forms as fretwork and trellis designs. In my opinion, the

geometric designs are offering regularity and sanctuary within

the home against the flux and rush of the commute and the

outside world. With the financial world so uncertain this year, it is

increasingly important to make our homes a comfortable haven.

Nature brings us back to basics and the geometric designs

provide order amongst the chaos. My particular favourite is GP&J

Baker’s ‘Fretwork’ available in both wallpaper and fabric with

metallic highlights for a contemporary edge.

YHT: Do you find your customers lean toward more traditional

looks or contemporary?

Lorna: The traditional designs with a modern twist such as

metallic highlights are extremely popular this year – whether they

are fretwork, stripes, floral or leaf patterns.

YHT: How would you describe your own style of decorating?

Lorna: My personal style of decorating is classic contemporary –

I like traditional designs with a contemporary edge so this year’s

wonderful designs mean that I keep changing my mind regarding

the décor for my spare bedroom. Working as an interior designer

means I just have too much choice and no sooner have I decided

on something when I fall in love with another new fabric.

YHT: Where do you get your inspiration from?

Lorna: Living in the countryside means that I am lucky enough to

be surrounded by nature and all it offers in terms of inspiration. I

visit European trade fairs during the year and therefore see all the

new collections as they are launched. I’m an avid blogger, both in

terms of writing and reading them, and find blogs a wonderful

source of inspiration – quite often the latest trends are revealed

before they are out in print.

YHT: So, do you have a favourite summer accessory?

Lorna: Can I pick two? I love eating al fresco; however, we often

get eaten alive by midges so tea lights, candles and lanterns are a

necessity. I also love large floral cushions, if is raining outside they

bring the garden indoors and they are also comfortable with the

garden furniture.

Garrendenny Lane Interiors is in Crettlow, Carolow in Co. Laois.

You can reach her at tel:086-1051007; email:

info@gdlaneinteriors.ie or at www.gdlaneinteriors.ie.

Limerick Area Interior Design Shops:

Baileys Interiors

18/19 Parnell Street

Tel: 061-400668 or www.baileysinteriors.com

Castle Interiors

19 Lower Gerald Griffin St.

Limerick

Tel: 061-410455

Coach House Interior Design Studio

Fawnmore House

Barrigone, Askeaton,

Tel: 061-398722 or 087-6877679

Drapes and Designs

Unit 12A, City East Retail Park

Tipperary Road

Tel: 061-603665 or Mobile: 087-2602365

Interio

Quin Road Business Park

Ennis, Co. Clare

Tel: 065-6842626 or www.interio.ie

YOUR HOME TODAY

LORNA’S TIPS:If you are unsure how to co-ordinate

your floral fabrics, then use these simple ideasto help ensure you get the look you want.

• Use bigger floral patterns on larger areas such ascurtains and use the smaller patterns on cushions or dining chairs.

• If the sofa has a strong floral pattern, then use plain orstriped cushions to co-ordinate with it. • Combine floral patterns

with stripes, plains, checks for added interest and variety. This willalso prevent the scheme from becoming too feminine or cluttered. •

Add stylish detailing such as a plain piping or trimming in acoordinating colour on a decorative cushion. •Adding plantsand fresh flowers to the scheme will add to the homeliness

and atmosphere. Choose from tall sculptural plants, singleblooms or a bunch of identical flowers in a simple glass

vase. The key is not to bring too many differentcolours or types of bloom which could

overpower the florals within yourfurnishings.

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