Spring watch: Metallic luxe and mirrored furniture

I know it’s still January but there’s no harm in looking ahead to spring. It should put you in a better mood at the very least!

If you’re not partial to the conventional spring trend of butterfly motifs and floral prints, metallic tones and mirrored furniture are an elegant and sleek alternative for spring 2012. The luxurious, glam and discreetly feminine ambience that mirrored and metallic materials bring to the home resonate with the serenity of a bright, crisp spring morning.

3D bedroom with mirrored bed, designed by alleypea

There are so many more colours than silver to play with, and you certainly don’t want to end up with a winter wonderland. After all, we have been chilly for far too long! As I write this, I’m wearing metallic peach-pink nail varnish and this colour, along with leaf greens, teals and golds, will create a warm and welcoming spring blossom feel in the home.

Accessories are a great way to incorporate this look with ease. Remember to group displays of items like vases, bowls and candleholders in odd numbers; three or five is manageable. Team three elegant metal candlestick holders with tapered candles in mismatched metallic colours for an eclectic yet refined look.

Go for a vintage feel with gold or distressed silver mirrors or a modern look with simple wooden frames and beveled edges.

‘Although a mirror is a functional piece, you should not compromise on its appearance because a beautifully styled mirror can transform any space,’ says Lucy Uren, co-founder of mydeco.com supplier Rowen & Wren, along with her partner Graeme Purdy.

‘A single mirror can be the perfect decorative accent in a room, adding depth and the illusion of space to a hallway, for example. For a unique arrangement cluster together circular mirrors to create a wonderful wall display that you can arrange to fit your desired space.’

Silk lampshades and cushions with metallic-colourways can be introduced to your home effortlessly and enable you incorporate vintage, eclectic or embellished accents as well. Go for a feminine style with luminescent, hand-rolled lampshades and lustrous suede and silk cushions by our designer-maker Laura Olivia.

If you really want to embrace the metallic trend, be bolder by investing in mirrored furniture, particularly in the bedroom and living room. But watch out for poor quality mirrored furniture – you don’t want to buy anything made with mdf, plastic bases, cheap resins, thin glass and furniture without beveled finishes. This can make the item brittle and the aesthetic look cheap.

uniQue Home has a range of elegant mirrored furnishings at mydeco.com that champion high quality workmanship. The Chelsea based company’s marketing director Bojan Bojanov says: ‘Consider the design, material and finish when choosing furniture. A natural wooden finish is versatile, as its neutral colour will go with anything. But for added glamour and opulence, a glass or mirrored console table cannot be beaten.’

Of course, there is the danger of going over board quite easily when it comes to furnishing with mirrored cabinets, desks, tables and beds. I recommend complementing with pure white cottons and metallic silks for a cool ethereal feel or dark, plush velvets if you do want a more opulent space without being too tacky.

So, whether it’s your painted fingers or your reflective furniture, make your home a little luxe this spring with metallic colours and mirrored furniture.