Pink & Green

Though we don’t always like to follow the latest trends of interior design, we do like to keep an eye on them; and it’s safe to say that the combination of pink and green is definitely having a moment right now, and frankly it’s too lovely to pass by. After gushing at some gorgeous ideas on Pinterest, I’ve pulled together some creative ways to use the combination in your home, on big and small platforms, so you can either go full steam ahead with the trend, or just try it on for size.

I saw this image on Pinterest and fell in love with it, the mixture of the blush pink walls, and dark green tiles with the plates thrown in for extra measure is just a thing of beauty. It’s a great way to give a kitchen its own spark of personality, and a design scheme that can lend itself to various kinds of styles; this image gives off a bohemian vibe, but you could easily adapt this look to a more contemporary version.

A Pink and Green Kitchen from Lush Home via Pinterest

If you want to create your own pink kitchen, you’ll need to find your perfect version pink that goes with your own taste, and one that you’re kitchen space can handle. I love the dark, rich tones of Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball; it’ll add depth and interest to your kitchen, but if it’s too dark for the walls, you may want to consider using it for the lower cabinets so that you keep the colour but not lose the light.

Cinder Rose by Farrow & Ball

These porcelain plates from Zazzle are a beautifully rich green, they’ll add drama to your dinner table, and your cupboard; and a pink backdrop will only show them off more.

Dark Green Porcelain Plates from Zazzle

For just a touch of pink to your walls, these pink seagulls would look gorgeous on a dining room wall, giving the room a distinct personality, keeping things feeling soft and welcoming without compromising on the drama.

Feathr Wallpaper Portuguese Seagulls in Dusty Pink from Rockett St George

This bold half green wall settles perfectly between the crisp white on the other half of the wall and the rosy pink sofa. The strong green wall is enhanced with extra-large leafy plants, while a balance between the green and the pink is levelled out with the use of the neutral coloured cushions and rugs.

Bold Green Walls and Pink Sofa from Blog Lovin’ via Pinterest

This Tribeca sofa and armchair from Made come in a dusty pink colour, but have classic mid-century features, meaning they’ll stand the test of time. These paired with a deep green will really give your living room a burst of style and freshness.

Tribeca Sofa and Armchair in Dust Pink from Made

If you’re looking for a smaller way to experience with the pink and green trend, a few home accessories could be a great way to test out the colour combination. What I love about this trend is its ability to be romantic, calming and interesting all in one helpful package; which is a lovely trio for your bedroom. If you want to play around with the colours, try switching up your linens and decorative cushions on your bed. This gorgeous bed linen from Piglet is a crisp, pretty pink, and with this textural green cushions from Trouva added you can create a contemporary look.

Blush Basic Bundle from Piglet

Army Green Quilted Throw and Cushions from Trouva

You can also play around with lighter tones of pink and green, whilst still creating a charming effect. These baby pink coloured candles from Cox & Cox would make a sweet addition, placed on a tray, on a sideboard, keeping the room feeling bright and fresh. And with these green hydrangeas next to them in a clear glass or a grey one this below will complete the look; the two colours put together will create an uplifting atmosphere.

Blush Candles from Cox & Cox

Faux Hydrangeas from Cox & Cox

Confidence is key for the next look, as it incorporates the two colours in a very bold and bright way; neon pink and tropical green. I found this image on Pinterest and thought it was a super fun way to make a living space feel modern and youthful. The large palm leave prints wallpaper is given an extra burst of life with a quirky neon pink sign.

Tropical Green and Neon Pink from Baba Souk via Pinterest

I love this neon heart from Graham & Green, it’s an accessory that exist purely for fun and can be an interesting way to brighten up a dull corner of a landing or hallway, or even a small bathroom. And paired with this sumptuous wallpaper from House of Hackney, Babylon, it can create a care-free, happy-go-lucky area in your home for you to enjoy.

Pink Neon Heart from Graham & Greeen

 

Babylon Wallpaper from House of Hackney

From kitchens, to bedrooms and wherever else you’d like to insert a bit of on-trend fun, there are an abundance of ways to use the combination of pink and green in your home, and while some trends might be fleeting, I think the interior world may always have a little soft spot for this one.

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Welcome to the Jungle

If like me you’re not quite making it out to a tropical island for a holiday this year, then fear not! Choose wisely and you can recreate that tropical feeling from your very own home, from quirky and contemporary to classic and stylish, tropical and jungle interiors have been a prominent trend over the last few years and there not going anywhere! I’ve pick out some absolutely scorching home accessories that’ll give you that hot, tropical feeling all year round!

‘Palmeral Amhurst Sofa in White and Green’ from House of Hackney

Jump straight into the deep end with this extravagant leafy sofa from House of Hackney.
Despite its busy pattern the piece of furniture manages to keep its cool, giving off more of a jungle chic vibe than jungle fever!

For a mellow hint of tropical flavour, this bedding from Graham & Green is a fun, non-committal way to interact with the style. It’ll look great as a standalone jungle themed piece or act as a lovely base to build upon.

‘Palmier Bedding’ from Graham & Green

The same can be said for this leaf item from Rose & Grey, which combines tropical and glamourous themes to create a beautiful piece. This complementary piece will make a stylish addition to a room and is ideal for storing jewellery or little knick-knacks.

‘Gold Leaf Tray’ from Rose & Grey

Jazz up your hallway with these functional yet beautiful umbrella stand and stool from Lombok. They’re made by artisans in Indian and will really provide a sense of glamour to a hallway or room that is in need of a little face-lift.

‘Frette Design Umbrella Stand and Stool’ from Lombok

If you really want to inject some jungle fun into your interiors, there are all sorts of stylish ways to do so. For a talking point, these parrots on perches are just the ticket. They’re perfect if you like your home to have a sense of humour and are a great way to insert a jungle theme into your ornaments.

‘Parrots on a Perch’ from Graham and Green

There’s always a lot of fun to be had when picking out a lampshade, with each room there’s a chance to add some individuality and character. New to Rockett St George are these fantastic hand woven lampshades, which work wonderfully with the tropical theme. The frayed ends a reminiscent of grass skirts and the looks as whole feels as if it could be found in a lovely beachside cabana. A few in a cluster would set off the entire look with a swing.

‘Hand Woven Bamboo Basket Lampshade’ from Rockett St George

For an alternative tropical look for your ceiling lights, take a peek at these Kauai Lanterns from Oka. The playful tassels that rest on top of the shade come in three colours, rust, natural and blue. This design will mix really well with a stylish, contemporary interior that is in need of a little zing.

‘Kauai Lanterns’ from Oka

Give an extra little spurt of tropical spirit with this adorable, quirky flamingo light bulb from Rose & Grey, a super addition for kid’s room, or for an adults!

‘Flamingo Light Bulb’ from Rose & Grey

Bring your jungle theme back down to eye-level and to your table with these snazzy table accessories. For a simple yet effective piece of day-to-day tableware try these super sweet elephant shakers from Jonathan Adler, they’re almost impossibly cute.

‘Elephant Salt & Pepper Shakers’

And for an exciting and colourful table update, this dinner plate set from Anthropologie will really get your guests talking! An absolute sea of vivid colours and images, perfect for a summer’s evening or even to brighten up a cold wintery night.

‘Aperta Melamine Dinner Set’ from Anthropologie

There’s all sorts of tropical, jungle fun to be had with your interiors and you don’t need to be an explorer to find them!

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Glorious Garden Furniture

It’s May bank holiday this weekend and for me that always signifies the beginning of summer. May and June in Cambridge always tend to be my favourite months, and hopefully this year will be no different. Since the sun is, fingers crossed, here to stay it’s probably a good time to start thinking about your garden furniture in preparation for the warm weather.

Whatever space you have and whatever style you like there are absolutely tons of furniture pieces around at the moment, and now is the perfect time to purchase them. I’ve collected a few of my favourite pieces to share with you.

‘Rattan Garden Furniture’ from Habitat

If you’re feeling like adding a dose of retro glamour to your backyard then these rattan pieces from Habitat are just the ticket. The bench and the chair make a wonderful set, but I have a particular soft spot for the tall sided chair. It’s super stylish and paired with a few cosy cushions, it’ll make the perfect place for relaxing on a warm summer’s day.

A collaboration that I was very excited to hear about was the teaming up of House of Hackney and Sun Beam Jackie. The latter is a company based in Cornwall that specialise in make amazing parasols, which are now available in some classic House of Hackney prints, creating an absolutely must-have item for any garden.

‘Palmeral Parasol’ from House of Hackney x Sunbeam Jackie

For an extra added something to accompany an already existing set of chairs or loungers, these concrete garden stools from Habitat would make a great addition. They’re an easy way to insert in a bit of style or to update an overall look.

‘Round Concrete Garden Stools’ from Habitat

There is always something rather elegant about a hanging chair in a garden, it can turn a simple, ordinary area into a little wonderland. For traditional, classic style The White Company always has you covered, this sweet hanging chair would look lovely surrounded by a bed of flowers.

‘Hanging Chair’ from The White Company

If you have a taste for the unusual or a little quirky, this hanging nest from Encompass is a great alternative to a traditional hanging chair, its design will really make a statement and give a touch of the Avant Garde to the look of your garden.

‘Maffam Manu Nest Hanging Chair’ from Encompass

For an quick and stylish update to a decking or patio area of a garden, that would be well suited to a typical English country home, these sun loungers from The White Company are rather splendid. The traditional style in a modern grey colour creates a clever combination.

‘Adirondack Chair and Foot Stool’ from The White Company

Traditional isn’t always for everyone, so if a contemporary garden sounds like something you want to try on for size there are some really exciting ways to go. Roche Bobois has some wonderful products, including this armless sofa. Its modern design indulges in a hint of St Tropez style with an abstract wood frame, and is a great way to stay cool in the shade.

‘Saga Armless Sofa’ from Roche Bobois

A swing set needn’t only come in a traditional style, for a sleek, modern design try this set from Encompass, its non-fussy design and clean lines are perfect if you enjoy the minimalist style or if you don’t have a lot of space to play with its open design won’t make your garden feel too cluttered or heavy.

‘Viteo Home Swing Set’ from Encompass

Finally if you’re looking for a piece that’s a little more playful and bursting with colour, this outdoor sofa from Roche Bobois is fantastic, it’s a fun and vibrant way to relax in your garden this summer.

‘Escapade Outdoor Sofa’ from Roche Bobois

With so much excellent furniture around for our gardens, we’ll all be stocking up and praying for glorious sunny days all year round!

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Paws for Effect

More often than not when I’m gushing over wonderful home accessories, it because the design features an animal motif. It appears that I keep a large, vacant soft spot for all things animal related, from real life bouncy puppies to lamps shaped like monkeys, I just can’t seem to get enough! In honour of our furry friends, I’ve picked out some of my absolute favourite animal themed home accessories that are not only full of style and character but are also perfect for indulging your inner animal-loving self.

‘Bear Salt and Pepper Pots’ from Graham and Green

These ceramic, bear shaped salt and pepper shakers are simply adorable! They’re a modern play on the ceramic figurines you might find at your grandmother’s house, without the dated and twee style. Instead they are full of fun and can be worked into any style.

When you combine the world of interior design with the animal kingdom is the outcome is always going to be a fun, playful one. So if you want your sense of humour to transcend to your interiors an animal scheme is always going to be an exciting way to do so. These planters from Anthropologie are wonderful! Coming in either a chicken or hedgehog design they’d fit perfectly into an English country style home, and would decorate a window sill nicely.

‘Charming Critter Planter’ from Anthropologie

If you’re taste leans more to the exotic side, then these teapots are sure to take your fancy, I am particularly smitten with the camel design. You can whip them out for special occasions, and use them as ornamentation for the rest of the time.

‘Bling Teapots’ from Graham and Green

Continuing with the glamorous side of things, Jonathan Adler, who will forever do sophisticated chic how it’s meant to be done, has created a beautiful range of safari animal coasters. With an Elephant, Tiger, Zebra and Giraffe with a gold lustre background to tie them all together, these coasters are a great way to add a spot of luxury to your table.

‘Animalia Coasters’ from Jonathan Adler

If you’re into the no muss, no fuss interior style but are still looking for that animal chic look, there are loads of ways to include animal motifs into your home whilst avoiding a wild zebra or leopard print! This beaded bee cushion from Sweetpea & Willow is a simple way to add a little intrigue to a room.

‘Beaded Bee Cushion’ from Sweetpea & Willow

If subtly isn’t your thing at all, and your more into showing off your wild side and style, then the world of animal interiors is your playground. These monkey lamps from Graham & Green are just amazing, full of style, character and originality. Try it on for size with just one, or go all out with a group all in a different stances, they’ll be a non-stop talking point and will always put a smile on your face.

‘Monkey Lamps’ from Graham and Green

For another original lamp design, House of Hackney have a whole selection of animal style lamps, but my personal favourite is this stacked, porcelain Tortoise lamp. It’s fun, quirky and will help create an individual look to an interior.

‘Stacked Porcelain Tortoise Lampstand’ from House of Hackney

If you’re looking for something extra quirky, with a hint of the avant-garde, Rockett St George stocks a wonderfully wacky collection of surreal animal trays from Ibride. Whether you use them for either decorative or functional means, they’ll be sure to make a statement!

‘Ibride Animal Tray’ from Rockett St George

From English countryside to minimal chic, there are hundreds of home accessories that will show of not only your animal loving tendencies, but your style too!

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Remedies for beating those January blues!

For many people the words January and sale mean finding the latest bargains at a favourite clothing store, however at Angel + Blume, the January sales also means being able to get our hands on some beautiful pieces of furniture at a fraction of the cost.

The January sales is one of the best times to purchase that long sought after item you’ve been wanting to buy, whether it’s an investment piece or something striking to add to your home, there is so much on offer.

While some may dread the month of January, we think it’s a gift from the shopping gods, so out with old and in with the under-priced! I’ve chosen some simply gorgeous pieces from the sale section of some fabulous designers and stores to give you a little inspiration!

Vreeland Stripe ‘Atlanta’ Sofa in Multi Stripe from House of Hackney

Sometimes we need a little justification to help push us in the right direction, and in this case being brave enough to purchase a wild design like this vibrant number from House of Hackney just got a whole lot easier with its reduced price tag. Just like most of House of Hackney’s designs this sofa doesn’t err on the side of caution, its beautifully rich design oozes with contemporary glamour and will make a worthwhile investment.

Miss Adventure Sofa from Sofa Workshop

This beautiful bohemian style sofa from Sofa Workshop takes on an equally stunning pattern, but with mellow hues for those looking for a more laid-back style. This sofa and print combination would look amazing in a dozen different style settings from an industrial loft space to a classic country home; it’s a useful and delightful piece to have in your house.

For an investment that’s a classic, the ever faithful Habitat always has something up their sleeve. This Colin sofa is effortlessly chic and is perfect for a busy and changing lifestyle. Its relaxed nature makes it work as the staple of a room, meaning that as its furniture accompaniments change around it, it will never look out of place.

Colin Three Seater Sofa in Charcoal Fabric from Habitat

If you’re all set for sofas but are still in the mood to do a little revamping to your living room, buying a statement armchair is a great way to make your home feel all shiny and new without going into redesign overdrive.

Deco Tub Chair from David Linley

This Art Deco inspired armchair from David Linley is an ideal little dose of fun for any room, its vibrant colour will make it a stand out piece, while its size means it won’t overpower the room. Purchasing this colourful item will make the January blues seem more like a myth than reality. The same goes for this gorgeous rattan chair from The White Company, which is absolutely great addition for a modern or contemporary home.

Radial Rattan Occasional Chair from The White Company

You may have made quite a lot of use out of your dining room or area over the holiday period and if your table and chairs are looking a little worse for wear or you just feel like an upgrade, the January sales will lead you to an overwhelming amount of offers, but there are some truly lovely designs by some wonderful designers out there.

Vienna Chair from Tom Faulkner

This mid-century meets Art Nouveau style chair is a design masterpiece! Whether you feel like decking out the entire table, or perhaps just one at the head, this chair will show off your design skills. As with all pieces from Tom Faulkner there is an easy elegance and fluidity that makes the design so beautifully contemporary.  It also comes in a vivid pink, yellow or green.

Benchmark is home to some fantastic designs and products that are classic contemporary at its finest. This superb design from Benchmark is a home staple, plus it’s designed by the legendary Terrence Conran making it an absolute steal!

Normandie Side Chair designed by Terrence Conran for Benchmark

Another investment piece from Benchmark again designed by Terence Conran is this stunning sideboard. It’s a beautiful contemporary piece that unlikely to ever go out of style. Its clean lines means it’ll work with several design schemes without stealing focus or looking out of place.

Albin Sideboard designed by Terrence Conran for Benchmark

Or for something a little more rustic and flamboyant, there’s something quite special about this piece from Sweetpea and Willow. It will give a little grandeur to a room and fill it with some old school elegance.

Julien Commode in the style of Louis XV from Sweetpea and Willow

So don’t despair when it comes to venturing into the deep dark world of the January sales, there are some wonderful investment pieces out there that will last you a lifetime, and will hopefully leave you with some leftover cash!

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Some Like It Hot!

The temperature is rising all around Cambridge today and in typical British fashion we’re all getting a little flustered! But fear not as we have an abundance of lovely summer saviours to keep you cool in the heat.

Comfort is the key on a scorching day like today and whether you like to lie back and work on your tan or read a book in a deck chair there’s something for everyone.

This beautiful cotton double cushion from Cox and Cox is perfect for a picnic on a lazy afternoon.

House of Hackney has deck chairs for sale at the moment with some wonderful prints that’ll keep you stylish in the sun. And if you love prints and patterns then you’ll want to check out Sunbeam Jackie’s collection of beautiful bohemian parasols.

Staying hydrated is the perfect excuse to get this gorgeous pitcher from Cox and Cox, great for serving up some Pimms or perhaps some refreshing cucumber water

And to accompany it why not have a look at House of Hackney’s collection of fun trays, a great addition to any gathering in the sun and the perfect way to serve those drinks in style!

After watching a beautiful sunset, these lovely wicker lanterns from The White Company will be a great way to keep the night going without losing the light.

Of course we’re not forgetting the inside of your home, nothing says summertime like a set of beautiful linen curtains blowing in the breeze, and as always Ian Mankin has some stunning fabrics in his collection.

So there’s our guide to staying cool in the sun, we hope you enjoy!

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Living with plants

So many wonderful fabrics take their inspiration from nature but every so often I come across a design that conjures up images of hot houses full of leafy tropical plants or those detailed old botanical drawings that accurately depict the exact details of a species, which are such a lovely things to use in an interior, particularly if your garden isn’t up to Chelsea’s high standards.

I think illustrative prints work brilliantly on upholstery where you can really see the detail of the design. Woodland Ferns from Sanderson is a design taken from an old botanical illustration and shows three different species of fern.

Bananier is a wallpaper from Pierre Frey which has the most wonderful detail of banana and coconut leaves and should be used where it is possible to get really close to the paper to see the detail.

House of Hackney’s wonderful Palmeral design takes inspiration from the Loddiges Nursery in Hackney which was operating up to 1852 and which included an enormous and well stocked palm house.

This delicate and exquisitely drawn design from Sanderson has been a favourite of mine for a long time. It comes in some great colourways but I love the more neutral backgrounds to really show the detail of the pattern.  Etchings and Roses by Sanderson.

This fantastic Dandelion design from Timorous Beasties comes in three huge panels printed on a wool voile with a three metre drop – the image shows the three panels together.

This new fabric, Retiro, from Gastón Y Daniela is a wonderful mixture of plants and insects and comes in five different colours all on a soft linen background.

And finally this delightfully fresh fabric Alice from Manuel Canovas for Colefax and Fowler shows a range of white cut flowers on a natural background.

Have a great bank holiday weekend everyone!

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Animal attraction

Here’s a little something lighthearted for the weekend – I have just visited House of Hackney‘s lovely website and seen their wonderful new wallpapers which made me smile. Aren’t they gorgeous? I think if you went to someone’s house and they had walls decorated in these designs, you would just know you were going to have a good time. And to add to the overall feeling of well-being, House of Hackney are giving 5% of proceeds of sales to the Born Free Foundation. Come on then, who’s tempted?

Flamboyance in off white/macaroon green

Baleana in Aegean Blue/Off Black

Prowl in Clay/Cedar

Troop in Parakeet Green

Pandamonium in Olive

Have a good weekend everyone!

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A not very scary Halloween

I’ll admit that I am not a massive fan of Halloween. There is too much orange plastic in the shops for my liking and I’m fundamentally not good with fear. However, a little bit of dark side on the interiors front is something that I am delighted to embrace. So sit back and prepare yourself for a few interiors products that are very slightly, only just a little bit, verging on the tiny bit frightening.

I love these raven book ends from Abigail Ahern – a little bit menacing is exactly what is required to guard your favourite reads.

  

This lovely light has just a touch of the Harry Potter about it – I love the combination of the dusky grey and warm blue. This is also my Abigail Ahern and can be purchased at Debenhams.

Unashamedly without purpose, a delicate decoration that is lovely all the year round but just perfect for Halloween night. Josh Harker Skull at Rockett St George

Looking delightfully innocent until close up, then delicate layers of white moths appear before ones eyes. Exquisite and edgy – how can we resist?  Timorous Beasties White Moth wallpaper

Penhaligons fragrances are my guilty pleasure and their Elixir candle gives off such wonderful heady, exotic and vaguely religious scents that I feel both inspired and indulged at the same time. Perfect for driving the demons away – no?

Finally, I can’t help but include the beautiful House of Hackney midnight stripe tea service with its carnival of creatures and glorious gold edging. What’s frightening for me about this is that there is no way I am going to be able to resist a purchase.

Happy Halloween everybody!

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It’s all going on in the bathroom

We have been doing some work with the lovely marketing team at Victoria and Albert Baths recently and I have been completely won over by their beautiful products. They are all made from Quarrycast which is their own product developed from volcanic limestone and resin and the designs are really stunning.

The Amalfi bath – so comfortable!

This is the Cabrits bath – designed to offer support however tall or um, wide you are. They call it ‘the I told you so’ bath because it doesn’t look comfortable until you get in it, and then you get it. I am a convert!

The elegant Toulouse bath with one of their basins in the background.

 

And while we are on a bathroom theme, the House of Hackney have brought out some new products (hurrah we say) – as gorgeous and stylish as ever, I am, as ever with House of Hackney, spoilt for choice.

Palmeral in Green and White

and in Azure and White

Or the fabulous Panthera design – I love it!

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