Irwin & Nicola discuss make some witty and opinionated comparisons between American and European interior design. Pick up some great tips on how to decorate your home using the very best of both design traditions!

Video Transcription

(Music playing) Irwin: Welcome to Design2Share Q&A. I am not Nicola. Nicola: And I am not Irwin. Irwin: And as you can tell from my accents and that is little humor. We are not from these parts. I am from South Africa. Nicola: And I am from England. Irwin: I think that gives us somewhat of an objective eye, how we can actually look at design from both sides of the Atlantic. We both live there, of course, and work there. So, much like, of course like food, you get Italian food and American food and much the same. You get a design. Nicola: Now, what we are actually saying is, American design is better than European design or just different or are we poking fingers. Irwin: Well, I think there might have it actually. Perhaps some of those good American designers have lived a lot from overseas and have brought lot of achievements, which is great. Nicola: When I think another point really, that we see as though is as being quite an obvious point, is that a European design has a sense of whimsy and real sense of humor. Does not take itself too seriously, which is a lovely element, I think. Irwin: Color is a very evocative thing. You know, I can qualify certain design aspects to a project, but color, it is very visceral. You know, in the United States, we have a color council for fashion, which is very interesting. An organization for fashion in clothing, it is determined what the colors are going to be for the ready-to-wear industry. Nicola: Right. And it is quite hard to determine them and I am sure because they work so many seasons in front of women. Irwin: Is it actually quite clever. They have ways to sort of, to predict what the colors are going to be. Right now, peach and other color though are not the hot colors. So, the other colors are not just popular right now. So, they are conscious on design and if we are going to make peach or other color, the hot color into the design. Nicola: Alright, or brown is the new black or whatever they…. Irwin: Right, So, they really can see, they can see certain trends and that is what is wonderful about the European and the non-American designers is that, they will look at color for color sake and would actually see merge 15 in terms of fashion. And I think that is something to bear in mind. Nicola: I can make out a job, very difficult, though because there are certain trends and you go to certain showrooms and all you will see are those colors. If you are actually wanting to straight a little bit to the left or to the right or not follow the trend and it is quite difficult to sort through in find those particular colors that we might want to work with. Irwin: In a way to do that, the very success ways, is to get a piece of fabric that has a lot of different colors in. Certainly, if you want something unusual you might get up - purchase a piece of, or borrow a piece of clothing like a scarf or a necktie that might be from a French designer or Italian designer. I mean, it creates a great wonderful color that an Italian fashion has and certain hand-mades of French, one also has beautiful color sense. The ideas, you can look at the way the colors are used and of course the proportion of the colors are very important and then from there you could pull up the colors that they gave to you. So, bringing out those color is great. What I wish for my clients is that, when you are speaking to a friend on the telephone, you might say, “Look, my room is going to be done in beige, brown or black.” But, you can visualize that, but when you pick up a piece of fabric that is from foreign company, you might find that this colors are bizarre and you might say that you will find it in the frame world. My living room is going to be beige, turquoise, green, peach, orange and cinnamon. And they say, “What?” The whole thing is that - it is just the way it is used. We do not really look. We confidently comprehend more than a few colors simultaneously and then, of course, it has such a commentation. Nicola: So, it is all the balance and the term - strive to get that balance and how it would all work. Irwin: It is a very difficult thing to put colors together. So, I mean people have been thinking about especially non-Americans have been thinking about color in such a wonderful way that is very refreshing and just very strong. Another pit of piece of mind, or pit hazes you say, is everything is so matching matchy that we have heard so much in the United States. You know, I have plans where they do quite have a rate the book on the book case because the rate does not go into the room. Then you see that, it is actually reflecting alot of interior design magazine pictures where you see every single book matching every pillow matching, every thing is just so perfect. It is such a perfectionist. It is very much like a hotel. In fact, I have - often tell my clients, “The room is not finished. Now, we have to, kind of, make it look living.” Of course, which is another issue and other ones looks like a hotel. And then, we will bring things in and then the clients will bring their own piece. In fact, one client always tell the story where I sent her, “Oh, your room looks like a hotel.” And she said, “Oh, thanks.” You know, it is like “No, no, no you do not get it. Nicola: Some compliment. Irwin: That is not compliment to you. So, that is what we are really into it. Nicola: The thing that we are saying in some areas that Americans maybe strive to be a little bit too tasteful and maybe not quite so controversial. I think it should be both, be controversial. Irwin: And I think you should look across the ocean for inspiration whether it is to Europe or whether it is to Japan or to India. Look in magazines and see movies. Nicola: So, do not take it too seriously. Have fun with it and be bold. I am Nicola. Irwin: And I am Irwin. Nicola: Thank you for watching Design2Share Q&A. Female: If you are looking for furniture, which has a European flare, go onto the Casino website at www.casino.com. Even if you do not purchase items from them, you will get a sense of style whimsy and sculpture form that is typical of European style. Male: This Italian company makes contemporary chairs, tables, beds and furniture with flare for upholstered items and work in wood, leather and other quality materials. The furniture collections are typically European. Their sense of style is ecliptic open to design elements from different cultures and historical backgrounds. 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