Diane Von Furstenberg’s Manhattan home

I remember many years ago seeing an article about Diane Von Furstenberg’s Manhattan home and studio and thinking how utterly wonderful it looked. Full of colour, originality and inspired yet relaxed creativity, I also saw how the live/work space could really work (albeit in on a magnificent scale) which deeply inspired me. So I felt utter joy last weekend, whilst taking a swift but glorious break in New York to round the corner and see this amazing building and I unashamedly stopped and stared. I haven’t been inside but thankfully Architectural Digest have so when I returned home I looked up the article and drooled. Here are the beautiful pictures (by photographer François Halard) and the full article can be seen on the Archtiectural Digest website.  I have pledged to go back to New York regularly so I might be knocking on your door Diane – sorry in advance.

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Urban inspiration

By Leonie Walker

Recently I have come across several designs that take inspiration from urban living and city landscapes, offerings some refreshingly original design motifs and patterns.

One example is Timorous Beasties fantastic Toile collection. Unlike traditional French toile designs of charming pastoral scenes, Beasties’ toiles offer a contemporary twist on the French classic. Their wallpaper and fabric motifs display a surprising and honest depiction of city life. Iconic cityscapes, park life, crime scenes, promenading and rude boys are just a few of the engaging narratives that take place in these designs. There are differing toiles for London, New York, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and each with its own feel and cityscape.

The New York Toile

The London Toile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glasgow Toile

 

The Edinburgh Toile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another example of urban themed decor is Marimekko’s new Siirtolapuutarha range. Made up of a selection of crockery and textiles, the pieces have a lovely illustrative design motif that eludes to cityscapes and urban living. Sure enough, the design for this range is inspired by city life, in particular small city gardens. The word siirtolapuutarha is a Finnish term that refers to small community plots of land in the city that are used for gardens and allotments. Each piece tells a different part of the siirtolapuurtarha story, from ‘a morsel of nature in the urban jungle’ to the ‘tiny gardens tucked into the nooks of urban life’ – Marimekko.

Siirtolapuutarha bowl, available at Skandium

 

Oiva Siirtolapuutarha coffee cup, available from Nord

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siirtolapuutarha plate, available from Skandium

 

Siirtolapuutarha red coated cotton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So you need look no further than out onto the street to find something new to be inspired by.

This article first appeared on the Cambridge Evening News website.

 

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In love with florals

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!

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 and Fowler Louise Silk

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

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 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

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 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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