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Posts Tagged ‘floral’

Whenever Lizzie Ibbotson, our Osborne & Little rep comes in to show us the new collections it’s always a wonderful trip to a world of fantasy and magic. Osborne & Little have completely nailed their latest collection, Enchanted Gardens, with beautiful patterns, designs and some fantastic colourways, it’s a collection to covet. So take a look at some truly enchanting designs.

‘Meadow’

Meadow is a vibrant pattern is a modern take on the typical floral themed fabrics. The array of wild flowers, including some lively poppies, really stand out of against the navy background. It’s a strong look that must be met with some hefty confidence, but it’s a great choice for making an impact in a room.

‘Aviary’

The Aviary pattern gives you a geometric feel, these colourful birds on a structural web are a great way to add some colour and fun to a contemporary room. If typical florals and natural motifs aren’t really your thing, adding a contemporary element can help to eliminate the factors that you’re not so keen on.

‘Woodland Sheer’

When it comes to sheers, you’ll typically find some beautiful white or off-white colours that’ll look elegant whilst giving your room some substance, but at the same time maintaining the light. Osborne & Little have taken this one step further, keeping the cool and sophisticated sheer qualities but adding a dash of colour into the mix with some fun leafy shapes.

One of my favourites from the collection is Rain Forest; it’s the combination of vivid colours, intriguing patterns and the overall striped effect that really create a concise, contemporary and glamorous effect. The only problem you’ll have with this fabric is choosing between the two colourways; the first, a green leafed pattern with almost neon indigo flowers, and the second a beautiful combination of purple and yellow.

‘Rain Forest’

Hanging Gardens is an adorable fabric that’s perfect for a feminine, sweet interior. The pattern consists of all the wonderful planters, baskets and birdcages you might imagine in your dream conservatory. The painterly style gives the whole look a soft and charming feel, giving it some interesting character. It’ll look gorgeous framing a window or doorway to the outside, especially blowing gracefully in the breeze.

‘Hanging Garden’

One of my favourite flowers, the Rhododendron, is captured beautifully in one of the fabric patterns in this collection. The gentle trellis-like formation makes a sophisticated structural look without being too heavy. The pattern is perfect for giving a little life to a conservative setting. The flowers have a charming traditional feel, but the dabbled background gives a little touch of contemporariness to the look, making perfect for adding florals to a period home without it looking dated.

‘Rhodara’

For a chinoiserie style, but with a twist of modern colours, the Japanese Garden pattern is just the ticket. The busy yet delicate design will give a room a new lease of life, and is a design that can be introduced in to a multitude of interior themes; including contemporary, bohemian, retro or traditional. A great feature of a chinoiserie style pattern is that it integrates the old with the new, and the fun with the elegant.

‘Japanese Gardens’

A new lighter touch has been given to an old favourite from the Pasha collection, the Tulipan. The teal, blush pink and faded orange tones of the detailing, gives the intricate pattern a softer feel, making it a more diverse fabric. There is also a certain modern neon-ness to the pattern which gives it an unique, contemporary, floral look.

‘Tulipan’

Lastly, for something full of quirk, fun and just a hint of quaintness, the Curio pattern. From a distance, there’s a grid-like formation but upon closer inspection, you see a whole world of curiosities. Squirrels and owls that have found themselves bouncing around crockery and shells overall making a sweet, joyful pattern. It would make a perfect kitchen or bathroom blind, giving additional warmth.

‘Curio’

If you love adding a touch or romance, character, fantasy and charm into your interior, this collection is your new best friend. From contemporary to traditional, there’s something to suit everyone, and all sorts of ways to have fun and get creative with the Enchanted Gardens collection.

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It was always a popular opinion in my household that you could never have too many vases. Large ones, small ones, tall and stubby, wide and narrow, my mother’s collection of vases is rather impressive. Not only did this mean that my family home is constantly full of lovely flowers and plants, but it’s also full of beautiful vases to accompany them.

Now that the sun is shining away, and it’s finally starting to feel like spring, it’s time to give our homes that fresh spring makeover, and what better way to do so then by adding some amazingly designed vases and pots to your collection. Whether you have miles of space to play around with, or can just about squeeze a small pot in somewhere, walking into a room that has a beautiful plant or boutique and a decorative pot to match is always guaranteed to be a mood enhancer.

This Kali vase from Abigail Ahern really caught my eye, the aged dappled effect adds character. The pretty off-white ceramic colour will wonderfully complement some vivid green leaves overflowing from the top.

Kali Vase from Abigail Ahern

New from The White Company are these Mossed plant pots that come in a range of sizes. This look is created by coating the pots in yogurt and burying them in soil. The look has a rustic, urban feel about it and would look great with some tough, Mediterranean plants.

Mossed Plant Pot from The White Company

For more of a colourful touch, and something that would look fantastic even without flowers inside are these retro Mid-century Italian vases from Alfie’s Antique Market. They’re made to capture the attention of the room, and would make a superb statement grouped together on a side table or on top of a cabinet.

Carlo Moretti Vases from Alfie’s Antique Market

Interior Supply stock some super stylish contemporary pieces that never disappoint, including these intriguing deformed vases. It’s an interesting take on the classic glass vase that puts across a subtle yet distinctive look.

Glas Italia Transformer from Interior Supply

Not on the High Street have a wonderful collection of marbled cement pots that are a fantastic and inexpensive way to inject a dose of glamour into your interior. They’re the perfect solution if your porch, kitchen or conservatory is in need of a quick vamp, especially if you don’t want to break the bank!

Marbled Cement Mini Pots from Not on the High Street

Cactuses have been a hug trend over the past couple of years, filling up thousands of window sills and decorating an infinite amount of homes. From Abigail Ahern comes this interesting, cactus shaped vase that is perfect for all the cacti lovers out there! Pop a colourful flower or plant on top for a fun and modern feel.

Tall Cactus Vase from Abigail Ahern

Another mosey down the vintage lane to The Old Cinema, who always have a few hidden treasures within their midst, including this charming 1970s vase designed by potter Michael Cardew. I love the abstract striped effect and the almost diluting colours.

1972 Slipware Vase by Michael Cardew from The Old Cinema

If you’re into your sweet interiors, this adorable vase from Houseology is something to keep your eye on. The beautiful porcelain appears as if to be knitted, making a lovely effect.

Kinto Couture Knit Flower Vase from Houseology

For those who like to play around with historically classic decorative styles, this Chinoiserie-esque planter is something can be worked into dozens of different schemes, whether it’s to complement or to contrast, this piece could settle quite nicely into an interior or exterior of a home.

Chinoiserie Planter, Oka Direct

Fill your homes with bright and fun vases and wonderful florals and foliage to match!

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Last week we got to take a good look at Jane Churchill’s two new collections, Samba and Atmosphere III. They took our fancy right from the start and so we wanted to share some of our favourite designs from the collections with you.

The new Samba collection from Jane Churchill is all about colour and patterns and delves into fun, bright and contemporary style.

Curtains in Fontana, Multi.

This Fontana pattern is an amazing design and something a little different from Jane; its cross-stitch style gives the flower design a bit of an edge, adding intrigue.

Taking a retro turn here with this Rossini pattern, it’s a bright and electric design, livening up any room. Up close the pattern has amazing detail and the colours catch the light beautifully.

Headboard in Rossini, Multi and Bedspread in Zita, Red/Green.

The other fabric in this picture is a design called Zita, which uses an ikat style, creating a bold and modern look to the damask pattern.

Curtains in Tamarinda, Beige/Red.

A real favourite from the collection of mine is this Tamarinda fabric; I love the flower design and the beautiful rich colours used. It’s a wonderfully refreshing take on a flower design fabric, perfect for a more contemporary home.

The Olinda Velvet fabric from the Samba collection is a truly contemporary design and is rather different from the rest of the collection; it’s a bold fabric and would go hand in hand with a distinct, modern home.

Chairs in Olinda Velvet, Blue/Multi.

Another of my favourites from the collection is this Maracatu patterns, it’s bold, beautiful and fun, and is perfect for freshening up a room, making a great focal point against a white backdrop.

Cushions in Maracatu, Lime Gree.

On to the new Atmosphere collection, Atmosphere III, there are some wonderfully striking yet simple designs, for an understated urban look. In the collection are some great digitally printed wallpapers, like this Amadine design.

Amadine Wallpaper, Copper.

The palm print is completely on trend whilst the metallic sheen makes it ooze with a luxury that would last a lifetime.

Another great wallpaper from the collection is a pattern already made popular from the Atmosphere II collection, the Plato design.

Plato Wallpaper, Black.

It’s available in some daring colour choices and could be perfect if you’re looking to create a feature wall.

The Sula pattern is a beautiful design and a lovely textural fabric, and is overflowing in glamour.

Curtains in Sula, Silver.

I hope you enjoy the new collections as much as we did here at Angel + Blume, and I think it’s fair to say that Jane Churchill will have you spoilt for choice this season!

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It would be wonderful to have real flowers in every room all the year round but it is quite an undertaking on both the effort and financial front. Fortunately faux flowers are now amazingly realistic and lovely, so mixing real with unreal is a happy alternative. An initial investment in some really good faux, will stand you in good stead for years to come, leaving you to appreciate the odd purchase (or collection) of seasonal flowers when the mood takes you.

Cuthbertson and Wood white hydrangeas

I think faux hyacinths work particularly well either in one colour or as mix. Try to keep the flowers low in the bowl rather than having leggy stems showing. Cuthberson and Woods via Occa Home

Bloom tulips in Portmeirion vase

Obviously seasonal flowers can be a bit of a giveaway, although I would argue the case for faux and proud and leave these glorious tulips out all year round.  www.bloom.uk.com

An Angel at my Table White Hyacinth bunch

I recently bought these white hyacinths for myself recently and I knew I was on to a winner when I caught a friend of mine smelling them! www.anangelatmytable.com

Abigail Ahern flower arrangement

Abigail Ahern has some fantastic faux foliage in her lovely shop on Upper Street in Islington but if you can’t get there, you can buy then online. She also has some great faux inspirations on her blog. http://www.abigailahern.org/news/flower-power-4/

Picture 313

I bought these flowers many years ago when you had to travel far and wide to avoid ending up with dusty silk flowers horrors. They have lasted amazingly well and still look good now. Image taken from ‘Secrets of a Stylish Home’ photography by Simon Whitmore. www.simonwhitmore.com

Oka garden rose arrangement

Oka has a good range of faux flowers and this arrangement shows that it is quite possible to pull off a large formal arrangement just as well as a smaller bouquet. They have cleverly mixed white roses, foxgloves, peonies and lilies to create an eye catching focal point. www.okadirect.com

The Nordic House faux pears

And while we are on a roll with faking it, why not have a bowl full of these incredibly realistic faux pears from the Nordic House but be careful where you put them as friends are sure to attempt to eat them!

 

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Inspired by the Chelsea Flower show which opens this week, and by the glorious sunny weekend we have just enjoyed, I can’t resist bringing you some floral interior inspiration. I love the great outdoors but in truth, these florals are much more my line of country – no weeds, no wilting, no hay fever and are still in full bloom in the winter – perfect!

Sophie Conran Axminster

Patterned carpet has often had a very traditional look but this bloom strewn carpet by Sophie Conran for Axminster is gorgeous and up-to-date.

Colefax Louise silk curtains

Colefax and Fowler Louise Silk

Beautiful and timeless embroidered floral silk curtains create an elegant country feel. Fabric by Colefax and Fowler.

kate forman bed throw

Bedthrow and cushion by Kate Forman fabrics

I love this bedthrow from Kate Forman which adds a splash of colour and pattern to a room, and draws attention to the lovely bed

Nostell Priory Wallpaper Main_lr

Nostell Priory wallpaper from Zoffany

We have featured this glorious wallpaper in a previous post but it is so lovely, I think it deserves another showing.

 

sanderson midsummer rose rug

Sanderson Midsummer rose rug

This jolly rug adds such a burst of colour to a room that it is hard to resist and I love it in this setting with very cream walls and vintage accessories.

Floral cotton velvet cushions

Floral cotton velvet cushions from Forest and Co

Finally I couldn’t write about floral interiors and not give you a cushion or three – these velvet beauties from Forest and Co will add glamour to almost any home and I am very tempted by all of them.

Do you have any favourite florals? Let us know while we are in the outdoorsy mood!

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Bennison is one of my favourite fabric companies and one that I immediately turn to when we have a requirement for some classic English style.  They hand print their designs onto lovely thick linen or finest silk and you can see samples of  the fabrics at their gorgeous London showroom in Holbein place. Bennison have very kindly forwarded me a selection of their lifestyle photography which I think really do their fabrics justice – enjoy!

Images courtesy of Bennison Fabrics

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During London Design Week I popped along to the Osborne and Little showroom on the Kings Road to see all their lovely new fabrics. These florals by Nina Campbell were my pick of the bunch – the Penrose print (top) is based on a ‘bold bouquet of cut garden flowers’ and the Barrington print (below) is a pretty ‘scattering of colourful stylised lilac blossom’. Perfect for brightening up the gloomy winter months.

osborne and little 2011

osborne and little 2011

osborne and little 2011

osborne and little 2011

osborne and little 2011

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Today I am thrilled to introduce  our new column for the brand new Cambridge Evening News Homes and Gardens website. Take a look at the lovely new site here, it’s packed with inspiration for your home and garden, from Craft to DIY to Green living. You can read our new column below and keep your eyes peeled for the next installment.

House of Fraser bedlinen

Flowers, sunshine, Pimms and Alan Titchmarsh. Ah, it can only be The Chelsea Flower Show.  Quintessentially English, this event brings out the best of British and has a fiercely loyal following (tickets to the show are like gold dust). But if you didn’t make it this year, don’t worry, we’ve put together some beautiful floral interiors for you instead. So pour yourself a Pimms and enjoy.

designers guild

This scheme from Designers Guild is so fresh and vibrant, it just oozes summer style. The cheerful pink blooms are perfectly offset by the crisp whites and juicy greens and the bold florals contrast nicely with the simple stripe pattern.

zimmer and rhodes fabric floral chelsea flower show

Inspired by botanical sketches this Zimmer + Rhode design has a delicate, painterly quality but the relatively large scale of the print keeps the design looking modern. This paper would look lovely in a study or library for a feminine twist on traditional style.

Marks and Spencer

The high street is blooming with floral prints this summer so if you’re looking for accessories you’ll be spoilt for choice.  These cushions, above, are all from Marks and Spencer and the Fashion Vintage Floral Rug is a real gem, from only £59.

zimmer and rhodes

If you like your florals bold and dramatic go all out with long and sweeping curtains. I love the way the green silk chair and purple cushion, above, echo the simple colour palette of the fabric without detractracting from it.

deisgners guild

These scheme is a glorious riot of colour and print and I instantly feel happy just looking at it. Using this many patterns can be tricky but if you keep the rest of the room simple it can work without overpowering. Here the white walls and table offer a clean backdrop to the textiles and the block colour of the sofa allows the patterned cushions to shine.

Image credits: House of Fraser, Designers Guild, Zimmer + Rhode, Marks and Spencer

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