someday designs | cabinet maker | column two

In her second column for Cabinet Maker, Emily Mayne, owner at Someday Designs reveals how the first quarter has fared for her new business and what she has planned for the rest of Q2.

We’ve had a busy, productive and positive start to the year and can’t believe we are already into Spring!

At the beginning of the year we attended our favourite European design shows - Maison & Objet and the Stockholm Furniture & Lighting Fair.  Great for inspiration, trend spotting and the ideal destination for modern lighting and furniture pieces.  We were in our element!  As a brief round-up, there was a definite shift in colour for 2017.  Whilst the neutrals and monochromes are here to stay, there are two new ways to style and update your space.

From Maison & Objet, the dominant shade was forest green, offering a luxury and opulent mood. Used as an anchor colour within interior schemes it was featured on sofas, accent chairs and lighting then cleverly dressed with pastel nudes and blush pinks on cushions and textiles - softening the colour and making it really easy to use.   

The second key colour trend was yellow, projecting a bright colour-pop refresh within interiors.  At the Stockholm Fair this sunshine colour was featured on sofas, wallpaper, rugs and decorative accessories.  A bold statement on its own but teamed with neutrals and greys it becomes grown up, smart and sophisticated.

Whilst the shows are ideal as a hunting ground for innovation and ideas, they are also a great opportunity to meet with new brands, establish new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.  

We caught up with our friends at We Do Wood, Poiat, New Works, Made by Hand and Universo Positivo. We also started new collaborations and would like to introduce our latest partnerships with Ham, Elements Optimal, Ferm Living, OYOY and Vitamin Living. A selection of British and Danish brands all sharing our focus on thoughtful design and supporting local craftsmanship.  

Each new design partner has brought something original to our current assortment. Whether that be a new product category, a new craft or a new country to work with.  We love our latest Art collection from Ham capturing the life of Rabbit through various sporting activities and social outings.  They are playful and fun prints, with a nostalgic edge presenting a personality that is easily identifiable.  Great for the children's room or as a gift (or self gift!) for the grown ups too.  

Our collaboration with Elements Optimal and OYOY introduced a whole new Kids category to our site.  This created the perfect extension to our current collection - why should design-led pieces be limited to adults?  Now we offer modern, design inspired items for the whole family.  It has been a really fun project, rediscovering our playful side and renewing our commitment to introduce family products which don’t compromise on design. From animal-inspired chairs and desks, cosy knits or handmade cuddle toys - you’ll no longer want to hide away the kids playthings, instead display them proudly as a stylish accessory!  

Working with London based design studio Vitamin Living has developed our lighting, mirror and table collections.  Each piece is crafted with care and integrity within the UK, partnering with specialist artisans to ensure consistent and quality finishes.  Their award winning lighting collection is testament to this.  We’ve had enquiries from all over the world for the Pitch Pendant!

Teaming up with Ferm Living has introduced a great new textile category of cushions and rugs made with the 'Punja' loom method - one of the oldest weaving techniques using a traditional hand loom.  We also feature an edit of our favourite pieces from their furniture and lighting ranges which has opened up new relationships with interior designers and stylists.  Their COLLECT Lighting series has already been a success for us - this pendant range offers an innovative and interchangeable lighting system allowing you to mix and match shades and components to create your very own design combination.  Its success proves that there is a real appetite for customers to create pieces which are bespoke to them, reflecting their personal design and lifestyle choices.  

With so much newness on the site, we’ve made shopping it even easier - you can now shop by product category, by trend, by Design Partner and even by our instagram feed! We believe it’s essential to make navigating through our site as quick and simple as possible and this has been a real focus for us.  If you have seen something on our social media you can shop it directly with one click, or if you have read our blog you can now shop our key 2017 looks through our new trend categories - Danish Design, Monochrome and Hello Yellow.  If you love a particular brand or design partner you can now visit their page and shop their collection in one place. Easy.

With lots still to do and more collaborations underway it’s no wonder time is flying for us!