In the vibrant and botanical setting of Bourne & Hollingsworth, we were invited to preview the SS17 collection of Amara’s own-brand, A by Amara range. Now in its second incarnation, Amara’s range of own label pieces transcend the trends and tick all the right boxes when it comes to the key looks for the summer.
Met by the fabulous Amara team, we took a wander through their take on the coastal, minimalist and bright trends they have identified for the summer. Here’s what you’ve got to look forward to…
Odyssey
Our first ‘port of call’ was Odyssey – navy blue hues and deep creams anchor (we’ll stop, we promise) these pieces into the coastal setting they imbue. Careful not to lean too heavily on the clichéd stripes and seahorses, the pieces opt for subtle nods towards the sea, with trimmings on cushions that emulate rope and striped elements much akin to the timeless Breton pattern.
In the collection, there are also several stand out outdoor pieces. The look and feel of the whole collection means these can be used both indoors and outdoors and the mix of materials will add texture to any setting they’re placed in. Highlights for us from this collection was the stunning deep blue outdoor throw – perfect for late summer evenings when the mercury starts to drop. There’s also a stunning cream and blue rug – a nice change from the usual blue and white – making it super inviting and not too scary to walk on!
Not only for the outdoors, the Odyssey theme continues into the dining room with some fabulous tableware. Eggshell white ceramic plates are placed on rattan placemats for a grounded feel and are complemented with distressed and hardwearing cutlery that look like they’ve came straight out of a Robinson Crusoe story. However, the stars of this show need to be the statement octopus candlestick holder and snack bowl. Placing these on any table mean they’ll add a whimsical element and will definitely start conversations…
District
We then took a segue towards the minimalist District collection, but not before we had to stop and ogle these fantastic statement marbled vases. Each one is hand-made in Poland and will add a unique element to any room they’re placed in. Styled here in a vignette of three – the vases look great styled together or as individual pieces. The team gave us gold stars to place on our favourite items of the day – so this definitely got one from us (and basically everyone else!).
Our eye was then taken to a fantastic tableware collection – featuring statement monochromatic crockery and deep and bold black flatware. The cutlery has a fantastic weight to it, without making it too heavy to lift – the perfect amount of luxury when it comes to mealtime.
To complement this look, the team styled the table with these fantastic statement table mats – which add a real pop of colour to the look. It looks fab here, set with Bourne & Hollingsworth’s iconic marble tables – but we think these will look great in any setting. Also, adding pops of greenery mean that you can inject life into the look.
Enchanted
From the minimalist to the enchanted next, with Amara’s take on the trend that we loved. Pastel pinks are brought to life with subtle injections of moss green and grey in order to pull the look together. We love how the team styled these pillowcases and duvet cover with complementary moss green accessories. The whole look was completed with a statement metallic cow-skin rug on the floor. We know they’re a bit like marmite, but it looked fab in this setting!
It’s basically our dream bedroom. The subtle complementary colours are given a luxe-edge with mother of pearl buttons and statement gold bedside tables. Add some greenery to this look and you’ll really bring it to life. Set against this white wall, the products could really pop and we’re eyeing this up for our own room. It’s the perfect balance of feminine with the pastel colours, while the metallic elements give the look a masculine edge.
Bazaar
Next we moved on to what can only be described as a carnival of colour! The bazaar was a fun and playful take on the global trend we’ve seen for 2017. Bright ceramics and bold, colourful cushions are the calling card of this style and it was clear this trend is for the adventurous.
Gold cutlery is set beside vibrant, colourful ceramics and tones of emerald green and bright yellows make this trend ready to party at the drop of a hat. You can also bring it into the lounge or bedroom with an eclectic collection of cushions featuring leopard print patterns and animal designs.
We loved every piece in the collection and a big thank you to Sam and the Amara team for having us down for lunch. The popcorn lemon torte was to die for and we relish any opportunity to hit up Bourne & Hollingsworth – definitely check out their bottomless brunch if you haven’t done it yet!
What’s your favourite look from the trends we saw at Amara? Let us know in the comments below or give us a shout on Twitter!
We’re off to get more Enchanted,
David & Mark x
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