A Rough Idea

At the moment in interior design we’re seeing a lot more of raw or organic shapes and materials being used. This is a great trend for those who love contemporary and diverse looks in their home, and want to experiment with different types of material; from metal, stone, wood, cork and concrete to natural forms. Take a look at some of these design to see if you might want to add some rough edges to your interiors.

This natural, pebble shaped mirror from Oliver Bonas takes the luxurious of the rose gold frame and plays it down with the relaxed shape, which is an interesting alternative to a formal rectangular mirror; making it a great buy if you want to soften a glam setting.

Full Length Rose Gold Pebble Mirror from Oliver Bonas

Break up a seating area with this raw shape petrified wood coffee table from Houseology. It appears like a slice straight from the trunk of a tree, but with a beautiful finish. It’ll add a diversity in texture and break up the space, as well as adding a natural element but in a formal and luxurious way.

Eichholtz Barrymore Coffee Table from Houseology

Offset the wooden coffee table with this agate top side table from Andrew Martin. The roughness of the agate edge contrasted against the angular brass legs give the side table a dynamic look that’ll add some unexpected glamour to a room.

Rosalie Side Table from Andrew Martin

If you want to add some natural motifs to your interiors in a larger way, there are a whole range of interesting wallpapers you could look at. This cement brick wallpaper adds a touch of industrial charm; it could look great in a sitting room with an added a cosy element like some textural sheepskin cushions completing the look.

Atlantis Cement Wallpaper from Andrew Martin

These pendants by Tom Dixon at Amara are perfect if you’re looking for something with an organic shape but still has a really glamorous touch. The finishes feel like precious metals and look like they’re melting, malleable to the touch. They would add a really vibrant edge to a room, over a dining table or hanging in a stairwell.

Melt Copper Pendant Light by Tom Dixon from Amara

Alternatively, finding products that used raw materials but take a contemporary shape can be a great way to give a room more texture when combined with other materials like velvets, paint or linen. This light made from concrete has a modern, simple shape, allowing the material to be the focal point of the design.

Dutch Bone Cradle Concrete Pendant Lamp from Cuckooland

Insert some a natural component and a little fun into your interior with this cork stool from Heal’s; it’s a playful when to add in some composition to a room, as well as having some back up seating when needed.

Cork Stool Model A from Heal’s

This could be contrasted nicely against this dark concrete mirror from Cult Furniture. It’s smart enough to be worked into a formal setting, but the added interested of the concrete means it can be toned down too.

Abra Modern Round Wall Mirror from Cult Furniture

This garden stool from Made is made from beautifully smooth concrete; it would look lovely in a juxtaposition against the green grass or on a minimalist desking. It could also be work inside the home as well; just add a little softness with a throw of cushion nearby.

Edison Garden Stool from Made

For a clean, strong look in the bathroom, using raw materials can create a dynamic look that plays to both masculine and feminine themes. This caddy from Next is made from a grey stone, and would look great added into a contemporary bathroom setting.

Pale Grey Stone Toothbrush Caddy from Next

For a larger touch of marble effect, this electric marble wallpaper is a giant textural feature. The orange tones against the dark bark almost glisten, making this wallpaper perfect if you want to create drama in say a dining room.

NLXL Piet Heim Eek Blakc Metallic Marble from IWOOT

From big drama to little drama, this pendant has a traditional style but made with a contemporary metal, to give it a stunning contrast. Two of these over a long dining table or as bedside lights would be the perfect finishing touch to a contemporary glamorous look.

Light & Living Alarice Pendant Light from Houseology

Whether you’re interested by raw forms or raw materials given an elegant finish, both are great ways to add texture and further depth to your interiors, so get out there and see how you can customise your own space.

Read Full Post »

Precious Metals

I often find myself being nicknamed a magpie, because I’m constantly drawn to shiny things! Although I don’t always appreciate the nickname, I have to admit that more often than not it tends to be true, especially when it comes to home accessories. Metal and metallic items keep cropping up all over our favourite stores and sites at the moment, and with so much range there is something to suit everyone’s style and everyone’s home. So I thought I would share some wonderful shiny accessories with you, to help to start your own magpie collection!

‘Pindale Copper Wire Light’ from Graham & Green

This pendant light from Graham & Green is something that immediately caught my eye when I saw it, from its curvy shape to its glistening colour, everything about it fantastic. It’ll make a great showstopper in a high-ceilinged living room or hallway. As you can see from the picture above it really pops out against a green back ground, as it would with a rich blue, but if you want keep things a little more minimal it will look equally as good against a crisp white backdrop.

For something else with an equally interesting shape to it, this bowl from Jonathan Adler is a rather fascinating design. Based on seeds, barnacles and pebbles, the bowl is designed to crack slightly during the firing process, which unveils some understated modernist patterns. It’ll make a beautiful centrepiece on a coffee or dining table.

‘Metallic Pinch Bowl’ from Jonathan Adler

Not all metallic accessories need to be contemporary pieces, in fact there are some wonderful, traditional style ideas out there. I love this toilet roll holder from Rockett St George, it’s a great way to add a little antique glamour to a bathroom with breaking the bank. It can work as a simple one-off accessory, or if you want to use the style for a whole bathroom theme, match the holder with a roll top bath and a dark wooden toilet seat.

‘Traditional Style Metal & Wood Toilet Roll Holder’ from Rockett St George

For another dose of glamour, these vintage style candlesticks will add a bit of grandeur to a dressing or dining table, or a mantelpiece. Mix and match the different heights for some diversity, and to make a really dramatic appearance collect a whole cluster of them!

‘Gilded Glass Candlestick’ from Rose & Grey

If you enjoy a particular style, metal and metallic can always be worked into any scheme. Add a little freshness to a rustic setting with these dishevelled herb pots from Anthropologie. The worn down look will go great with an already established look, while the zing of the colours will give a room a few sporadic pops.

‘Metallic Crackle Herb Pots’ from Anthropologie

If you want something with more of a matte finish, but something still incredibly eye-catching, this bull’s head from Rockett St George is not only a fantastic piece but great take on the traditional animal’s head style. The ornate metalwork will make you feel like you commissioned the piece yourself, but fortunately the price tag won’t!

‘Ornate Metal Faux Bull Skull with Horns’ from Rockett St George

For a room which style follows an exotic home décor, this Moorish wind-light from Lombok is a dream. They’re made by artisans in India with antiqued iron, and are perfect for creating some romantic lighting.

‘Moorish Iron Wind-Light’ from Lombok

This hanging plant pot is ideally suited from a contemporary, urban space. The angular shape gives the accessory more of a masculine edge, and its simple form means it’ll work in a minimal space without altering the tone.

‘Metal Distressed Hanging Plant Pot’ from Rockett St George

Finally, I had to throw in this adorable little etched coaster from Anthropologie, its pattern is super sweet, and will look lovely littered across a coffee table.

‘Etched Metal Coaster’ from Anthropologie

Whatever you’re style, adding a little bit of metal here and there into your home is a great way to experiment, have some fun, and bring a little freshness to an interior!

Read Full Post »