Plum Crazy

Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet, a punchy, vibrant purple. I’m always intrigued when the new colour is released each year and think of ways it could be used in interiors, not so that they fit with the latest trends, but so that they create an interesting and timeless look. As with all colours, there are endless hues and tones to be found in the purple spectrum, and so even if ultra-violet is not your go-to choice, there are an abundance purple pieces to lust over, that might be more your look. From big to small ideas, I’ve found some utterly gorgeous ways to include purple into your home, so take a look!

Lotus Wallpaper in Brinjal and Off-Black from Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball have recently released some reimagined wallpapers, using some favourite designs in new colours. A standout design is the Lotus in Brinjal with an Off-Black background. The two colours together creates a dreamy, romantic and dramatic look, perfect of spicing up a snug or dining room. It’s also a great way to use purple if you favour dark interiors and are looking to reinvent a room.

Curiousa & Curiousa have an outstanding collection of lighting, their beautiful glass pieces are sure to make a pinnacle feature in any room. This pendant is the perfect retro shade of aubergine, fitting in with its sixties lava lamp curves and shape. Great for making a combination of a cosy atmosphere and statement piece in a bedroom, or as an attention-grabbing light for the entrance hall.

Stemmed Orb Diffuser from Curiousa & Curiousa

Not all your purple additions need to be dark and dramatic, purple can also take a sweet and delicate tone. This bedding from Anthropologie is a dusty, faded shade of purple, the slightly darker toned trim is a sweet touch and could bring an inviting feel to a guest bedroom.

Caridee Bed Linen from Anthropologie

A touch of purple when it comes to your curtains could give a room that balance between calming and fresh; these pompom curtains from Urban Outfitters will help give a room a little lift. The Pompom detailing is oh-so-cute, giving the room some textural feel.

Blackout Pompom Curtains from Urban Outfitters

If you’re unsure about purple, adding it to your interiors in very small doses is a good way to see whether the colour is for you, and your home. A simple, elegant room with a small touch of purple here and there can make for an interesting look. This purple glass mirror from Amara is an unexpected find. A quick splash of colour in a downstairs loo, or mixed into a larger mirror display, this mirror could fit in perfectly.

Lust Mirror by Normann Copenhagen from Amara

Pair together this arrangement of purple headed thistle and this jellyfish paperweight for a lovely display on your desk or on a hall console table. The small additions of purple are fun but classic feeling.

Faux Purple Thistle Spray from Graham & Green

Purple Jellyfish Paperweight from Graham & Green

Adding purple to a garden or patio area isn’t something I would have automatically put together, but these chairs from Heals and the vivid green leaves make a great combination. An interesting way to give a rustic looking area a burst of contemporary colour.

Thayla Chair from Heals

There’s been a huge influx of purple furniture pieces and homeware this season, so it’s a great time to take a look at the colour and see if it’s to your liking; the great thing about searching through interior styles is that you never know if you’re about to fall in love with something new, and just maybe there’s a place for a little something purple amongst your favourites.

Read Full Post »

Osborne & Little Spring 2018

The new Spring 2018 collections at Osborne & Little are simply gorgeous, in fact they are all so good, I had a tough Sophie’s choice ahead of me on which one to write about, so I cheated and decided to include elements from all of them! So here is touches of fabulousness from the Manarola, Palazzo, Rialto and the Sirocco collections.

Portovenre wallpaper and upholstered sofa in Spiaggia fabric

Close up of the Portovenre wallpaper

This beautiful wallpaper design, which also comes as a fabric, depicts the view of a coastal region of Italy, Liguria. The charming houses are painted in a ray of pinks, yellows and oranges are full of rustic charm and style. It gives the design a slightly retro, warm, fun feeling; giving a room a wonderful feature of sunny, relaxed style, even in the midst of these dreary winter months.

Curtains made from Leghetto fabric

These pretty little fish make up a lovely composition, perfect as a roman blind for a cute bathroom, there’s only one colourway but it’s full of beautiful tones and colour to match with a scheme.

Carlotta wallpaper

A beautiful array of Dahlias, Poppies, Berries Cow Parsley and Artichokes creates this lilac palette of wildflowers and a really interesting wallpaper. It’s gentle and calming without being wishy-washy and gives you a bountiful backdrop in your room.

Curtains made from Carlotta Sheer fabric

Here the same design is shown as a sheer, with punchy pinks and yellows; the delicate sheer is a perfect piece to have in a garden room, or kitchen, giving you a light and romantic atmosphere.

The Cervo pattern shown below on the curtains shows how you can be diverse in the way you use am iconic motif such as Islamic tiles. This colourway is my favourite, the deep blues and the pinks and oranges are a lovely combination, and will give a room a warm, welcoming impact.

Curtains in Cervo fabrics

Vernazza wallpaper

This Vernazza wallpaper is a super interesting and eye-catching design. Up close are pretty tropical leaves and from afar the design looks more graphic and abstract, it’s perfect for an entrance hall or cosy living room. Throughout the collections there’s a great sense of Mediterranean and artistic motifs, both combined and separate. This Russolo fabric on the sofa below pays tribute to early 20^th century art, and it’s a piece of art in its own right; it’s almost luminous giving a footstool, chair or headboard a life of its own.

Sofa upholstered in Russolo fabric

Another breath-takingly beautiful design is the Torcello fabric. The mouth-watering colours and patterns are beyond wonderful, and here they are paired with an equally delectable sofa, and curtains to match. The floral pattern has an almost seventies glam to it, mixed with a touch of arts and crafts in the trelliswork.

Sofa upholstered in and curtain made from Torcello fabric

Paraggi wallpaper and Bed canopy made from Pampero fabric

These two designs sit rather perfectly together; the prehistoric feel of the Paraggi leaves and the ripples of the Pampero, almost like the marks inside a rock or fossil, go hand-in-hand with one another. For such a large print, the Paraggi is quietly peaceful as the falling leaves feel quite serene.

From start to finish, Osborne & Little is rather an exciting place to be this Spring.

Read Full Post »

January Blues

It may be that the January blues are catching up with you after all the Christmas excitement, but I say if you can’t beat them, join them… with some fabulous blue interiors! Whether you’re a fan of the dark and moody blues, or the bright and cheery, there’s something to suit everyone. Here are some fun ways to play around with blue this year.

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball from RED Edition via Pinterest

Start off your blue interiors in a big way, with the wonderfully rich and deep Hague Blue; here it’s painted from top to toe of this room, giving a gentle hugging feeling. A great way to create an inviting space, especially for a study or cosy snug. If you want to go for a fresher, brighter blue, Light Blue from Farrow & Ball is also a great way to use blue as a neutral, but still keeping the room feeling colourful.

Light Blue by Farrow & Ball from SF Girl via Pinterest

You can also add in some textural big blue ideas into your interior. Some midnight blue curtains, like this Constantina design from Zoffany will help make a warm, but formal environment, a perfect solution for a dining room, where you want to create a sophisticated atmosphere but still make your guest feel at home.

Constantina by Zoffany

If you want keep up the light and contemporary feeling instead of the darker tones of blue, this Quill fabric from Designers Guild must surely make an appearance on your wish-list. The vibrant feathers on a simple background will add interest to a bedroom or living space, I love the additional sheer aqua blue added into the mix as well.

Quill in Duck Egg from Designers Guild

Once you’ve found your base tone of blue, you can build upon this with darker or lighter shades in your accessories. I love these sheepskin cushions from Oliver Bonas, in an indigo, light blue and pink; use a couple of either blue and add a pink one to balance them out.

Sheepskin Cushions from Oliver Bonas

It can be a good idea to contrast your lighting against your chosen wall colour, and really make a statement out of your centre pendant. This contemporary shade by Louis Poulsen in a baby blue shade would work wonderfully against a Hague Blue background.

Collage 450 Pendant Light by Louis Poulsen from Houseology

And if you want to dress up a lighter shade of blue, a dramatic dark pedant will really do the trick, like this Heathfield pedant, which is a match made in heaven for anyone who loves glamorous and luxe interiors, as the inner globes are an absolutely stunning feature.

Lexington 32″ from Heathfield

These tall ceramic vases from Oliver Bonas have a great ombre effect in a watercolour style. They’d make a great addition to a modern, mid-century style sideboard, or to brighten up a bare mantelpiece.

Isabella Tall Ceramic Vase from Oliver Bonas

If you’re looking for more of a pastel, powder blue accessory, this lovely little bowl comes from the Solstice collection at Anthropologie. It also comes in a striking indigo blue, but this light one is rather special, and the perfect addition to a light-hearted brunch table.

Solstice Bowl from Anthropologie

I would pair it with this little number from Anthropologie as well, the starry marble mixture is too good to pass up.

Night Sky Dessert Plate from Anthropologie

Dive straight into the blue, and find something big or small to make you feel a little better this January, and you’ll soon see that having the blues can be a good thing.

Read Full Post »

The Rug Company and Farrow & Ball Collaboration

The Rug Company has teamed up with Farrow & Ball to launch a collection of twelve fantastic rugs. If you know Farrow & Ball you’ll already be aware that they have grouped some their neutrals into six families, and so The Rug Company has designed two rugs to go with each family; a complementary neutral and an accent, with each colour available in three finishes, Plain Wool, Cut and Loop Stripe and Wool with a Silk Border. With two such wonderful companies, the collection is undoubtedly fabulous, so we had to share it with you.

The Lots Blue rug with Old White on the wall

The Traditional Neutrals family were some of the first colours created at Farrow & Ball, all with a gorgeous classic green-grey undertone; they’re timeless and effortless. The rug Lots Blue is the perfect accent piece to pair with the traditional family, with hints of sea greens and sky blues. Holland Stone was also made with the Traditional Neutrals in mind, but they’re not limited to just the families; here the warmth of the Holland Stone is contrasted with the deep classic look of Railings, making a sophisticated industrial style scheme.

The Holland rug with Railings on the wall

The Yellow-Based Neutrals are another set of traditional colours, perfect for a period property and pairing with antiques. There’s a relaxed regal nature to them, and the warm yellows are drawn out when paired with a red, like the Keepers Red rug from the collection. It’s a warm, welcoming deep crimson red, and has that classic cosy, sitting by the fire, countryside feel to it.

The Keeper’s Red rug with String on the wall

The neutral rug colour to pair with the yellow-based family is the Clarendon rug; a warm and relaxing tone that’ll comfort you in cold lights. The Clarendon and the yellow-based neutral make the ideal backdrop for some exciting pieces of furniture, particularly in darker woods.

The Clarendon rug with White Tie on the walls

The warm red undertones of Joa’s White, Dimity, Pointing and Oxford Stone are a match made in heaven for a traditional interior. The accent colour for the Red-Based Neutral family of course has to be a green, and Kent Green has a lovely dusty, sage tone to it.

The Kent Green rug with Dimity and Joa’s White oon the wall

Moving on to the more modern family colours, the neutral rug hues are lovely pinks and greys; on-trend and perfect for modern life and style. The Sam’s Stone rug is a contemporary tone with a natural and warm base; making it ideal if you want to keep a fresh interior feeling inviting as well. It’s created for the Contemporary Neutrals, keeping clean white spaces feeling livable like in the image below, or if you want a soft bedroom colour scheme, pair Elephant’s Breath and Sam’s Stone for a peaceful setting.

The Sam’s Stone rug with All White on the walls

The accent rug in this collection is the sweetest, blush Portland Pink. Blush pink and green is a personal favourite combination of mine, and here the Portland Pink rug is paired with Card Room Green, an absolutely divine smoky green from Farrow & Ball.

The Portland Pink rug with Card room Green on the wall

Punchy and vibrant yellows are having quite a moment currently, and this Melrose Yellow rug has just the right amount of acid and sunny tones. The Easy Neutrals family, Wevet, Ammonite, Cornforth White and Purbeck Stone, are so named the easy family because they can be paired with almost any colour; and they look fantastic with some bold yellows.

The Melrose Yellow rug with Wevet on the wall and Lamp Room Gray on the floor and skirting

The Order Grey rug is a cool, steel-like colour, a great foundation for a room if you want to get a little playful with the paintwork, like this image below where the lovely combination of Calamine and Black Blue has been used, with the Order Grey rug used to balance out the look.

The Order Grey Rug with Calamine on the walls and Black Blue on the door

The last family from Farrow & Ball is the Architectural Neutrals, made up of Blackened, Dimpse, Pavilion Gray and Manor House Gray; all greys with hints of blue undertones for that fresh, modern, and as the name suggests, architectural feeling. Both the rugs for this family follow the same blue-grey aesthetic, with Wizlet and Wooster being the ultimate pieces for a cool, contemporary, minimalist setting.

The Wooster rug with Pavilion Gray on the wall

The Wizlet rug with Pavilion Gray on the walls

 The Farrow & Ball collection at The Rug Company, is a thoughtful and well-crafted assembly of colours and finishes, and a lovely way to help with the design of your home. The range of colours for both traditional and modern interiors means that this is a timeless collection, that’s here to stay.

For a closer look at the collection, head to www.therugcompany.com

Read Full Post »

Famous Furniture

Iconic pieces of furniture are the staple of interior design, with many pieces still continuing to be a part of modern interiors today. If you’re a fan of interior design, there’s a good chance you’ll have your favourite famous pieces, and dream of having them in your home. But when you have such famous pieces there’s always a battle of how to style them without making them seem too ostentatious or cliché. For me, I think the best way to include famous pieces of furniture in your interior is not to make them stand out and demand all the attention, but instead to immerge them into a scheme that shows off the iconic piece perfectly but subtly. I’ve pulled out some famous furniture and included some fun ways to accessorise them, to get you thinking how you might style your favourite famous piece.

The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen at The Conran Shop

The Egg Chair is one of the most recognisable pieces of furniture from the mid-century era, and is a fantastic piece to have if you love smooth, sleek and contemporary interiors. If you want to use the chair but not go fully in with the mid-century style, you can tone down the chair with some alternative accessories. This glamorous side table with look good next to the Egg Chair and create some diversity between the curves of the chair and the angular table.

Pearl Side Table from Swoon Editions

To complete the look I would add some faux fur cushion to the chair to create the right balance between modern and mid-century glam. These caramel coloured cushions from Nordic House are perfect for the job.

Sheepskin Cushions in Caramel from Nordic House

It was Eero Saarinen’s mission to try and rid the world of the ugliness of the four legged chair, which resulted in the Tulip Chair, and the Tulip Table to follow. Both designs have a futuristic look that still holds its own today and is as popular as ever; the table is available to buy from Skandium, in a range of colours and sizes.

The Tulip Table by Eero Saarenin from Amara via Pinterest

The Tulip Table is made from fibreglass, and so is very modern in its appearance, to juxtapose this, I’d contrast the table with something like these painted wooden Ercol chairs from Heal’s. The fun orange colour will look good against the crisp white of the table and create a playful but elegant dining area to entertain at.

Originals Stacking Chairs by Erol at Heal’s

Finish off the look with some decorative pieces in the centre of the table, I like the idea of putting some vibrantly coloured flowers, or pieces like these metallic bowls from Tom Dixon available at Amara.

Gold Hex Bowls by Tom Dixon at Amara

The Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe always reminds me of the sleek interiors of Mad Men. The strong, masculine lines give this piece of furniture a bold look, making it a striking piece to have in the home if you love ultra-contemporary style. You can buy the Barcelona Chair from Chaplins, which has a great collection of iconic furniture.

The Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from the Urbnite via Pinterest

Unless you like your interiors very contemporary and minimal, you may want to soften up the chair with some interesting accessories. The chair is a daring look and so needs equally exciting pieces to go with it; this cowhide print is rather Avant Garde and would make an exciting combination paired with the chair.

Renaissance Cowhide Rug from Rockett St George

This Bow lamp from Made had a cool copper finish that’ll go with the look well, having a little of old and new style to go with both the chair and the rug.

Bow Lamp from Made

The Eames Plastic Chair is a design that has been all over interiors for the past few years; and can be found at Heal’s. They’re a great design that have been put into a whole range of schemes. I love how they’ve been paired with this farmhouse table below, mixing traditional and contemporary design.

Eames Plastic Chair from Coaster Furniture via Pinterest

If you want to keep the look feeling contemporary, combining the chairs with this table from Heal’s will look great, especially putting the blue table top and the orange finish of the chair together.

Fawn Tink Blue Table from Heal’s

For a final touch of glamour to this contemporary table area, some luxe gold cutlery adds the perfect amount of drama.

Gold Cutlery from Bloomingville

Famous pieces of furniture are a great way to show off your style in your interiors, and a fun challenge to give an iconic piece of furniture your own stamp of personality; whether it’s adding contrasting accessories or placing the piece in a alternatively styled room, or completing the look by sticking to one era, you can be sure that an iconic piece will bring style, fun and intrigue to your home.

Read Full Post »

Belvoir by Matthew Williamson

Last week we had the pleasure of seeing Lizzie Ibbotson, our sales rep for Osborne & Little, which meant we had a look at the beautiful Belvoir collection by Matthew Williamson. It’s an absolutely gorgeous array of colour, patterns and excitement and a triumph of both wallpaper and fabrics that are on par with one another. Not only am I smitten with the whole collection, but I now must visit its main source of inspiration, the Gothic Revival style of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, which is a truly beautiful place.

Exterior Shot of Belvoir Castle from Pinterest via Flickr

The Ballroom at Belvoir Castle

The Folklore fabric from the collection is a patchwork wonder, and inspired by a rug found in the ballroom of Belvoir Castle. Its busy pattern is playful and creative, and has a modern Arts & Crafts sensibility to it; a fantastic way to brighten up a living space in the home.

Folklore fabric on the bed, and Ceramica wallpaper

This photograph also features the ceramica wallpaper in its most vivid colourway; each plate holds a different designs, but all with familiar Matthew Williamson motif’s that he is most known for. A very daring design that isn’t for the faint hearted, but if you’re brave enough, what a statement you’ll make.

At first glance, the Sirius design, available in both fabrics and wallpaper in a multitude of colours, is simple in its design; but it is in fact a very curious design, that’s perhaps one of my favourites. The stars are given an almost three-dimensional effect as their metallic tone glistens as you move it back and forth. Here it’s shown in with a neutral background, but colourways also include some feisty vibrant shades too.

Sirius fabric on the seat cushion, and Sirius wallpaper

Orangery fabric used for the drapery

Orangery is one of the fabric designs, which although it’s a very busy design, still manages to have a calming effect when viewing it. The background is a lace pattern, inspired by a vintage design; and on top of this is a beautiful depiction of birdcages, orchids and butterflies. There are two colourways; one with fuchsia pink and feisty orange and the other with punchy lilac and pastel yellow. Both colourways are sure to make an impact, and have that iconic Matthew Williamson feel to them.

The next pattern is so lovely that I had to include images of both the wallpaper and fabric versions; the Lyrebird design has a beautiful tile effect from far away, and up close the detailing is stunning, with an Arts & Crafts style to it. Both the fabric and wallpaper are paired with Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic, which makes a stunning collaboration.

Lyrebird wallpaper

Lyrebird fabric used for the drapery

The Rosanna Trellis is a very soft, romantic design that sits dreamily in a room. The soft blush pink background against the garden roses had a delicate nature to it; perfect for a feminine, peaceful interior.

Rosanna Trellis wallpaper, Sirius fabric on the seat cushion, Rosanna Trellis and Contour on the scatter cushions

For some of the patterns in this collection, Matthew Williamson has reinvented some of his past fashion collections, just like the Duchess Garden, which has a damask background and some very lovely dahlias in the foreground in some rather lovely colours. There are two colourways with the darker background, and two in neutral shades if you want to create a lighter look.

Duchess Garden on outer cushion, Contour on inner cushion and seat cushion, Duchess Garden used as drapery and wall paneling

 

If you’re into luxurious interiors, especially those with a bit metallic glam, this fanfare design was made for you in mind . The cobalt blue with the silver detailing is a real show-stopper, and looks incredible surrounding this ornate architrave.

Fanfare wallpaper, and Sirius seat cushions

And lastly, this beautiful Waterlily design come in a wallpaper, a fabric and a sheer and is just oh so pretty. Swimming amongst the flowers are carps, that’ll flow effortlessly in the breeze in the sheer form, or float around the room in the wallpaper.

Waterlily Sheer used as the curtain, Duchess Garden and Sirius used as for the cushions

The Belvoir collection from Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little is downright gorgeous, with the utmost care and thoughtfulness taken throughout, with every colour, design, detail and stitch done with precision and beauty.

Read Full Post »

The Wicker Way

You may have thought that wicker and rattan had their heyday a long time ago, but we think they’re just getting started. The materials are appearing more and more in homeware designs and are frankly rather quite stylish. If you’re a fan of wicker or rattan but are unsure of how to incorporate them into your home, check out a few of these ideas.

‘Nogu Eye-shaped Vintage Rattan Mirror’ from La Redoute

This interestingly shaped mirror frame from La Redoute is a great way to include rattan in a bohemian themed room. There’s a sense of relaxed seventies décor to the piece, and would be a fun and eye-catching piece to have in a bedroom or living room.

A popular way to including wicker or rattan into a design scheme these days is with lighting, which can create a warm and inviting space. The use of Rattan in these shades from Nkuku allows the shape of the lighting to do all the talking, the perfect way to give a seating area a cosy feel.

‘Beru Rattan Lampshades’ from Nkuku

The form of this wicker pendant light from Maison du Monde, shows how the material can be incorporated into a modern, mid-century style home, plus it adds extra drama to a room with its intriguing shadow.

‘Jade Green Wicker Pendant’ from Maison du Monde

To use wicker in a more conventional way, but with a contemporary edge, I love these baskets from Luke Arthur Wells. The space between the reeds gives them a modern feel over a traditionally woven one, perfect for storing bits and bobs in.

‘Basket Nest Set’ from Luke Arthur Wells

I love the aqua frame that’s been added to this rattan bench from Oliver Bonas, giving the design a modern and fresh feel. With the addition of a few cushions it’s a great way to reinvent the wicker chairs and sofas found in conservatories or outdoors.

‘Miroco Rattan Bench’ from Oliver Bonas

Rattan has been given a distressed romantic look with this bedside table from Swoon Editions. The bedside is the perfect companion for a glamorous, vintage-feel bedroom.

‘Albie Bedside Table’ from Swoon Editions

Pair these chairs from Habitat with this bar stool from Rockett St George, for a dramatic black wood and rattan weave combination; which look striking against one another. It’ll add a sense of contemporary rustic feel to a kitchen and dining area.

‘Oregan Black Chair with Natural Cord Seat’ from Habitat

‘Moroccan Natural Black Rattan Bar Stool’ from Rockett St George

If you’re really feeling wild, this flamboyant headboard from La Redoute really packs a punch; perfect if you love glam bohemian style with an impact.

‘Tio Rattan Headbord’ from La Redoute

Wicker and rattan don’t always have to come in large forms of furniture; sometimes the devils in the details, and these home accessories are rather sweet. This glass and carafe from Rose & Grey have a great safari style element to them, giving an ordinary household item an unusual design.

‘Wicker and Glass Cup and Carafe’ from Rose & Grey

These metal wire baskets with some wicker frame detailing a super sweet combination of rustic and industrial style. Great for storing food in the kitchen, or documents in the study.

‘Koba Bowl Square’ from Nkuku

Keep your laundry somewhere stylish with one of these colourful baskets from Maison du Monde, which are a great way to add a little fun to a bedroom.

‘Wicker Baskets in Yellow and Green’ from Maison du Monde

Big or small, wicker is an adaptable material to use in your home, working with all sorts of themes. Whether you want to dress up a bedroom, or storage area, or add some new lighting, there are some fun and interesting ways to include wicker and rattan to your home.

Read Full Post »

Jane Churchill – Eden Spring 2017 Collection

Jane Churchill has released a wonderful new collection for spring 2017 called Eden and it’s full of so many beautiful colours and patterns, we just had to share it with you. It’s a lovely mixture of traditional motifs and contemporary colourways, giving the whole collection a fresh and exciting look.

‘Curtains in Alex Blue, Ottoman in Ellwood Navy, Chair in Silvan Blue and Sofa in Palma Blue’

This room is filled to the brim with beautiful blue patterns, all perfectly working together. The strong blue of the sofa covered in Palma fabric gives a solid foundation, while the other patterns complement it nicely. The hints of gold in the Alexis blue curtains looks great in its geometric, abstract patterns, while catching the same hint of colour from the ottoman which is covered in the natural Ellwood pattern. The chair is in the Silvan fabric (don’t worry there’s a close up later), the softer blue sits nicely in the room and the small pattern offsets the larger ones, creating a smooth and sophisticated look.

The beautiful Haywood Leaf curtains in green in the photograph below give an alternative, more traditional feel to the palm tree fabric patterns we’re seeing around these days. The leaves are the result of some incredible embroidery, which gives a lovely mix of small detailing and a larger overall look. It’s a great fabric to decorate a fresh, light room.

‘Curtains in Haywood Leaf Green, Chairs from left to right in Palma Bottle Green, Emerald, Lime and Green’

‘Headboard in Odell Gold, Curtains in Emmett Gold and Bedspread in Ginkgo Gold’

This bedroom is beautifully designed with three patterns that work harmoniously together, while still standing out individually to create an elegant and calming space. The headboard is covered in the Odell fabric from the Eden collection, which has a great blend of a geometric pattern in an almost Tuscan style. The faded appearance takes away any harshness of the repeating pattern, giving a modern but stately feel to the overall look. The two other fabrics are embroidered ginkgo leaves on bedspread and palms on the curtains, both of which add a delicate touch to the room and play off each other’s colour palettes wonderfully.

The reed scheme below really shows off the playful nature of each of the fabrics, showing how stripes, zigzags and patterns can work simultaneously together. The Marbury weave used on the sofa matches sweet raspberry tones against a linen background, giving the fabric a vibrant pattern that isn’t tough to look at if you’re feeling a little bleary eyed, unlike some other zigzag patterns. You get a quick peep of the lovely Hopewell Strip in the footstool, which has a great textural feel of velvet stripes on linen; a great way to dress up a tired looking piece of furniture.

‘Curtains in Ellwood Red, Sofa in Marbury Red, Footstool in Hopewell Stripe Red and Chair in Hailey Stone’

The sweet nature of the Silvan fabric used as roman blinds below seems to have chameleon-like qualities, making it equally as suitable for a sophisticated, traditional scheme as well as a sweet contemporary one. I can see this fabric working in bathrooms, children’s room and kitchens along with nooks and crannies all over the house.

‘Roman Blinds in Silvan Aqua and Chair in Felix Turquoise’

Traditional floral curtains with a very modern sofa fabric may not be something you think would especially work well together, however in this brightly coloured room it does. The multi-coloured diamond pattern of the Alexis fabric has a fresh energy and is nicely played off against the solid brights of the cushions and ottoman. The painterly style of the Grace curtains contrasts against the bolder nature of the other fabrics and gives the whole look an alternative finish.

‘Curtains in Grace Multi, Sofa in Alexis Multi, Ottoman in Palma Bottle Green, Cushions in an assortment of Palma colourways’

‘Curtains in Lola Flower Blue, Roman Blinds in Eden Blue and Chair in Brock Blue’

The magnolia flower is one of my favourites, and the Jane Churchill has perfectly captured their beauty with this elegantly designed and delicately embroidered pattern. The magnolia’s lie behind the Brock stripe which is softened by its brushed cotton texture. The whole look has a peaceful atmosphere to it.

The contemporary style of the Hailey pattern gives an updated look to a classic style of chair, and the subtle stone colour allows you to play around with a bolder patterned or coloured cushion.

‘Chair in Hailey Stone and Cushion in Eden Charcoal’

The Eden fabric is a beautiful ombre toile, which brings a contemporary edge to the classic pattern. The red-y pink hues in this colourway also gives the style a playful edge, and the fabric’s versatility is shown off in both upholstery and curtain use.

‘Curtains and Chair in Eden Red’

‘Roman Blind in Yasmin Aqua’

Positioned in a rustically styled bathroom, the Yasmin fabric adds a hints of femininity to the minimal setting. The icy blue background and with the blush pinks in the floral detail gives a beautiful effect.

‘Cushions from top to bottom Rydall Red, Calla Red, Marely Red and Silvan Red’

These cushions show off the fun smaller prints in the Eden collection, each a great fabric for that’ll add accents of colour, patterns and style amongst larger patterns or solid colours. The red piping borders the patterns, giving a fresh and fun look.

The final photograph offers up the luxurious combination of orangey gold and hot pinks. The button-backed chair is gloriously covered in the pink Palma fabric with a cushion in the umber colourway, the two colours give a punchy, fruity look. Next to the block colours is the Haywood Leaf with gold embroidery which has a beautiful understated glamour to it. The combination of the pink and the gold leaf gives a sharp contemporary look.

‘Curtains in Haywood Leaf Gold, Chair in Palma Pink and Cushion in Palma Umber’

The Eden collection is full of smart and glamorous fabrics, which offer up both romance and playfulness in one collection. Fun, vibrant colours are mixed with traditional styles, giving the whole collection a unique and interesting feel.

Read Full Post »

The Great Outdoors

Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning a beautiful garden for the season. From large pieces of furniture to the smaller details, creating a lovely outdoor area means you’re prepared for those rare sunny days and the warm evenings that follow. Whether you want to entertain a crowd or just make a cosy setup for yourself, there are plenty of ways to step up your outdoor game with some wonderful pieces.

‘Somerton Outdoor Dining Set’ from Cox & Cox

Add a little glamour to your alfresco dining by finding a suitable, but stylish table. This Somerton table and benches from Cox & Cox will give both contemporary and rustic elements to your outdoor area. The modern grey is a versatile colour and the long benches mean you can squeeze a few extra people around the table when you have guests over, making it a great table for spontaneous dinner parties. If you don’t need as much space, you can opt for something a little smaller like this Bistro table from Houseology, it’s more modern then your typical Bistro set, meaning you can adapt it to different types of settings.

‘Houseology Collection Grigio Bistro Set in Grey’ from Houseology

To stay out of the shade, and for the ultimate way to show off some style, a parasol is an outdoor must-have. If you’re looking for something really jaw-dropping, Sunbeam Jackie have a beautiful collection of ready-made parasols as well as doing bespoke versions if you really want to tailor it perfectly to your style. This Sunflowers in Blue piece is a gorgeous way to keep cool in the sun.

‘Sunflowers in Blue Parasol’ from Sunbeam Jackie

Another beautiful garden parasol comes from Rockett St George, this beaded piece will transform your back garden into an exotic paradise. It’s a great buy for making a style statement, adding fun and sophistication to your overall look.

‘Boho Beaded Cotton Garden Umbrella’ from Rockett St George

When the evenings get a little cold, gather round a gorgeous fire pit to keep yourself warm. This square aged brazier from Cox & Cox is a wonderful contemporary piece that’ll steal the show in your garden. The unusual shape and style will have people thinking you commissioned it yourself.

‘Square Rusty Brazier’ from Cox & Cox

To make sure you keep the light, a few garden accessories from The White Company are sure to do the trick. These crooks and lanterns will look amazing leading down a pathway or placed on the edge of a patio to give a party the perfect ambient lighting.

‘Metal Crooks and Torch Lanterns’ from The White Company

If you ever need a quick and inexpensive way to create a romantic and dreamy garden setting, fairy lights will never go amiss. This extra-long set from The White Company will allow you to cover your whole garden. Neatly decorate a bush or tree, or give some structural work a little make over like in the picture below; a rustic beam covered in fairy lights and a few branches turn something ordinary into a beautiful decorative charm.

‘Extra Long Fairy Lights’ from The White Company

Create the ideal hangout spot with this sweet crochet hammock from Graham and Green. It’s a great bohemian style and all you need to do is find some cushions to add into the mix and place your hammock in a hidden part of your garden, making it the perfect spot when you want to get away from the world.

‘Crochet Double Hammock’ from Graham & Green

If your garden is lacking a bit of space, you can always create the illusion of more with the use of mirrors; place on the garden wall where it’ll reflect the lawn or a collection of plants and it’ll make your space feel a little bigger. This mirror with some rustic shutters from Cox & Cox will add a bit of old, vintage charm to your garden, giving it its own character.

‘Outdoor Shutter Mirror’ from Cox & Cox

In order to keep your drink close by you on a hot day, you’ll need a few side tables to accompany your outdoor chairs. This bistro style table from Garden Trading is a charming little number that will go with most styles and a great way to finish off a seating area.

‘Rive Droite Bistro Tray Table in Charcoal’ from Garden Trading

For a touch of decorative flair on your outdoor side or coffee table, a few hurricane lanterns will really complete the look. These candle holders from West Elm are the perfect way to dress an outdoor table; the various heights and colours gives depth and range to the collection, making them both stylish and a great way to keep the garden feeling cosy late into the evening.

‘Pure Glass Hurricanes’ from West Elm

While there is always a slim chance that we might not get a sun-filled summer, you can still guarantee a beautiful one with some amazing pieces of outdoor furniture and some charming accessories.

Read Full Post »

The Bed of your Dreams

Like any sane person, I love my bed, and if you don’t love your own bed, there’s a good chance it’s because you haven’t been treating it right. A good bed consists of more than just a nice frame and quality mattress, and though these are essential to getting a good night’s sleep, your bed and its surrounding area shouldn’t just be a matter of function. Kitting your bed area out in the perfect accessories that suit you down to a T will help to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling when you walk into your room and see your bed. From throws, cushions, headboards, linens and even the surrounding furniture, everything plays an integral part of making the space feel like your own and turning it into an area that you can’t wait to get into at night and leaves you feeling happy when you wake up in the morning. Making cosmetic improvements to your bed is a great way to give your room your stamp of personality, while also creating an inviting and relaxing space. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you could change and how you could change it, with both high and low budget pieces, so you can treat yourself without upsetting your wallet.

‘Crushed Linen Duvet Set’ from Volga Linen’

That feeling of getting into bed when you have fresh sheets on is lovely, but what’s even better is having a brand new set altogether. It’s a quick and easy way to give your bed a boost in comfort and style. As a personal preference, I like to keep my covers simple to make way for more decorative pieces later, a pastel or white can be the perfect way to lay some foundations when it comes to covering your bed. For high quality, Volga Linen has some wonderful sets in some amazing colours. For linens that still look beautiful, but are a fraction of the cost, H&M Home have some wonderful designs up their sleeve. For the same simple look, the washed linen set are a must-have, and are a good price so it means you can invest in a few sets, in different colours.

‘Washed Linen Duvet Cover Set’ from H&M Home

Adding a headboard to your bed is a great way to give your space a sense of glamour and elegance, turning your bed into to a distinctive feature in your bedroom. Last year we combined a headboard from The Dormy House and fabric from Pierre Frey to create a gorgeous headboard for the master bedroom for one of our clients; the outcome turned an average looking bed to one of my favourite features in the house.

‘Regal Shaped Headboard with Stud Piping’ from The Dormy House with ‘Watom Juane Fabric’ from Pierre Frey

For something that has the same effect as a headboard, but is a lot cheaper, there are some easy ways to create a dramatic look for your bed without the dramatic price tag. With a little DIY you can create a beautiful head for your bed with a pole and a pair of curtains. An example of this is taken from Pinterest, which shows how a simple piece of sheer cloth can add a huge amount of glamour and style to a bed.

Taken from ‘MyDesignerMom’ via Pinterest

Above the designer has used a plain white fabric, but if you want to add in a bit of colour or a pattern, making sure that the fabric is light will mean that the overall look doesn’t get too heavy. These curtain panels from Anthropologie could be a great design to use in this way.

‘Adalet Curtain’ from Anthropologie

Creating a collection of cushions and a throw is a great way to tailor your bed to your own taste; whether that is piles of colourful cushions, or just a few understated ones. If you don’t want to break the bank when you comes to filling out your bed with cushions, many high street home stores have a great range in some interesting designs. I like these pastel, kilim style cushions from Urban Outfitters, they have a contemporary bohemian feel about them and will keep your bedroom looking light and relaxed.

‘Andanda Kilim Cushion’ from Urban Outfitters

To go the full nine yards when it comes to cushions, getting some custom made from some designer fabric will give you bed a luxurious feeling and a personal touch. By choosing this option you can also make sure that you have the exact design you want. There are an abundance of designers out there to choose from, for fun and colourful designs head over to Osborne & Little, they’re fabric patterns are perfect for making a few elaborate and eye-catching cushions; I love these styles from their new Masque collection, the Pageant, Carnival and Jester patterns are great for adding some vibrancy to your bedspread.

From Left to Right: ‘Carnival, Pageant and Jester fabric cushions’ from Osborne & Little

For that extra warmth in the winter and that extra style all year round, the addition of a throw will make your bed look and feel complete. It’s worth investing in a throw that will actually keep you warm as well as looking good on your bed, which needn’t mean spending the earth. Wool, Mohair and Cashmere are the best materials to use, and you can find good quality versions of these for reasonable prices. These Mohair Wool throws from Trouva have wonderful oversized fringing and look super cosy.

‘Cozy Living Forest Green Melange Mohair Wool Throw’ from Trouva

For super high quality and luxuriously soft throws, Biggest Blanket have got a beautiful selection. This Stafford throw has some rich, romantic colours and is perfect for curling up in when winter rears its ugly head again.

‘Stafford Wool and Mohair Throw’ from Biggest Blanket

Placing a rug underneath your bed will help to create a defining area, it can give your bed more of an impact in a room, plus it’ll be a nice treat for your feet in the mornings. Size is key when it comes to rugs, it’s important to make sure that it isn’t too small or it won’t sit right within the room. For high quality and beautifully designed rugs, The Rug Company never fails to impress, I love this Spider design by Neisha Crosland; the pattern has a careful balance between simplicity in colour and intricacy in design so that it will remain a staple and stylish piece in your home.

‘Spider by Neisha Crosland’ from The Rug Company

Unfortunately the bigger the rug, the bigger the cost, and if you don’t want to spend a huge amount of money you’ll need to find a company that can offer you a good sized rug at a reasonable rate. Swoon Editions have some lovely rugs in their collection in decent sizes that can help make the perfect bed area. This Kankare rug has a small pattern in a faded denim colour that can work a few different schemes to create a foundation in the bed area.

‘Kankare Rug in Indigo’ from Swoon Editions

A pair of beautiful bedside tables can frame a bed, adding structure and style to your bedroom. For a mid-century treat, a new addition to Chelsea Textiles furniture collection is this gorgeous piece; it’s elegantly designed with a timeless style that’ll last you for years.

‘Bedside Table Two Drawer, Wicker Handle, Brass Trim & Legs’ from Chelsea Textiles

If you want to save a bit of money, but still maintain some style, there are loads of less expensive options to choose from; this Ikea piece in a bright yellow will make a sweet touch to a bedroom, adding a splash of fun colour.

‘Hemnes Bedside Table in Yellow’ from Ikea

Finally, the way to finishing off your dream bed area, is with some lighting. The bedside lighting needs to be suitably chosen, having to accommodate functional needs like reading, but also creating a relaxing atmosphere as you get ready for bed. Keep things simple with this modern looking lamp from Habitat.

‘Dylan Table Lamp in Natural’ from Habitat

If you like things a little more flamboyant, this playful lamp from Graham & Green could be just the thing needed to complete a fun and bohemian styled bedroom. The birds are a wacky edition that will proudly show off your style.

‘Volieres Bird Cage Lamp’ from Graham & Green

When it comes to decorating your bed and its neighbouring areas, you have the luxury of getting to be a little selfish. It’s a place that’s just for you, or you and your partner. Many other spaces in the room have to accommodate guests, other family members, or be styled in a way that suits everyday life, but as for your bed, you can turn this area into a space that’s your perfect hideaway, just the way you want it.

Read Full Post »