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.

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Life’s a Beach

If you’re heading out to the beach this summer, or anywhere outdoorsy, keep the creature comforts of a stylish home at hand with some fantastic accessories that’ll make eating in the great outdoors feel less like camping and more like a relaxed al fresco affair. From glassware to blankets, we’ve got you covered, so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy that summer breeze.

Though the idea of a beautiful, sandy beach is rather picturesque, the reality is getting sand everywhere and anywhere. Avoid this mess with some helpful, and stylish, floor cushions and throws. These stripy picnic blankets from Trouva are made from recycled bottles, and are sturdy enough to keep that pesky sand at bay.

‘Striped Recycled Bottles Picnic Blankets’ from Trouva

Lean back and relax on these beautiful floor cushions, perfect for cosying into. The rich colours will really add some drama to your surroundings. Or keep it natural and more casual with one of these rush weave cushions from Not on the High Street.

‘Large Floor Cushions’ from Out There Interiors

 

‘Circular Rush Weave Grass Floor Cushions by Dibor’ from Not on the High Street

Give your seating area some character, and extra comfort, with a few of these beautiful outdoor cushions from Designers Guild. They’re a great buy and can be moved from a formal outdoor seating arrangement to a spontaneous picnic as quick as a flash.

From top to bottom ‘Jade Temple Cornflower, Amlapura Cobalt and Palasari Cobalt Outdoor Cushions’ from Designers Guild

Fine dining in the great outdoors can be made a little easier, and a lot more stylish, with some fun plasticware from Amara. These petroleum coloured tumblers are so pretty, and will work perfectly alongside these sky blue champagne flutes.

‘Double Face Acrylic Tumbler in Petroleum’ from Amara

‘Jellie Champagne Flute in Sky Blue’ from Amara

If you like a touch of over-the-top glamour, this wine glass is sure to be the icing on the cake, proving that being outdoorsy and sophisticated totally mix.

‘Chic & Zen Acrylic Wine Glass’ from Amara

It’s not only your drinks that need somewhere pretty to go, but your food too, and this pineapple plate from Graham & Green is so fun and summery.

‘Pineapple Bamboo Plate’ from Graham & Green

Keep everything packed away neatly is a classic and elegant picnic basket. This barrel shaped design adds an interesting touch, while the whitewashed basket below lends a contemporary feel.

‘Barrel Shaped Picnic Hamper by Eaton Hampers and Basketware’ from Not on the High Street

‘Ninon Whitewashed Wicker Picnic Basket’ from Maison du Monde

Stay out of the sun and into the cool shade with this stylish umbrella from House Doctor. The simple design means you can style it into the scheme without it looking out of place.

‘Oktogon Beach Umbrella by House Doctor’ from Wayfair

When it’s getting into the evening and you’re in need of some extra lighting, a few romantic candles that are protected from the wind will keep your magical surroundings well lit. This little bubble cage candle holder from Rockett St George is a really sweet find, adding charm to your alfresco area.

‘Glass Cage Lantern Candle Holder’ from Rockett St George

If you like a touch of the nautical theme, you’ll love this lantern from Zaza Homes, it’s a fun and simple edition to keep you going through the night.

‘Wood and Rope Nautical Lantern’ from Zaza Homes

And for that extra warmth, that most British holidays need, a cosy throw and a fire are the perfect companions. This blanket from Trouva is a beautiful colour, with some fun tassel details.

‘Jade Green Scandinavian Woven Blanket’ from Trouva

So whether you’ve venturing down to the beach, park or even just the bottom of your garden, make sure you have everything you need to have an amazing time this summer.

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Velvet Treasures

Over the past few years velvet has featured heavily in the interior design world, and we love it! A great way to give a house, room, sofa, bed or anything a new spring of life is with the addition of something velvety. What’s more there are some great ways to get creative with the material, so if you think you might have a little soft spot for velvet here are some great ways to dress up your house in the stuff!

For some, velvet can be initially a little overwhelming, by its very nature it’s quite a dramatic fabric, especially compared to a linen or cotton. But this drama can either be played up or down depending on your preference, and mixing the fabric with a variety of designs or colours means you can integrate the texture with other factors in a room scheme easily and smoothly. If you want to start off slowly, you can never go wrong with a few velvet cushions to brighten up a sofa, armchair or bed. For a little bit of subtly, opt for a neutral colour, like these mink coloured cushions from Cox & Cox, play around with the different sizes and eventually add in some more complementary colours to go with them.

‘Velvet and Linen Cushions in Mink’ from Cox & Cox

Next add in this delicious creation from Timorous Beasties via Houseology, the bee motif is an iconic Timorous Beasties design and gold contrasted against its dark velvet background offers a dramatic spin on a comfy cushion. It’ll look wonderful popping out against a crisp white sofa, or enhance a romantic atmosphere mixed in with some dark and moody colours.

‘Napoleon Bee Cushion by Timorous Beasties’ from Houseology

If you’re looking for the perfect snuggly material for the remaining winter months, and probably the-not-so-warm spring ones, a velvet throw will turn an average bed into one fit for royalty. This pin-tucked throw from Cox & Cox is gorgeous and comes in this dreamy, timeless sage colour.

‘Velvet and Linen Pin-Tucked Quilt in Sage’ from Cox & Cox

Velvet is a great fabric to add to a traditional style interior, and the glamour can help a room look a hundred times more sophisticated. This button quilted Enya chair from Graham & Green is all about old school Hollywood style, and can transform a room, giving it that lift it’s been in need of, the velvet will catch the light in a wonderful way, giving it extra vibrancy, especially against more muted tones and fabrics.

‘Enya Relaxing Chair’ from Graham & Green

Velvet doesn’t just go with traditional style rooms and furniture, in fact incorporating a modern design with velvet is a great way to balance out the fabric’s dramatic nature. This velvet dining chair has a distinct Nordic style it and the combination of the plush velvet with the modern legs gives an interesting vibe that would give your dining room an individual look.

‘Velvet Button Dining Chair in Blue’ from Out There Interiors

The same goes for these fantastic revived Mid-Century designs distributed by Rose & Grey, and made by 366 Concepts. This rocking chair design takes its inspiration from Jozef Chierowski’s original Easy Chair, with the modern edition of the rocking feature. The Mid-Century wooden frame mixed together with the velvet upholstery creates an exciting, dynamic look.

‘Jozef Chierowski 366 Rocking Chair Velvet’ from Rose & Grey

Another wonderful design from the Rose & Grey and 366 Concept is this occasional chair originally designed by Teofil Halas in 1963. The smoky grey colour gleams in the sunlight and pairs perfectly with the tones of the wood frame. It brings about a balance between low-key elegance and distinctive design can will really set your interiors apart from the rest.

‘Velvet Halas Dining Chair’ from Rose & Grey

Heals have a wonderful sofa bed in stock at the moment, which reinvents the concept of a Chesterfield sofa. The Chesterfield is a classic design that can be worked into all sorts of interior schemes, the gorgeous sofa bed offers the same style in a contemporary way, it’s available in leather but I think the velvet version is the way to go. Shown below, its styled perfectly with some vibrant yellows and some extra velvet cushions if you just can’t get enough.

’40 Winks Sofa Bed’ from Heal’s

Speaking of yellow, I think I may have fallen in love with the colour of this super footstool from Swoon Editions. The velvet looks divine in its honey mustard colour, and would make a bold statement against some more neutral, contemporary surroundings, or even add a little spice mixed into a traditional setting. If you like the idea of velvet furnishing, but aren’t ready to invest in one of the larger pieces just yet, getting something smaller like a footstool is a great way to test the velvet waters.

‘Tivoli Footstool in Honey’ from Swoon Editions

A velvet effect rug will not only look luxurious but feel it too, a real treat for your eyes and your feet! This rug from Designers Guild is utterly beautiful. The interlocking patterns create an amazing textural effect giving depth and tone to the look of the rug. It’s the ideal solution when you want a simple rug that isn’t flat in appearance.

‘Roxburgh Rug in Moleskin’ from Designers Guild

For a little Art Nouveau touch to your velvet and your interiors, this golden flamingo lamp with a royal blue velvet shade will add a pinch of over the top frippery that all rooms need a little sprinkling of from time to time.

‘Metal Flamingo Table Lamp’ from Rockett St George

From beds to sofas to floors, adding a touch of velvet to an interior will give a scheme some wholehearted dramatic flair, which will not only make your home look fabulous but feel soft, plush and beautiful!

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Sky’s the Limit

A lot of the time when you look up at someone’s ceiling, you’re most likely to a plain white one looking back at you. Now while there is absolutely nothing wrong with a beautiful, crisp white ceiling, I always sense that in most home, the ceiling goes a little neglected. There are some wonderful ways to play around with the vast space that is your ceiling, and here a just a few ideas, from wallpaper to lighting.

If you’re style tends to lean towards the more traditional side of interior design, a beautiful cornice could be just what you need. A well-crafted cornice will give your home a little grandeur and glamour. For timeless style head over to Stevensons of Norwich, they have something to suit everyone from simple to embellishment.

‘Stevensons National Trust mid Georgian Cornice’ from Stevensons of Norwich

The ceiling rose dates back to as early as the 17^th Century in England, and has been a prominent feature in a lot of English homes ever since. Whether you have one that’s looking a bit crumbly, or you don’t have one at all, the addition of a ceiling rose, especially in a traditional or period home is a lovely touch that will add a bit of character to your ceilings. Stevensons of Norwich have some beautiful ceiling roses, in all sorts of styles, I particularly like the art deco designs they have in their collection. They would make a fantastic feature, either painted along with the ceiling in a dramatic colour, or if you’re feeling adventurous painted a contrasting bright colour to your walls and ceiling.

‘Art Deco Ceiling Rose B’ from Stevensons of Norwich

Maybe you’re into a bit of bling in your interiors, and want to go full Renaissance, marble mansion-esque style but aren’t really looking to re-mortgage the house in order to kit it out. Instead of breaking the bank, why not go for a modern, playful alternative to the real thing. Wall decals are excellent ways to create a big statement in an easy, fun way. This gold stencil, available on Etsy is a great idea if you want to add a bit of neo-classical luxury to your ceilings.

‘Ceiling Stencil’ from Cutting Edge Stencils via Etsy

A great way to add a bit of colour, character and charm onto your ceilings is to wallpaper them. Whether is a bold colour or an intriguing patterns or imagery, you can begin to create your very own Sistine Chapel. For a contemporary take on the conventional cloud-like design, this wallpaper from Designers Guild is superb! Turn a bedroom or a den into a dreamy heaven with this little gem up on your ceiling!

‘Ceil Liberte Aurore Wallpaper’ from Designers Guild

For an industrial, distressed style, this tile wallpaper is fantastic way to give your home a bit of an edge, it replicates the tin tiles that were all the rage in North America from 1890 to the 1930s.

‘Brooklyn Tile Wallpaper’ from Trouva

High ceilings are a blessing to those who have them, and they invite all sorts of fun and creative decorative ideas. If you have the space in an indoor room, or perhaps a conservatory, filling the ceiling area with gorgeous lanterns is great to tick the decorating and lighting boxes. Keep them all white for a sophisticated look, or create a playful environment with a range of colourful lanterns.

‘Chinese Lanterns’ from Featherology 2 via Etsy

If you like the idea of the lanterns, but maybe think they’re a little too feminine for your style, why not go for something like these black, grey and white star lanterns from Bodie & Fou. They had a cool, contemporary edge, and if you’re living in a smoky city, seeing the stars at night won’t be a problem anymore!

‘Selection of Stars’ from Bodie & Fou

The perfect ceiling accessory if of course a pendant light, just like a wonderful pair of earrings it’s a fab way to complete a whole look. For something rather special these tassel pendant lights from Rockett St George are a little bit magical. They’re made from smoked olive teardrop glass shades and one metre of tassels. The perfect companion for a stairwell.

‘Long Tassel Glass Light’ from Rockett St George

And lastly, for a bit of colourful fun, and a great way to quickly brighten up a room, this rainbow shade for Rockett St George will do just the trick in giving your ceiling a bit life!

‘Rainbow Lampshade’ from Rockett St George

Whatever your style, or however brave you’re feeling just remember that your ceiling is a blank canvas just waiting to be covered in all kinds of wonderful treats!

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Extra Ordinary Wallpapers

More often than not when faced with the task of redecorating, whether it’s a recently bought house or just time for a facelift, so many of us shy away from bold adventurous patterns and colours and head straight over to the neutrals section of any sample book and never look back. While neutral, when done well, will always been an elegant and classic decision, there’s something to be said for adorning your home with something a little more unusual.

A few weeks ago I wrote a blogpost on some of the best paint companies around, and today I wanted to share the companies who have Angel + Blume’s stamp of approval when it comes to gloriously exciting and interesting wallpaper designs. For all the thrill seekers out there who don’t want to settle for plain and love a creative and vibrantly decorated interior, here are some absolutely wonderful, out of the ordinary wallpaper designs that will tick all the boxes.

When you opt for a striking, daring wallpaper design, instead your wall of being just part of the foundations of a house, it becomes a work of art, and finding an artistic print that’s just right for you will not only give you so much joy but will completely transform a room.

‘Rockface’ from Fromental

This is a wonderful, contemporary piece from Fromental, it’ll bring a bucket load of originality and create an elegant and sleek landscape right in the middle of your home. It will look striking on a long stretch of a wall, even when broken up with features such as a fireplace like above. What’s so great about this design is the symmetry between the drama of the mountain design and understated nature of the colour palette meaning either part can be dressed up or down depending on your style preference.

Another company that is always a reliable source for art-like wallpaper designs is House of Lacroix via Designers Guild. Vivid, snappy designs that don’t shy away from colour, Lacroix wallpapers will excite anyone who sees them. The latest collection ‘Incroyables et Merveillesuses’ has some truly show-stopping patterns that are perfect for awakening your wild side.

‘Bagatelle’ by House of Lacroix from Designers Guild

With a visual impact like no other, the Bagatelle design, which takes inspiration from the Parc de Bagatelle just outside of Paris, will inject life into your interior and is a superb way to show off of your courageous and inventive style.

For an equally floral and fruitful design, but with a more regimented pattern, Timorous Beasties have a lovely design that coordinates wonderful scenery into contemporary vertical stripes, making it the ideal companion for anyone looking to integrate nature elements into a modern scheme without it looking too traditional. The playful vertical stripes work perfectly and add a little bounce to the interior.

‘Fruit Looters’ from Timorous Beasties

Never one to shy away from colour and patterns, Osborne and Little always have something rather wonderful up their sleeve, and their new ‘Fantasque’ collection is nothing short of amazing. The geometric patterns and abstract designs pay homage to the cultural movements of the early 20^th century and the striking colours are just what the doctor ordered to add a little oomph to your interiors.

‘Fantasque’ from Osborne and Little

This art deco themed wallpaper is wonderfully sultry, the rich colours and bold patterns make it ooze with glamour, the dramatic aesthetic would look stunning in dark and cosy den. Another vertically striped marvel is this Tamara De Lempicka inspired pattern which has a lovely vibrant sense of movement to it.

‘Lempicka’ from Osborne and Little

If you love a vivacious colour palette but find traditional prints and patterns more agreeable with you style Waybreads is the perfect company for you. Waybreads make beautiful hand printed wallpapers that all follow a natural, wildlife motif; think a modern Morris & Co. in the making.

‘Dog Rose’ from Waybreads

I think the combination of this colourway and pattern is breath-taking, so rich and luxurious yet kept humble by the floral motif, it would look amazing in a long corridor or hallway. Another equally stunning design from Waybreads is this ‘Guleder Rose and Old Man’s Beard’ print. With a lovely backstory as its inspiration and the extra added touch of being hand printed, there’s a real uniqueness about the design that will really give your home a wonderful welcoming spirit.

‘Guelder Rose and Old Man’s Beard’ from Waybreads

If you’re looking for something that has the same amount of style and impact but in more of a subtle tone, there are plenty of styles and designs that will get you your fix. Designers Guild have a beautiful fading design that is the perfect balance between neutral and experimental. There’s a balance of sophistication and elegance as well as fun and contemporariness that creates a modern nod towards a classic interior.

‘Saraille’ from Designers Guild

Fromental have a delightful geometric design that uses a subtle palette, which is perfect of those who want optimum style without being over the top, the Moorish architectural it takes influence from a classic, elegant style that won’t appear dated, and the use of the blue tones and shading give the design an almost three dimensional effect.

‘Kaleidoscope’ from Fromental

So if you’re thinking about spicing up your interiors, why not dive in head first with some outstanding wallpaper designs that will truly make your home shine with originality and excitement.

For more information on these suppliers and many others check out Angel + Blume’s Address Book at, http://www.angelandblume.com/addressbook.php

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Paint a Perfect Picture

When it comes to redecorating a home perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is what colour your walls should be, make the wrong choice and you’re stuck with a peculiar colour until you can summon the strength to do it all over again, but make the right choice and your home will transform before your eyes.

The paint company most of us jump straight to for beautiful colours is the paint master themselves Farrow and Ball, and it’s true they do produce fantastic, timeless colours, but with so many other fabulous companies producing amazing paints I thought I’d put Farrow and Ball on the backburner for today and introduce to you some of the best paint companies around.

Designers Guild are known for their bold patterns and their colour palette in their paint department is no different, from beautiful pastel pinks, to zingy lime greens if you’re walls are in need of the ultimate sprucing up then Designers Guild should be your first port of call.

First Blush by Designer’s Guild

Mimosa Leaf by Designers Guild

I absolutely love this Mimosa Leaf colour, it’s a bold move that certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted but if you’ve got the guts it’s definitely a way to make an impression. If you want to introduce a wild colour into your interiors it’s best to opt for a room that has either a lot of windows or features that will break up a wall so that you can avoid one giant block of colour that might end up looking a little scary and intimidating.

If bright, colourful hues aren’t really your taste there are some absolutely drool-worthy tall, dark and handsome colours around if you’re looking to add a little mystery and romance to your interiors. The Little Greene Paint Company is a lovely company that create a super high quality paint collection and they have some outrageously glamourous dark shades in their range.

Obsidian Green by The Little Greene Paint Company

This bluey green reminds me of the depths of the ocean and creates an amazing modern presence in a room especially when mixed with the richness of a dark wood like in the photo above.

Invisible Green by The Little Greene Paint Company

The smokiness of this green creates a beautiful earthy, organic ambience and with the splash of hot pink, or another bright colour, there is a real contemporary vibe to the atmosphere. When using such a dark colour it’s always important to have a lot of natural light so that the colour doesn’t overpower the room but instead will be showed-off in the light.

One company that has really found its stride in its paint department is Fired Earth, they are producing some wonderful colours. Their most recent spring collection was created around the theme of birds, my personal favourite was the Peafowl green, a wonderful colour that is bold enough to make a statement but not so bright as to make a room too intense.

Peafowl by Fired Earth

Just like some people, some homes have a natural flair for the dramatics and finding the right theatrical colour is crucial. There’s a devilishly exciting feeling about using black or near-black in a home, it’s a little off-key and against the grain but if done well and in the right home it can look absolutely terrific. Charcoal from Fired Earth is oh so tempting and is an extremely brave and original way to reinvent an interior.

Charcoal by Fired Earth

For something just as rich but a little mellower, a deep plum purple is a great way to add drama to a home but still maintain a scheme that works in the everyday.

Carragheen by Fired Earth

For a diverse range of tones and hues Sanderson and Zoffany have wonderful collections ranging from pale pastels to moody blues. Companies that make the paint, fabric and wallpaper trio have a natural knack at creating the perfect symmetry between each material. So if you have a sofa upholstered in a fabric by a beloved designer or a feature wall in a wallpaper, looking into the same companies paint range may be the best way to find the most complementary schemes.

Ming Gold by Sanderson

Tuscan Pink by Zoffany

Prussian by Zoffany

There is so much fun to be had when choosing paint colours for your home, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore and experiment with your taste and your comfort zone and create the most wonderfully personalised walls for you, and with so many collections and companies out there you truly are spoilt for choice!

 

For contact information and further details on these companies and many others check out Angel + Blume’s Address Book: http://www.angelandblume.com/addressbook.php

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Colour Me Happy

This week at Angel + Blume we’re in love with big, bright and beautiful colours, and we want you to fall in love as well, so we’ve put together some of our favourite collections of the best and brightest designs you’ll see this season. Fortune favours the brave and you won’t be disappointed if you decide take the leap of faith and go all out with these outstanding designs.

What first inspired us to write this blog was seeing the beautiful advert for the new Diane von Furstenberg collection for Kravet.

Although this might be a little full-on for some people and their homes, the colours and patterns are exquisite and would each make an outstanding statement piece individually.

For a less bright, but equally dynamic look, see the Funky Zebra pattern from the DVF collection. The cool blue tones allow for a more understated style, whilst the pattern keeps the fun flowing.

This season Kravet has also teamed up with Jonathan Adler for another dazzling collection, and it’s just the thing if you’re looking for a little retro boost for your home.

There are very few people who do bold and beautiful better than Dominic Crinson. His wallpaper and tile designs are everything you’ll need to channel your flamboyant style, and if you’ve got the moxie, your home will shine with originality and flair.

Although not for the faint hearted, Crinson’s designs are gloriously avant-garde, perfect for a modern day home or even to spice up an old period house.

If you’re in the market for some beautiful tiles, but are finding Dominic Crinson’s style a little overwhelming, Emery and Cie may be just the ticket. They’re style is still bold and beautiful, but with more of a classic edge, the collection ranging from Iznik influences to Art Nouveau, here are just a few of my favourites.

The Faux Iznik tiles from Emery and Cie are perfect for adding some exotic, heritage style into your home, ideal for a fireplace or bathroom.

These Fez Pottery designs, which come in these wonderfully tranquil turquoise hues, would make a lovely feature in any room, and are a timeless piece that will interact with most styles seamlessly.

Another beautiful design from Emery and Cie are these sweet Mirror Scale tiles.

They’d make a stunning frame around a mirror or cabinet but if you really want to go for something eye-catching then be brave and cover an entire wall in the tiles.

Going a little more low-key but still sticking to some exciting block colours, you can dress up the front of your cabinets with these lovely designs from Superfront, a company that creates fronts, handles, tops and legs for popular IKEA cabinets.

Available in a variety of colours and patterns, they’re a great way to reboot your kitchen or any cabinet pieces without remodelling, and are great for updating your home as your style or colour preference changes.

If you are a fan of wild colours for your interior why not dive in at the deep end and paint your walls with some bold colour choices, no one ever said that a blank canvas needed to be white. Designers Guild has some wonderful paints, and this TG Green is amazing with just the right amount of outrageousness.

If you want to treat your walls (and your eyes) to some daring wallpaper, look no further than the king of patterns and prints Matthew Williamson. His Cuban influenced collection for Osborne & Little combines retro glamour with contemporary colours and will have you spoilt for choice.

I love this palm tree wallpaper; it’ll turn any room into a little paradise, and the same can be said for this flamingo and flower print, shown here as a fabric.

My absolute favourite design in the collection though is this wonderful Arini wallpaper.

The contrast between the metallic background and the colourful parrots is playfully elegant; it’ll exhibit your style whilst also showing that you don’t take life too seriously.

Though you need your home to be liveable and functional it doesn’t mean that you need to steer clear from the element of fun, these designs and collections are perfect for keeping your spirits up and putting a smile on your face.

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Where The Wild Things Are

As a child I remember loving nothing more than animals and all things wild. Perhaps it stemmed from my love of Disney’s The Jungle Book and The Lion King, or our family’s visits to Wimpole Farm, but my bedroom was filled to the brim with soft toys, animal themed curtains and wooden parrots hanging from the ceiling. Animal and nature themed bedrooms for kids are an innovative and fun way for your child to explore their imagination and if you’re looking to decorate along these lines then have a look at what’s around at the moment by some of our favourite brands and designers.

Story-time can be made a lot more comfortable and stylish with this range of cosy cushions and beanbag chairs, so that you and your child can sit back, relax and get lost in their favourite storybook.

This marvellous Quentin Blake inspired fabric pattern by Osborne & Little is a wonderful return to some classic children’s books, and is the perfect addition to if you’re sceptical about taking the plunge and going head-to-toe in a wildlife theme.

If you’re searching for a more classic English countryside landscape style then check out this cushion design by Designers Guild. This Happy Campers Kids Cushion with its aged pastel look and delightful little foxes is an adorable design.

This fun beanbag chair by Aspace comes in a wonderful mix-match pattern that would work perfectly in a child’s room, or even in your living room, the little strawberries and kiwis in the pattern are sweet touches as well.

Designers Guild have some lovely wallpapers designed for children’s bedrooms, and my particular favourite is this Daisy Patch design. The pattern is fun and bright enough to get the kid’s approval, and because the design isn’t too childish it means that the wallpaper could last until your child is in their early teens.

There are some really fun and creative animal and nature accessories to play around with when decorating your kid’s bedroom. Aspace has some wonderful ideas to spark your child’s imagination. This Felt Elephant Head is a fun, quirky accessory that both parent and child will love for years!

As is this adorable cloud- shelf idea, it’s both pretty and practical and is a great way to individualise your child’s room.

If you’re looking for something more than simply decorative, have a look at some of the toys by Designers Guild. I love these Carp paper mobiles, so much so I’m tempted to get some for my room! And this wooden wheel-along rabbit toy is both a super stylish and a fun toy. These toys are perfect for your kids’ enjoyment without you having to endure the usual garishness of kids’ toys.

A nature theme can also be incorporated into your child’s learning, whatever stage they may be at. This animal alphabet wall sticker by Feather & Black is a great learning tool, and is still something fun to decorate the walls with and for the kids to look at.

This adorable little tree bookcase from Not On The High Street is both great for storing books and odds and ends as well as being unbelievably cute.

And finally, just for some extra cute factor Not On The High Street is also stocking some sweet little animal head shaped mirrors that will give you and your child hours of entertainment.

So whether you want to dive straight in and immerse yourself in everything nature and wildlife related, or you just want to dip a few toes in the pool, I hope this has given you a few ideas about how to turn your child’s bedroom into a wonderful wild adventure!

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The Art of Animal Prints

Blog by Philippa Rosselli

I have always loved the use of animal prints in both fashion and interiors; but I think people are often faced with issues in finding the right balance between being a little too Cruella de Vil with their animal prints and getting it spot on (no pun intended). In the last few decades animal patterns and furs stopped being associated with the glamour of old Hollywood and instead began acquiring a bad rep; partly to do with our regard for our furry friends and also their overuse by less than A list celebs. Fortunately there are some great animal prints and faux furs available that provide a perfect addition to glamorous and quirky interiors and won’t put you on the wrong side of PETA!

Christian Lacroix wallpaper is sporting some spots and stripes this season via abstract leopard and tiger patterns. Available in multiple, vibrant colours, this is a thoroughly modern way to play around with prints; so if you’re worried about your interior looking a little dated, these papers deliver contemporary living for the brave!

Christian Lacroix Pantigre Topaze Kiwi wallpaper from Designers Guild

If you want to create a true animal print effect then the Santo Sospir wallpaper in Dore could be the one for you but if flamboyance isn’t your thing and you still want an abstract approach to animal patterns, then the pattern handily comes in a beautiful creamy colour as well. This would give any wall a hint of sizzle without being overly explosive.

Christian Lacroix: Santo Sospir, Dore (left) and Nacre (right), both from Designers Guild

Osborne & Little’s 2015 Spring Collection is also seeing an array of animal prints that certainly bring the ‘wow’ factor. This python fabric comes in two styles; a natural, and a wildly vivid colour scheme (see below). It could be the perfect finishing touch to a clean-cut room that makes your interior design skills stand out from the crowd.

Naga fabric by Lorca from Osborne and Little

For a touch of Hollywood glamour, Osborne & Little’s Kesi Velvets in Pantanal and Pardus could be the icing on the cake for your home. Whether you want to feature the fabrics in a few cushions, a sofa pouffe or even go the whole nine yards and use it for an entire sofa, these velvets give a warm, vintage feel to any home.

Osborne & Little: Kesi Velvets, Pantanal

Osborne & Little: Kesi Velvets, Pardus

To me, a fun way to play round with animal prints in your home can be achieved by using zebra stripes. A friend of mine has always displayed two large zebra striped sofas in her living room, paired with lime green and bright orange cushions, and I have always felt that this setup matched her wacky personality perfectly.

Jonathan Adler has some great rugs and cushions that adopt zebra motifs in a cartoony light-hearted way.

Zebra Peruvian Llama flat weave rug from Jonathan Adler

Zebra pop throw pillows from Jonathan Adler

Or for a more modest and elegant style, you could try a few fabrics from Swaffer’s Serengeti collection, which features a lovely, sophisticated zebra print.

Swaffer: Serengeti Collection, Debra 05

If you want to play around with your style then using animal prints and motifs to accessorise your home is a great way to do it. Animal prints are a versatile theme that have been used in different eras and countries, so whatever your style there’s an animal print that will be perfect for you. They say a leopard can’t change its spots, but your home style certainly can!

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Mini palaces

It is always a dilemma when decorating children’s rooms deciding whether to be very sensible and pick furnishings that will grow up with them or to indulge them (or more honestly yourself) with some of the delightful products available for your little princes and princesses. I have to confess, I have erred more on the side of indulgence in this article – it seems some things are just too cute to resist.

 

Wallpaper is a great way to make a statement and there are loads of adorable options to choose from. Two winners for me are the new Up A Tree wallpaper from Jane Churchill (left) and Cactus Cowboy from Rockett St George.

 

 

 

 

 

Harlequin have some great fabrics for kids and I like Pick N Mix featuring a range of handbags and shoes and Reggie Robot featuring both girl and boy robots, as far as I can tell.

Storage is always vital in a child’s room and I think this open storage from Aspace offers a practical solution that can be adapted as needs change.

For smaller rooms, this high sleeper from Feather and Black is a great solution. A full size single bed, a desk and storage all in one and looks great too.

Bedding makes a bold statement and is also more practical that plain white. This gingham bedding from The White Company comes in five colours including blue and red and you can also buy the adorable long stripy PJs although only in kids sizes sadly.

A place to take the wait off your feet is as important in children’s rooms as it is in your own room. Beanbags are good solution and I love this colourful version from Aspace. Alternatively this mini armchair from The Dormy House looks great and can be upholstered in any of their fabrics, or you can supply your own.

Helping to keep the night demons away, these cute night lights from Graham and Green are a lovely night time companion giving off a soft glow in the room – I just don’t know how you are going to pick which to have.

Designers Guild has loads of great rugs for children, all in their trademark vibrant colours. I think this world map rug is lovely for boys or girls.

So whether your little one is an actual prince or princess, or a mere wannabe, make their rooms into mini palaces and they feel like they are king of the world.

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