An Alternative Romance

Since today is Valentine’s Day, whether you’re celebrating or not, it always gets you just thinking about romance, and if you’re an interior designer, romantic interiors. I tend to have quite a soft spot for romantic interiors, there’s just something about them that is warm and welcoming, and since there are so many ways to incorporate the theme of romance into a room, it doesn’t just have to be your typical stuff. Alternative romantic interiors can offer you a liveable style, one with underlying tones of romance, one that serenades you in a softer tone, instead of outspoken and outlandish stylings. I’ve pulled together some ideas that will enable you to get the ball rolling if you want to turn your home into a laidback, romantic dreamland.

When it comes to decorating your walls in a romantic style, as with any style theme there are different directions you can choose to take. You may want to keep your walls neutral, to make way for other eye-catching pieces in the room, but if you’re feeling the more is more vibe for your romantic interior, a wallpaper with a pattern may be the way to go. A new collection from Harlequin, Standing Ovation, has some wonderful floral and nature designs that are perfect for creating your alternative romantic interior. The painterly style of the Floreale design and its overgrown and slightly wild floral pattern that gives it a little individuality against some other floral wallpapers out there. The bold colourways and the mixture of peonies foxgloves will give your walls a lease of life.

‘Floreale wallpaper’ from Harlequin

If your room can’t quite handle a print this big, or you’re drawn to a pattern that’s more subtle, the Persico design from the same collection is a rather sweet option. The sporadic arrangement of the British birds gives the design a distinctive character that avoids repetitive nature of patterned wallpaper. This is the perfect style to choose if you want something to transition comfortably between a neutral and a pattern, it’ll look graceful on your walls and allow for other big character items in the room.

‘Persico wallpaper’ from Harlequin

There’s no piece of furniture that fits better for a romantic interior than a big, comfy loveseat, I mean it’s even in the name! Loaf have some amazing loveseats in their collection at the moment, all in different styles to suit your taste, a particular favourite of mine is the Butterbump design. Its structure is fairly traditional, with its deep buttoned back and overall style, but you can still confidently put it into a contemporary setting by choosing a modern colour to upholster it in, like this Winter Sky in a soft velvet. It’ll keep the loveseat looking fresh and allow it to complement a magnitude of accent colours.

‘Butterbump Loveseat in Winter Sky clever velvet’ from Loaf

While some people might dream of a big diamond ring on Valentine’s Day, I’d be rather satisfied with a few of these cushions from Lime Lace. The diamond print is an alternative way to add some glamour to an interior and can also be used to toughen up a feminine sofa, or bring a sense of modernity to a more traditional piece. They are also a prime example of how a romantic interior needn’t follow the bohemian or traditional guidelines and if you love a modern, contemporary interior there are all sorts of way to add a little romantic and fun to the scheme.

‘Manhattan Chase Cushions by Camine Lake’ from Lime Lace

Another charming find from Lime Lace is this rather innovative pendant light. A chandelier instinctively feels romantic, but whether you don’t have the space (or the budget) to accommodate one, or it’s not really your style there’s always an alternative option, like this fab pendant, which features a little chandelier on the inside. They will make a great addition to an interior if you’re looking for that individual boost, or fun talking point, and perfectly incorporate the old with the new. A group arranged at slightly varying heights to create a central lighting piece will look fantastic, possibly better than having an actual chandelier!

‘King Edison Chandelier Pendant by Young and Battagalia’ from Lime Lace

Hanging things from your ceiling, not only frees up some floor space, but also gives the illusion of a lofty, dreamy area with floating accessories that draw your eye to different levels in the room, creating a fuller, more bountiful interior. These birdcage plant holders from Angel & Boho are wonderful. Make it the home for a viney, flowing plant and you’ll create your own little tropical rainforest in the corner of your room as your plants become romantically overgrown and intertwined with the bars of the cage.

‘Hanging Birdcage Plant Holders’ from Angel & Boho

For some lighter, smaller touches to your room to give it a romantic atmosphere, adding some trusted home accessories will always do the trick. A romantic interior will only ever be enhanced by the addition of candles and candleholders. These ombre candle from Lime Lace in an assortment of colours will stand out against the typical white candles, they add a sense of modernity to the traditional romantic interior and can either be used to tone down or up their holders. Below they are paired with some antiqued holders, and the contrasting blend creates an interesting effect.

‘Set of 4 Dip Dyed Candles’ from Lime Lace

Using metallic materials in your interior can help to make a romantic atmosphere, light will bounce off the surfaces giving a room a warm and inviting feeling. Having an arrangement of vases and pots for flowers, real or faux, will also make for a romantic setup in your home. I really like the combination of these gold and copper vases from The Estate Yard, their coarse geometric patterns give them a modern edge, while their metallic colours lets them settle into the romantic scheme.

‘Mixture of Copper and Gold Vases’ from The Estate Yard

If you’re keen for something a little darker and moodier, these black forest vases from Abigail Ahern will bring all the romantic drama you need. Pair them with rich golds and bronzes for a glamourous, romantic effect and with a pop of green from a few plants to really finish off the look.

‘Black Forest Vases’ from Abigail Ahern

There’s something about romantic interiors, be it traditional, feminine, contemporary, bohemian or a beautiful combination, which always seems to grab my attention. A romantic interior allows you to create your very own dreamland, a place to escape the ordinary and the mundane, making it your perfect Valentine’s Day location.

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Child’s Play

 

One of the upsides about designing a playroom, nursery or kid’s room in a home is that you’re given the chance to have a little more fun than usual, and create some design schemes that are equally about playfulness as well as functionality. Though the room is labelled a ‘kids room’ the chances are the adults will be spending just as much time in there are the little ones, so why not create a space that both the kids and the adults enjoy being in.

From walls to accessories, whether you want to go all in, or create a space that can be adapted as your children get older, there are hundreds of exciting decorating ideas for your child’s room that are too hard to resist. I’ve chosen some stylish products that’ll make your kid’s room your new favourite hangout spot.

‘Cranes in Flight’ from the Palmetto collection by Harlequin

I’ve admired this wallpaper from Harlequin for a while now and it’s just absolutely beautiful, and perfect for a nursey. The flying cranes and dreamy clouds will create a sweet, tranquil space turning a wall into a visual lullaby. It also comes in six different colourways from platinum to emerald to suit all kinds of taste.

For a robust piece of furniture that can stand a few knocks, this letter head chest of drawers from Loaf can also be a hand learning tool. The style of the finish is ideal if you’re into an industrial or contemporary look and don’t want to interrupt the flow of your interior’s scheme.

‘Letter head chest of drawers’ from Loaf

Another gem from Loaf are these sweet knitted pouffes, great if you want to add some soft furnishings to your play area, as well being a suitable candidate to transfer to a teenagers room.

‘Bug pouffes’ from Loaf

A really easy way to add some individuality to a kid’s room, that won’t break the bank and are easily removed as hobbies or interests change, are wall stickers. There are an abundance of styles around that range from big to small, two of my favourites are these sweet penguin silhouettes from Brume and these enchanting birch trees from Not on the High Street.

‘Penguin Wall Stickers’ from Brume

‘Birch Tree Forest Wall Stickers’ from Not on the High Street

There is always so much fun to be had when choosing lighting for a room, and in a child’s room you can really mix it up. Even if your child isn’t scared of the dark, night lights are a must for the amazing designs alone! This castle light from The White Company is absolutely adorable and would make a wonderful, calming presence perched on a bookcase or chest of drawers.

‘Castle Light’ from The White Company

Another fun design comes from Not on the High Street in the form of this stylish moon light.

‘Moon Night Light’ from Not on the High Street

To outshine the glow in the dark stars that pretty much adorned all bedroom ceilings when I was younger, opt for these show stopping, carnival-esque star lights that will give a fun, decorative feel to a playroom. The bright yellows and blue are perfect to form an imaginative and creative space, or go for the white stars if you want a classic style that will be enjoyed by your child as they move into their teens.

‘Carnival Star Light’ from Not on the High Street

For something a little softer, Lolly & Boo have some sweet lampshade designs in lovely pastel colours. I particularly like this fun elk pattern that will add a bit of whimsy and character to a room.

‘Elk Family Drum Lampshade’ from Lolly & Boo

And finally, I couldn’t resist this delightful cloud garland from The White Company, superb for a nursery and helping your little ones drift off to sleep.

‘Cloud Garland’ from The White Company

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Struck by Lighting!

Guy Fawkes Night in Cambridge is an absolutely beautiful affair, and is an event that is at the forefront of my childhood and adult memories. The fireworks display on Midsummer’s Common is a real feast for the eyes, and reminiscing about previous years has inspired us here at Angel + Blume, so I’ve set about finding some beautiful lighting features and topical wallpaper that hold all the beauty and magic of a fireworks display for your home; making sure that there will be a lot of ooh’s and ahh’s, not just on the 5^th November but all year round.

 

Ochre has some of the most outstanding lighting pieces in their collections. Their products are more in line with works of art then a practical, necessary part of the home, and if you’re in search for something truly eye-catching then Ochre should be your first port of call.

The Seed Cloud collection from Ochre is one of my favourite designs from the company, and is rather alike to falling stars or luminous raindrops; a real masterpiece of style. The contemporary take on a classic chandelier would look stunning over a dining room table, perfect for a luxurious, modern home, but could also make a subtle yet distinctive contrast mixed into a traditional, classically designed interior. For an alternative take try the table lamp version, quite an extraordinary piece to have at eye-level.

 

If you’re interior style is all about theatrics and you want to dive into the world of fantasy and fairytales, this Porta Romana chandelier was made just for you.

The Ivy Shadow chandelier is the definition of a show-stopper, just think of the beautiful shadow imagery the design would make on the walls and ceiling of a room. The theatrical nature of this piece means it isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you’re looking for something special and breathtaking then look no further.

 

Staying on the fabulous and theatrical track, no where does it better then Timorous Beasties. With their designs being so innovative and creative, they are perfect for embellishing your home in originality and flair.

These Golden Oriole wall panels are intended to make your home stand out from the crowd. The richness and romance of the design is something dreams are made of and the mystical elements will make your home shine. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this wall panelling tells a whole story and if you’re intent of showcasing your style and making a statement this is the perfect way to do so.

 

However, if this is all getting a little too much and something more low-key sounds appealing, you can never go wrong with a much beloved favourite of ours, the Mosaic Dapple by Zoffany.

This is a real crowd pleaser, and is a really fun but subtle way to include a little bit of shine and shimmer.

The same can be said for this beautiful design by Harlequin, and with multiple colours you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

When going for a contemporary look, it’s easy to be drawn to a minimalist and understated design, but if you want to make a statement, you needn’t compromise on the contemporary aspect.

These fan effect lights from Collingwood are a fun and modern way to create a well-lit space and would look great on a feature wall or lighting up a long corridor.

For some excitement and a bit of colour, Artemide have some outstanding designs, including this Tian Xia Metamorfosi design, which is perfect for creating a cool, vibrant atmosphere for a dinner party.

So remember, remember that the 5^th November is not the only time to create a few sparks and explosions when it comes to your interiors.

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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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Different new collections

I saw two new, brilliant and very different fabric and wallpaper collections on Friday afternoon and the contrast between them highlighted their strengths beautifully. I know that some of you will love one and not the other which is what makes our work so interesting and keeps us hunting for individual expression at home – so, I’d genuinely love to know, which do you prefer?

The first is the Purity collection from Harlequin. I was properly impressed with this collection and I think it will be tremendously useful in our design schemes. It is elegant and understated in a very confident way and uses small amounts of colour in clever ways. For the price, you get a lot of class for your money.

     

The second is from Scion (which is under the same mother brand as Harlequin) and is the Levande collection which has created a decidedly different look. It is fun, there is a retro reference but it is up to date and it is different. I was really taken with this collection and I think it represents great value for money.

  

So Purity or Levande? What’s your cup of tea?

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New Collections for Autumn

Here in Angel + Blume, Autumn is one of the most exciting times of the year as it brings with it the launch of the new fabric, wallpaper, carpet, lighting and accessory collections.

This autumn we are seeing a return of the wonderfully warm Chinese yellow so popular in the 1980s alongside bold overblown florals and small scale geometrics.

 

This picture shows Sanderson’s gorgeous Chinese Peony wallpaper from their new Richmond collection.  This teamed with curtains in a rich velvet such as Harlequin’s Folia in Cocoa

Folia Cocoa

Lisanne

together with cushions in Sancerre Lime and Lisanne from Harlequin’s Impasto Collection and in Nobilis gorgeous Hector fabric, and you would have a beautiful, up to date, not overly designed room scheme.

Harlequin Sancerre

Nobilis Hector

Whilst yellow used with red and pink can look pretty and country, yellow teamed with Charcoal and Silver looks particularly smart and  a bit more sophisticated.  Again, this is illustrated particularly well in these lovely Harlequin Giverny curtains, which look as if they have been painted, and the really unusual coordinating People wallpaper.

There would appear to have been a resurgence in period glamour with restrained Art Deco influences.  And there is an abundance of metallic accessories from mirrors to lamp bases, to vases and even furniture.

Dahlia Mirror from Clayton Gray Home, Lillianan Lamp from John Lewis and Casa Couture Bronze Metalic Bulb Vase from House of Frazer

Sage Luxury Brass Bed from And So To Bed

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