Acid Baroque – Holiday 2005

Combining the acute color palette from the 1960s and the 17 th Century’s opulent styles and extravagant décor, ambiance specialist, Valentine Derai-Ohanaforecasts the trends for Holiday 2005 as she launches Acid Baroque. Acid Baroque integrates distinct times and places in history to create an inviting space for the holiday season. Derai-Ohana brings into play sharpcolors inspired by Andy Warhol paintings and contrasts them with ornate and intricate styles to balance the geometric patterns. Using white as a general background or canvas, Derai-Ohana adds a touch of modernism by incorporating accent colors including acid green, deep aubergine and tangy mustard to bring out the purity, simplicity and clarity of the white.

As an innovator in the interior design arena and the creative drive behind notable design firm, Studio Molto, Derai-Ohana sees a definite trend towards finding the right mix between antiques and modern styles using unlike materials and textures. Acid Baroque transforms a conventional room into a festive atmosphere by appealing to the senses and evoking emotion. The use of industrial material such as plastic, glass, metaland lacqueroffer a very minimalist approach to design that is softened with the sensuous richness and dramatic grandeur of the 17 th Century.

“A home is not a museum, but a place to live,” says Derai-Ohana. “Acid Baroque is about bigger volumes, exaggerated decorations and classic background that will achieve splendor while at the same time creating a space that is inviting and light-hearted for the holiday season.”

Acid Baroque is the evolution from classical ideas to modern creativity :

• Contrast of light and shadow . To enhance dramatic effects, create different focal point of radiance – for example, a pair of lamps in front of a mirror. The intense illumination from the reflection will enhance distinct areas of the décor while others, veiled in the shadow, will bring mystery and drama to the room.

• Display objects in a series for a theatrical effect . Presenting objects in a series can offer a significant impact in any room. Sometimes, even the simplest piece of decoration, such as a box, by itself won’t be appealing, but multiplied by ten the room has a whole new dimension to it -- very “mise en scene.”

• Must-Haves for the holiday season : Anything gold -- such as The Baroque barbed-wired chandelier by T Adman, a 17 th century mirror, gold candles or fabric with gold thread.