Wild Kingdom

Using animal motifs in your home can be a great way of giving the space a healthy portion of personality. Animals have had quite a presence in interior design in the last few years with new, playful ways of using them; from quirky ideas like salt and pepper shakers, to wallpaper to abstract interpretations, there are lots of ways to include animals in your home that suit your style. I’ve pulled some of my favourite ideas that are around at the moment to share with you.

Example of Dalmatian Wallpaper from Trend Addictions via Pinterest

When you think of animal prints in homes, you might be tempted to make a grimacing face, but nowadays there are some rather sophisticated designs around that counteract the bad rep animal prints have faced. Something I love is this Dalmatian style print that you can find floating around at the moment. It falls somewhere between polka dots and animal prints, and has the perfect zest of personality and glamour without being over the top; instead it offers a really pretty, feminine look for a room. Sanderson have something similar to this look above called the Ocelli wallpaper in three different colour ways.

Ocelli Wallpaper from Sanderson

Using animal motifs doesn’t have to apply to just one type of interior style, you can find all sorts of accessories in a whole range of designs from minimalist to extravagant. This cushion from Mineheart might appeal to the more dramatic and glamorous interiors, with a dash of humour. This best dressed giraffe would look perfect on a bold armchair or mixed into a range of scatter cushions.

Dame Griselda Cushion from Mineheart

Add some animal into your interiors with a three-dimensional aspect; this Indian Tiger money box from Rockett St George has a fun charm to it, as well as an antique look to it. It’s well suited to a bohemian style interior, but could also be integrated into different styles as an exciting pop of colour and character.

Indian Tiger Money Box from Rockett St George

This panther vase from Graham & Green hits the nail on the head. It finds the right balance between quirky and sophisticated, giving an overall design that’ll catch your eye and be an unusual addition to a smart and sleek look. Contrast the strong black look with a few stems of brightly colour flowers.

Panther Vase from Graham & Green

Cole & Son do some absolutely knockout wallpapers, they’re beautifully crafted and designed to perfection so that even with a big, brave print the wallpapers still retain their sophistication, style and grace. This Jabu wallpaper reinvents the concept of striped wallpaper; the rhinos and their patterned horns peak out of the African motif stripe and the overall effect is stunning.

Jabu Wallpaper from Cole & Son

There’s a wonderful sense of humour that’s involved with using animal motifs in the home; a simple, mundane item can be given a little twist, like this door mat. If you want to have some fun with your interior this is a great way to start as you mean to go on.

Leopard Door Mat from Amara

Add a little extra flair to your drinks with this Giraffe tray from Graham & Green. The pattern of giraffes are mirrored on the tray to create an abstract and intriguing look; a beautiful set of coffee cups or glasses will look lovely on top of this wild design.

Giraffe Birch Tray from Graham & Green

A beloved photo or memory can be given a touch more style with this lounging leopard frame. His paw dangles over the photo in a charming way, it’s the perfect finish for a fun nostalgic moment.

Leopard Picture Frame from Rockett St George

If you like the idea of animal motifs, but like you interiors to feel more contemporary and graphic, this fabric (and wallpaper) print from Osborne & Little may be right up your street. The waves of abstract foliage reveal a sleek black panther. This bold print would make an amazing statement as a sofa fabric, or an exciting set of curtains.

Fantasque Fabric from Osborne & Little

Finally, add some spice to your salt and pepper with these adorable leopard head shakers from Amara. They’ll make a super sweet addition to a table or breakfast nook, and will be sure to put a smile of guest’s faces when they come over.

Leopard Salt and Pepper Shakers from Amara

Adding in animal motifs into your interiors is a great way to utilise you style in another way. A contemporary look with clean lines is given a little more oomph with a sleek panther vase, or a bedside table is a given an extra flair with a leopard picture frame of a fond memory. There are always great ways to get creative with your home, so go out and find your favourite animal.

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Belvoir by Matthew Williamson

Last week we had the pleasure of seeing Lizzie Ibbotson, our sales rep for Osborne & Little, which meant we had a look at the beautiful Belvoir collection by Matthew Williamson. It’s an absolutely gorgeous array of colour, patterns and excitement and a triumph of both wallpaper and fabrics that are on par with one another. Not only am I smitten with the whole collection, but I now must visit its main source of inspiration, the Gothic Revival style of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, which is a truly beautiful place.

Exterior Shot of Belvoir Castle from Pinterest via Flickr

The Ballroom at Belvoir Castle

The Folklore fabric from the collection is a patchwork wonder, and inspired by a rug found in the ballroom of Belvoir Castle. Its busy pattern is playful and creative, and has a modern Arts & Crafts sensibility to it; a fantastic way to brighten up a living space in the home.

Folklore fabric on the bed, and Ceramica wallpaper

This photograph also features the ceramica wallpaper in its most vivid colourway; each plate holds a different designs, but all with familiar Matthew Williamson motif’s that he is most known for. A very daring design that isn’t for the faint hearted, but if you’re brave enough, what a statement you’ll make.

At first glance, the Sirius design, available in both fabrics and wallpaper in a multitude of colours, is simple in its design; but it is in fact a very curious design, that’s perhaps one of my favourites. The stars are given an almost three-dimensional effect as their metallic tone glistens as you move it back and forth. Here it’s shown in with a neutral background, but colourways also include some feisty vibrant shades too.

Sirius fabric on the seat cushion, and Sirius wallpaper

Orangery fabric used for the drapery

Orangery is one of the fabric designs, which although it’s a very busy design, still manages to have a calming effect when viewing it. The background is a lace pattern, inspired by a vintage design; and on top of this is a beautiful depiction of birdcages, orchids and butterflies. There are two colourways; one with fuchsia pink and feisty orange and the other with punchy lilac and pastel yellow. Both colourways are sure to make an impact, and have that iconic Matthew Williamson feel to them.

The next pattern is so lovely that I had to include images of both the wallpaper and fabric versions; the Lyrebird design has a beautiful tile effect from far away, and up close the detailing is stunning, with an Arts & Crafts style to it. Both the fabric and wallpaper are paired with Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic, which makes a stunning collaboration.

Lyrebird wallpaper

Lyrebird fabric used for the drapery

The Rosanna Trellis is a very soft, romantic design that sits dreamily in a room. The soft blush pink background against the garden roses had a delicate nature to it; perfect for a feminine, peaceful interior.

Rosanna Trellis wallpaper, Sirius fabric on the seat cushion, Rosanna Trellis and Contour on the scatter cushions

For some of the patterns in this collection, Matthew Williamson has reinvented some of his past fashion collections, just like the Duchess Garden, which has a damask background and some very lovely dahlias in the foreground in some rather lovely colours. There are two colourways with the darker background, and two in neutral shades if you want to create a lighter look.

Duchess Garden on outer cushion, Contour on inner cushion and seat cushion, Duchess Garden used as drapery and wall paneling

 

If you’re into luxurious interiors, especially those with a bit metallic glam, this fanfare design was made for you in mind . The cobalt blue with the silver detailing is a real show-stopper, and looks incredible surrounding this ornate architrave.

Fanfare wallpaper, and Sirius seat cushions

And lastly, this beautiful Waterlily design come in a wallpaper, a fabric and a sheer and is just oh so pretty. Swimming amongst the flowers are carps, that’ll flow effortlessly in the breeze in the sheer form, or float around the room in the wallpaper.

Waterlily Sheer used as the curtain, Duchess Garden and Sirius used as for the cushions

The Belvoir collection from Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little is downright gorgeous, with the utmost care and thoughtfulness taken throughout, with every colour, design, detail and stitch done with precision and beauty.

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The Bed of your Dreams

Like any sane person, I love my bed, and if you don’t love your own bed, there’s a good chance it’s because you haven’t been treating it right. A good bed consists of more than just a nice frame and quality mattress, and though these are essential to getting a good night’s sleep, your bed and its surrounding area shouldn’t just be a matter of function. Kitting your bed area out in the perfect accessories that suit you down to a T will help to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling when you walk into your room and see your bed. From throws, cushions, headboards, linens and even the surrounding furniture, everything plays an integral part of making the space feel like your own and turning it into an area that you can’t wait to get into at night and leaves you feeling happy when you wake up in the morning. Making cosmetic improvements to your bed is a great way to give your room your stamp of personality, while also creating an inviting and relaxing space. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about what you could change and how you could change it, with both high and low budget pieces, so you can treat yourself without upsetting your wallet.

‘Crushed Linen Duvet Set’ from Volga Linen’

That feeling of getting into bed when you have fresh sheets on is lovely, but what’s even better is having a brand new set altogether. It’s a quick and easy way to give your bed a boost in comfort and style. As a personal preference, I like to keep my covers simple to make way for more decorative pieces later, a pastel or white can be the perfect way to lay some foundations when it comes to covering your bed. For high quality, Volga Linen has some wonderful sets in some amazing colours. For linens that still look beautiful, but are a fraction of the cost, H&M Home have some wonderful designs up their sleeve. For the same simple look, the washed linen set are a must-have, and are a good price so it means you can invest in a few sets, in different colours.

‘Washed Linen Duvet Cover Set’ from H&M Home

Adding a headboard to your bed is a great way to give your space a sense of glamour and elegance, turning your bed into to a distinctive feature in your bedroom. Last year we combined a headboard from The Dormy House and fabric from Pierre Frey to create a gorgeous headboard for the master bedroom for one of our clients; the outcome turned an average looking bed to one of my favourite features in the house.

‘Regal Shaped Headboard with Stud Piping’ from The Dormy House with ‘Watom Juane Fabric’ from Pierre Frey

For something that has the same effect as a headboard, but is a lot cheaper, there are some easy ways to create a dramatic look for your bed without the dramatic price tag. With a little DIY you can create a beautiful head for your bed with a pole and a pair of curtains. An example of this is taken from Pinterest, which shows how a simple piece of sheer cloth can add a huge amount of glamour and style to a bed.

Taken from ‘MyDesignerMom’ via Pinterest

Above the designer has used a plain white fabric, but if you want to add in a bit of colour or a pattern, making sure that the fabric is light will mean that the overall look doesn’t get too heavy. These curtain panels from Anthropologie could be a great design to use in this way.

‘Adalet Curtain’ from Anthropologie

Creating a collection of cushions and a throw is a great way to tailor your bed to your own taste; whether that is piles of colourful cushions, or just a few understated ones. If you don’t want to break the bank when you comes to filling out your bed with cushions, many high street home stores have a great range in some interesting designs. I like these pastel, kilim style cushions from Urban Outfitters, they have a contemporary bohemian feel about them and will keep your bedroom looking light and relaxed.

‘Andanda Kilim Cushion’ from Urban Outfitters

To go the full nine yards when it comes to cushions, getting some custom made from some designer fabric will give you bed a luxurious feeling and a personal touch. By choosing this option you can also make sure that you have the exact design you want. There are an abundance of designers out there to choose from, for fun and colourful designs head over to Osborne & Little, they’re fabric patterns are perfect for making a few elaborate and eye-catching cushions; I love these styles from their new Masque collection, the Pageant, Carnival and Jester patterns are great for adding some vibrancy to your bedspread.

From Left to Right: ‘Carnival, Pageant and Jester fabric cushions’ from Osborne & Little

For that extra warmth in the winter and that extra style all year round, the addition of a throw will make your bed look and feel complete. It’s worth investing in a throw that will actually keep you warm as well as looking good on your bed, which needn’t mean spending the earth. Wool, Mohair and Cashmere are the best materials to use, and you can find good quality versions of these for reasonable prices. These Mohair Wool throws from Trouva have wonderful oversized fringing and look super cosy.

‘Cozy Living Forest Green Melange Mohair Wool Throw’ from Trouva

For super high quality and luxuriously soft throws, Biggest Blanket have got a beautiful selection. This Stafford throw has some rich, romantic colours and is perfect for curling up in when winter rears its ugly head again.

‘Stafford Wool and Mohair Throw’ from Biggest Blanket

Placing a rug underneath your bed will help to create a defining area, it can give your bed more of an impact in a room, plus it’ll be a nice treat for your feet in the mornings. Size is key when it comes to rugs, it’s important to make sure that it isn’t too small or it won’t sit right within the room. For high quality and beautifully designed rugs, The Rug Company never fails to impress, I love this Spider design by Neisha Crosland; the pattern has a careful balance between simplicity in colour and intricacy in design so that it will remain a staple and stylish piece in your home.

‘Spider by Neisha Crosland’ from The Rug Company

Unfortunately the bigger the rug, the bigger the cost, and if you don’t want to spend a huge amount of money you’ll need to find a company that can offer you a good sized rug at a reasonable rate. Swoon Editions have some lovely rugs in their collection in decent sizes that can help make the perfect bed area. This Kankare rug has a small pattern in a faded denim colour that can work a few different schemes to create a foundation in the bed area.

‘Kankare Rug in Indigo’ from Swoon Editions

A pair of beautiful bedside tables can frame a bed, adding structure and style to your bedroom. For a mid-century treat, a new addition to Chelsea Textiles furniture collection is this gorgeous piece; it’s elegantly designed with a timeless style that’ll last you for years.

‘Bedside Table Two Drawer, Wicker Handle, Brass Trim & Legs’ from Chelsea Textiles

If you want to save a bit of money, but still maintain some style, there are loads of less expensive options to choose from; this Ikea piece in a bright yellow will make a sweet touch to a bedroom, adding a splash of fun colour.

‘Hemnes Bedside Table in Yellow’ from Ikea

Finally, the way to finishing off your dream bed area, is with some lighting. The bedside lighting needs to be suitably chosen, having to accommodate functional needs like reading, but also creating a relaxing atmosphere as you get ready for bed. Keep things simple with this modern looking lamp from Habitat.

‘Dylan Table Lamp in Natural’ from Habitat

If you like things a little more flamboyant, this playful lamp from Graham & Green could be just the thing needed to complete a fun and bohemian styled bedroom. The birds are a wacky edition that will proudly show off your style.

‘Volieres Bird Cage Lamp’ from Graham & Green

When it comes to decorating your bed and its neighbouring areas, you have the luxury of getting to be a little selfish. It’s a place that’s just for you, or you and your partner. Many other spaces in the room have to accommodate guests, other family members, or be styled in a way that suits everyday life, but as for your bed, you can turn this area into a space that’s your perfect hideaway, just the way you want it.

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Enchanted Gardens

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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Nina Campbell – The Coromandel Collection – Autumn 2016

A few weeks ago, we shared with you the new collection from Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little and promised that a blog showcasing the equally beautiful new collection from Nina Campbell would be coming up shortly, and here it is!

As promised this blog is dedicated to showing off the glorious new autumn collection, Coromandel, by Nina Campbell. This collection follows the same elegant and inspiring motifs that always feature in a collection from Nina, Coromandel makes valuable use of zingy blues, sharp greens and hot corals, as well as a whole load of new and exciting prints that will give you home a huge burst of exotic flavour!

‘Mardi Gras’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

This playfully embroidered print is every party animal’s dream. As the name suggests, inspiration for the fabric came from the Mardi Gras festival, which is reflected in the colourful chevron pattern. The textural piece is great is you lovely a bit of contemporary bohemian chic, the bold print will really make a statement contrasted against other patterns. Or, if you want to vibrate but calmer setting, the Mardi Gras fabric placed in a neutral setting will really give your interiors a pop.

The Pavilion Gardens print from the collection is a thoughtful and pretty pattern, we love it so much we bought a metre to frame and hang in the office! The scene depicts women in sari’s picking fruit in a garden. The various colourways with this print allows you to work it into various interior styles. The pastel colours can be used in a contemporary or traditional setting, and the blue and white, which resembles the traditional blue and white Chinese porcelain can be used to create an ancient Oriental style theme in a modern and interesting way.

‘Pavilion Gardens’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

The Meredith pattern takes a print first used by Nina back in the nineties and reworks the style in new, contemporary colours. The damask pattern, which is usually considered traditional, has been craftily paired with strong, modern colours like an icy grey and snappy coral to make it work in a contemporary setting.

‘Meredith’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

Calypso is a simple, but absolutely stunning semi-plain from the collection. The dotted ombré effect creates a wonderful graded glamorous style from a distant and up close an intriguing composition. The dusty rose is gorgeous and the perfect fabric if you want to spruce up a chair or sofa.

‘Calypso’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

One of my favourites from the Coromandel collection is the Perdana fabric and wallpaper. The birds and branches imagery is depicted in a beautifully artistic manner, by the use of small colourful dashes, creating a wonderfully unusual and intriguing style. This pattern is marvellous and its light-hearted nature means it can be used in all sorts of ways, from cushions to curtains.

‘Perdana’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

Another of my favourites is the Palmetto design. Considering that palm trees are featured rather heavily in today’s design world, Nina finds a fresh take on the motif, creating columns out of the palm leaves. Nina comments on the design, “I love the architectural quality of the design”, the Palmetto design is a great way to add a hint of the Caribbean without going overload on the theme.

‘Palmetto’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

Lastly, the Coromandel’s namesake is a vividly coloured ‘Tree of Life’ embroidered pattern. The pattern is given a new lease of life and modern revamp with the use of viscose in the embroidery to create a shimmering effect. The dramatic red and electric blue are perfect for those who want to create a showstopper, and the laidback pastel colourways are ideal if you just want to the bold pattern without the bold colour.

‘Coromandel’ by Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little

For a lively, exciting festival of colours complemented hugely by delicate and elegant patterns and prints, the Coromandel collection from Nina Campbell hits the nail on the head. Each fabric and wallpaper is more playful then the last, and if you’re looking for some fun in your home you’ve come to the right place!

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Durbar – Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

Last week we were paid a visit from our wonderful rep Lizzie from Osborne & Little, who showed us the new collections from Nina Campbell and Matthew Williamson. Both collections were absolutely outstanding, and both definitely worthy of their own blogs, so stay tuned for Nina’s glorious fabrics and wallpaper, but for now take a look at the new collection by the ever-so talented Matthew Williamson!

The overall theme of Matthew’s new collection, Durbar, is based on his travels to India. The collection is enriched with exotic influence but approached in a modern, stylistic way. Taking the best from old, historic tones and integrated with a new vision, what you end up with is a truly wonderful pool of gorgeous fabrics and wallpapers.

‘Menagerie’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

‘Menagerie’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

The Menagerie design, first shown as a fabric and below as wallpaper is even more stunning in person. Full of exciting details and colours, the pattern is a real showstopper, as Matthew comments on the piece, ‘I love the hot house tones, and the fresh mint, lavender and lime’. Its zingy style makes it ideal for those who are willing to take a risk, whether you want to spice up a sofa with a few cushions in the print, or perhaps a dramatic roman blind, or if you’re feeling bold, deck out a whole room with the wallpaper.

If you are at all familiar with Matthew Williamson you’ll know he has a fascination with peacock feathers, and they regularly feature in his work. For this collection, he’s used his famous inspiration but tweaked it so that it is in keeping with the overall style of Durbar. Azari is an interpretation of peacock feathers in a lacy line-drawing style. The look is fresh and modern, and a real treat if you like to create a mixture of bohemian and glamour style.

‘Azari’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

One of the patterns that we are particularly taken with at Angel + Blume is the Zanskar print. It’s a beautiful depiction of idyllic Indian celebrations, Matthew has commented on the piece saying, “The pattern was drawn and then painted by hand and is made up of whimsical scenes which up close show a light-hearted look at Indian life but from afar has the effect of a traditional and classic Toile de Jouy”. The Zanskar print is completely stunning, and its wonderful details will constantly put a smile of your face. The various colourways really change the way you can use the fabric, from the crisp blue and white to the rustic linen, it can be worked into so many alternative design schemes.

‘Zanskar’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

‘Zanskar’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

If you have a soft spot for scenic imagery on your wallpaper or fabric, Matthew has another trick up his sleeve for you. The Aravali pattern takes its name from the Aravali Mountains in West India, which is what’s depicted on the print. A vision of rolling hills, horsemen, cows, monkeys and birds as well as some forests. The whole thing is a beautiful, tranquil design that can turn a room into a serene, picturesque dream.

‘Aravali’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

The Yamuna pattern is a refreshing take on the paisley print, which manages to maintain the essence of the iconic style without any outdated stigma creeping its way in. The exotic print comes in three colourways, the first darker shade works for a fresh, contemporary house, the second a light pastel is well suited for a feminine, traditional setting and the last is a wonderful rustic style, that’s great for low-key, relaxed decorum that’s looking for a hint of a seventies vibe.

‘Yamuna’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

Peeking out in the picture above, behind the Yamuna fabric is the lovely, contemporary Jali Trellis wallpaper. The lattice pattern mixed with the vibrant colours creates a wonderful looks that would be the perfect backdrop in any room, be it an old townhouse or a contemporary apartment.

The final delicious fabric is the Viceroy pattern, it’s a velvet applique and embroidered marigolds in vivid colours, and is rather heavenly. The dense fabric is just calling to be turned into a dramatic pair of curtains, or a reupholstered sofa, it’s a wonderful design with a great textural element to it.

‘Viceroy’ from Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little

The Durbar collection is truly breath-taking, and whether you’re thinking about making a big or small change, or are tempted to make a splash in your home, Matthew Williamson is always something worth betting on.

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Extra Ordinary Wallpapers

More often than not when faced with the task of redecorating, whether it’s a recently bought house or just time for a facelift, so many of us shy away from bold adventurous patterns and colours and head straight over to the neutrals section of any sample book and never look back. While neutral, when done well, will always been an elegant and classic decision, there’s something to be said for adorning your home with something a little more unusual.

A few weeks ago I wrote a blogpost on some of the best paint companies around, and today I wanted to share the companies who have Angel + Blume’s stamp of approval when it comes to gloriously exciting and interesting wallpaper designs. For all the thrill seekers out there who don’t want to settle for plain and love a creative and vibrantly decorated interior, here are some absolutely wonderful, out of the ordinary wallpaper designs that will tick all the boxes.

When you opt for a striking, daring wallpaper design, instead your wall of being just part of the foundations of a house, it becomes a work of art, and finding an artistic print that’s just right for you will not only give you so much joy but will completely transform a room.

‘Rockface’ from Fromental

This is a wonderful, contemporary piece from Fromental, it’ll bring a bucket load of originality and create an elegant and sleek landscape right in the middle of your home. It will look striking on a long stretch of a wall, even when broken up with features such as a fireplace like above. What’s so great about this design is the symmetry between the drama of the mountain design and understated nature of the colour palette meaning either part can be dressed up or down depending on your style preference.

Another company that is always a reliable source for art-like wallpaper designs is House of Lacroix via Designers Guild. Vivid, snappy designs that don’t shy away from colour, Lacroix wallpapers will excite anyone who sees them. The latest collection ‘Incroyables et Merveillesuses’ has some truly show-stopping patterns that are perfect for awakening your wild side.

‘Bagatelle’ by House of Lacroix from Designers Guild

With a visual impact like no other, the Bagatelle design, which takes inspiration from the Parc de Bagatelle just outside of Paris, will inject life into your interior and is a superb way to show off of your courageous and inventive style.

For an equally floral and fruitful design, but with a more regimented pattern, Timorous Beasties have a lovely design that coordinates wonderful scenery into contemporary vertical stripes, making it the ideal companion for anyone looking to integrate nature elements into a modern scheme without it looking too traditional. The playful vertical stripes work perfectly and add a little bounce to the interior.

‘Fruit Looters’ from Timorous Beasties

Never one to shy away from colour and patterns, Osborne and Little always have something rather wonderful up their sleeve, and their new ‘Fantasque’ collection is nothing short of amazing. The geometric patterns and abstract designs pay homage to the cultural movements of the early 20^th century and the striking colours are just what the doctor ordered to add a little oomph to your interiors.

‘Fantasque’ from Osborne and Little

This art deco themed wallpaper is wonderfully sultry, the rich colours and bold patterns make it ooze with glamour, the dramatic aesthetic would look stunning in dark and cosy den. Another vertically striped marvel is this Tamara De Lempicka inspired pattern which has a lovely vibrant sense of movement to it.

‘Lempicka’ from Osborne and Little

If you love a vivacious colour palette but find traditional prints and patterns more agreeable with you style Waybreads is the perfect company for you. Waybreads make beautiful hand printed wallpapers that all follow a natural, wildlife motif; think a modern Morris & Co. in the making.

‘Dog Rose’ from Waybreads

I think the combination of this colourway and pattern is breath-taking, so rich and luxurious yet kept humble by the floral motif, it would look amazing in a long corridor or hallway. Another equally stunning design from Waybreads is this ‘Guleder Rose and Old Man’s Beard’ print. With a lovely backstory as its inspiration and the extra added touch of being hand printed, there’s a real uniqueness about the design that will really give your home a wonderful welcoming spirit.

‘Guelder Rose and Old Man’s Beard’ from Waybreads

If you’re looking for something that has the same amount of style and impact but in more of a subtle tone, there are plenty of styles and designs that will get you your fix. Designers Guild have a beautiful fading design that is the perfect balance between neutral and experimental. There’s a balance of sophistication and elegance as well as fun and contemporariness that creates a modern nod towards a classic interior.

‘Saraille’ from Designers Guild

Fromental have a delightful geometric design that uses a subtle palette, which is perfect of those who want optimum style without being over the top, the Moorish architectural it takes influence from a classic, elegant style that won’t appear dated, and the use of the blue tones and shading give the design an almost three dimensional effect.

‘Kaleidoscope’ from Fromental

So if you’re thinking about spicing up your interiors, why not dive in head first with some outstanding wallpaper designs that will truly make your home shine with originality and excitement.

For more information on these suppliers and many others check out Angel + Blume’s Address Book at, http://www.angelandblume.com/addressbook.php

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New Lorca Collection for Spring ’16

We were fortunate enough to have our lovely sales rep from Osborne & Little come into the office the other week to show us the new collections for spring 2016, and by the amount of samples we ordered you can tell we absolutely fell in love with everything! However what really struck a chord were the wonderful new Lorca collections, Aradonis and Aradonis Weaves!

There are some wonderfully bright and colourful patterns and colours being used that are sure to put a spring in your step and into your interiors.

Hanging fabric: Yolanta, back of chair: Loana, seat: Calina

The inspiration for the collection comes from the style, architecture and general aesthetics of the Eastern Mediterranean visualised in a modern, contemporary way. The collection sees Lorca’s distinctive signature colours including fuchsia, lavender, orange and turquoise mixed together with a new palette of apple, hyacinth, linen, saffron, taupe and black.

What’s so lovely about this collection is that each pattern is inspired by something specific, you can really imagine a designer’s journey through the Mediterranean and the places they visited and the things they saw. The ‘tree of life’ pattern in the hanging fabric above takes its inspiration from mosaics in a Byzantine Palace. The inspiration for the pattern, just like all the patterns in the collection has then be translated into a contemporary design with just the right combination of snappy 21^st century colours and historical and traditional nostalgia.

Hanging fabric and cushion: Aradonis Stripe, sofa and base of footstool: Calina, top of footstool: Loana.

There’s a lovely sleekness to the Aradonis Stripe design and a sense of fun in the colours that gives the fabric a light-hearted nature. The fabrics in this photograph all take inspiration from various items of clothing, the stripe from the costume of a temple dancer, the Calina design from an antique Maltese belt and the Loana from an ottoman waistcoat.

Hanging fabric: Natalia

This beautiful floral design on a mixture of viscose and silk is absolutely stunning and is a fantastic way to do glamour and florals without the scheme looking dated or tacky. The design follows suit of a brocade spotted by a designer in a Cypriot villa, and is beautifully elegant, reflecting the rays of sun amazingly.

Hanging fabric (left): Fombelle, hanging fabric (right): Palatine

These two fabrics are absolutely perfect if you’re looking for something vibrant and contemporary to revamp a room. On the left, Fombelle a lovely embroidered feather pattern that also comes in a vivid palette of colour for a really contemporary look. Palatine, the fabric on the right was influenced by rope work seen at a quayside on Syracuse, Sicily. You can really feel the energy of the sources of creativity shine through into the patterns and designs, and knowing their origins helps to paint a rather enticing picture of a rich history for your interiors.

Hanging fabric and cushion: Palestrina, sofa: Calina

The Eastern Mediterranean heritage and culture shine through in the Palestrina fabric, having acquired its name from the ancient city in Italy. It’s a spectacular combination of regal damask design with modern hues in the background and is absolutely ideal for dressing up any room and creating a little Mediterranean getaway.

The Dolenia fabric makes a rather lovely finish, the beautiful silhouettes of the leaves overlapping one another is akin of looking directly underneath a tree in full bloom and seeing the sun beam through the foliage.

Hanging fabric: Dolenia, cushion and base of footstool: Calina, top of footstool: Loana

Another simply stunning collection from Lorca to feast your eyes on, we can’t wait to use them!

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