Be Our Guest

When you start to plan how your guest bedroom should look, it’s a whole other ball game to decorating a permanent bedroom within your house. A regular bedroom must accommodate the day-to-day needs of its occupants, and there must be an equal balance between style and functionality, but since occupancy of a guest room is sporadic, there are a different set of rules to decorating the space. Here are some tips for making the most out of your guest bedroom and making it feel like a home for your visitors.

Finding a nice range of permanent decorative features for a guest bedroom will mean that it is always ready, making sure you have one less thing to panic about when a scheduled guest arrives and you’re completely covered if you get a surprise visit. Though fresh flowers are always a plus, creating a foundation of faux flowers is a great way to keep a guest bedroom looking finished at all times. There are hundreds of high quality faux flowers to choose from these days, but at Angel + Blume we adore the selection from Abigail Ahern. If you want, you can opt for seasonal colours or types of flowers, but if you’re looking for something to suit your room all year round, you can’t go wrong with some fresh looking, white or cream flowers.

‘Abigail Ahern Cream Hydrangea Stem’ from Rose Grey

To house the flowers, finding the right, beautiful vase can add a delicate and effortless sense of style to a room. Choosing something simple but with a hint of character means it’ll keep its charm for a longer period, and finding a piece with a classic style means that you won’t have to worry about replacing it for a while. Something like this LSA International polka vase design is a great piece, its contemporary style gives it an exciting edge but the design isn’t too daring or bold, meaning that the vase will appeal to most people’s tastes who stay in the room. The lightly tinted glass is also a pretty alternative to a plain glass vase.

‘Polka Vase’ from LSA International

More often than not, a guest bedroom tends to be one of the smallest bedrooms in a house, mainly because we need the larger rooms to accommodate a larger amount of needs and functions. Therefore you can often find that you might be short of storage space in your guest bedroom. Though you definitely don’t need as much closet space for you guests as you would for any permanent members of the household, there are all sorts of ways to make up a little room for their clothes and belongings. Finding something like an armoire that combines both a chest of drawers and a hanging area will save a whole load of floor space. This armoire from The White Company is gorgeous and will perfectly complement a whole range of styles. It can become an interesting feature on its own accord, plus its storage capacity will be super handy if you have guests that are staying for a week or longer, (or if they just bring a lot of stuff!)

‘Provence Armoire’ from The White Company

If you are more restricted on space, a luggage holder is a great solution. If there is no room for your guest to properly unpack, you can make the whole thing look a lot more appeasing by providing a designated place for them to put their suitcase of bag. It will bring the luggage off the floor which will give the idea of more space in the room, and give a cleaner, more thought-out look. They are a whole range of styles to pick from for your luggage holder, but if you’re looking for one that is simple and effective, Garden Trading have wonderful design.

‘Weekend Folding Luggage Rack’ from Garden Trading

You can always make use of your storage requirements and use them to help decorate the room. These copper trunks from Maisons du Monde are great for keeping extra towels or blankets in for your guests, or even if you need to use the storage to keep things in for yourself, your guests will be none the wiser if it’s disguised in a pretty, decorative trunk!

‘2 Victoire Copper Finish Trunks’ from Maisons du Monde

Providing the perfect bed, both comfort and style-wise, is a sure fire way to make sure that your guests have the best possible stay. If you want to go all out with a beautiful frame of head board you can, but if not you can always make a bed area look one hundred times more appealing with some lovely linens and accessories. Investing in some high quality linens is a good way to make sure the room looks fresh and elegant all year round. The Linen Works are always a great idea if you need some top-quality bedsheets. This Parisian blue is an absolute stunner and is the perfect combination of rustic charm and sophistication.

‘Parisian Blue Linen’ from The Linen Works

Cushions and throws are the perfect way to add a little bit of character to your guest room, without your guests being overloaded. If you’re guests have a wide range of style and tastes, you may want to create a neutral setting for your guest room, but to avoid the room looking stiff, adding some individuality in the form of soft furnishings is a great solution. This big tasseled throw from Rockett St George is completely charming and the perfect way to finish off a guest room’s look.

‘Annette Moroccan Throw with Tassels’ from Rockett St George

The same can be said for this gorgeous selection of cushions from Graham & Green. The tassel detailing is a sweet little finish that’ll put a smile of your guest’s faces.

‘Avignon Cushions’ from Graham & Green

In order to really make your guest bedroom feel like a home instead of a space that’s just been thrown together to make room for your visitors, the inclusion of some larger furniture can go a long way. If you have the room, adding a sofa or armchair can make your guest feel like they have their own little space in your home to relax in if they (or both of you) need a little moment to yourselves. This armchair from West Elm is the perfect piece to complete a guest room look. The mid-century styles means that it isn’t bulky and won’t take up any unnecessary room, but will still look stylish and be comfy.

‘Mid-century Armchair’ from West Elm

Likewise, adding a dainty writing desk to a guest room can give it extra style. There is no need for a practical, oversized desk that might be needed for an office or study, instead in a guest room you can opt for a sweet, petite desk that is full of style and grace. I love it colonial style desk from Maisons du Monde, it’s the perfect size to complete the look of an idyllic guest bedroom.

‘Explorateur Stained Solid Teak Desk’ from Maisons du Monde

Creating your perfect guest bedroom is almost like creating a little fairy-tale space in your home that needn’t adhere to the functional requirements of a permanently used space. Instead you can make a wonderful haven area that is so good you’ll guests may never want to leave.

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Cosy Autumn Nights

Maybe it’s my imagination, or maybe I’m just ready for the autumn weather, but as soon as it turns September I feel a little nip in the air. While that may fill some people with sadness, I’m always secretly a little happy, autumn is my second favourite season after spring so I always welcome it with open arms. Making the transition from hot summer evenings to chillier autumn ones can always be made a whole lot smoother if you’re prepared, having your throws, cushions and snuggly furniture ready will mean that you’ll be looking forward to those evening curled up on the sofa instead of out in the garden. I’ve pulled together some wonderful products that’ll make those autumn nights even more tempting.

Finding a marvellous throw for the colder part of the year will not only keep you warm, but instantly make a sofa or bed look revitalised. Picking the best material for your throw is a job within itself, Merino wool is made from the Merino sheep, mainly in Australia, and is incredibly soft! I love this patterned throw from Wool Me, the red and green design will pop next to a pale coloured sofa, or help create a moody feel on a dark shade.

‘Red Green Merino Wool Throw Marta’ from Wool Me

If you’re looking for a throw that is outrageously soft, you can’t go wrong with a Mohair throw. Heal’s currently have a Mohair throw in five gorgeous colourways, but my particular favourite this the pastels shade. It looks perfect spread across a bed just like below but would look equally fabulous draped over an armchair when not in use.

‘Mohair Throw’ from Heal’s

Those nights where you’re inside watching a film, or reading a book instead of enjoy a summer’s evening can be made a whole lot easier when you have a wonderfully comfy sofa or armchair to curl up on. Loaf have produced a collection of sofas and armchairs, or as they lovingly call them ‘squishy’ chairs, that look like the King and Queens of comfort! Two of my favourite looks from their collection are the Snuggalump sofa and the Crumpet armchair, they both have extra thick cushions so you can get yourself well and truly comfy in one of these.

‘Snuggalump Sofa’ from Loaf

‘Crumpet armchair’ from Loaf

If you’re all set for sofas, but are still looking for something to snuggle up in, this cocoon from Graham & Green may be your sort of thing. Its design is perfect for anyone who loves playful and contemporary pieces, and if you love vegging out on a Sunday afternoon!

‘Zig Zag Cocoon Chair’ from Graham & Green

Getting your interiors ready for autumn doesn’t necessarily mean you need to kit your home out in those typical autumn colours, if you prefer the bright and bold scheme then go for it! Cushions are a quick and fun way to inject a bit of colour into your interior, plus they’ll really spruce up a room with minimal effort. These Frida cushions from Graham & Green are fantastic, they use abstract imagery of the iconic artist (and her parrots!) to create some playful cushions. Use intermittently in a set of scatter cushions or go all out and use all in a row to really make a statement.

‘Appliqued Character Cushions’ from Graham & Green

If you fancy something a little less bright but just as fun, head over to Trouva for this snazzy tassel cushion. It’s ideal to give a space some character, and a hint of Mediterranean feel.

‘Turquoise Tassel Kelim Cushion’ from Trouva

A great way to make your bedroom feel extra comfy for autumn is with a new bedspread, although it may not make it any easier to get out of bed in the morning! I absolutely love this velvet and linen bedspread from Niki Jones, it looks like you could wrap yourself up in it all day!

‘Velvet Linen Bedspread’ from Niki Jones

If you’re not quite ready to let go of summer, this beautiful duvet set from Houseology cannot be missed! The wisteria pattern will help you get through the colder months as you dream of summer.

‘Bluebellgray Wisteria Bed Linen’ from Houseology

Autumn is on the horizon and whether you’re happy or sad about it, one thing you can’t argue with is how much fun you’re going to have creating your perfect snuggly autumn retreat!

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All Things Bright and Beautiful

A couple of weeks ago I looked at the fabulous book COLOUR by Abigail Ahern for our monthly Book Club. Since then I have been intrigued by all things colourful in the world of interiors. It’s a fun and easy task to turn your home from a neutral setting to fabulously colourful! A bold paint choice, or wild decorative piece may be exactly what you need to create an enviable rainbow-esque room, but if you’re not ready to dive straight in there are small injections of colour to be made by the addition of bright home accessories.

So starting off slow, I’ve got together a collection of exciting, sophisticated and most importantly brightly coloured accessories and furnishings to show you how much fun there is to be had with the bold and beautiful.

If you feel like you might need easing into the idea of eccentric and bright interiors, it’s best to go easy and introduce colour step by step with a few gleaming home accessories. These glass candle holders from Rockett St George are a great way to spice up a window sill or bare surface. The interaction between the gold and the colourful exteriors will create a warm and inviting setting in any home.

‘Glass Globe Candle Holders’ from Rockett St George

Before you go in bright and beaming, opting for a more muted colourful tone is a good way to get acquainted with colour, something like these crackled, antiqued plant pots from Graham & Green will jazz up a patio area or conservatory without being too overbearing, plus they’ll make a strong canvas to continue to add colour to in the future.

’Turquoise Plant Pots’ from Graham & Green

I’m finding it ever increasingly harder and harder to resist a bit of trim these days, so this blanket is absolutely perfect. The lovely blue tones with make a bright impact, and will be easily adapted into all sorts of colour and style schemes.

‘Pom Pom Blanket’ from Holly’s House

 

Not all bold colour interiors need to consist of the bright primary colours, take a cooler, more relaxed journey with some sophisticated metallics, like this bronze Barabra chair from Sweetpea and Willow. It’s has a fantastic retro vibe going on, and will transform a simple front room into a plush cocktail lounge.

‘Barabra Bronze Chair’ from Sweetpea and Willow

When it comes to a large piece of furniture such as a dining room table, there is always an urge to stick to the status quo and go for something conventional. But if you’re interested in adding a little colour to your palette, there’s no need to go to extremes and end up with a tomato red shiny table. Find your middle ground with something like this stylish piece from Houseology. The traditional wood top combined with the playful painted legs makes a wonderful contemporary statement.

‘Moooi Paper Table Patchwork’ from Houseology

When you get more comfortable with the idea of bright, colourful interiors you can really start to have some fun with the concept, from small and big ideas. If you’re thinking big, you can’t get more bright, colourful and stylish than this iconic design by Missoni from Roche Bobois. Whether you want to make a big statement or have just fallen in love with the design, it’s every colour lover’s dream.

‘Mah Jong Composition Missoni Home’ from Roche Bobois

This Zulu girl cushion from Graham & Green brings a lovely regal side to the world of bright interiors, it makes the perfect scatter cushion, either in a collection of equally bold cushions or as a statement piece against a sea of neutral cushions as its backdrop.

‘Zulu Girl Cushion’ from Graham & Green

There is always something to be found from the colourful section of home accessories if you want to add a sense of humour into your interior settings. Although they might be a little too quirky for some people’s taste, this set of winking eyes is rather fun. They’re perfect for a den or bedroom and are a great way to put a smile on people’s faces.

‘Winking Eye Cushions’ from Rockett St George

To give your table a quick fix of colourful fun, these Magritte inspired plates are a must. They’re so fabulous that they’ll even distract the guests if the dinner all goes wrong!

‘Magritte Melamine Plates’ from Rockett St George

And finally if you ever need a little colourful pick me up, this pink budgie is marvellous, hide it away in some plants or up on a shelf so that it’ll catch anyone who spots it by surprise as they walk past.

‘Pink Budgie’ from Rockett St George

Whatever your budget and whatever your taste or space requirements there is always a way to add a little brightness into your interiors and a little joy into your life!

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Pelikan: A Mid Century Haven

This week I took a trip to Haverhill to visit the warehouse of the wonderful company, Pelikan. I not only had a good look at their collection, but I had a chance to sit down with the owners Penny and Rachel.

‘Romi Three Seater’

Pelikan is a furniture company that specialises in the restoration of Danish, mid-century sofas and chairs. While maintaining the sophisticated, minimalist style of Danish design from the 1930s to the 1960s, the Pelikan team revamp the furniture in modern wools and tweeds.

‘Coco Two Seater’

The concept and motivation of the company is to make vintage styles accessible and functional in today’s modern world. So often with buying vintage furniture, especially pieces that are in frequent use like a sofa, there’s always the slight hesitation that because of its age the piece will be too fragile to operate in the same way as a new sofa. However, the beauty of Pelikan is that they retain all the authenticity of the original design and style that mid-century modern has to offer but it is presented in a fashion that allows for the daily rough and tumble that comes with modern life.

‘Hera Armchair’

The company began to materialise after Penny, one of the co-owners, visited a friend out in Denmark and was struck by the beautiful furniture that filled the homes and buildings. Inspired by what she saw she began to delve into the mid-century world, finding a niche in the market for pieces that held the spirit of the past with the suitability and durability of the present.

‘Vera Three Seater’

The team have trusted places where they source all of their pieces from, after initially making to trips to Denmark themselves they developed a keen eye for fine craftsmanship and quality pieces, and with an abundance of designers, styles and pieces to choose from they seem to be spoilt for choice.

After their selected pieces arrive at the warehouse the process to finding the perfect fabric to suit the personality and style of each piece begins. From authentic Harris Tweed to wool blends in contemporary colours, each piece of furniture is treated as an individual, with its own needs, and this is perfectly captured by each piece receiving its own name, catered to its style and history, from Wolfgang to Raja.

‘Raja Daybed’

Pelikan also do a bespoke service, where a customer can choose from a range of unrestored pieces and have it customised to their specific needs and in their own chosen fabric. This process can often lead to the most daring and exciting pieces, which in turn inspire the fabric choices for collections that follow.

‘Wolfgang Armchair’

What is so lovely about Pelikan’s products, and the mid-century motif in general, is the way that the designs visually effect you. From the off-set when you walk into room that houses one of these pieces, you will immediately think ‘what a lovely piece’, but the more time you spend looking the more the piece comes to life. Small details that give the overall look such flair and style slowly come out and with each new glance or different angel you view it from the more the piece speaks to you, there’s a gradual appreciation that grows, which is perfect for a piece of furniture that is meant to last.

‘Flora Three Seater’

Whether you’re a vintage or mid-century nut, or you just like a hint of this style in your home, there’s bound to be a piece that’ll take your fancy. From large three-seater sofas, to laid-back armchairs to conversational footstools, each piece has something to say and something to add to a home. The kind of pieces you’ll find a Pelikan are ideal if you want to add a little retro chic into your interiors, they’ll act as a foundation, which you can build upon, as they’re the perfect balance between exotic vintage style and functional, contemporary finishes. Though each piece is approached in an individual manner, the collection comes together in a succinct manner that shows a focus, organised company that masters their passion.

Pelikan are having an open studio on the 17th & 18th June, visit their website for more information.

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