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The Wonderful World of Mineheart

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Mineheart takes its name from the Shakespearian English words ‘mine’ and ‘heart’, meaning ‘my heart’.  This expresses their passion to create freely, without restraint.

The company produces the ‘Lovable Collection’ of furniture, lighting, wallpaper and interior accessories and was launched in 2010 by designers Brendan Young and Vanessa Battaglia of Studiomold and Young & Battaglia.  The duo are known for their playful approach to design, and innovative re-appropriation of materials and imagery, so expect the unexpected…

mineheart palace wallpaper mural

The Palace wallpaper is inspired by the wonderfully opulent interiors of stately homes and palaces of the 18th Century. It features an image of a large hall adorned with beautiful paintings and chandeliers.  Absolutely fabulous for creating an illusion of space and grandeur.

mineheart palace wallpaper mural 2

The Renaissance cowhide is unlike any cowhide you have ever seen, it’s from a very exotic breed of beast that lives in the fantasy world of designers Young & Battaglia. The piece features a background image created by artist Himitsuhana, overlayed with tufts of fur and hand cut out in a special rubber backed fabric.

mineheart renassaince cowhide rug

A fusion between art and utility, this rug will no doubt add a beautifully surreal touch to any interior, and unlike real cowhides this one is hypoallergenic, washable, and will always lay flat.

mineheart candela wall light

The ‘Renaissance’ wall light is a beautifully simple circular shade made using traditional lampshade making techniques of fabric stretched over a steel frame. The front diffuser features an image of a girl lit by candlelight, and is designed to give a soft, romantic glow.  The candle flame is cleverly positioned directly in front of the light source so that when the light is on, the light emanates from the flame.  Genius.

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Ten of the Best – Hits of Turquoise

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Prepare to be uplifted.  A shot of colour for the weekend.

Ten of the Best hits of Turquoise 3

Sources:1.Mezzo vase, LSA 2.Artek 60 stool, The Lollipop Shoppe 3.Rug, ABC Carpet & Home 4.Tealight holder, Dotmaison 5.Cushion cover, H&M 6.Birdie shelf, eshop 7.Candle, mydeco 8.Throws, Palmers 9.Coral chandelier, mydeco 10.Normann Krenit bowl, Clippings

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When Carpet’s Right

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (1 Comments)

Much as we all love the beauty of wood, the practicality of tiles and the feel of smooth poured concrete beneath our feet, there are times when only carpet will do.

Carpet Right 1

Carpet still has the edge when it comes to comfort and luxury.  It’s no surprise that it’s still the flooring of choice for the best hotels (well, in the northern hemisphere anyway).  There’s just something about toes wriggling in the deep pile first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Carpet Right 2

It has other qualities too of course.  It’s a great insulator against cold and noise.  Wooden stairs look great, but boy, can they be noisy when the whole family decide to run up and down them.  Just think how hushed and quiet wall to wall carpet will be.

Carpet Right 3

And carpet just warms a whole room up.  Figuratively and quite literally. Nothing looks quite as cosy and inviting.  Just kick off the shoes and relax.

Designer Tips. Do your homework about the most suitable carpet for the different areas in your home.  And buying carpet online makes sense as long as you order samples so that you can check the colour and suitability at home first.

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Plain English Kitchens

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (3 Comments)

If money were no object, I would have a kitchen by Plain English without a doubt.

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Not just because they are the most beautiful kitchens I have ever seen but because they are a traditional joinery company who take pride in using the techniques of the 18th and 19th century cabinet makers.  There are no gadgets or plastic bits and they are made by hand in a Suffolk workshop using local craftsmen for the iron components, and the baskets and any other bits not made in-house.

plain english kitchens 1

The drawers run on candlewaxed wooden runners and the shelf pegs are turned by hand.  Even the pull-out trays in the floor cupboards are copied from the slides in an 18th century linen press.

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You just know that this kitchen will work as good as it looks and it will continue to look good for many, many years.

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Understandably this kind of workmanship comes with its own price tag.

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So next time I need a new kitchen and my budget runs from £45,000 to £50,000 I’m there!

 

Breakfast with Rose and Grey

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

I’ve always thought breakfast should be a lighthearted affair and it seems the guys at Rose and Grey agree.

Most families I know agree that breakfast can often be rushed and stressful in our busy lives.  So lets bring back a sense of humour and put things on our table that make us smile.

rose and grey milk jug

The cow milk jug is sure to be a talking point and looks much nicer than that milk carton.

rose and grey winners egg cup

The ‘Winner’ egg cup certainly put a smile on my face and it might encourage little ones to eat up!

rose and grey salt and pepper

Just add a little love with these two salt and pepper pots.

rose and grey mug

And strong tea for the man of the house.

rose and grey cookie jar

And if all else fails try a little bribery from the cookie jar?

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What’s New at Oka Direct

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Oka direct is always one of my go-to websites when I’m looking for something that is timeless and a little bit different.  They seem to source and design products that I love for myself and for clients.  Especially if the look we’re going for is one of agelessness and gives the impression that everything has been picked up from the four corners of the earth during a well-travelled life.  Which it has, but from the comfort of my armchair and without the hassles of shipping and taxes.

For spring they have put together four inspirational homes on the website and in their catalogue but the one I’m most drawn to is ‘Highlife’.  Here’s a taster.

oka highlife 3

oka living room get the look

high-life-dining-room

oka dining room get the look

high-life-bedroom

oka bedroom get the look

All products are available from Oka Direct.

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Lou Rota Vintage Art Plate Kits

Posted by deardesigner in Craft | Shopping - (4 Comments)

Those of you who read Heart Home magazine regularly, and I sure hope it’s all of you, will remember the gorgeous home of Lou Rota in the latest issue.

penelope wincer for heart home mag

Lou is best known for her decorative tableware of course, featuring vintage flowers and all manner of birds, creepy crawlies and unexpected wildlife.  Examples of her work can be seen above in the shot of her kitchen that the lovely Penelope Wincer took for Heart Home.

Well, Lou just launched a Vintage Plate Art Kit which includes everything you could need to upcycle your own vintage plates using some of her most popular designs.  Available on her own website or on the Not On the High Street site.

lou rota vintage plate art kit

Currently available is ‘Butterflies’

lou rota vintage plate art kit - flamingos

and ‘Flamigos and Hummingbirds’.

lou rota flamingos plate

Or you could just buy some Lou did earlier.

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Industrial Chic Ideasbook On Houzz

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (0 Comments)

I’m delighted to say that I am now curating a monthly ‘ideasbook’ over on Houzz.

The first one is now live and it’s featuring ‘industrial chic’ as if you hadn’t guessed that already.  20 products picked by moi that encapsulate exactly what this trend is all about.  So please pop over and have a quick look by clicking here.

Houzz

If you haven’t already discovered Houzz and you are interested in interiors, then you really should have a look at this website.  It is a leading platform for home renovation and design which connects homeowners with interior designers and other professionals.  But best of all for those of us who can’t get enough of inspiring images, it has a vast database of photographs and shopping ideas.

Details of all products are on the Houzz website.

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The Ibride Yuan Vase

Posted by deardesigner in Shopping - (5 Comments)

I have fallen head over heels for this Ibride Yuan vase.

ibride - yuan vase

Not just a vase you understand.  It’s actually tableware that stacks into a vase shape.

ibride - yuan

Consisting of 4 plates, 4 bowls and 1 lid it is made of high quality, dishwashable melamine and the inside has the most exquisite decoration.

ibride - yuan dinner plates 2

In addition there are another four plates to add to the collection.

ibride - yuan dinner plates 1

It simply is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time.

*sigh*

Available from An Angel At My Table.

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The Safari Collection from Mark Alexander

Posted by deardesigner in Interior Design - (0 Comments)

Mark Alexander launched four new collections earlier this year.  Voyage, Compass, Brasilia and Safari.  All of the collections are beautiful but it was Safari that spoke to me the most.

mark alexander fabrics - safari 1

It’s a contemporary and stylish take on African tribal-cloths, animalia and North African kelims.  The textured weaves have been re-interpreted in urban neutrals, punctuated with a strong red and turquoise (not shown).

mark alexander fabrics - safari 2

mark alexander fabrics - safari 3

This is very me.

Mark Alexander is part of the Romo group and the collections are available through selected showrooms and interior designers worldwide.

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