5 Steps For Going From Bland to Beautiful with Artisan Style.

The term “artisan” is used to refer to anything that has been created in an artistic and traditionally crafted manner, typically by hand. In interior design it can refer to an aesthetic which combines artistic and artisanal pieces with an authentic look full of natural materials and neutral colours where the honesty of materials is revealed through textures and weaves. Artisan style moves beyond rustic charm and offers a chic grown-up contemporary style combining an appreciation of all things natural with respect for art, culture, and traditional crafts. Our style tips will help you incorporate artisanal style into your home.

 

Step 1: remove the clutter

No matter what style you're going for, a cluttered living space can ruin the look and feel of your home. To create an artisanal vibe, it's important to remove any clutter or decoration that doesn't add to the aesthetic. With a clean slate, you'll be able to start from scratch with simple decor and art.

The goal is to make your living space feel like a blank canvas where you can add pieces slowly without feeling overwhelmed by what's already been collected over time. Even if you have a small apartment or house, it should still appear spacious and free of clutter when viewed from the street or even just coming through the front door. This will help create a canvas on which you can build more of an authentic artisanal vibe in your home.

The more you can scale back the original style the more you will be able to incorporate artisanal style. But if your budget is limited you can do it in stages or incorporate elements from your current decor.

 

Step 2: Choose One Type of Art or Decor that will be the focal point

In order for your space to have a cohesive artisanal feel, it's important to choose one type of art or decor that will be the focal point. This could be a painting or an antique mirror, or a new mirror which has been artisanally crafted, such as this wonderful bark mirror from Porta Romana.

When choosing a focal point, consider what represents you and the style you want to achieve in the room. Artisanal style can work equally as well in a minimalist interior, with carefully selected materials, textures and objects, or in a room full of interesting object d'art which tell a story.

Ideally choose an object which is unique, hand-crafted which is true to the nature of the materials it is crafted from, hand-crafted pottery, sculpted metals, or carved wooden pieces all work well.

As long as you are consistent to the style you can add more than one item to work as a focal point but don't feel obligated to hang something on every wall! Consider spacing out your object d'art around the room in clusters, which will help your space come together with personality.

 

Step 3: Add texture through rugs, pillows, or blankets

Adding texture to a space is a great way to make an interior feel more inviting. Rugs, pillows, and blankets are all great ways to add texture. Artisanal style is all about appreciating the texture and form of objects, as artists do when crafting with it, fabrics should be natural to allow for appreciation of the fibre and weave.

Allow fabrics to display the honesty of their construction by layering natural textured materials in neutral and natural colours, neutral palettes allow the fabric to speak with the focus on the weave and its construction such as the wonderfully tactile Satori Naturals from Villa Nova and Bray Linens from Zoffany (both shown below).

 

It's important to keep in mind that not all textures are meant for every room or home. In some cases, the wrong type of rug or curtain could detract from the overall look and feel of a space. Be sure to choose fabrics which complement each other in colours and tone but contrast in texture and feel; combine natural weaves and raw linens with soft bouclé fabrics or velvets.

Another great way to add texture is through wallpapers, there is a fantastic range of textured wallcoverings which are made from natural materials and vinyls which are almost indistinguishable.

Another option is to use textured wallcoverings which use or imitate natural materials such as mother of pearl, wood or banana leaves. For adding texture for artisanal style consider paperweaves, such as the beautiful handwoven paperweave from Mark Alexander below, or grasscloth wallcoverings.

 

Step 4: Choose high-quality pieces that are well-made and durable

Artisanal style is about enjoying the simple things that we often take for granted. It's about reducing clutter and focusing on creating a serene space to enjoy. Whether you are choosing luxury lighting, a rug, or furniture, look for high quality luxury pieces which have an authenticity of style. 

Look for exquisite hand-made artisanal pieces such as Porta Romana lights, mirrors or furniture, or uniquely styled furniture, such as Andrew Martin where each piece tells a story. Andrew Martin also offer beautiful art for the wall, garden and room such as the stunning forge apple shown below. 

 

When it comes time to purchase items for your home, look for products that are handcrafted, high in quality, and have a simplistic design aesthetic. When you invest in high-quality pieces, you're investing in the longevity of your home.

 

Step 5. Add soft lightings throughout your space.

When it comes to lighting, you should aim for a mix of styles and materials, this will help create an interesting dynamic feel to your space.

Artisanal lighting are a great resource for confirming the artisanal style in the room, Porta Romana lights have their own unique style made with a commitment to artisanal crafts and traditions. Each light is carefully made to order for an exceptional finish, which is no doubt why Porta Romana lights, furniture and accessories, can be found in some of the most beautiful homes and yachts across the world.

An alternative approach is to use lamp shades or lamp bases in materials which reflect the other textures and materials in the room. With lamp bases, opt for bases in materials such as woods, plaster, or stone, or pick hand sculpted forms.

 

Aim for layered lighting building softer and warmer whites on top of each other rather than brighter blue whites.  Try using pendant lights over your dining table, lamps on the end tables or floor lamps next to your couch. 

No matter what you choose, make sure it's easy to create ambiance by adjusting brightness. This way, you'll be able to turn up the volume when you're relaxing and lower it when it's bedtime.